Labs

Logitech's Squeezebox Duet consists of a receiver with stereo phono and coaxial and optical S/PDIF outputs, and a remote control with a colour screen. The remote is a separate wireless device in its own right, which can communicate with both the SqueezeCenter server software installed on your PC and the receiver. Squeezebox products aren't compatible with UPnP, iTunes or SMB shares, but its open-source SqueezeCenter server software works under Windows, Max

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OS X and Linux.

It was easy to set up on our wireless network, and the server software found music easily. The controller's iPod-style interface and scroll wheel makes it easy to select tracks and connect to podcasts and internet radio. The Duet supports lots of online music services, most of which offer free trial subscriptions, and it can access archive.org's free Live Music Archive.

With both the controller and receiver connected wirelessly, there was sometimes a couple of seconds' delay between pressing the button to pause or skip tracks on the handset and the Squeezebox receiver responding. The controller can be used to control multiple receivers, but we found controlling more than one receiver unreliable and nowhere near as easy to set up as the more expensive Sonos kit.

The intuitive user interface makes this receiver a joy to use, and its high-quality speakers sound excellent. It's pricier than most streamers here, but the flexibility of the wireless remote control makes it a pleasure to use, and a Best Buy.