andrei_c Wrote: > First of, I do not consider myself an audiofile and my requirements are > pretty modest. I am using NAD C541 player and NAD C370 integrated amp > with Vienna Acoustics Bach speakers wired by a Kimber Kable 8VS and > interconnects that are marginally better than consumer cables in Best > Buy. My listening room is pretty much untreated, however, I spent a lot > of time placing the speakers to achieve best soundstage and tonal > balance. I do not have external DAC and never needed it. > > I bought SB mostly because I read on this forum that its audio quality > matches quality of consumer CD players. So I happily unpacked my > Squeezebox and connected it to the amp via analog output. > > The first thing that bothered me immediately is that even at 100% > volume SB analog output is still significantly weaker than one of NAD > 541. I still listen a lot of CDs, and I had to adjust volume every time > switching between the CD player and SqueezeBox. > > I could tolerate that, but unfortunately, sound quality does differ, > too. I've ripped several CDs using EAC and played the CD via NAD C541 > and WAV through SqueezeBox in parallel to hear the difference. NAD C541 > offers more air in recordings, localization is so much better, trebles > are clearer, and bass is more defined. The sound of SqueezeBox, in > comparison, is rather harsh even with mellow-sounding Vienna Acoustic > speakers. > > I also use Sony NS900V DVD player ($700) which sounds slightly > different from NAD, but the difference between them is almost > imperceptible, which makes SqueezeBox the culprit. > > I've tried encoding to FLAC instead of using WAV but it didn't make any > difference I could hear. I also checked for obvious stuff - upgraded > server software, switched interconnects, made sure SB is not connected > to PHONO, to no avail. NAD 541, priced around $500 IIRC, still wins > hands down in my system. > > I don't think my SB is defective, as it works flawlessly, and there is > no distortion or noise of any kind. I must admit SB is an exceptional > piece of engineering and I would like to keep it. But I would like to > fix the audio quality problem if at all possible. Or should I say, - > improve audio quality, because I don't think there's really a problem - > SB sound quality is impressive, but just not as good as the CD > player's. > > My next step is to try the liner power supply and see if it helps. I'd > appreciate any other advises on where to look for solution. Also, if > anyone used SqueezeBox with NAD amplifier, please share your > experience.
Hi! First make sure that your RCA connectors are clean (both male and female), and that the outer ground ring is a fairly snug fit on the female connector! All to often it barely touches. If you don't have any cleaning fluid, settle for inserting and removing the connector a few times. Most of my male RCAs are Neutrik with a ground connector that is under tension. My non-Neutriks sometimes require me to squeeze them a bit to give a snugger fit. (Don't squeeze while connected!) Some allow the ground ring to be squeezed toghether thanks to slits in the metal. The really cheap ones don't, so go a bit oval, but that is better than almost no contact! The RCA connectors are a very flawed design. Personally I found that the SBs switching power supply upsets the rest of my system. This could be part of your problem. But try my free suggestions first! Let us know how it goes! -- P Floding ------------------------------------------------------------------------ P Floding's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2932 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=22273 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
