I have a stock SB3 for which I have ambiguous feelings. The convenience and features are terrific but the sound quality is only decent - hence the ambivalence. If the sound quality can be improved, I think the ambiguity goes away and that's my goal.
Here's my current setup: Stock SB3 w/ stock PS - firmware 59 Slim Server 6.5b1 - Mac OSX 10.4.8 Music Files - Apple Lossless w/error correction McIntosh MA6200 integrated amp Monitor Audio GR10 speakers (may be switching to Omega Aperion 8 soon) Denon DVD2200 - mid-fi universal player Because my amp is a relic, I'm using analog connections from SB3 to it. Cables are basic Dayton Audio (build quality comparable to Monster but cheaper). The problem: When I do an A/B switch between the Denon and the SB3, the Denon not only plays much louder but there's more life in what I'm hearing. I'm not an audiophile so I can't really use all the terminology but the decay of the notes on the Denon is better and it sounds more dynamic. Because I don't have the tools or the know how to measure things, to give you an idea of the difference in the loudness levels, I normally listen to the Denon in the 10 o'clock position on the amp's volume control. For the SB3 to achieve a comparable level of loudness, the volume control has to be in the 12 o'clock position. Even if I bump the volume up (using the amp control) for the SB3, the sound just isn't as dynamic and it just seems flat and lifeless in comparison. This is a huge disappointment because the Denon isn't all that well regarded for CD output so I was expecting more out of the SB3 than what it is currently delivering. I've read various threads here about changing power supplies and volume control settings. Do those things really help? I have the volume control on the SB3 set to maximum. The SB3's Preamp Volume Control is set to 0. I've tried changing this to various values but haven't found a setting that improves the sound. Do I need to consider going the mod route to really open this thing up? I'm sorry this such a long post. Any advice is greatly appreciated. -- AudioCat ------------------------------------------------------------------------ AudioCat's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7164 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=28700 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
