I just posted a reply to another thread with basically the same information, but I am using an external DAC with mostly internet radio/Pandora/Last.fm listening. It sounds REALLY good even though it is just 128kbps for most of the streams. There are some internet radio streams at 256 and sometimes higher that sound even better (look for AVRO in the shoutcast classical section) , but I am very happy with what I'm hearing at 128. Clear, transparent, detailed and coherent (emphasis on the coherent) with a nice solid stereo image and bass foundation. The SB3 internal DAC is pretty decent but I am hearing more transparency and coherence with the external DAC. If you could borrow a good DAC from someone or invite them over to hear the SB3 and bring their DAC it would be a no-cost way to evaluate the difference. Or try to get the DAC on a trial basis where you can return it if you don't think it makes enough difference.
Here is the rest of my system to give you some point of reference: SB3 (using digital coaxial out) Behringer SRC2496 sampler rate converter (right now I am leaving the sample rate at 44.1 kHz, I had it upsampling to 24/96 but now it seems the 16/44.1 is a little better) - optical cable connecting to DEQ2496 Behringer DEQ2496 digital EQ (I'm using this for EQ and DAC) Linn LK-1 preamp Linn LK-280 amp (160W x 2 into 4 Ohms) Magnepan SMGc speakers with upgraded crossovers Audio Pro B-240 subwoofer (all but the B-240 plugged into a Furman PL-8 series II power conditioner) -- kh6idf ------------------------------------------------------------------------ kh6idf's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=16848 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=49648 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
