[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Power supply upgrade
I can confirm that the later Linn Brilliant SMPS's are indeed very very good. Certainly later versions of the 5103, Kairn and Karik were noticeably improved over the earlier ones. SMPS is clearly not empirically bad - but it would appear that good ones are neither common or cheap. -- Phil Leigh Phil Leigh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=85 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=20844 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Power supply upgrade
My speakers are DIY using very revealing Aurum Cantons G2si ribbon tweeters and paper midrange woofers. I can definitely hear differences between tweaked and untweaked CD players but through my previous speakers (BW N804), I was unable to do so. Audible differences between setups have mostly occured in higher frequencies but they were slight. This was confirmed by several non-audiophile visitors at my home, too. My ribbons are extremely sensitive. I think our hearing works perfectly fine. Maybe it's just the top end of our speakers that masks those slight differences. I know this doesn't directly relate to switching supplies vs linear ones but I'm sure we're all able to hear differences when there are some. With the BW's I wouldn't have bothered upgrading my source. I guess the conclusion is try *ANYTHING* before you spend money and see for yourself if it does make a difference. Regards, Mike -- mlihl mlihl's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=3376 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=20844 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Power supply upgrade results (by ear)
)p( Wrote: Why, the ceo of slimdevices has told on the forum that he does not believe it affects the sound quality of the sb output. Why should they sell something they do not believe in? peter The CEO doesn't have a revealing enough system to know the difference. -- Skunk Skunk's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2685 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=22204 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: What Amp and Speakers Are You Using?
Mine is minimalist system for my home office. The SB3 feeds a pair of Behringer Truth B2031A active powered, bi-amped nearfield monitors. I'm thinking of adding a pair of matching Behringer 2092 powered subwoofers. Michael -- mgraves mgraves's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4078 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=21643 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: upgrade digital output
Indeed I did. I would appreciate an apology, too. This isn't a flame; I'm just completely confused as to why you would attack a stranger with all this sarcasm and snootiness. Of course, you're not the kind to take or accept an olive branch, and you're certainly not the kind to apologize. -- highdudgeon highdudgeon's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2195 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=19475 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: What Amp and Speakers Are You Using?
SB3-Bel Canto Pre2-Rane DEQ60L-Sunfire 300-Harbeth Monitor 40s on Skylan stands. That's about it. I've toyed around with two or three DACs and thought the Lavry the best of them. However, the more I listened for differences and the more I listened to the SB3 alone...the more I found it very satisfying and quite enough for me. The operative phrase here is, of course, for me. All cables by Blue Jeans Cables of Seattle. Terrific people, fair prices, solid products. Again, YMMV. I get a kick out of the tiny SB3, alone atop my cabinet (other components hidden away) in the middle of my rather huge (for me) Harbeths. With stands, that's 150lbs per speaker. The SB3 is simply a wonderful device. -- highdudgeon highdudgeon's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2195 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=21643 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: SB-3 and external DAC
Thank's for the Big Ben tip - but now I've already bought or ordered most components for the media server so I'm sort of stuck with that. And then of course I'll get a convenient way of watching those .avi files that are such a nightmare to re-code for burning DVD's. Anyway the dCS gear; I got in at a good price for the Delius + Purcell. Second hand purchase, ok that was a lot of money but still much below half the new price. My previous equipment was all Linn (Karik + Numerik etc). I got the Delius first. When I switched in that - it was as if a new window into my CD's had opened. I expected a small-ish improvement, but it wasn't. I heard a lot of things I had never heard before, more bass, better imaging. Also a very annoying drift - like when you hear a very distinct instrument, say the triangle - playing and slightly moving from left to right. We know darn well that the guy isn't moving. That all disappeared with the dCS. Then I switched in the Purcell - that was a smaller improvement (when using CD's) but more with SB3 as source (probably because it re-clocks the signal very accurately, nearly as good as a central clock). The CD is clocked from the DAC so that's probably why that sounds a little bit better. I did some switch in / switch out tests with the Purcell and there was a difference, big enough so I wouldn't be without it now. The music widened with the Purcell. Example: Listening to three male voices singing, standing close together on the scene - with the Purcell I could clearly locate each individual. Without, they were all in the same spot, making it more difficult to follow the plot. There were more differences, more subtle better sound The dCS setup improves HUGHELY on CD's - and it works well for SACD's too. But the fact is that a good CD recording sounds almost as good as a SACD. I now hear much more difference between good and bad CD's than I ever did before. OK, that's it - and this is why I'm chasing the last bits with the SB3. If I get it spot on, I don't even need to keep my CD's. In fact, I'm so sure it will work, I'm already planning a sale over Ebay (and yes - of course I will destroy the backup copies 24 hours after the CD is sold). -- CarlOtto CarlOtto's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=3581 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=17948 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: SB-3 and external DAC
...a major advantage to having a PC+soundcard is that with the dCS equipment I can rip SACD's to hard disk. With the soundcard (Lynx Two) I think I can only get a maximum of 96 kS/S on the digital inputs (not entirely sure there) but it is still pretty good. SB3 doesn't support this sample rate so for ripped SACD's I would need some other program for playback - but I'm sure that can be arranged. -- CarlOtto CarlOtto's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=3581 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=17948 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: What Amp and Speakers Are You Using?
SB2 (modified by Boulder Cables) Odyssey HT3 (used with a switch so it also powers my front 3 speakers for Home Theater) Custom Rick Craig/Selah Audio 3-way Towers Bluejeans Cables interconnects DIY Cat-5 speaker cables Sounds great. Rick's speakers image so well, I gave up listening to Pro Logic 2/Neo Music, etc. -- skvinson skvinson's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2147 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=21643 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: What Amp and Speakers Are You Using?
SB3 - dCS Purcell upsampler 44.1 - 192 - dCS Delius DAC - Linn Klimax Chakra Twin (- Quad 989). -- CarlOtto CarlOtto's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=3581 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=21643 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Power supply upgrade results (by ear)
For all the buzz generated by the latest Ultimate Power Supply built by Bolder Cables company. I cannot believe anyone to be stupid enough to pay $1000 for a power supply upgrade if they cannot hear the improvement. I think it warrant at least a critical listening by slimdevices staff to prove their point that the stock power supply is good enough. barry -- 95bcwh 95bcwh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4358 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=22204 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Power supply upgrade results (by ear)
95bcwh Wrote: For all the buzz generated by the latest Ultimate Power Supply built by Bolder Cables company. I cannot believe anyone to be stupid enough to pay $1000 for a power supply upgrade if they cannot hear the improvement. I think it warrant at least a critical listening by slimdevices staff to prove their point that the stock power supply is good enough. barry How could they possibly prove such a thing? Good enough in what sense? I'm afraid I don't quite follow your reasoning! -- P Floding P Floding's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2932 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=22204 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: upgrade digital output
highdudgeon Wrote: Indeed I did. I would appreciate an apology, too. This isn't a flame; I'm just completely confused as to why you would attack a stranger with all this sarcasm and snootiness. Of course, you're not the kind to take or accept an olive branch, and you're certainly not the kind to apologize. Apology? After you send me foul mouth private emails and belittle my work, which you know absolutely nothing about. Not in this lifetime. -- mauidan mauidan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1679 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=19475 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: upgrade digital output
boys, it's all about the music. If your ears hear something someone else's don't that doesn't make either of you right or wrong. Maybe your equipment is better and shows subtle nuances. Maybe it's worse and amplifies flaws. Maybe you listened to Led Zeppelin too loud 20 years ago and all the subtly is gone anyway and all you hear is the bass. Turn on some music, drink a beer, glass of wine, or cup of coffee and get on with life. Life's too damned short to spend it pissing each other off. -- snarlydwarf snarlydwarf's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1179 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=19475 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: upgrade digital output
Bless you. As for Dan, apology indeed. You owe me one. You simply are not man enough to own up to your poor behavior. Belittle work about which I know nothing? Actually, I do know quite a bit. What about what began this whole thing? You belitting me, for absolutely no reason other than being upset for having been kicked off a reputable audio forum by one of the major forces in audio criticism...point, set, match. I'm chuckling. -- highdudgeon highdudgeon's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2195 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=19475 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Power supply upgrade results (by ear)
Here's the thing: Without verified blind tests, it is more or less impossible to get a hold on these mods. Think about it: the placebo effect works. If it works in medicine, it certainly works in audio, with the expectations of eagar audiophiles multiplied by the money they have spent. I've been there and done it myself. I keep reminding people of the Bay Area Audiophile Society blind test of power cords -- judging between generic IEC cords and $1,000 audiophile cords, the hit rate hovered around 50%. 50%, of course, is statistically meaningless. In short, get a cheap cord, remember that there are miles of power grid and house hold wire before your huge audiophile cord, and call it good. But that's me. There are so many things that can be improved in theory or by numbers. So often, though, these differences make no audible difference. An amp with a published THD of .05% is not worse than one with .008% (just to name two amps I've owned in the last year or so). And then, of course, comes the law of diminishing returns. Sure, lots of things make subtle differences, and sometimes nice subtle differences...but, are they worth it? That is where the die-hard hobbiest or perfectionist diverges from other audiophiles. I recently ditched a very excellent DAC because, really, I'm very happy with the SB3 as it is, I've had transporting experiences listening to music through it, and I'd rather spent the extra grand somewhere else (like tickets to see live music, for one). Peter Lyngdorf (of TacT audio) pulled aside a well-known American reviewer and brought his ear to within an inch of a tweeter. Sure enough, there was a tiny bit of hiss. This hiss, it happens, is what a $600 or so power supply upgrade to his unit would remove. If it is important to you, well, grand. Others might choose otherwise. As if you can't tell...I'm from the objectivist camp... -- highdudgeon highdudgeon's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2195 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=22204 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: SB3 Breakin?
I recently setup 2 SB3's. One at the office and one at home. The one at the office, using variable rate WMP, is a big improvement over the older Denon CD transport. However, I've been a little disappointed with the results at home (so far). Using lossless WMP, the sound through the analog output through my Anthem AVM2 (Analog Passthrough) is MUCH worse than running it through the DAC on the Anthem - sound stage is elevated several feet, transparency is diminished and clarity is reduced. Previously, I preferred the direct analog feed from my Philips Multiplayer to the digital results from the Anthem - slightly better realism on percussion and strings. I was hoping to experience better results from the SB3 analog. The convenience is great and I (surprisingly) love the Internet radio feature, but I'm hoping the sound WILL improve with break in Incidentally, I'm using a PS Audio HCA2 for amplification connected to Vandersteen Model 5 speakers. Anyone else with a similar experience? Thanks, Jonathan -- jonathan.penrose jonathan.penrose's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4570 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=22176 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Which Codec/Bit Rate!?!?
Thank you all for your input! I'll let you know what I decide. -- tf8252 tf8252's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4109 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=21883 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Power supply upgrade results (by ear)
P Floding Wrote: How could they possibly prove such a thing? Good enough in what sense? I'm afraid I don't quite follow your reasoning! So far, people who has listen to the Squeezebox with BOTH the upgraded power supply and the stock power supply all concluded that the upgraded power supply is way better. Now, whether the extend of improvement justifies the extra $1000 it's entirely up to individuals. On the other side of the fence, I have read that Slimdevices (and some Squeezebox dealers) claimed that the power supply upgrade is not necessary. But I have not read that they have actually do an A/B comparison between the stock power supply and the upgraded one. So, all I'm asking is, when you make a claim that the upgrade is unnecessary, you have to be very specific in what you mean, is it: (1) The upgrade is unnecessary because there's no improvement in sound whatsoever. (2) The upgrade is unnecessary because the price is too much to justify the improvement. -- 95bcwh 95bcwh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4358 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=22204 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Power supply upgrade results (by ear)
$1000 for an upgraded power supply? That thing better do something more special than put out 5v. -- snarlydwarf snarlydwarf's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1179 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=22204 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Power supply upgrade results (by ear)
snarlydwarf wrote: $1000 for an upgraded power supply? That thing better do something more special than put out 5v. Yeah, I thought you guys were talking about spending between $5 and $30 on this project. which is low enough, if it is not clear it works, who cares! Clearly a $1000 power supply has lots of tubes. -- Pat http://www.pfarrell.com/music/slimserver/slimsoftware.html ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: Power supply upgrade results (by ear)
snarlydwarf Wrote: $1000 for an upgraded power supply? That thing better do something more special than put out 5v. Yep, I'm not one of them, but those who spent these kind of money typically have spent over $3k to $10k buying a CD player. What they now claimed is that with the modification (including power supply), which will cost a total of $1500 (including the squeezebox), the SB now sound as good as the $3k-$10k CD players. Hence to them it's money well spent!!! -- 95bcwh 95bcwh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4358 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=22204 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Re: upgrade digital output
mauidan highdudgeon: Take your conversation off the public forum. Thanks, dean ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
