VERY Nice article on Squeezebox

Wayne1 · « **on:** 30 Nov 2005, 06:22 pm »

Written by AC's own Scott Faller

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1205/slimdevices_squeezebox.htm

gbeard · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 06:41 pm »

Nice job Scott! It seems we have a lot in common...

gb

Scott F. · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 07:07 pm »

I see Steve got the site updated

I'm shocked at how good the SB sounds. I never thoguht I'd be a digital convert, much less a computer driven convert....but I am now. I can't wait to see the other guys reactions (the Gateway guys) to the sounds I'm hearing on my system with the computer drive and the SB. I think alot of people are going to be looking to sell their CD players after hearing this.
Heres one, I haven't turned on my AH! Tjoeb in almost a month. Thats pretty telling....

Just the other day, Waynes Bolder Modified SB2 analog output stage opened up...... Extremely nice

ctviggen · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 07:16 pm »

I think these devices change the way you interact with music. I can access any of my music at any time. I can play music in random play, which means that people like Lucinda Williams and Diana Krall for me become much more enjoyable -- listening to individual songs by these artists is great, but I can't listen to an entire CD. I also use an unmodded SB2 in my second system, and I can listen to music all day on that system while doing home projects. And, my fiance likes to listen to NPR, so we have three different NPRs programmed into the device. Anyone have additional recommendations for internet music?

Tweaker · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 07:34 pm »

Where does one find a $7.00 5Volt 1.5 Amp (regulated) wall wart power supply that gets mentioned a couple of times in the review?

Wayne1 · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 08:03 pm »

Occam posted this in the Lab Circle:

"Goto http://www.hosfelt.com/
click on 'adapters' in the left scroll area
click on
'3-5VDC
Adapters' in upper left
4th one down -

5 VDC @ 1.5 AMP Regulated $US 6.95

Mfg. # - 7202C-3
5-13/16" x 2-1/2" x 2-7/8"
Input: 117 VAC, 60 Hz
Output: 5 VDC @ 1.5 amp. The enclosure and
cords are black. Regulated and filtered.

#56-534

Its a substantial table wart, dunno if the attached plug will fit or if wired correctly for the SB2. "

It is fairly heavy, so shipping will run you another $10-$15.00. The connector is different than the one used in the SB2, so that will have to be changed.

I had one here to try out. That one had a very loud mechanical hum from the transformer. It didn't matter where it was plugged in, straight into the wall or through my Equi=Tech balanced power conditioner.

It did sound "better" to me than the stock power supply. It also sounded "slower" and "muddier" than the "Basic" power supply I build. The Basic rev 1 is even better sounding

I also tried some parts mods on the Hosfelt. I did get it sounding closer to the original Basic, but the hum was too much for me. You may be able to find one without any hum. For the money, it may be worth it to try.

Turk · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 08:47 pm »

Power supplys are extremely important to getting the most out of a SB and particularly a modified model. Until you have heard them back to back you cannot believe the difference.

Mgalusha and I have many hours listening to everthing from the stock wall wort, to a recent PS Wayne built me that is astonishingly good (review to follow after full break in). I cannot stress the difference that one of Wayne's AC PS does for the music. How good, I had Wayne remove the batteries!

Turk · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 09:04 pm »

Sorry, I meant wart.

Tweaker · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 09:49 pm »

I have one of Waynes power supplies for my ART DI/O so I definately know what a difference they can make! Hoping to go cheap for the short term,however, at least untill after X-Mas and the finances return to normal.

ctviggen · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 10:06 pm »

Hey Wayne, on these modded SBs, do you use the same connector for the unmodded SB? In other words, could I hook up the power supply to an unmodded SB to test just the effect of the power supply?

Wayne1 · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 10:58 pm »

Yes, Bob.

That was one of my design goals. Anyone with any generation Squeezebox can use the power supply with it.

At mgalusha's we have listened to various power supplies and levels of mods and many combinations of the two.

As Scott wrote, the best thing to do for a stock SB is to use a linear power supply and run the digital output to an outboard DAC.

Once the analog section gets modded, a better power supply is almost mandatory. You can then run the SB direct into a pair of power amps and prepare to be amazed