[Sasha]

Has anyone compared SB3 going S/PDIF to an external DAC with USB to S/PDIF converter going into the same DAC?
I am looking for a better digital source, at present time it is Rotel RCD 1072 going into MF X-DAC V3, and was thinking of adding convenience to performance by taking music server approach.
I got SB3 with linear regulated PS, and I am not pleased with its performance.
Sound quality wise, Toslink into DAC is garbage, coax is better, but not as good as Mid-fi Rotel as transport. This came as a surprise to me considering the advertised low jitter on SB3 coax.
So it was a waste of money.
Has anyone compared digital out of SB to any of USB to S/PDIF converters, such as Empirical Audio USB Off-Ramp Turbo 2?
And can any of those USB to S/PDIF converters be purchased with trial period (money back minus shipping)?

[DSK]

Sasha, the stock SB is not bad but not high end. Send it to Wayne for mods and you won't think it was a waste of money any more. Although many people here are happy with using a modded SB into an external DAC, IMHO getting the full analog Bolder mods and eliminating the external DAC will give you high end performance equal to, or within a bee's wotsit, of the very best out there. Depending on which linear PS you have, you may wish to upgrade to a Bolder modded PS (Ultimate II) in your pursuit of the best performance. Good luck.

[audioengr]

Has anyone compared SB3 going S/PDIF to an external DAC with USB to S/PDIF converter going into the same DAC?
I am looking for a better digital source, at present time it is Rotel RCD 1072 going into MF X-DAC V3, and was thinking of adding convenience to performance by taking music server approach.
I got SB3 with linear regulated PS, and I am not pleased with its performance.
Sound quality wise, Toslink into DAC is garbage, coax is better, but not as good as Mid-fi Rotel as transport. This came as a surprise to me considering the advertised low jitter on SB3 coax.
So it was a waste of money.
Has anyone compared digital out of SB to any of USB to S/PDIF converters, such as Empirical Audio USB Off-Ramp Turbo 2?
And can any of those USB to S/PDIF converters be purchased with trial period (money back minus shipping)?

Sasha - I'm in the process of modding several Wi-Fi converters, including SB3.  I am modding the Sonos first.  I have the option of doing 2 versions:

1) improved clock (superclock), power delivery and S/PDIF output improvements

or

2) replace clock with that from Pace-Car I2S reclocker

(2) will be the lowest jitter and compete with Off-Ramp USB converters, but will only output I2S, so you must have an I2S input on your DAC.

Steve N.

[Sasha]

Steve,

One thing I am not clear on USB converter, does it have to lock on the clock from PC in the signal over USB?
That was my understanding, and was one of factors that made me purchase SB3 (network connection being asynchronous type of transport, thus no dependency on PC clock). Unfortunately SB3 performance is quite poor regardless of the theory and reviews.
When do you plan to start modifications to SB3? And would it be possible to have some sort of a floater that can be auditioned?

Sasha

[DSK]

Steve, I made the previous post in rather a hurry and didn't realise that it was in your forum. My apologies for recommending a competitor in your forum (IIRC you do SB mods too?). Please delete if you wish.  

[Papajin]

Sasha - I'm in the process of modding several Wi-Fi converters, including SB3.  I am modding the Sonos first.  I have the option of doing 2 versions:

1) improved clock (superclock), power delivery and S/PDIF output improvements

or

2) replace clock with that from Pace-Car I2S reclocker

(2) will be the lowest jitter and compete with Off-Ramp USB converters, but will only output I2S, so you must have an I2S input on your DAC.

Hi Steve,

Any progress on the Sonos yet?

[audioengr]

Steve,

One thing I am not clear on USB converter, does it have to lock on the clock from PC in the signal over USB?
That was my understanding, and was one of factors that made me purchase SB3 (network connection being asynchronous type of transport, thus no dependency on PC clock). Unfortunately SB3 performance is quite poor regardless of the theory and reviews.
When do you plan to start modifications to SB3? And would it be possible to have some sort of a floater that can be auditioned?

Sasha

True, the USB converters must lock onto the clock from the computer.  However, the PLL in the Off-Ramp lowers the jitter significantly and the Pace-Car pretty much eliminates it.  The SB3 is still not as good, plus it does not support 24/96 - yet.

After I tape-out the new board for the Pace-Car next week, I may just order a SB3 for myself and mod it to be a slave of the Pace-Car.  Since I have so many converters here now, I can probably send the Pace-Car and SB3 out for review and auditioning.  Review of this combo will be first.  We are probably looking at late summer for availability of the demo pair.

Steve N.

[audioengr]

Sasha - I'm in the process of modding several Wi-Fi converters, including SB3.  I am modding the Sonos first.  I have the option of doing 2 versions:

1) improved clock (superclock), power delivery and S/PDIF output improvements

or

2) replace clock with that from Pace-Car I2S reclocker

(2) will be the lowest jitter and compete with Off-Ramp USB converters, but will only output I2S, so you must have an I2S input on your DAC.

Hi Steve,

Any progress on the Sonos yet?

No, it is #4 in the queue after two DEQX's, a pair of JC-1's and an upgrade to a DAC-1.  Probably about 3 weeks away.

Steve N.

[audioengr]

Steve, I made the previous post in rather a hurry and didn't realise that it was in your forum. My apologies for recommending a competitor in your forum (IIRC you do SB mods too?). Please delete if you wish.  

Not a problem.  Wayne is a buddy and I will be modding the SB3 soon.

Steve N.

[Papajin]

Hi Steve,

Any movement on any of the WiFi projects yet?

Doug

Sasha - I'm in the process of modding several Wi-Fi converters, including SB3.  I am modding the Sonos first.  I have the option of doing 2 versions:

1) improved clock (superclock), power delivery and S/PDIF output improvements

or

2) replace clock with that from Pace-Car I2S reclocker

(2) will be the lowest jitter and compete with Off-Ramp USB converters, but will only output I2S, so you must have an I2S input on your DAC.

Hi Steve,

Any progress on the Sonos yet?

No, it is #4 in the queue after two DEQX's, a pair of JC-1's and an upgrade to a DAC-1.  Probably about 3 weeks away.

Steve N.