[davidcotton]

Hi

I'm in the uk. Thinking of getting the stock Squeezebox3 modded.  Currently using the stock sb3 with normal psu and a heavily modded m-audio superdac 24/96 via the sb3s coaxial out and sounds pretty good.  Given that I'm only using the stock psu atm is it still worth getting the digital mod only done on the sb3?  Also how do I know which bybee purifier to choose?  I also notice that although you have
$275.00 Slipstream Purifier and $375.00 Silver Slipstream listed, theres also a third option of gold slipstream listed in the drop down menu.

Will there be any problems sending the sb3 out from the uk to you to have the digital mods done?  Aside from the cost of shipping the unit out to you (someone mentioned on another thread in another forum that they used royal mail to usa 3-5 days)will I be hit with any other cost when the unit comes back into the country?

Cheers...

[95bcwh]

Dude... I think as long as the item is shipped as "gift", there should be no tax.

Will there be any problems sending the sb3 out from the uk to you to have the digital mods done?  Aside from the cost of shipping the unit out to you (someone mentioned on another thread in another forum that they used royal mail to usa 3-5 days)will I be hit with any other cost when the unit comes back into the country?

Cheers...

[Wayne1]

Thank you for bringing the "gold" option to my notice.

It is no longer offered for the digital only mod.

For digital only mods, The Silver Slipstream Bybee Purifier does sound better to me. The copper Slipstream sounds better than no purifier but not quite as articulate as the Silver.

The Gold Slipstream Purifier is only suggested for analog line level signals.

Mail seems to be the best way to ship the SB between countries. It is fairly quick and reasonable in price.

I usually ship USPS Global Priority Mail. There is no "tracking with this service. I would have to ship Global Express, which is about $10.00 more expensive, but is a bit quicker and does provide tracking.

Any extra expense would depend on declared value of the unit and your countries VAT and customs charges.

[Charles Calkins]

I've had my SB3 digital mods by Wayne for over a week now. Sb3 to a DAC-60 with sonic craft mods and upgraded with Amperex tubes to an AVA T7ECR preamp sounds very good.
Analog out from the SB3 to the DAC-60 then to the preamp sounds good.
Analog out from the SB3 to the preamp sounds okay.
Maybe one of these days I'll try running direct into the amps.
IMHO if you want to stick with a DAC getting the digital mods to the SB3 is very well worth it.
Never heard an SB2 or 3 with analog mods so I can't comment on that system.

          Cheers
          Charlie

[95bcwh]

Analog out from the SB3 to the DAC-60 then to the preamp sounds good.

Charlie, how is this done? Analog out from SB3 into the DAC-60? What do you use the DAC-60 for?

Oh by the way did you get the analog mod from Wayne? (It's awesome! )

[Charles Calkins]

The DAC-60 Is between the SB3 and the pre. It accepts digital or analog. By using one digital cable or a pair of caox cables. Can't run both at the same time though.

                      Cheers
                    Charlie

[tonyptony]

I just got my SB3 digital mod back from Wayne. Before I even listen to it I have to say how pleased I am with Wayne's speed in turning this around. I sent it in on Monday and got it back today. So for that my hat's off to Wayne.

But there is a question. I noticed when I plugged it back in it had lost all of its settings and was running version 15 FW (I had moved up to 48 to resolve some wireless problems). I was surprised by the setting loss, as I thought once configured the settings were stored in an EPROM. I'm just curious about that. What had me wondering a bit more was why the FW was reflashed to 15. Wayne, can you enlighten us on that?

[95bcwh]

Firmware 15 sounds better, so try to see if you can make it work first.

[tdangelo]

hey Barry,  with 15 try changing "Home / Server Settings / File Types " to Flac to Wav so it decodes the flac to wav(instead of flac to flac) - see what you think.   

 

Firmware 15 sounds better, so try to see if you can make it work first.

[95bcwh]

hey Barry,  with 15 try changing "Home / Server Settings / File Types " to Flac to Wav so it decodes the flac to wav(instead of flac to flac) - see what you think.   

 

Firmware 15 sounds better, so try to see if you can make it work first.

WOE?.... don't tell me you can hear a difference....if so, you must have a pair of golden ears!

[tdangelo]

  try it and see which you prefer 

hey Barry,  with 15 try changing "Home / Server Settings / File Types " to Flac to Wav so it decodes the flac to wav(instead of flac to flac) - see what you think.   

 

Firmware 15 sounds better, so try to see if you can make it work first.

WOE?.... don't tell me you can hear a difference....if so, you must have a pair of golden ears!

[Wayne1]

I run firmware 15 on my system because it DOES sound better with my gear.

I test each unit before it leaves here. As I run firmware 15 that is what the SB sets itself to when it plays in my systems. I also reset each unit to the factory defaults which wipes out any passwords or other settings.

If you use a BOLDER modded SB the op-amps are removed. If you use any firmware later than 15 the output will be out of phase. You can reverse the polarity of your speaker cables or use firmware 15.

[tonyptony]

If you use a BOLDER modded SB the op-amps are removed. If you use any firmware later than 15 the output will be out of phase. You can reverse the polarity of your speaker cables or use firmware 15.

Thanks for the explanation, Wayne. I let the unit run for about 20 hours before I sat to listen. Guess what? It sounds better! 

Sounds much less "grungy" without bringing the soundstage any more forward. Like someone vacuumed the floor of the recording studio before the instruments and singers started playing. Transients are better; harmonics all seem to be in the right place. Worth it? You bet! 

I wasn't aware that the op-amps are removed even for the digital-only mods. Even as that may be the case, doesn't that only effect the analog outs? If not then I will have to try flashing back to 15 and see if I can keep a consistent connection.

Nice mod. Glad I did it.

[Wayne1]

If you use a BOLDER modded SB the op-amps are removed. If you use any firmware later than 15 the output will be out of phase. You can reverse the polarity of your speaker cables or use firmware 15.

I guess I could have been a bit clearer.

The op-amps are removed in the analog and full mods. I also find version 15 to sound better in my systems that use digital out.

Mike Galusha has posted about a firmware selector he has written here

He also offers firmware 15 here

FWIW I am using firmware 15 with SlimServer 6.2.1. I tried upgrading to some of the more recent builds, but I had lots of drops. 6.2.1 seems to be very stable. While it may not have a lot of the new features, I don't have ANY drops and it, coupled with firmware 15, just sounds good on my system

[tonyptony]

I've used Mike's FW selector; I agree it is a neat and useful tool. I guess I'll give it (v.15) a go and see what happens.