[Wayne1]

I was sent a Squeezebox 2 by Tirade to mod for his recently handicapped brother. Please see this thread for more details: Some Audio help needed

I should be finished with the mods by the end of the week. I will then post more details and add the mods to my website.

I plan to offer a "Basic" mod for the Squeezebox 2 that will replace the RCA connectors with Cardas GRFAs, Replace the critical power suply capacitors with Panasonic FC series. I will use Sonicaps as audio coupling caps direct from the DAC chip to the ourput connectors. There will be a few other things involved.

The "Basic" mod should be able to be done for around $250.00

I also plan to build a linear power supply for the Squeezebox 2. This will be available with or without the "Basic" mod. I am hoping to be able to get it done for about $150.00. It will have an ACME Audio Silver plated IEC connector and fuse holder for AC input. I plan on using a good sized E-core transformer. The regulator will be a Linear Technologies. The rectifiers will be HexFREDs. The filtering caps will be Panasonic FC series.
It will use a standard DC connector for output.

You can use any AC cable you want with this power supply. I will include a 5 foot DC cable to go between the Squeezebox 2 and the PS.

More details to come as work progresses.

[zybar]

Wayne,

Will you be offering a mod that is more directed at somebody who is using the SB2 to output digital only?

If yes, what kind of price would it be?

I don't care about the analog output since it will connect directly to my TacT preamp.

Thanks,

George

[Wayne1]

George,

Yasure, Yabetcha

You could probably knock off $50.00-$75.00 for a "MORE Basic" mod

[JoshK]

I was sent a Squeezebox 2 by Tirade to mod for his recently handicapped brother. Please see this thread for more details: Some Audio help needed

I should be finished with the mods by the end of the week. I will then post more details and add the mods to my website.

I plan to offer a "Basic" mod for the Squeezebox 2 that will replace the RCA connectors with Cardas GRFAs, Replace the critical power suply capacitors with Panasonic FC ser ...

That is a really good price for the supply with those choice parts!

[dogberry]

Yeah, second the digital out option as I'm running it into an external (CI) DAC.  I would be greatly interested in this as well as an external power option.

The SB2 rocks and I've been waiting for the modding gurus to jump on this schweet ship!

[jholtz]

Hi Wayne,

I’m seriously considering buying a SB2 so your proposed mods are of great interest to me. Can you go into any greater detail about what your audio mods consist of. The Sonicaps and the rail power supply cap replacement are obvious but it’s the “other things” that you referred to that has me curious. Also, have you settled on the $250 price for the audio mod package?

Thanks Wayne!

Jim

I plan to offer a "Basic" mod for the Squeezebox 2 that will replace the RCA connectors with Cardas GRFAs, Replace the critical power suply capacitors with Panasonic FC ser ...

[kfr01]

Great to see some competition in the SB2 mods game.  Keep us up to date on this exciting product!

[CornellAlum]

I knew he had something in the works to lighten my wallet   I will be in touch Wayne!

[Wayne1]

Prices ARE NOT firm on the mods.

They should be fairly close.

The digital output connector will be changed to a WBT NextGen female connector. This will cause a little variation in price. The WBT is the ONLY 75 ohm RCA female connector available. It is made from pure gold plated copper. Not tin plated brass like the Canare BNC connectors.

A Bybee purifier can be installed in the digital output signal path inside the SB2.

The digital output only mods should be able to be done for around the $200.00 price point. They will include the WBT connector, power supply cap changes and rerouting of the signal path.


I am finishing up the power supply today. I was a bit low on the price on it. It will sell for more like $175.00 at first. It will be housed in a painted steel enclosure.

I hope to be able to show a photo of the prototype by Monday.

[Wayne1]

Here are a couple of photos of the power supply for the Squeezebox 2 and the modded unit. You can just barely see the WBT digital output in the back of the unit.

It is sounding very good so far, but it does need some time, and a little less dust

I talked with mgalusha earlier and it turns out he has just gotten a Squeezebox 2 for himself. We are going to try to get together on Sunday to do a little comparison of the two units.

[mgalusha]

This is going to be short as my wife just called me for dinner, but count me amongst the converted. Wayne and I spent the afternoon listening to my stock SB2, the modded SB2 and my much modded Denon 2900.

I'll post more details later but we were both blown away by connecting the modded SB2 directly to my amps and eliminating the preamp. A modded SB2 has to be one of the best bargains in audio.

mike

[DSK]

...I also plan to build a linear power supply for the Squeezebox 2...

Wayne, will you be offering a 240v/50hz version?

[Wayne1]

The power supply can be built 240 VAC. No problem. No additional cost.

50/60 Hz doesn't matter.

[DSK]

The power supply can be built 240 VAC. No problem. No additional cost.

50/60 Hz doesn't matter.

Thanks Wayne. I've always been told that equipment designed for 60hz will run on 50hz, but not optimally and may overheat etc. Do you disagree with this?

[Wayne1]

The frequency of the AC is not critical in this application. All it is doing is being changed to DC to run digital gear.

If you were using something with a motor, it would be very important.

[DSK]

The frequency of the AC is not critical in this application. All it is doing is being changed to DC to run digital gear.

If your were using something with a motor, it would be very important.

Thanks again Wayne. One more question if I may ....

Can the SB2 comfortably drive a power amp (47k input imp.) and an active sub (approx 30k input imp.) simultaneously via RCA Y-connectors on the SB2 analog outputs? I would need to retain this capability if eliminating my pre-amp.

[mgalusha]

Moving comments to other thread...

[Wayne1]

I am not sure. The DAC chip should work fine into loads as low as 5K. I have not tested this.

The amp we drove today has a 39K input impedance.

edited after finding out more information about the DAC chip

[DSK]

I am not sure. The DAC chip should work fine into loads as low as 5K. I have not tested this.

The amp we drove today has a 39K input impedance.

edited after finding out more information about the DAC chip

SlimDevices have now also advised that driving a 47k amp AND a 30k active sub together "should be OK" though I'm not sure they have tested this either.

[topster]

This thread has been dormant for quite a while, but I thought I'd bring it back to life for now

Was wondering if a tube buffer like the Musical Fidelity X-10v3 might be good if someone wants to drive both a power amp and a subwoofer.

The X-10 has an input impedance of 470K ohms and an output impedance of 33 ohms. Seems pretty ideal. It might even improve the sound quality based on the reviews I've read since it'll present a really easy drive for the SB2 and will add the magic of tubes for those who need it.

I know many here are in the "less is more" camp, but was wondering what people thought of this.