I picked up my modified SB2 (digital only with the AC option + WBT RCA Silver RCA socket) this morning from Vinnie and have been listening to it this afternoon.
Pre-mods, I thought the pc/SB2 feeding my TacT was an improvment over the EA modified Sony S-7700 I have been using...
Well now the difference goes from noticeable but not night and day to really obvious and a no brainer!
I want to get more time under my belt before I post a critical review, but let's just say that it is money well spent!!
Thanks Vinnie.
George
George,
You beat me on this. I received the RWA modded wireless SB2 on Thursday but have been too busy to listen to it in a relaxed mood and report my impressions.
It took me a little more time than usual to make my existing wireless network to work with the SB2. But if your encription scheme is WPA (unlike mine being WEP), and you make sure the SB2 power cord is properly plugged in, the setup must be seamless and only takes around 10 to 20 minutes. Last, rip your CD tracks with proper profile so that the SB2 will retrieve it in the same original sequence if desired.
Upon my panic calls, Vinnie walked me through all steps, sending me a good EAC profile making ripping CDs to FLAC automated, diagnosing the "white noise" caused by power cord not fully plugged and twisted in. The more I communicated with him, the more I see him as a helpful friendly talented person who would go extra miles to take care of his customers.
Now that everything works fine, I plan to put more time on the SB2, letting its Auricaps and other new components break in properly. But out of the box, the RWA SB2/ClariT combos drives the FTA2000s with MUCH more power and resolution. It's unlike getting an excellent more muscular solid state. It's like more ANALOG on steroids. Everything takes on a BIGGER image, depth of bass and soundstage is significantly better. The 8" Fostex drivers appear to perform like a 12" or 15" ones, more efficient, more air, more insight into the recordings. I am no longer afraid of listening nearfield, and the volume level seems to invite me to turn it up and up.
As an example that suprised me, the piano accompaniment in the album "Susan Nigro: The Bass Nightingale" has never sounded so REALISTIC, full of air and ambience. The sense of the recording venue became much more obvious, that I felt I was sitting in the middle of the recording session. On other CD tracks I felt I was sitting in the monitor room, right next to the performance room. That how closer the SB2 brings CDs to my listening.
Another finding: massed strings have never sounded so sweet and grain-free. Similarly, vocals are very good and I couldn't be more satisfied. Funny, I have a hard time finding the original vocabulary: Most if not all Ron, Louis, and others had said about the modded SB2 is spot on.
Some other more thoughtful observations will follow soon.