[polishpowerlifter]

Hey Vinnie how the upgrades for the SB3s going,probaby a premature question,but you know some  audioguys suffer from 'Premature Anticipation' LOL

  Mark

[Vinnie R.]

All,

I have the SB3 and it looks very nice!     The new faceplate, larger display, and built-in antenna are all nice improvements IMO.  To my surprise, this unit is quite a bit smaller than I thought it would be.  It has a higher WAF in my house... always a plus!

Regarding the mods, they are coming out great.  Modding this unit is definitely more cumbersome and time consuming than modding the SB2  .  The good news is that all the mods that I perform on the SB2 can be performed on the SB3  

However, there is no way that I can fit the upgraded signal coupling caps in the SB3.  I promised I'd find a way to make the same mods as the SB2 happen for the SB3, and I did... I neatly installed the caps onto the back of the unit.  The leads of the caps go into the unit and one end attaches to the audio board, and the other end attaches to the upgraded RCA jacks.  The caps do not get in the way of any of the jacks, and they cannot be seen from the front of the unit, so all is good!  I'll be posting pics and more details in the next day or two.

Regarding pricing and lead time:

I need to receive full payment for the SB3 and mods BEFORE 11/30/05 if you are interested in the $100 Red Wine Audio discount and having me ordering the SB3s in quantities of 2 in order to get the $50-per-unit Slim Devices discount that I will pass onto my customers.

After 11/30/05, the discounts mentioend above will be over, but you can still order the SB3 and mods from Red Wine Audio, as I am now a reseller for Slim Devices.  

The modification options for the SB3 will be the same as the SB2 and can be found here:
http://www.redwineaudio.com/SB2_Mods.html

To play it safe, I am stating my lead time for SB3 mods to be approx 3 to 4 weeks from when I receive the SB3 from Slim Devices.  I have to place orders of 2 units in order to get their "$100 of of 2 units" discount that I will pass on to my customers (again, this special is over after 11/30/05).  This means that I will order from Slim Devices every time I receive payment for modded SB3s from two customers in a row.

Note: You can still order from Slim Devices and have your SB3 shipped directly to me.  As soon as I receive your SB3 and full payment for mods, I will have it finished within approx. 3 to 4 weeks.

I think that's about it for now.  I'll post pics soon...

Thanks for all your interest,

[jswallac]

Vinnie,  Great news on the mods.  Doesthis mean you are ready to start accepting orders?  If so, could you tell me the total amount I need to paypal to you (including shipping and any other charges) for the SB3 with analog only mods?  I still plan to use my tube gear with this so I am not that interested in the battery option.  Thanks.

[Vinnie R.]

Vinnie,  Great news on the mods.  Doesthis mean you are ready to start accepting orders?  If so, could you tell me the total amount I need to paypal to you (including shipping and any other charges) for the SB3 with analog only mods?  I still plan to use my tube gear with this so I am not that interested in the battery option.  Thanks.

Hi jswallac,

Yes, I am ready to accept orders.  For the SB3 that  you are interested in (I assume it is wireless), here is the pricing:

-- $249 (discounted wireless SB3) + $15 shipping from Slim Devices to RWA
-- $199 for RWA Analog Output mods (per website) + $15 shipping from RWA to you
-- Subtract $100 (RWA discount) if you order by 11/30/05

Total = $378.00 (subtract $50 if you do not need the wireless SB3)

For those who want the full-package mods, replace the price of $199 above with the price of the package you want that is on my website.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me:
http://www.redwineaudio.com/Ordering_Info.html

Thanks,

[Al Garay]

Vinnie,

If I wanted to stage the upgrades doing the battery upgrade later, would you recommend the analog modifications (1-5) and an external walwart power supply?

Is there an external power supply that would be a significant upgrade over the standard one short of spending the $300 or so for the battery supply upgrade?

thanks,

Al

[Vinnie R.]

Vinnie,

If I wanted to stage the upgrades doing the battery upgrade later, would you recommend the analog modifications (1-5) and an external walwart power supply?

Is there an external power supply that would be a significant upgrade over the standard one short of spending the $300 or so for the battery supply upgrade?

thanks,

Al

Hi Al,

The battery upgrade can be done later on if you want.  In the meantime, the analog modifications can be done, and regarding an upgraded power supply, here is a good place to search:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=21353&start=0

Here is a 5V, Linear Regulated supply recommended by Occam:

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.
I lent Josh mine, as I don't even have a SB.

I never tried it but it looks like a great value.  As Occam states above, you may need to change the plug on it.

I recommend that you get a 5V linear regulated supply that is at least 1.5A output.  

Regarding the Red Wine battery mod for the SB3, it sends 12V and 5V into the unit, so later on if you want to do this, I will need your SB3 to modify for this.  

Hope this helps,

[Al Garay]

Thanks that does help.

[Vinnie R.]

All,

I have posted a couple of pics of the modded SB3 here:

http://www.redwineaudio.com/SB2_Mods.html

The top-right pic shows the rear of the modded SB3 with full-mods (note the Auricaps installed on the back, upgraded RCAs and a BNC digital output jack).

The top-center pic shows the modded SB3 on top of the battery enclosure that has the AC power option.

To those who already sent me payment for modded SB3s, I ordered them last night (two at a time to get that Slim Devices discount   ).

Regards,

[duff138]

can you post a larger picture of the Rear view of modded SB3?

[duff138]

is there any comments or reviews on the benefits of just getting these mods, RWA Analog Output mods?

[jholtz]

is there any comments or reviews on the benefits of just getting these mods, RWA Analog Output mods?

That is what I had Vinnie do to my SB2. My comments are posted here at Audio Circle and also under reviews on Vinnies website. The mods completely transform the Squeezebox into a world class player. It's an unbelievable bargain in my opinion.

HTH

Jim Holtz

[duff138]

is there any comments or reviews on the benefits of just getting these mods, RWA Analog Output mods?

That is what I had Vinnie do to my SB2. My comments are posted here at Audio Circle and also under reviews on Vinnies website. The mods completely transform the Squeezebox into a world class player. It's an unbelievable bargain in my opinion.

HTH

Jim Holtz

  thanks.  I got to the end of the month it looks to figure out if this is what I want.  I'd hate to miss out on the deal, then end up going this route a month later!

[Vinnie R.]

can you post a larger picture of the Rear view of modded SB3?

I added a new one to my site.  If you need a larger one, please email me.

[Dave G]

Vinnie,

How secure are the Auricaps hanging off the back of the modded SB3?  All I have to go on is the picture on your website, but I wonder whether a clumsy person like me might be able to break one of them off just by grasping the SB3 the wrong way.  It's making me think I might be better off with a modded SB2 where the Auricaps would be inside the case.  What do you think?

Dave

[Vinnie R.]

Vinnie,

How secure are the Auricaps hanging off the back of the modded SB3?  All I have to go on is the picture on your website, but I wonder whether a clumsy person like me might be able to break one of them off just by grasping the SB3 the wrong way.  It's making me think I might be better off with a modded SB2 where the Auricaps would be inside the case.  What do you think?

Dave

Hi Dave,

The Auricaps are quite secure.  If you shake the unit around in your hand, they don't move.  I'm sure if you grap the caps and tug really hard at them, they would break.  Otherwise, they'll be fine.

Regards,

[duff138]

Vinnie,

How secure are the Auricaps hanging off the back of the modded SB3?  All I have to go on is the picture on your website, but I wonder whether a clumsy person like me might be able to break one of them off just by grasping the SB3 the wrong way.  It's making me think I might be better off with a modded SB2 where the Auricaps would be inside the case.  What do you think?

Dave

  I was wondering about the same thing.  I'm thinking while the SB2 is still available it might be the best way to go.

[bubba67]

Would you be able to ship to Canada by USPS (NOT UPS -- UPS charges very high border fees, whereas if USPS is used I only pay $5 border handlinf fee plus taxes). Please advise. Thanks.

[Vinnie R.]

Would you be able to ship to Canada by USPS (NOT UPS -- UPS charges very high border fees, whereas if USPS is used I only pay $5 border handlinf fee plus taxes). Please advise. Thanks.

Yes, USPS is not a problem..

[beatdownvictim]

thank you vinnie, however, you should mark it as a gift, and that way, almost nothing is charged once it crosses the border.  for my 80 dollar amp that i had to bring over the border, those customs guys nailed me for 25 dollars...... ugh, vinnie, thank you

Regards,

BDV

[someidiot]

Hi Vinnie,

Assuming the SB3 will always be hooked up via the digital output (into a Panny XR-45), what would you recommend as an upgrade package?

Oh, and have you an opinion on the digital-out quality?

Thanks;