SB3 analog audio mods

Wayne1 · « **on:** 1 Dec 2005, 09:10 pm »

After a rather long time, I have finally decided on how I am going to offer analog mods for the SB3.

The SB3 does present quite a few challenges because of the thin case. I cannot use the same values for the main power supply caps, simply because they will not fit.

The large Sonicaps I use for coupling after the DAC won't fit either.

I thought about various means to use the big caps, such as mounting them outside and covering them up. In the end I decided that the SB3 is all about the way it looks. Hanging anything on the back will just take away from that.

I ended up using Non-polarized Black Gates by-passed with small value Sonicaps. The Sonicaps will give it the same sort of signature sound that the modded SB2 has.

Don't ask me how it sounds, yet. The BGs plus Sonicaps will take close to a month for full break-in. This one is going out to one of the kind folks who volunteered as a beta tester. Hopefully we will hear from him how the break-in proceeds.

Nick B · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Dec 2005, 03:11 am »

About how much will you charge for the SB3 analog mods?

Wayne1 · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Dec 2005, 03:43 am »

The price will be about the same for the SB2. $225-$250.00

zybar · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Dec 2005, 04:54 am »

Very nice looking Wayne.

How are those powe supplies coming?

George

LFE · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 Dec 2005, 09:30 pm »

When will the Analog option be posted on your site? I would loike to have mine upgraded.

LFE · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Dec 2005, 05:14 am »

And, will the output voltage be affected by the mod? I am using a Tempest Pre.

Wayne1 · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Dec 2005, 05:26 am »

The analog mod for the SB3 should be listed on the site sometime in early January.

It might be a somewhat limited edition as it uses Black Gate non-polarized caps. The Black Gate caps are not made any longer.

The output voltage will be lower than stock. The mod removes the output stage and runs direct off the DAC chip through the coupling caps. The DAC chip has a max output of a little over 1 volt. The volume you get depends on your amp's gain, and your speakers efficiency. For the cleanest sound on the analog outs, I suggest you do not use a preamp.

LFE · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Dec 2005, 07:48 pm »

Can you explain why it would be best not to use my Pre?

brj · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Dec 2005, 08:33 pm »

Quote from: Wayne1

It might be a somewhat limited edition as it uses Black Gate non-polarized caps. The Black Gate caps are not made any longer.

It sounds like they will continue to be produced for a few more years yet, at least in some (possibly reduced) capacity. Check out ginger's comments in this thread.

Wayne1 · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 Dec 2005, 09:13 pm »

ANY preamp changes the sound. Think about it. You have MANY parts and solder connections inside the pre-amp. Each one adds or takes away it's own sound from the original signal. Then there are all the additional mechanical connections with push on connectors and analog volume controls and mechanical switches.

With the Squeeze Box you can get away from the complicated signal path found in most preamps. It is the simplest signal path you can have. The analog ouptu goes form the DAC chip through ONE capacitor. It then trabvels through ONE set of (hopefully) short interconnect to a power amp. That's it.

The volume is controlled by software. Nothing mechanical to get in the way of the signal.