[robert1325]

I already posted this on the bolder cable circle, but someone pm'd me with the suggestion of posting it somewhere else because the bolder cable circle is a vendor circle....

Anyway, I'm looking for a squeezebox 3 but don't know wich bolder mod would give me the best results.
I'm wanting to replace my cambridge audio 640C v1 with the squeezebox.  I live in Holland...

Should i go for :

Analog mod ( sonic cap platinium/ none)
digital mod ( basic mod )  with a simple NOS-DAC for not to much money
no mods and but a better dac.

Also , any good suggestions for a good value amplifier ? (replacing the cambridge 640A) Aspen Aksa was already suggested but I'm not sure about doing a DIY project ( never did one before)

Thanks, Robert

[F-100]

I would recommend to go with a stock SB3 and a mod Elpac power supply from Bolder and a mod Lite DAC-60 from GR Research.
For a good value amplifier, check out Odyssey Stratos.

[robert1325]

sorry, your suggestions are a bit to expensive for me ,   I'm a 17 year old student.  I could always save up some more money for a good amp,  but the litedac 60 modded is a bit to much money for me....  I Could go for the stock one tough....      Thanks anyway

[95bcwh]

Then I would suggest going for Bolder's analog mod, and also getting an Elpac PS modded by Bolder. Then run this directly into your amplifier. But make sure you check the output impedence and voltage of the modded SB3 to make sure it's compatible with the amplifier.

barry

[robert1325]

Ok,  do you think a step down transformer for 220v to 110v will be bad for the sound quality? The elpac modded power supply looks like the way to go...

I'll go for the analog mods with sonic cap platinium  for 400 dollars...

Robert

[Occam]

Robert,

I'd suggest something similar to F-100's recommendation -

1. A stock SB using the optical toslink output to an external DAC
IMO, from my experience, unless a SB is modified for a proper 75ohm coax digital output with an added spdif transformer, the proper toslink cable provides equal, if not superior performance until one uses a coax spdif cable of Stereovox xv2 quality($150+). I use the glass toslink from uniqueproductsonline.com for $20. You can simply search on EBay for 'glass toslink'. Others, whose opinions I trust, prefer the glass toslink from PartsExpress.com . If you decide to go this route and the vendor will not ship to Europe, PM me and I can source and ship it to you and we can settle up via ppal.

2. A properly built and implemented linear +5v linear powersupply. I build my own supplies and can't offer opinions on commercial offerings. Even when used as a digital source, the SB benefits substantially from a good powersupply.

3. A good external DAC. I've no personal experience with the DAC60 recommended by F-100. I use a Zhaolu 2.0 with the upgraded CS4398 dac. The Zhaolu 2.0 requires the shorting of the dac to opamp coupling caps as well as upgrading of its socketed opamps to a pair of OPA2107 and a single OPA2111 for best performance. Although the Zhaolu dacs contain an internal headphone amp that can be used as a preamp, its quality is not as high as the DAC. The Zhaolu 2.0 has been superseded by the Zhaolu 2.5, which I hope is of equivalent quality, but cannot verify. I'll check with Eddie if the 2.5 cs4398 version has those sound limiting capacitors between the dac chip and opamps, and will post his response.
A fellow Audiocircle, Tianguis has demonstrated his new CityPulse 7.2 dac, and it is superb, handily beating the modded Zhaolu, albeit at a substantially higher cost. Note that the Citypulse performs its best via a coax, as its 2x feature only works through the coax, not the toslink. Additionally, the Citipulse also has a discrete headphone amp which is substantially better than the opamp based one in the Zhaolu, but it is not of the high quality of the dac, and is not of 'reference' quality.
The above DACs can be sourced from Eddie at diykits.com.hk
I realize purchasing from Hong Kong might be a source of concern. All I can say is that I've dealt with Eddie, and actually had to send something back for repair (my fault), and Eddie stands behind his products with great integrity.

4. And lastly, I recommend running any source component off of a proper powerconditioner. I use diy Felicias, which you can find out more about by searching the Lab Forum for 'Felicia'. This is based upon my experience with crappy NYC mains power, and I can't comment on its necessity in your European environment.

You didn't mention your budget, which makes recommendation of digital sources and/or amplifiers difficult. You've asked about the AKSA amps, which I personally use. I use a Nirvana + 100, which I'm upgrading to the Lifeforce. But this would be substantially more expensive than a Dussun 99, which is a very, very good integrated amp.
Similarly, if your student budget allows, I'd recommend an HiFideleo (the European source of the Olive musica and symphony) as a digital source to use with an external dac. As a transport, the HiFideleo is reference quality.

FWIW,
Paul

[robert1325]

Occam, thanks for al your help, I'm still thinking about it. another route is to find a SB2 and get better analog mods (more space in case).

On a dutch forum someone told me It's better to spend my money on a good mains conditioner and to use the stock switching power supply . 

Robert

[andy_c]

I use the glass toslink from uniqueproductsonline.com for $20.

Thanks for that reference!  I wasn't aware that glass TosLink could be had at such a reasonable cost.  And the 3-footers I use are $16.  I am going to get a couple of these.  Link is http://uniqueproductsonline.com/gltodiopca.html.  That's a lot cheaper than Parts Express.

[Occam]

Occam, thanks for al your help, I'm still thinking about it. another route is to find a SB2 and get better analog mods (more space in case).

On a dutch forum someone told me It's better to spend my money on a good mains conditioner and to use the stock switching power supply . 

Robert

Robert - I'm the last person in the world to dissuade you from using proper powerconditioning. I'm a bit fanatical about the issue. And ideally one could actually build proper conditioning within a powersupply, but the easiest route would involve violating a certain Dutch gentleman's patent rights.  (which is why I don't discuss it on forums). That being said, regardless of what conditioning you front that switching supply with, if you move the dc cord from that switcher near a AM radio [courtesy of Dan (the cynic) Banquer] tuned between stations, you'll hear a small part of the crap that the supply spews.

PS - Your English is quite impressive. Its sad that most Americans (including myself) are so limited in their languages.

Andy - I myself use the $20 12' version from uniqueproductsonline.  As I said above, I prefer it to any coax spdif until you get to (for me) that stratospheric cost of the $200 Stereovox xv2. That being said, my toslink is a 280 glass strand implementation. The more expensive glass toslink from PartsExpress is a 68 strand version which is supposedly equivalent to the SoundProfessionals toslink which Todd Kreiger finds preferable.

FWIW,
Paul

[JoshK]

Paul,

You using a squeezebox yet?

Side benefit of glass toslink is the galvanic isolation. 

[Occam]

Hey Josh - Nope.... the conveniece and stunning transport capabilities of the Olive [of course fed by a Felicia] has prompted me to go with a Musica.

[JoshK]

yeah, I can see the draw of no computer setup.  its taken me just about 8 months to get my file server up and running the way I want...and it still isn't done. 

[AphileEarlyAdopter]

That being said, my toslink is a 280 glass strand implementation. The more expensive glass toslink from PartsExpress is a 68 strand version which is supposedly equivalent to the SoundProfessionals toslink which Todd Kreiger finds preferable.

FWIW,
Paul

I actually have both these toslinks. I think the 68 Strand version (I got the Sound Professionals one per Todd's reco) is slightly better than the other one. Even the 280 strand version beats my > $100 Zu Ash or Acoustic Zen Silver Photon.  I think the electrical digital cables are dependent on the output/input impedence of the connecting devices. So it is not price, but a hit or miss with the cable impedence matching the devices. So I have become fond of these glass toslinks which seem to show proper improvement in performance with increase in quality(and price goes up too).
Since it is only $10 or $20 difference I suggest going with the 68 strand version.

I have a SB3 and use the stock power supply with a Blue Circle MR1200 balanced power conditioner. I still think a linear power supply will make a difference for me as the stock power supply has too much ripple. I have an order for a modded Elpac with BOlder Cables.

Looks like the SB3 goes through some 'break-in' even with the digital output (into my bi-amping XR55 receiver). Or maybe my ears are getting trained to hear the difference in highs/soundstage even without the edge/digital harshness which only now I know existed with my Philips 963SA dvd player as a digital source.

[AphileEarlyAdopter]

yeah, I can see the draw of no computer setup.  its taken me just about 8 months to get my file server up and running the way I want...and it still isn't done. 

What was the problem ? I just had to get a new wireless router (Netgear WPN824) because the old one was losing out in the cacophony of 5 networks around my house. Ripping is difficult for many of my Indian CDs (no freedb CD info). But for other CDs it is very easy. Takes about 10 or 15 miniutes. I have about 50CDs in the last few days. I have owned the SB3 for only 2 or 3 weeks. Since my son likes me to be around when he goes to sleep, I stay in his room and do some ripping everyday. I hope to get my 300 CD collection in about a month or two.
I find this pain is really worth it compared to the fussing with CD polished/mats (which to my amazement make a difference, but keeps worrying me whether I am getting the best output every time I play).

[ipy]

I hope to get my 300 CD collection in about a month or two.
I find this pain is really worth it ............

Thought I chime in to remind that you should have backups while ripping your collection into the HD.......a worth while precautionary measure considering HD space is so affordable nowadays 

[JoshK]

What was the problem ?

Too long of a story to go into here, however it was mostly do to hardware conflicts, dying HDs, bios upgrades and no time to deal with any of the above.  I am not a CS guy but I've built a few computers before, this was the worst time I've ever had with one.  Some of it was my own fault though.

[AphileEarlyAdopter]

What was the problem ?

Too long of a story to go into here, however it was mostly do to hardware conflicts, dying HDs, bios upgrades and no time to deal with any of the above.  I am not a CS guy but I've built a few computers before, this was the worst time I've ever had with one.  Some of it was my own fault though.

I understand. Even though I am a CS person, I dont even dare to touch hardware, except for adding memory or harddrive.  But I am used to sitting in front of the computer for long hours

I considered the Olive but it was costly and I already had an almost empty 200GB drive in my PC (bought in CompUSA on a whim on a sale). Also, I did not want to get something with moving parts in it. Maybe it will help in the jitter dept. Still, the SB is a little geeky, the Olive will appeal to a more broader audience, I guess.

Yes ipy, thanks for the reminder, I will get a backup drive. Looking for an external one with Firewire now at a good price.