Squeeze Box 2 vs Squeeze Box 3

Daygloworange · « **on:** 13 Oct 2006, 06:54 pm »

I'm wanting to gather as much info as I can regarding the SqueezeBox 2 & 3. This is the route that I will be going to in the near future. So I'd like to ask the AC circle members for their input. I've done a bit of reading on it, but would appreciate any help on this. Links, reviews, mod's, modders, and people's thoughts on them. Basically, as much info as possible.

I will probably get a SqueezeBox, familiarize my self with it, and get used to the way it sounds, then send it out for mods.

Thanks in advance to any and all that respond.

Cheers

Spirit · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 Oct 2006, 07:01 pm »

Hi DayGlow:
This is your Toronto buddy Spirit here!
FYI: I am also planning to buy a SB3 and send it out for mods to Wayne at Bolder Cable in Colorado after
getting used to it. I will be seeing Wayne at the RMAF next week (yippppeee!) and I am sure that I will pick up some valuable info in his room.
Also, not being a computer expert and also not having the patience, I shipped my whole CD collection to
"Tirade" in Alabama. He has just finsihed ripping, tagging, and thumbbnailing all the Cds onto a 300gb hardrive in FLAC lossless format. I will now be able to stream my entie music collection to a SB.
I will let you know how his work is once I get the shipment back next week.
Cheers
PS: I will start forming our new Toront Circle once I am back

Daygloworange · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 Oct 2006, 07:07 pm »

Hey Spirit,

That's cool! Yeah, I'm a neophyte when it comes to the Squeezebox, but not bad on a computer. I'm a pretty quick learner though. So, yeah, please follow up on yer learnin's down at RMAF!

Hey that tirade thing sounds real cool. Thanks for the tip!

Spirit · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 Oct 2006, 07:30 pm »

Quote from: Daygloworange on 13 Oct 2006, 07:07 pm

Hey Spirit,

That's cool! Yeah, I'm a neophyte when it comes to the Squeezebox, but not bad on a computer. I'm a pretty quick learner though. So, yeah, please follow up on yer learnin's down at RMAF!

Hey that tirade thing sounds real cool. Thanks for the tip!

Believe it or not he charges 50 cents per CD. Check online and you'll see that most places that do this kind of thing
charge about $1.00 to $1.50 per CD. One nice thing about what he does is that when you open the CD file on the screen there is a small thumbnail photo of each CD! Easy to find that way. I sent him about 270 CDs which probably would have taken me forever to do. He does the service in his sparetime but it only took about 1.5 weeks.

Spirit · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 Oct 2006, 07:32 pm »

BTW DayGlo -
Scroll down on the home page to my post on "Two Channel". I would like to read what kind of
digital software format you like.

ctviggen · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 Oct 2006, 09:52 pm »

Once you get used to a Squeezebox, you can't go back to regular CDs. I have two SB2s (one modified) and may buy a third. In terms of access to music and music playback, the SB is great. The interface is OK (poor compared to iTunes, for instance), and some of the settings make no sense (i.e., what is the squeeze network and why to I have to log onto it? Why does it periodically stop playing random songs?), but overall, it's outstanding.

Greg Erskine · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 Oct 2006, 09:57 pm »

hi Daygloworange,

I am going through the same process as you. Here's what I did.

1. Download Slimserver and Softsqueeze software - I tested SS 6.3.1
2. Download Exact Audio Copy software
3. Rip a few CDs - I use 1 WAV, 1 CUE and 1 cover.jpg file per album
4. Decision time - do you like it?
5. Order Squeezebox 3
6. Buy wireless router and get it working on your PC system
7. Rip a few more CDs
8. Buy a 300GB harddrive for your PC
9. Buy a 300GB USB harddrive for backup
10. Rip a few more CDs / Do a backup
11. Install Squeezebox 3
12. Play and listen
13. Rip a few more CDs / Do a backup
14. More listening
15. Finish ripping CDs / Do a backup
16. More listening

I am now here:
17. Yeah, the standard SB3 definitely needs mods.
18. ??????

regards

Tirade · « **Reply #7 on:** 13 Oct 2006, 10:12 pm »

DayGlow, if you decide to join the digital revolution of PC music, shoot me an email (tirade75@gmail.com) and we can talk about ripping your collection to FLAC for cheap. You can also check out my home thread here http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=29176.0

Sam/Spirit : Your stuff is boxed and will ship Monday via next day air, let me know once you receive it!

mcgsxr · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 Oct 2006, 11:55 pm »

Hey fellow GTA kids, I am out in Burlington, and have a fully modded Bolder SB3 - everything he was doing (without any Bybee options) as of earlier this year. I also have a Rev 1 power supply, with the Jensen caps, and the Nitro DC cable, and Nitro PC.

Drop me a note, it is not THAT far west of you!

Daygloworange · « **Reply #9 on:** 14 Oct 2006, 12:34 am »

Gentlemen,

Thanks for your help!( keep it coming!)

Local boys with SB's, cool!

ctviggen, you mention you have 2 SB's. What are the mods(and who's), and what would you desribe as the differences between the two? What's the purpose of possibly getting a third? (just curious)

Spirit, I'm not exactly sure if I'm understanding your question on 2 channel, but I'll say that the idea of having all my music on harddrive, nice & neat & organized easily accessible, etc...is to say the least, practical.

mcgsxr, I'm in Mississauga, 20 min. from you. Awesome! How long have you had your SB 3? Did you get it stock and then do the mods? What are your thoughts/impressions as to the differences over stock?

Greg, your steps 1-3 ? Is this a way to demo the SB? Could you give more details?

Tirade, thanks for stopping by to introduce yourself. I will be contacting you.

Also, can any of you fellow AC members post some links that'll help me familliarize myself with the whole concept and the methods of use? ( ie; software, hook-up methods etc.. )

I read something not too long ago and they were really impressed with the analog outs, and actually preferred it to the digital outs. Any thoughts?

Thanks again guys

Also, what are the differences between the SB2 and SB3?

randytsuch · « **Reply #10 on:** 14 Oct 2006, 12:51 am »

I have a RWA analog out modded SB3, and a self modded (digital only) SB2 feeding a audio sector NOS dac. Since they are so different, and I never had the SB3 stock, can't really talk how the sound of the two compares.

The SB3 looks nicer, it has a larger, easier to read display.

The SB2 is easier to work on, if you do any mods yourself. It has a little more room inside, and things are easier to get to.

Looking at the bolder sight, the SB2 is cheaper to have modded. I was just looking at analog only mods prices. (you probably should look yourself, or ask Wayne, I could be wrong here)

Stock, according to the bolder site, the SB3 had a minor improvement that made the digital mod easier to do.

If it was me, and this was not going to be a transport, I would see if I could get a SB2, because it is easier to do the analog mods on it, it has more space inside to install the signal caps.

Randy

Daygloworange · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 Oct 2006, 12:56 am »

randytsuch,

Thanks for writing. Question. What do you mean when you say "using it as a transport" ? Do you mean, using it to feed a DAC instead of feeding it to a preamp or directly into an amp? Am I getting that right?

Cheers

mcgsxr · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 Oct 2006, 02:06 am »

Dayglow, here is my posting in the Bolder Circle, about the modded SB3, that I had done back in March of this year.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=26304.0

I had owned a stock SB3 for around 6 months, prior to selling the stock one to my brother, and having one shipped directly to Wayne for full mods - I chose full, so that I could eventually experiment with the digital out, but have spent 99% of my time using the analog outputs.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=46.0 In this Circle live the 2 stickies, where folks have listed much of what you seek. Have a read there, and I am happy to assist with working through any issues etc.

Daygloworange · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 Oct 2006, 02:11 am »

mcgsxr,

Awesome, Thanks!

Hey, you're experimenting with the open baffle B 200's right? I'd love to chat sometime with you about those.

Cheers

Greg Erskine · « **Reply #14 on:** 14 Oct 2006, 11:52 am »

Quote from: Daygloworange on 14 Oct 2006, 12:34 am

Greg, your steps 1-3 ? Is this a way to demo the SB? Could you give more details?

It really is a demo of Slimserver and the ripping process rather than the Squeezebox itself. Softsqueeze is a software emulation of the Squeezebox 3 allowing you to test its functionality and remote control operation. You can't obviously judge the sound quality of the actual Squeezebox hardware.

Using Slimserver/Softsqueeze (free download BTW) allows you to get the server sorted out before you make the final decision to buy anything. Once your Squeezebox arrives, plug it in, adjust a few settings to allow it to connect to your wireless router and you're up and running. You know how to use it because the Softsqueeze remote (in software) functions the same as real hardware version.

I use headphones to listen to Slimserver via Softsqueeze, but you could plug an amp into the audio out of your soundcard.

robert1325 · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 Oct 2006, 02:19 pm »

I have had a bolder modded squeezebox for 2 weeks now, It's analog modded (gen2/platinium) and I have a bolder power supply to, not sure what it is, I believe an updated bolder basic PS.

It's great, Love the convenience and the sound of the little box...

PS: that amplifier is out! soon, I'm getting a nice chinese integrated.

randytsuch · « **Reply #16 on:** 14 Oct 2006, 06:12 pm »

Quote from: Daygloworange on 14 Oct 2006, 12:56 am

randytsuch,

Thanks for writing. Question. What do you mean when you say "using it as a transport" ? Do you mean, using it to feed a DAC instead of feeding it to a preamp or directly into an amp? Am I getting that right?

Cheers

Yeah, transport means it is feeding a DAC. When I compared, I liked my SB2/DAC better than the modded SB3 I have, but I might compare again soon, and see if it is the same. I bought some parts to upgrade my SB power supply, which I have not installed yet. After I upgrade, I will compare again. But, the difference was not that big, and I already had the DAC.

Randy

Wayne1 · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 Oct 2006, 04:06 pm »

ctviggen,

Squeeze Network is a service provided by Slim Devices program. When you log onto Squeeze Network (Not internet radio) you are connected to the Squeeze Network site over the web. That way you can listen to streaming internet radio without having your computer on.

Here is a link to some more information http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.cgi?SqueezeNetwork

If your SB stops playing randomly, it is probably a wireless network issue. There may be someone nearby using a 2.4 Ghz wireless phone, wireless remote for a gaming console or even a microwave oven that is putting out noise over the RF spectrum to cause the SB to lose connection to the router.

Daygloworange,

Downloading the Slimserver software and using the SoftSqueeze squeezebox emulation software is a great way to familiarize yourself with what the SB can do.

Trying out some of the ripping software is also a very good idea. EAC is free but has a rather steep learning curve. Easy CD-DA extractor offers a 30 day trial and is VERY easy to use http://www.poikosoft.com/ It is currently the ripping software that I prefer to use. The latest version will go out and find the cover art for the album you are ripping.

Tirade's service is very good and reasonably priced. If you do not have the time to spend ripping your collection, it is a very good investment.

SB2s are VERY hard to find nowadays. The SB2 and SB3 use the exact same display. There is a different tint in the display cover between the two. The SB2 does have a bit more room inside so that large film and foil capacitors can be used as coupling caps. In the SB3, non-polarized electrolytic caps have to be used. This refers to the analog output section. Is there a difference? Yes, but it is fairly minor compared to the difference that can be heard in different power supplies.

The SB3 also uses a separate voltage regulator for the digital output buffer. This is rendered inconsequential by mods.

Quite a few people consider an analog modded SB2 or 3 to sound quite a bit better than a stock or even a digital modded SB feeding a good to very good quality DAC. A lot of what comes out of the SB does depend on the power supply, I just cannot stress that enough. I have heard the same SB take on completely different tonal qualities when different power supplies are used.

Daygloworange · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 Oct 2006, 05:02 pm »

Wayne,

Not another "steep" learning curve!

I haven't even looked for one in the stores yet, are you saying that SB 2's are going to be difficult to find new? Say it ain't so!

In that case, anybody got an extra SB 2 they'd be willing to part with?

I'm interested in analog out, probably directly feeding the amp.

In the meantime, I'm gonna search for a new one, and get it modded.

Wayne, thanks for the info, I will be contacting you as soon as I get my hands on one.

Cheers

Wayne1 · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 Oct 2006, 05:50 pm »

The SB2 has not been made for quite awhile. SlimDevices stopped production when they came out with the SB3. They decided to go with the more "high-tech" look rather than the clock radio look

I do not know of any place that has ANY new SB2. You might be able to find some used on e-bay. They are kinda in high demand so there is not much break on the price of a used SB2.

SB3 are readily available ordered direct from Slim Devices.

One thing to keep in mind, if you wish to use a BOLDER modded SB analog out, the output voltage will be quite a bit lower in level compared to a stock SB or a CD player. You might want to look over this post http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=31892.0