[Rob Babcock]

Hi, Wayne.  I'm curious- have you ever looked under the hood of the Stereo-Link USB DAC?  There's not an awful lot of USB dacs out there, especially reasonably priced ones.  I bought one recently from a fellow ACer and it's not bad, but I suspect it could get a lot better.

[mgalusha]

Rob,

Obviously I'm not Wayne but I've modded my Stereo Link. You're right, it's OK but it can get quite a bit better. The power supply, in particular can be improved markedly. I can say that assuming Wayne has the time and is willing this is a worthwhile undertaking.

On mine I reworked the power supply and the output stage. I use it at work to feed a pair of Swans M200 speakers and it's not bad at all.

[Wayne1]

Rob,

I would be very willing to take a look at it, if you would care to send it to me.

I would let you know cost of mods before I do anything to it.

[Rob Babcock]

Thanks Mike & Wayne.  I'm basically fairly impressed with it bone stock, but then anything sounds better than the crappy built-in soundcard of my PC.   For a long time I used a stock Griffin Powerwave, which I loved (still do).  But the measly 10 Wpc came up a little short for those occasions when I wanna crank it up and rock out at my computer.  Right now I'm using the stock Stereo-Link fed via USB, running to an NAD C320BEE, driving Monitor Audio Bronze B2's (with x-overs rebuilt by Rick Craig).  It sounds pretty good, but honestly I think the Tri-Path powered Griffin sounded a bit better, albeit with less slam.

Perhaps I'll do that, Wayne.   The only downside would be going back to my crappy soundcard while you look over the S-L.

[Rob Babcock]

How backed up are you nowadays, Wayne?

[Wayne1]

I am pretty booked up for the next two weeks at least. Three Ultimate Power supplies to build, lots of SB mods and upgrades and always Elpacs to mod.

If you could send it in in early December, I should be able to spend some time on it, along with Transporter mods (I've got three of them to work on now) That is my tentative schedule.

[Rob Babcock]

Sounds doable.  I'm at work now but I'll get ahold of you later.

[Rob Babcock]

Would a Bybee do anything on a USB input?  Is it possible?  Has anyone tried?

[Wayne1]

Rob,

I have never tried anything with USB. A Bybee Purifier might help to lower some noise on the line. I am sure purifiers would help on the analog outputs.

[Rob Babcock]

Well, I've decided to check into the mods.  I'll ship it to you early Dec if that's the best time.  I'll sure miss it while it's gone, but I'll get by.

[Wayne1]

GREAT!!

I have been looking into this unit a bit. I think you will be VERY happy when you get it back. There are quite a few things that can be changed that I believe will improve the sound quite a bit.

[educator]

Which model stereo-link is this?  How does the modded unit compare with a modded squeezebox?

[Wayne1]

Which model stereo-link is this?  How does the modded unit compare with a modded squeezebox?

I have not received the unit, yet.

No mods able to be made, so no comparisons possible.

[Rob Babcock]

I'm off on Weds, perhaps I can ship the Stereo-Link out to you then, Wayne.