SqueezeBox ver2 vs ver3

canthink344 · « **on:** 4 Dec 2006, 04:31 pm »

Hey guys, i have been looking around for a squeese box and i checked out ebay. There are several version 2 squeesebox's for bid, and they are much cheaper then the version 3. Do any of you know if their are any difference between the two, maybe supported formats, sound quality, anything?

BTW, i just finished my first final, and i am pretty sure i Aced it! ...anyhow, i was excited

Daygloworange · « **Reply #1 on:** 4 Dec 2006, 04:59 pm »

Here is a good place to read up on all things Squeezebox.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=46.0

And if you're looking to get it modified, a lot of guys with SB's are turning to Wayne at Bolder Cable.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=11.0

Cheers

robert1325 · « **Reply #2 on:** 4 Dec 2006, 05:37 pm »

If you want it modded, it's better to go for the SB2 (Like I did) , it's nice and sleek to ... Stock, there's not much difference (that's what I read).

Wayne1 · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 Dec 2006, 06:13 pm »

Make sure it is a Squeeze Box 2 and not an original Squeeze Box.

The SB2 and SB look the same but are quite a bit different internally.

There is a label on the bottom of that style that will tell you which is which.

The SB2 can fit some larger coupling caps internally for analog section mods.

If you are going to use it for the digital section only, the SB3 might be a slightly better choice.

gooberdude · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 Dec 2006, 09:23 pm »

Hey Wayne1,

I am looking at buying a Squeezebox 3 and using just the digital section, probably with a decent NOS DAC.

what attributes does the SB3 have that's better for digital?

mcgsxr · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Dec 2006, 09:27 pm »

I am not Wayne, obviously, but as I recall (and I own a fully modded SB3 via Wayne at Bolder) the SB3 uses a separate power supply for digital, and that is better.

It could be something else of course.

I ended up going with the SB3 for the looks, as for me, I could live with a slight drop in performance, for the improvement (subjectively) in looks.

Have fun!

Wayne1 · « **Reply #6 on:** 4 Dec 2006, 11:33 pm »

There is a separate regulator for the voltage supplied to the digital buffer chip on the SB3 that is not in the SB2.

This makes no difference to the analog out.

I do prefer the sound of the analog output of a modded SB to the sound of any DAC I have heard.

Daygloworange · « **Reply #7 on:** 4 Dec 2006, 11:51 pm »

mcgsxr,

How long have you had your SB3 now? What mods have you done? Has it settled down in terms of break in?

I'm anxious to get mine back from Wayne.

Cheers

zybar · « **Reply #8 on:** 5 Dec 2006, 02:14 am »

Quote from: Wayne1 on 4 Dec 2006, 11:33 pm

I do prefer the sound of the analog output of a modded SB to the sound of any DAC I have heard.

I am starting to think the same thing...

George

bpape · « **Reply #9 on:** 5 Dec 2006, 02:57 am »

Wayne.

Have you played with the wired only version vs the one that does both wired and wireless? Is there an advantage to this sonically since it doesn't have all the wireless 'stuff' in there?

Bryan

Wayne1 · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 Dec 2006, 03:06 am »

Bryan,

I haven't heard much in the way of a difference in my systems, but I usually don't keep them around here for too long.

When you switch the SB to Ethernet during set-up, the power is removed from the wireless card.

It is the same as if the card was removed.

The difference is that the wired only does not have the card installed and there are no antennas in the case.

There have been some installations where the wireless card's RF is able to be picked up.

If possible, I do suggest that the SB be run wired.

TomS · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 Dec 2006, 03:24 am »

I had to switch my SB2 to wired mode. I could hear noises coming through during quiet passages, almost like water flowing (buffering data in).

bpape · « **Reply #12 on:** 5 Dec 2006, 03:24 am »

Wasn't sure if it was disabled or not - thanks. Obviously it's nice to have the option to do wireless if necessary but this one is for my main system and if there's a performance difference, might as well save $50

Bryan

bprice2 · « **Reply #13 on:** 5 Dec 2006, 04:22 am »

Quote

Obviously it's nice to have the option to do wireless if necessary but this one is for my main system and if there's a performance difference, might as well save $50

One thing you might want to consider, if you haven't already, is where your computer will be located. Many use the SB wirelessly, b/c they do not wish to have a noisy computer fan in their listening room.

bpape · « **Reply #14 on:** 5 Dec 2006, 04:30 am »

I already have an SB2. I have used it both wired and wirelessly. My house has at least 1 Cat6 drop in every room except the bathrooms and the kitchen so either is a viable option for me. The only time I use the wireless any more is when I take it outside for parties - again, nice to have the option to do so.

Bryan

bprice2 · « **Reply #15 on:** 5 Dec 2006, 04:38 am »

Quote

My house has at least 1 Cat6 drop in every room except the bathrooms and the kitchen so either is a viable option for me. The only time I use the wireless any more is when I take it outside for parties - again, nice to have the option to do so.

Well, then.

bpape · « **Reply #16 on:** 5 Dec 2006, 05:01 am »

Didn't mean to come across wrong.

Yeah - it was a PITA to run it all. The guy I bought the house from only had 2 phone drops in the whole house and 1 cable TV drop. As long as I was pulling cable, I just pulled 2 pcs of Cat6 and an RG6. Wasn't that much more money and certainly easier to do it all at once than skip one and then want it later.

My wife and I both work in the IT industry and my son is majoring in CS. Needless to say, there can be PC's pretty much anywhere in the house. Throw in his buddies bringing over their machines for LAN parties and it's not as much overkill as you might think it would be. Home PC, business, PC, my laptop, Wife's laptop, his PC, my daughter's PC, SlimServer machine, friends' PC's, XBox, and 1 (soon to be 2) Squeeze Boxes.

My main concern with the wireless was if it was degrading the performance of the SB. Sounds like the only issue may be the antenna. Haven't run into that issue so far that I can tell. My existing SB2 will do either but you just never know - and it's nice to be able to drag it over to other people's house where, as you suggested, it's not preferable to have to have it where the PC is.

Bryan

NewBuyer · « **Reply #17 on:** 5 Dec 2006, 08:40 am »

Quote from: Wayne1 on 4 Dec 2006, 11:33 pm

...I do prefer the sound of the analog output of a modded SB to the sound of any DAC I have heard.

Hi Wayne,

About your above comment, do you mean only when using the Ultimate PS MKII? Or do you feel the same way about the sound quality vs any DAC you've heard, even when just using modded SB with modded Elpac PS, or maybe even with stock PS?

TomS · « **Reply #18 on:** 5 Dec 2006, 11:23 am »

I'm sure Wayne will give you his impressions, but in my case with the stock or even a small linear PS it's not in that league. With the Ultimate MK II it is definitely there. I've been comparing mine to a Wadia 861SE with Great Northern Sound Statement modification. With a little more break in time on the SB2 I have no doubt it's at least on par, if not better.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #19 on:** 5 Dec 2006, 12:59 pm »

With respect to PS and sound, I have only heard the stock one, the Basic PS (no longer available from Wayne) and the Rev 1 with Jensens that I currently have (also no longer available I think...).

I sold my Mensa ART DIO (fully modded by Wayne) and the PS for it, and some cabling, AND a Monarchy Superdip, upon hearing the SB3 and Basic PS.

The Rev 1 with Jensens is even better, fed by a 5 foot Nitro PC, and with Nitro DC cable to the SB3. All fed by my DIY Felicia power conditioner. I definitely prefer the sound of the SB3 to any DAC I have heard, and I run it directly into my amp, so it also replaced my Hagerman Clarinet tubed preamp. Wonderful toy.

Daygloworange - I have had the fully modded SB3 since March of this year - http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=26304.0 - this thread speaks to the system, and what I heard on various days etc.

Still no inclination to change the source/pre/dac that the SB3 represents in my system. I have since swapped amps to an old single ended pentode EL84 Magnavox amp, and that just flat out works perfectly with the b200 open baffle speakers I have - similar to the ones you guys ran at the Toronto meet recently, I was the guy who showed MarkC how those things work, and he showed me his delightful amps.