[Ernest]

I just bought a SqueezeBox 3 and hooked it up today.  I saw threads here and there that talked about phase inversion.  Is this the case on the currently shipping SqueezeBox 3?

Thanks,

Ernest

[NewBuyer]

No, the phase is not inverted on a new SB3. If you send away your SB3 to have it modified (by Bolder Cables, for instance), then phase-inversion may be part of the result.

[DSK]

As NewBuyer alluded to, it is the removal of the opamp in the analog output section of the SqueezeBox2/3 that inverts polarity. On SB's modded in this way, correct polarity can be restored either by swapping the speaker cable connections at one end, or by using an older version of the SB firmware (versions up to 15 reversed polarity as well).

[Wayne1]

Hello Ernest,

DSK has the right of it.

The early versions of the SlimServer firmware did not invert the polarity of the output signal to take the op-amp into account. By removing the op-amp the "normal" polarity was restored.

This was pointed out to the developers of the SlimServer software and later software builds corrected this.

The latest versions 6.5.0 and on, feature a 100 step attenuator. This software and firmware does sound pretty good, but you do have to reverse the polarity of speaker wires, if you are using an analog modded SB. A stock SB would work just fine.

If you care to try out any of the earlier versions of the Slimserver software or firmware, you may have to reverse the speaker polarity with the stock unit.

I hope I haven't confused you completely. 

BTW Ernest, I tried to answer your PM but I received a message your in-box is full. Perhaps you should e-mail me. The old e-mail address I have for you doesn't seem to be able to go through

[Ernest]

I think I get it.  No analog mods, using latest software, so no phase inversion.

Thanks guys.

Ernest

[DSK]

...The latest versions 6.5.0 and on, feature a 100 step attenuator. This software and firmware does sound pretty good, but you do have to reverse the polarity of speaker wires, if you are using an analog modded SB....

Wayne, to your ears, does the current software/firmware combination sound as good as the old 6.2.1/V15 combination? I know that SlimDevices has patched the attenuation code to remedy a problem that caused the versions immediately after 6.2.1/V15 to sound worse, but I haven't really seen any definitive comments from users of 6.2.1/V15 saying that the current software now sounds as good again.

[Syrah]

Hi.  This is kinda troubling.  I have a SB2 with analog and digital mods and I use the latest software version.  It's part of a system that includes a TT and CDP, so I really can't see myself swithching my speaker wire around every time I want to hear something different.

Is there any other solution?  Would changing the IC around do the trick, making reversing the hot and neutral on each RCA plug?

Thanks.

[Wayne1]

DSK,

The new software and firmware do sound very good. The advantage of the 1/2 db attenuator outweighs any slight perceived difference in sound quality, IHO. I am now using 6.5.0. (not the latest daily). It appears to be very stable. I started using this when working on the Transporter to be able to compare the sound of the two unit. The Transporter will not work with older software.

Syrah,

The phase inversion has been noted since Firmware 15 was new. There is a sticky on my forum about it, along with possible solutions http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=31892.0

You cannot invert the low level single wires as they are single ended and the ground IS ground. Phase inversion can be done by using a transformer, op-amp, or tube in the circuit path. There may be other side effects to putting something else in the line.

So far, using a Burson Buffer in the signal path does not seem to degrade the signal. According to the manufacturers, the signal polarity can be inverted through internal wiring changes.