[spwal]

I am asking for opinions and advice from owners of different Squeezebox configurations. 

I have been following all the different SB3 threads on this forum and also on Slimdevices own forum hoping to find the direction I want to head in.

I understand that upgrading to a linear power supply seems to be agreed upon by pretty much everyone who has posted on the threads I have read.  I don't believe I will be spending the kind of $$$ on a ps that I have seen mentioned close to $1,000.  I will be looking for suggestions for other linear power supplies that are available or can be built.

I really dont hear any major difference between running from the cheapie power cord of the RWA sb2 and the battery power except when im being really critical and listening to headphones.  a slight more sparkle perhaps in the higher end, but its not major to my ears.  dont go nuts with the PS.

there, duh, was a HUGE improvement when the DAC was replaced and the blackgates were put in etc.

bottom line, close your eyes and write the check.  give the blackgates time to settle in.

i sold a modded Wadia cdp player literally the day i realized the potential of the sb. good luck

[spwal]

At what point does power supply upgrades not matter if you have good/clean power to start with? 

I'm in a new house with all 20 amp curcuits and 12 gauge wiring, in the country, with our own underground service and transformer, all new appliances, and dedicated audio circuits (one per hospital grade cryo'd duplex receptacle) that are tied into a separate ground.  And I couldn't hear a difference between battery powered SB3/amp and A/C powered.

lol damn.

fwiw, i live in a city in a 20 year old apartment building and im sure the power situation is less than ideal by a long shot.

i do not use power conditioners. i plug everything directly into the wall.  I dont really hear any difference. 

I have borrowed several very expensive conditioner products and i dont think they really matter that much.  either snake oil or improvements on the margin that i cant hear.

as i said, there is a very negligible improvement when i flip the battery switch on my rwa SB2, but i rarely bother doing it (dont like to run the battery down)

[MarkM]

Another option to consider is the Welbornlabs S.B. power supply.  To save funds, I would opt for the PSREGHC kit and power it via DIY Felicia balanced power conditioner.    IMO, you will get the best bang for your buck with this combo.   

If you use the digital out, I would be sure to plug the DAC into the Felicia as well.  I use a modded Lite Audio DAC 60 with great results.

Best of luck, it is great to have your whole music collection at your fingertips, accessed from the best seat in the house.

[krikor]

Here's another thread you may be interested in regarding power supplies for the SB3:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=39343.0

I've just started using a stock Elpac WM220-1 that seems to have improved the quality of the SB3 as a transport, though it is a bit difficult to make any real judgements since the right channel of my main amp self-destructed just after I added the Elpac.  I have not yet had a chance to do any serious A/B comparisons of the power supplies with my backup amp ... perhaps this weekend.

If you are in the Detroit area, I've got an extra Elpac linear supply you can try out ... I just need to get another power connector that fits the SB3.  I plan to modify one of the Elpacs with better caps and diodes at some point in the future.

[nicksgem10s]

I just received my SB3 today and am planning on building a linear power supply with help from some people on AC and a local audio friend who has built power supplies for audio equipment before.

I look forward to learning more about the sound quality potential of the SB3 with a linear power supply.

I am having a really hard time deciding on the mods for the SB3 and if I am going to pair it with an external DAC.

What DACs are people using besides the Paradisea?  I ask that because as much as I have read about it sounding good I don't think it will be detailed enough for my tastes.  I have had some killer digital in the past few years so I don't want to take any steps backwards.

I am all ears if people want to chime in with the DAC they are using.

Thanks for everyones help to this point.  The words of wisdom are really appreciated.

Nick

[1000a]

I am certainly no expert but I'll tell you what I am doing and thinking with my SB3 I got about 2-3 weeks ago.  Most importanly I am having a blast, rediscovering my music collection, buying a soldering iron, magwire, RCAs and doing everthing I can to squeeze more quality from my system (int. tube amp push-pull 100wx2>>Nightingales [very musical, great image-ers, smooth, sweet,extended top end]) without spending tons of money.

I am using a Birdland Odeon Lite DAC (2001-2?) it is usually considered to sound very similar to the Bel Canto DAC2.  For a PS I am using a Welborne (kit 200./ asembled 300.)  I am very happy with the sound and this is all with a stock SB.  Of course I am looking for more improvement.  the stock SB3 w DAC & good PS beats my past Phillips CD960+same DAC.  Using stereovox HDVX digital cable w the SB3 as I did w the Phillips.
The DAC designer prefered toslink with his DAC, I saw no diff between the vox and a cheap glass toslink w my CDP.  But with the SB the toslink is very slightly less extened on the top?

This is where I start to get confused how much $$ do I put into a 300. device knowing how fast the digital world improves in our current time.  Being a photographer what I see in cameras is SOTA cameras this year 5,000. will trickal down to models 1&2 in 2 years and sell at 500-800. (less features same image quality). 

A couple of things I am considering:

Bolders upgrades:  digital 200. or digital & analoge 375.
Paradisia
Promitheous DAC 340+ shipping w out  or w tube stage?
(see Promitheous thread 160 pgs on his TVC passive preamp 320+shipping - jaw dropping performance.)  No reviews on the DAC yet but a few have odered them, it uses transformers like the AN DACs do.

[1000a]

Check the Bolder threads on the SBs alot of guys there are completely thrilled with their heavily modified and even less so SBs from Bolder.  Many swear using his analoge upgrades leaves no desire for an outboard DAC.  I will at minimum do the digital upgrades to mine only problem now is I have no idea when I'd be willing to part with it any time soon!  Oh yea now that I have one my rig gets so much more air time I'll need a gross of EL34s.  The potential here is incredible, I will not buy another CDP, there really is no point if one is willing to follow this path and do some serious mods.

Hope this all helps, I was off on the full SB digi & analoge Bolder mods 425.00
Ideally I would like to do the 425. mod at Bolder then do trials on a couple of new DACs that I can return if I do not like them.  But right now I can not possibly part with this, certainly this is effected by my dead CD960 and having to tolerate a Toshiba or oppo in the mean time.

[nicksgem10s]

I just received my Paradisea+ and plan on using it with my SB3 and (soon to be built) custom power supply.

I am wondering what effect the digital mods would have on the SB3 as a transport to be used with the Paradisea+ DAC?

I am just trying to understand before I make any decisions and spend money.  Thanks for all the advice and sharing your thoughts.

I am having fun with this journey thanks to everyone on AC.

There are many generous audiophiles, music lovers, and DIY people on this site.  THANK YOU 

Nick

[mcgsxr]

Nick - Scott Faller did a series of reviews around the SB2/3 and mods, and PS, and the use of the modded digital output etc.

Try here, for the portion I found first...

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0206/midmonth/bolder_modified_slimdevices_squeezebox.htm

[tanchiro58]

I am having a really hard time deciding on the mods for the SB3 and if I am going to pair it with an external DAC.

Hi Nick,

You choose the right path to go with digital sources. But for the SB3 and DAC mods I suggest you do the SB3 first with pulse transformer which is the best modification. Check it out the discussions and suggestions for this mod going on in this forum. Good luck.