[spacedghost]

Hello All,

I have been a member of AC for over a year now, however I am mostly a lurker (personal issue, this will be explained in the sports bar at a later date ), so most of you probably don’t know who I am.  I am an enthusiast who loves all types of music (minus hardcore rap).  I am not a technical writer, or Audiophile. Most of the time I am listening to blues, classic rock, or traditional (not sure if that is the correct term) jazz.  Recently I had Wayne modify my SB3 (analog with sonicap platinum and Gold Bybees) and it has been truly amazing the improved performance from this unit.

Shortly after receiving my SB3, Wayne asked if I would like to demo his Ultimate PS, and associated cables.  Not wanting to be rude I said sure…:D  With Wayne letting me demo the Ult PS, that gave me 2 SB3’s one modded one stock, a Welborne Labs power supply, and stock SB3 ps. I figured this would be a perfect time to do a mini-listening session with a buddy of mine. 

Disclaimer:   I am not associated with any company listed below, just a music fan. Please remember, this is just my opinion, yours may vary (that’s what makes this big blue dot go around).

Associated Equipment and Conditions:
Stock SB3 (and ps)
Welborne Labs Squeezebox PS.
Modded SB3 (Bolder)
SAS 10A Pre
Odyssey Khartago SE Monos
AV123 Strata Minis
Cables:
Elecktra IC’s
Bolder Summit DC Cable
Bolder Summit AC Cables (1 Oyaide and one with the WattGate connectors) I tested the two power cables after the original test and was done with the Modded SB3,Ult PS and Pre-Amp.
Unity Speaker Cables

The listening was done in my theater area that is pretty well treated.  We picked three songs that my friend was familiar with to use (I can’t remember them off of the top of my head).  All tests with the SB3 were done using the analog out.

With the numerous combinations that were available (12 that we tested), we used a numbering system (1-5, 5 being the best) covering the following categories.  The comments below are mine, I will be adding my friends comments when he finds where he stashed them..

Soundstage (1-5), Imaging (1-5), Bass (1-5), Overall Sound (1-5)

Stock SB3/Stock PS
2,2,2,2
Soundstage was pretty narrow, instruments seemed to blend together (background noise), bass pretty muddy and undefined.
Stock SB3/Welborne PS
2,3,3,3
Imaging improved a bit, bass is tighter.
Stock SB3/Bolder PS
3,3,3,3
Improved detail, and bass definition.
Mod SB3/Stock PS
3,4,3,3
Imaging and detail, instruments seemed to separate.
Mod SB3/Welborne PS
3,3,3,3
Sounds pretty good, blackness improving.
Mod SB3/Bolder PS
3,4,4,4
Soundstage seems a bit limited, bass, imaging, detailed and sounding better.

With Pre-Amp SAS 10A

Stock SB3/Stock PS
3,2,2,2.5
Soundstage improved a bit, other conditions still exist
Stock SB3/Welborne PS
3,3,3,3
Wider soundstage
Stock SB3/Bolder PS
4,3,3,3
The soundstage seems to improve with the pre.
Mod SB3/Stock PS
4,4,3,3.5
Once again soundstage is good, still a bit of boom to the bass (not detailed).
Mod SB3/Welborne PS
4,4,3,3.5
Starting to sound 3D, voices are projecting.
Mod SB3/Bolder PS
4.5,5,5,4.5
Who flipped the switch?  We listened to this setup the rest of the night.

Power cable listening
Both cables sound great with the PS, the only difference I could find was that the WattGate ends seemed to be less detailed with the bass.  Listening to multiple tracks, the bass just seemed tighter with the Oyaide ends.

Summary:
I love my SB3’s that’s probably why I have two, and possibly a third someday.  The stock SB3 is perfect for everyday listening, I move it from my living room to the garage to the bedroom, and it sounds great.  The Welborne Labs PS does improve the sound over the stock PS and for the price is a good unit.  I have to say the Bolder combo definitely stands out (as much as my bank account didn’t want it to).   Everything seems to be right, the blackness, detail and overall sound.  I really enjoyed listening to the modded SB3 and the Ult PS directly into my amps, however when I incorporated the Pre I finally found what I was looking for (Thank God says the Wife).
One thing that my friend said during the testing (Mod SB3/ Bolder PS and Pre) that really stuck in my head.  “Hey did you hear that”?  This was after listening to the same song 11 times.

Thanks
Shaun

[Airborn]

Hey Shaun, nice review. While I don't have an SB 3, I do have the Strata Minis. I was wondering how you think they match up with the Khartago Monos?  I run mine with an Onix SP-3 tube amp which I think sounds fine, but I keep wondering what more power will do for the Minis. One of the amps I am looking at is Odyssey, so any insight into the synergy with the Minis would be appreciated. 

[spacedghost]

Airborn,

Thanks for the comments.

I originally ran the Minis with the SP3.  That combo convinced me that I wanted to mix tubes in somewhere, but I needed more power.  These speakers are definitely power hungry.  I love the Odyssey combo with these speakers (teamed up with the tubed Pre), plenty of power that really makes the Minis fill the room.  I find the Odyssey amps to be detailed but slightly on the warm side.

Currently I am using my Emotiva MPS-1(my Odyssey's are out for a little TLC), and the sound is still very good just not the same as the Odyssey amps give me. 

Shaun