[Charles Calkins]

I've read that some people say the Duet sounds better than an SB3. Has anybody done a Duet versus SB3 listening test? Stock units. No mods.


                                                 Cheers
                                                  Charlie


                                                   

[jk@home]

I've read that some people say the Duet sounds better than an SB3. Has anybody done a Duet versus SB3 listening test? Stock units. No mods.


                                                 Cheers
                                                  Charlie


                                                   

Bump/Ditto the question?

In my case, I use a stock SB3, digitally feeding a DEQ2496 eq to a Channel Islands VDA2/VAC1 dac converter. Right now Thiel speakers with Aragon amp, but entertaining FR speakers w/ HE amp, due to the room's size.

So would I hear an improved difference between the two or not?

I have my PC display at my listening chair, (usually surfin' while I'm jammin') so the Duet's controller wouldn't be that much of a plus, except for maybe controlling the other three SBs in the house. Plus going with a Duet, I'd miss those cool analog meters...

[Wayne1]

You may want to check with Tyson. He had a stock SB3 for a long time. He did change to a DUET. I do not remember if he did any head to head comparisons.

I have compared stock DUET to modded SB3 and modded DUET.

I do have a stock DUET around here. I do not have any stock SB3. If anyone who lives in CO front range has one and wishes to compare in a listening session with others, please contact me.

[richidoo]

I had them both. Not much difference between them, both very gritty. I recommend an external DAC.

[Wayne1]

Try them with a linear power supply, Rich.

When I first plugged in the stock DUET, a linear cleaned up the harshness in the top end.

[jhm731]

IMO, the digital output of a stock Duet sounds much better than the digital output of a stock SB3.

A linear psu improves the SB3, but not as much as Pat's(Analog Research-Technology) digital upgrades.

Pat's latest upgrades and linear psu for the Duet are outstanding.

Curent system: Duet w/Analog Research-Technology digital upgrades, linear psu & U-Byte cable-> bnc input on Aberdeen TacT RCS 2.2XP->Aberdeen TacT Signature S2150-> Volent VL-2s.

[richidoo]

Try them with a linear power supply, Rich.

When I first plugged in the stock DUET, a linear cleaned up the harshness in the top end.

Absolutely! Night and day, top to bottom improvement. I didn't mention that cuz he said stock, no mods, but as everybody seems to be saying, stock is really just a starting point for an audiophile using a net player of any brand. You buy the gadget for the networking, then improve the audio with mods.

[Bob in St. Louis]

As far as the stock power supply is concerned, the starting point begins when you chuck it in the trash can.
THEN you can start listening to music.
The most valuable component in it is the recycle value of the several feet of copper wire in the cables.

Just my opinion of course. 

Bob

[jk@home]

Thanks folks, guess I need to pick up a Duet. Too bad the receiver cannot be configured easily without the controller, that would save me some $$$.

I read of a beta program on the Slim Device's site that will do this, called  Net-UDAP. Has anyone here played around with this?

http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43722

[Wayne1]

brj did get a DUET to work with that

FYI, speaking as one who forgot to ask Wayne for the SqueezeBox Controller ( Duh ), it turns out you can set up a Duet without the Controller using the Net-UDAP software, which requires Activestate PERL to run.  It isn't exactly point-and-click, however, so I'd only recommend it if you are fairly familiar with your router and home network settings and comfortable with a command-line interface.

You might want to PM him for particulars

[jk@home]

Thanks Wayne. From just what you posted there, I suspect the learning curve (in my case frustration  ) of trying to make it work, I would be better off waiting to afford the complete package.

[MerlinWerks]

FWIW, I had no problems using the net-Udap script, although I did just go for the most basic of setups, wired/DHCP. But I don't think I would have much problem with more advanced setups.

If the Controller had more universal remote functionality and I could use it to replace my URC MX-900 remote I would probably have gotten a full Duet. I know there is some IR functionality that can be used right now and I hope that will continue to expand, after all it's from the same company that makes the Harmony remotes!

[jk@home]

I guess my setup is pretty basic, all SB3s are hard-wired, to a Cat5 home network: Cox internet, Motorola modem, and Linksys router, with a few 4 port switchers throw in for expansion. The PC uses Windows XP.

I use universals on my SB3s also, just makes more sense to have a dedicated universal remote for each separate system/room.
 
Think I'll go for it.