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Macbook vs Squeezebox 3

Why does my Bolder Cable modded SB3 sound sooo much better than my Macbook? They are both going into the same PS Audio Digital Link III DAC. The SB3 via coax, the Macbook via USB. The SB3 is connected to my Mac Mini via ethernet and accessing files that are stored on an external hard drive. The Macbook has the same files stored on it's internal drive.

The SB3 sounds fuller, more detailed, more extension at both ends, just better all the way around. Wondering why my Macbook sounds so bad by comparison? Seems like I should be able to get equal, if not better sound out of the Macbook.
ecruz
ecruz OP
402 posts
 
Why migrate away from the SB3 if it sounds so good? Because it has been obsolete'd by Logitech, i.e. no support?

Exactly.

The V-Link came today. I just finished playing with it, for the last hour or so. Using optical wasn't much better than optical straight out of the Mac. However, once I switched to spdif, things came to life. Finally! Pretty darn close to the SB3, without any tweaking at all. This is on my regular Macbook, using a regular USB cable, iTunes and Pure Music. I now feel confident that I can go to a Mac Mini optimized for music, without compromising sound quality and possibly improving sound quality.
realremo
460 posts
 
If you are using a stock usb cable, i can heartily recommend the pangea pc usb cable from audio advisor. It's $35 for a 1.5 meter length and the difference between this and a regular usb is very noticeable, i have the same dac, and i auditioned the pangea against stock usb and the audioquest forest, and the pangea gives a lot more clarity and detail. Which vlink did you buy?
ecruz OP
402 posts
 
I got a demo V-Link II from Crutchfield for $109. But on your recommendation, I just ordered a V-Link 192 from Music Direct for $199 & free shipping. I'll compare them and see if I can hear a difference, then return one of them. Once I get use to this setup, I'll try a couple of USB cables also. My digital cable is an Acoustic Zen Silver Bytes. I also just downloaded the free "Musical Fidelity" version of Amarra. I'll compare it to Pure Music and see if I can hear a difference there.

Thanks for your input.
realremo
460 posts
 
I am actually in the market *right now* for a USB cable upgrade, and this is my short list, in case you're interested:
Kimber USB and USB AG
Audioquest Carbon
DH Labs USB cable
LAT International USB cable
Cardas USB Clear
Wireworld silver starlight
Ridge Street Audio Poiema
...still gathering information, also looking at digital cable upgrade, will add Acoustic Zen Silver Bytes...
saeyedoc
103 posts
 
I'd just stick with the SB until it's no longer usable. Eventually, you may not be able to use the streaming services that use mysqueezebox.com, but streaming local files should work forever, as long as your OS on the server remains compatible with LMS. I have saved copies of LMS for backup.
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