PC based system, questions and clarifications...

Thanks Prpixel for your comments. I already own a SB3. While I like the convenience of being able to select music from my hard drive (I have only ripped about 15 CD’s) I am not that impressed with the sound quality (playing FLAC files, ethernet connection not wireless) of playback. It certainly is not better than my CD player. My SB has not been modified except I added a high quality linear PS. I would certainly like to compare a modified SB with a stock unit before I sent mine in. Even so most people have stated that a computer based sound system using a high end USB DAC beats a SB. At the RMAF show last weekend I heard an awesome computer based system JA of Stereophile had a seminar comparing mp3, 16/44.1 and 24/88.2. He was playing his files thru a Bel Canto Dac3. The rest of the electronics were Conrad Johnson but the speakers were only a $2,000 pr Avalon’s.

I will probably be using a laptop (either a iBook G4 or a MS Vista based notebook). There is a neat little software program ($23) that I can put on my bluetooth wireless PDA that will allow me to remotely control my laptop if needed. I will investigate the mini. All of this equipment will be in my dedicated 2 channel system. The HT is in another room.

I was only looking for a USB/firewire/ethernet interface incase I decided to go the MS Vista route instead of the iBook G4. No big deal as I will most likely get the Ethernet version, that way it is a standalone unit that can be in another room.

Wow, ripped your CD’s 3 times! What happened? I have used PC’s (before hard drives) and I have only had one drive fail on me. Initially I was only thinking of getting a single 1TM drive (about $300) and save some money, maybe not now….

I see that you have a PS Audio Digital Link III DAC. What do you think of it? Did you compare it to any other DAC’s? To the SB?

Thanks again for your input.

Restock: I am sorry but I am Apple dumb. I have been an intel/MS user since the days of DOS. What is “Front Row” interface? Thank you for your input/comparison of the DAC’s. The Wavelength Brick was one of my considerations as well. I have to see if they have a 30 trial like Benchmark does. What file format did you use?

Thanks

Alan49,

The stock SB3 is not that great. It's good enough for casual listening or background music. Most people think that you can just replace the switching power supply with a linear power supply. The problem is that the power section inside the SB3 needs to be modified in order to get the full benefit. I've heard an SB3 with a standard Elpac linear power supply. It is a slight improvement over the stock unit. The modded Elpac is much better.

Apple front row is a simple interface and remote that lets you control your Mac from your listening chair. It's very similar to MS Windows Media center.

The reason I had to rip three times is that my first HD died. So, I re-ripped, but forgot to turn off copy protection, and could not access my collection from slimserver. So, deleted everything and started over for the third time. It takes me about a month to rip everything. My collection now resides on three 750GB drives: one in the machine and two backups. If you’re using lossless, then figure on about 4 CD per GB. So, 1TB will give you enough room for about 4000 CD's.

I have a few USB DACs around the house: MHTD Labs Paradisea Tube DAC, MHTD Constantine and a PS audio Digilink III. In addition, I've owned the Firestone FUBARII w/Supplier power supply and Perreaux SXD2 DAC. I've also auditioned the Bel Canto Dac3 in my office system. The Fubar was my first USB DAC and I liked it a lot. I picked up the Perreaux to replace it, but liked the Fuber better, so I sold it hear. The Paradisea gives up a little detail for smoothness over the Constantine; I prefer the Constantine. I use the Paradisea in my wife’s computer system which consists of a custom Sub with a three channel plate amp driving a small pair of Canton CD10's. Here source is a Gateway Vista laptop and playback is through Softsqueeze, which gives her access to my entire library. The Bel Canto was good, but I could not justify the price so I did not purchase one (borrowed from friend).

I vacillate between the Constantine and the PS audio DACS. Some days I like the PS audio, some days I prefer the Constantine. I guess it just depends on the mood I'm in. One final note, I use the coax digital in on both DACS. I prefer the sound of the coax digital over the USB input. This might be a function of the USB input or it could be my computer. I find that the USB input lacks a little PRAT. Gordon at Wavelength has developed a USB input receiver for his DACs that are suppose to eliminate this problem, but I've never heard any of this DACs.

While I've never tried any of these DACS in the big rig I have tried the SB in the office system. The modded SB is better than all the USB DACs. The problem I have with using the SB in the Office rig is that I occasionally play a game and you can't get Windows audio/game audio over the SB.

I'm not going to beat the SB drum anymore. It's your ears, your money and your decision. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide. Most modded equipment is a poor investment because of lower resale values.

I just wanted to give you a little background on myself. I've been involved in audio and the industry for over 25 years. I'm a frustrated musician: piano, acoustic guitar and flute. The flute was a requirement for 4th grade music class and I've stuck with it and taken professional lessons. Hey, it's easy to carry around. Every once in a while I take it out and do my Ian Anderson impression. I'm a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra and go to concerts about once or twice a month. I also attend any of the pre-concert lectures and I really enjoy the learning concerts. I have taken many courses on music and music appreciation. I have very acute hearing. I was legally blind for many years. Now here's that part that's going to get me in trouble. My hearing is so sensitive, that I can hear incandescent light bulbs oscillating. Fluorescents sound like a bees nest. My hearing is so sensitive that my wife says that I can hear her thinking. She's given up on trying to talk under her breath.

The SB3 display is a point of contention for many folks, including me. I have one because I use them with my products, but I much prefer the Sonos interface. The problem is that the Sonos has a much worse digital output. I solve this problem by reclocking both the SB3 and Sonos. Then they are identical sounding, and beat 99% of transports hands-down. I generaly prefer 24/96 upsampled and played using a USB interface, but with the Pace-Car, even 44.1 sounds incredible through the Sonos or SB3. Run the "demo" on sonos.com. Very cool product.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Steve,

Have you looked into using the Nokia N770 or N800 with the SB? The Nokia is a lot smaller and thinner than the Sonos. Yes, I agree that once you start building up a collection, the diplay on the SB becomes a big drawback.