squeezebox question [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

hermit

10-10-2011, 14:34

chrism

10-10-2011, 15:20

Quick question for you guys.

I am currently running an old (2003) slim devices squeezebox through a 'caimanised' beresford 7510. I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on whether a newer squeezebox (sb3 or Duet) used only as a transport would offer an improvement over the SB1. I have rotel rc06/rb06 amps and B&W 685 speakers. I appreciate that my system is quite modest by AOS standards. I am keen not to waste money on change for the sake of it.Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Don't think that there would be much to gained just swapping units. DIY is the best way to go if you are up to it. Look to splitting the power rail and getting the VDU supply off the clock / digital supplies. Once you have done this a linear supply on the digital rail will smarten things up quite a bit and the VDU gets the standard Switchmode PSU.

If DIY is not your thing best looking to a SB Touch as the internal power regulation is a little better over the standard SB1 - 3.

Regards

Stratmangler

10-10-2011, 15:33

I have both a SB3 and a Touch, and the Touch is the better sounding of the two, whether you're comparing the analogue outputs or the digital outputs.

I'd spend my money on a Touch - you'll easily be able to incorporate it into your current setup, assuming of course that you've been keeping up to date with server versions.
The Touch is meant to run on 7.* Squeezebox Server.

Before you ask, the SB3 is now being used by my son in his bedroom ;)

Mark Grant

10-10-2011, 20:50

I appreciate that my system is quite modest by AOS standards.

Dont worry about it, it's not how much you spend that matters. :)

The Squeezebox Touch price has been up and down recently, at the time of posting £179.98 direct from Amazon with free delivery which is a very good price.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-930-000089-Squeezebox-Touch/dp/B002N203SW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318279170&sr=8-1

Best way to decide is to try and send it back if no improvement as Amazon returns policy is very good.

hermit

10-10-2011, 21:51

Thanks for all the replies

If DIY is not your thing best looking to a SB Touch as the internal power regulation is a little better over the standard SB1 - 3.

Regards

DIY is not my forte. I can do simple mods like rolling valves or dil socketed op-amps. I find I am strangely attracted to modding and modded gear but, sadly, I am totally handless. Worse, eyesight is now going - I should be buying reading glasses next instead of more hifi! Due to finances, I was thinking about initially getting a duet receiver s/h (£80ish I think) and then further down the road paying someone to fit a low jitter clock. Anyone fitted a clock to the Duet on this board?

I'd spend my money on a Touch

Thanks for your advice. I kind of resent paying for the touch screen when I control my sb from an android phone. That said, if SQ on the touch is better than the duet, I would consider it.

Dont worry about it, it's not how much you spend that matters. :)

:) Couldn't agree more - actually, I am quite tickled by having got such a great sound for such a small outlay.

Best way to decide is to try and send it back if no improvement as Amazon returns policy is very good.

Good advice thanks - never thought of that

Stratmangler

10-10-2011, 22:01

Duet Receiver is the turkey of the bunch ;)

hermit

10-10-2011, 22:14

Duet Receiver is the turkey of the bunch ;)

Shame really. Looks like I should be saving for a touch. Thanks for getting me on the right road.

Canetoad

11-10-2011, 09:00

I have a Duet and a Touch, both connected to Caimans and the Touch is much better sounding to my ears than the Duet. Save up for the Touch! :)

WAD62

11-10-2011, 09:42

If you're only using standard resolution files (16/44.1), and controlling from your phone, I'd say your best value for money option would be a receiver with a maplins PSU (VN10L @ 9v) and an sbooster, the standard receiver power supply lets it down badly. That would add up to about £140...

Although the touch is probably a better long term strategy (especially at £180)...but it's PSU isn't that great either, and there's no cheap linear PSU option around at 5V ;)

About the receiver clock updates, I think 'audiocom' is still a member on here, I believe they offer an upgrade service, and 'slate' another member uses an upgraded receiver. :)

DaveK

11-10-2011, 11:13

Although the touch is probably a better long term strategy (especially at £180)...but it's PSU isn't that great either, and there's no cheap linear PSU option around at 5V ;)

If aesthetics are not a big concern eBay is your friend. I got a cheap linear 5v PSU from there, stuck a JLH Ripple Eater on the end of it and I'm a very happy bunny
Dave.

Canetoad

11-10-2011, 11:28

WAD62

11-10-2011, 12:13

My receiver has the Maplins linear supply. My Touch is using a Maplins variable power supply set to 5v (not linear) and I still think it sounds better. Next upgrade is the linear 5v supply for the Touch.

Although it costs more I think the Touch would be the better value for money. Don't forget it can also be modified to improve sound for free just my changing the firmware setup. :eyebrows:

Hi Bernie, the fact that the touch is down to £180 is a clincher in itself I suppose :)

Looks like we have a similar collection of maplins PSUs, did you follow this thread about the Sbooster & PSUs etc...

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12414

...I eventually got 3 Sboosters (a bunch of caps and a choke I think), 2 are with the receiver/VN10L combos, and one with my SB3/L11BQ(SMPS), they improve things...to my ears anyway. At £25 it's not a bad option, and I think MG will do a 30 day money back thingy...

chrism

11-10-2011, 13:55

Got to say that benefits of a linear supply with the SB3 / etc is a bit limited due to the internal regulation set ups in them. I initially tried a maplins linear psu with my SB3 and yes it was a little smoother than before.

To gain real benefits you will need to provide dedecated linear supplies to the clock (Ian built a new one for me) and digital rail. The VDU has to be taken out and powered up on its own by anything - the original switcher is fine.

You can build a linear PSU for around £90.00 and it is not too hard to do (plenty of Psu threads on here to get you going). You can choose the regulator you prefer as well, I used Avondale TPR2's.

Unfortunately I would not recommend spending £180.00 on a PSU for the basic device though.

twelvebears

11-10-2011, 17:49

If you only have standard definition files, then I'd go for an external DAC before upgrading your SB to a newer model.

I my view the the same money spent on a Beresford DAC will gain you a bigger improvement than a new Squeezebox.

Canetoad

11-10-2011, 18:13

Hi Bernie, the fact that the touch is down to £180 is a clincher in itself I suppose :)

Looks like we have a similar collection of maplins PSUs, did you follow this thread about the Sbooster & PSUs etc...

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12414

...I eventually got 3 Sboosters (a bunch of caps and a choke I think), 2 are with the receiver/VN10L combos, and one with my SB3/L11BQ(SMPS), they improve things...to my ears anyway. At £25 it's not a bad option, and I think MG will do a 30 day money back thingy...

Hi Will, yes we do seem to have similar setups. The Touch PSU is an LQ11BQ too. Not looked at the SBoosters. I was enjoying building my own PSUs. I know I could probably do things cheaper but I get as much out of building them as I do listening to them. :)

I've one feeding my Caiman using a superteddyreg, a second I am still to fit to my Techie using a Paul Hynes regulator and have most of the parts for one for the Touch. I still haven't decided on a regulator circuit to use but am thinking about another Paul Hynes design. My 9 year old son thinks it's great that I can build something that actually works and doesn't go up in smoke when I turn it on. :lol:

WAD62

12-10-2011, 09:28

Hi Will, yes we do seem to have similar setups. The Touch PSU is an LQ11BQ too. Not looked at the SBoosters. I was enjoying building my own PSUs. I know I could probably do things cheaper but I get as much out of building them as I do listening to them. :)

I see where you're coming from Bernie, I think I'd need the fire brigade on standby if I were to attempt something similar...:)

hermit

20-10-2011, 11:41

Thanks for all your replies. Despite the superiority of the touch, I find I cant resist a bargain. I just managed to pick up a brand new boxed sb3 for £115 on ebay. It's coming tomorrow:)

I have been looking into cheap psu options for it and found this (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ARTESYN-SCL25-7630E-SMPS-5V-2A-POWER-SUPPLY-/300612245219?pt=UK_ConsumerElectronics_PowerAdapto rs_SM&hash=item45fde2d6e3) which I think is a linear psu.

I spoke to my hifi repair shop and he can swap the din output on the psu for the squeezebox pin output for a tenner. Looks like it should be worth a try for £20 all in. As I am not very technical, before I go ahead, I just thought I'd ask you guys if I'm on the right track here.

Thanks
Paul

Welder

20-10-2011, 11:50

I think you'll find the supply you linked to is a switch mode power supply.

ARTESYN SCL25-7630E SMPS 5V 2A POWER SUPPLY

hermit

20-10-2011, 11:55

I think you'll find the supply you linked to is a switch mode power supply.

ARTESYN SCL25-7630E SMPS 5V 2A POWER SUPPLY

Thanks for pointing that out. Does this mean that it is likely to offer little improvement over the standard wall-plug psu?

Mark Grant

20-10-2011, 12:00

Maybe try the standard supplied PSU with one of the Sbooster devices.
http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_77&products_id=270

http://www.squeeze-upgrade.com/sbooster-upgrade-c-86.html

Sceptics have been converted many times :eyebrows:

Welder

20-10-2011, 12:04

Unfortunately I don’t think its quite that straight forward. Not all SMPS are crap.
One of the reasons I try to avoid them is that they feed noise back into the mains. This may be important if for example you have a dedicated mains supply.
Some equipment can cope very well with any noise they deliver.
I’m not SB user, but people here who use them seem to recommend a linear supply writing it makes an audible difference. There is quite a bit on this site regarding linear supplies for the SB so a bit of a search may prove fruitful.