Squeezebox Classic Reclocking

[Audiocom AV]

Audiocom are now offering a clock upgrade for the Squeezebox Classic (SB3) Network Players. The OEM clock is upgraded to Superclock 4, screened, with a very short coax output to the clock input.

The Superclock 4 upgrade can be purchased on its own or in conjunction with our level-1 or level-2 upgrades.

The clock upgrade requires the removal of the wireless card, so is only suitable for users who configure their player with the wired connection.

We plan to extend the clock upgrade to other Network Players including the Squeezebox Duet and Sonos ZP 90.

[Ali Tait]

Will you be doing any upgrades for the Touch?

[Audiocom AV]

Will you be doing any upgrades for the Touch?

Yes, we are currently working on upgrade modifications for the Squeezebox Touch which will be available in the next couple of weeks.

[Ali Tait]

The mods or the Touch?? C'mon what've you heard?:) I've had one on pre-order since last year,and some rumours are now saying June!

[Audiocom AV]

The mods or the Touch?? C'mon what've you heard?:) I've had one on pre-order since last year,and some rumours are now saying June!

The Touch should be available in a couple of weeks, the forecast was January 2010 so I hope this is not pushed forward to June.

[Ali Tait]

It's been mentioned on slimforums that it may now be June.Most are saying Feb though.Have you a pre-production sample? What are your impressions?

[Audiocom AV]

It's been mentioned on slimforums that it may now be June.Most are saying Feb though.Have you a pre-production sample? What are your impressions?

Waiting until June is a drag. No pre-production sample, the modifications outline is based on what we have already done with Classic.

Are you using an SB3? What is your set-up?

[Ali Tait]

No,this will be my first foray into computer audio.The cd's are taking over the living room,so needs must!

[Audiocom AV]

No,this will be my first foray into computer audio.The cd's are taking over the living room,so needs must!

Hi Ali

The back order list for the SB Touch grows with each passing day.

Here are a couple of images of the Superclock 4 in the SB3.

[Covenant]

Is it not possible to mount the clock externally so that wireless capability is retained?

[Audiocom AV]

Is it not possible to mount the clock externally so that wireless capability is retained?

Hi Jerry

Yes, it should be possible to mount the Superclock 4 in an ABS box without compromising the clock and power wires. The ABS box can then be affixed to the back of the unit neatly out of view.

I have a couple of spare SB3 players here so I will do the external clock mod on one of these and report back.

[leo]

Looks great Mark, do you run the clock to the Xilinx direct or through the shared inverter IC?

[Audiocom AV]

Looks great Mark, do you run the clock to the Xilinx direct or through the shared inverter IC?

Hi Leo

Thanks.

The clock runs to the Xilinx direct, there was a subtle but noticeable improvement from bypassing the inverter IC, I would expect the affect of bypassing to be greater if the inverter IC was powered from the generic 3.3V regulator.

Have you replaced the clock in the Duet yet?

[leo]

Hi Leo

Thanks.

The clock runs to the Xilinx direct, there was a subtle but noticeable improvement from bypassing the inverter IC, I would expect the affect of bypassing to be greater if the inverter IC was powered from the generic 3.3V regulator.

Have you replaced the clock in the Duet yet?

Thats great Mark, main reason I asked this is because I think its quite important , the Squeezeboxes clock and output spdif share this inverter chip, from experience sharing a single chip like this is not the best idea at all , an upgraded external clock would be an improvement but it isn't going to be running at its full potential if it goes through that shared chip.
Anyway nice to see yours goes direct:)

I've not replaced the clock in the Duet yet, I guess that'll be something I should try at some stage and then update the Duet modding thread with pics etc.

I also have a stock Receiver too so it makes great for comparing just to see how far things have come

Cheers,
Leo

[Covenant]

Hi Jerry

Yes, it should be possible to mount the Superclock 4 in an ABS box without compromising the clock and power wires. The ABS box can then be affixed to the back of the unit neatly out of view.

I have a couple of spare SB3 players here so I will do the external clock mod on one of these and report back.

I would imagine a Touch with upgraded clock could show a clean pair of heels to a Transporter. Thats something to think about.

[Audiocom AV]

Thats great Mark, main reason I asked this is because I think its quite important , the Squeezeboxes clock and output spdif share this inverter chip, from experience sharing a single chip like this is not the best idea at all , an upgraded external clock would be an improvement but it isn't going to be running at its full potential if it goes through that shared chip.
Anyway nice to see yours goes direct:)



Hi Leo

Yes, sharing the 74HCU04 is not good. I made some further A/B comparisons today both director and through the inverter and the improvement going direct is more apparent than I initially heard.

The plan is to replace the clock in a Duet receiver in the next few days, time permitting. The clock arrangement looks identical to the SB3 so I would hope for the same level of improvement.

I will send you a PM later about Duet upgrades.

Best Regards,
Mark

[Audiocom AV]

I would imagine a Touch with upgraded clock could show a clean pair of heels to a Transporter. Thats something to think about.

Hi Jerry

The SB3 with the Superclock, Bybee etc., with a good quality linear PSU sounds better than the stock Transporter via the digital out.

You can be sure that as soon as a Touch I will be out to squeeze more out of it (excuse the pun).

Best,
Mark

[Ali Tait]

Be interested in what you come up with Mark.

[Audiocom AV]

Be interested in what you come up with Mark.

Ali

I will let you know.

Also, I will be comparing some of the external PSU's that are available.

Cheers,
Mark