7520 with a SB3?

[Clive]

Class,
There is something "analogue" about the sound of the 7520. I dont mean just the lack of any digital harshness or anything, it just sounds "right" in a way a good turntable does.
Its a solid sound, solid but very delicate and open too. Lots of weight and "thwack", but having a wide open soundstage - just like a good record player.

Yer in for a treat.

I very much agree with this, particularly when the 7520 is being driven from a PC, an SB3 should be similar. As a result of how the 7520 sounds with Foobar I'm now ripping my CD collection, 120 ripped, 400 to go....

[bong]

i've had the opportunity to pair up these two great pieces of gear, so I thought i'll drop in with my observations.

i've connected the sb3 to the 7520 via the optical toslink input, and am outputting it via the analogue RCAs to my preamp, and via the headphones out to my earphones. The 7520 has had about 70+ hrs of burning in, and I'm still letting the sound evolve and settle before making any serious observations.

however, the wife, who has a better set of ears than i do, has commented that she's hearing richer layers, a wider and more distinct soundstage compared to the out-of-the-box listen. and it is definitely a step up from the SB3's internal burr brown DAC.

here are some pictures of the coupling ...

the SB 3 or SB classic as it's now called


the SB3 and my kab1200 ... the sources deck.


the 7520, sitting pretty with my trichord dino phono stage. it's been analogue vs digital so far this deck and the sources.


finally, the setup in its entirety.

[Labarum]

Some say the SB3 and the Beresford DAC work better together with the RCA digital connection. Stan is agnostic on the issue, and I can't hear any difference with my 7510.

I connect RCA rather than optically because I want the optical inputs for other sources.

But yes, add a Standac to a Squeezebox and it is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vorsprung_durch_Technik although I prefer the translation "A leap forward through technology".

[Class]

I ordered it with a coax cable. Back in the day I remember the hi-fi gurus saying this was superior to the toslink, but I have no idea

[bong]

i've got one of each cable, but decided to go with the toslink for now to run in the DAC. not sure if there'll be a significant increase in SQ if I make the cable switch, but I'm too lazy currently to do an A/B, and also, i think the sound is still evolving from the burning in, so it might not be wholly accurate. i don't foresee connecting too many devices to the standac so using up the toslink is not a concern.

[Spur07]

if anybody can't her the difference between SB naked and SB + standac, then you either need your ears fixing or your system is cack

adding a dac to a SB or any basic USB converter/streamer is a complete no brainer. the SB naked is poor - any dac will enhance its output considerably. i have read reports, however, that stan's dac doesn't have quite the same impact when run through basic, 'entry level' amp/speaker equipment.

[Labarum]

if anybody can't her the difference between SB naked and SB + standac, then you either need your ears fixing or your system is cack

Agreed. And the SB designers will also agree, though what they say is, at the price, they cannot match a stand alone DAC.

The Transporter is a different matter, they say, but it does cost over £1000.

[Spur07]

i've heard excellent comments regarding the transporter on the naim forums - apparently it more than holds its own against many expensive mac/dac combos

wish i could afford one!

[Labarum]

i've heard excellent comments regarding the transporter on the naim forums - apparently it more than holds its own against many expensive mac/dac combos

wish i could afford one!

On the Squeezebox forum you will find opinions divided: some say the Transport is better than a SB3 with quality DAC, and others that you can do just as well for half the cost of the Transporter.

[Spur07]

...and others that you can do just as well for half the cost of the Transporter.

interesting.


Its difficult to know what the future holds regarding transports - plenty of development to come, i'm sure. not sure how willing i'd be to give up itunes with all the artwork, remote, etc