Modified Squeezebox Makes A Nice Transport

[Mister Pig]

Been casually searching for a good transport for my Audio Magic Kukama DAC. I had been using a JVC XL-Z1050TN cdp as a transport, and it does suprisingly well. But could I do better? I had considered an older 90's era TOTL unit, but laser issues always concerned me. Many units like the PS Audio Lambda series have unreplaceable units. But possibly one could be refurbished?

Anyways, I had a stock Squeezebox v3 that I had been experimenting with. Nothing spectacular in stock form. The Bolder Cable Company sent me a stock and modified ELPAC power supply for the unit, and this was a step in the right direction. Eventually sent the SB back to them for their modification package. Got the Full Enthusiast mods. I find the digital side to be quite an improvement, and enjoy the analog mods, although I still prefer my DAC....although the Bolder mods are no slouch.

While I liked this set up, I thought there must be more room for improvement. One night I ran the ELPAC through the outputs of a Monarchy Audio AC Regenerator. Up until then I had the JVC hooked up to it, and the modded ELPAC going to the wall. Noticable imprvement now. Things smoothed out even more, stage got larger, the presentation was vivid and intimate. This is what I had hoped for. I think I have found the transport for my digital rig. Its very very good. I need tos pend some time listening to the analog outputs now that the ELPAC is running through the AC Regenerator. I think there should be improvements there too.

Regards
Mister Pig

[240sx4u]

Great to hear! I love my SB and may consider doing just what you had done!

[Inspiribomb]

I love my SB3 so much in stock form, hard to imagine it sounding better. I'll have to look into having it modded.

[drknstrmyknight]

I just ordered an SB3, but I dunno - can't see dropping a grand on a $250 component.

[Inspiribomb]

Are you having doubts about $250 for a Squeezebox?! If so, I am confident your mood will change once you play around with it and hear it.

Edit - whoops, misread. Didn't see the part about dropping a grand on a $250 component. I think the extent of the money spent on my SB3 will be to add an external DAC.

[240sx4u]

yeah that thing is pricey! I would only do the digital level mods, and use an outboard DAC like I am now.

[drknstrmyknight]

I can see hooking up an outboard DAC, maybe a better power supply, beyond that I doubt you'd ever recoup you investment and it sounds like you're way past the point of diminishing returns.

[crooner]

I spent less than $1000 on my modifications (including the custom made enclosures) and it took my Squeezebox to the next level.

I'd put my unit against anything up to $3000. It certainly trumps the "lightweight" Transporter.

My system is very revealing of cheap electronics and my Super SB passes with flying colors. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have my DAC modded with a pulse transformer, BNC connections and plenty of Black Gate caps!

My Super Squeezebox on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBDXxzkVY1U)

http://members.cox.net/nsalguero/super%20sb%20outdoor%203.jpg

http://members.cox.net/nsalguero/super%20sb%20nudie%205.jpg

http://members.cox.net/nsalguero/ead.jpg

http://members.cox.net/nsalguero/ead2.jpg

[Mister Pig]

Wow. That is a fantastic job you have done there. Cant say enough good things about your project. Makes my SB look like a POS :D Thats quite a power supply, bet it sounds like a million bucks.

Regards
Mister Pig

[crooner]

Wow. That is a fantastic job you have done there. Cant say enough good things about your project. Makes my SB look like a POS :D Thats quite a power supply, bet it sounds like a million bucks.

Regards
Mister Pig

Thanks Mister Pig!

Yeah, I'm still amazed at myself. Never thought it would turn out this good!

The sound is so much improved it ain't funny. I hooked up an extra unmodded SB I have last night just for kicks. It was grainy, metallic and lacking resolution compared to the Super Squeezebox!

Lots of folks have asked if I will be producing them. Not easy to do because it is based on the now discontinued SB2.

I did this to see how far the SB design could go. The power supply weighs 12 lbs and has 57,000 uf of filter capacitance. More than a lot of 50~100 wpc solid state amplifiers!

[Inspiribomb]

How much did it cost (and how much work) to mod out your SB like that? Nicely done.

[Mister Pig]

Hi Crooner,

The power supplies make huge differences with the SB. Personally I find the stock unit to be pretty dissapointing. I have had a chance to listen to the modified ELPAC now, and another built PS, which is an improvement over the ELPAC. But its not cheap. Still, PS upgrades seem to continue to pull improvements out of the SB.

About the V2. I udnerstand he v2 output had reveresed phae. It was necessary to manually reverse phase at speakers. Has there been a software update to address this issue? Mind you, I am just repeating what I have heard, never owned a SB v2.

Given the scarcity of good transports. The SB is a pratical solution to getting a high quality digital signal to a DAC.

Regards
Mister Pig

[crooner]

How much did it cost (and how much work) to mod out your SB like that? Nicely done.

It cost less than $1000. I actually spent close to that amount buying stuff that I ended up not using. This is just parts. If a machine like this was marketed, I'm guessing at least $1300 would cost factory direct or something...

It took me about a month to research and purchase all the parts. Machining the front panel opening took another month. I sent it to a specialized place for this and there was a waiting period.

Actual assembly took me a whole weekend.

[crooner]

The SB2 is functionally identical to the SB3.

The phase issue was related to firmware not hardware. It was fixed in subsequent versions.

They both, of course, are capable of running the exact same software/firmware.


Hi Crooner,

About the V2. I udnerstand he v2 output had reveresed phae. It was necessary to manually reverse phase at speakers. Has there been a software update to address this issue? Mind you, I am just repeating what I have heard, never owned a SB v2.

Regards
Mister Pig

[riverrat]

crooner, I have seen some of your posts regarding your Marantz 10B tuner, as I trolled the archives for info on my Model 20. Sounds as if you've been inside your 10B to get and keep it performing at its best.

Now I see this thread, and how you've modded a source component from the complete other end of the audio spectrum- a cutting edge server for digital files.

Your system truly represents the best of both worlds and the way I like to think about mine. I'm not too concerned about everything "matching", in fact I kind of like bringing components from different eras into the mix.

I don't have the funds or the technical expertise to allow me to get my system to the level of yours, but it sure is an inspiration!

These new servers-e.g. Squeezebox, Transporter- are intriguing. But the technology seems to be evolving rapidly. For now, I think I'm going to start with something like an inexpensive laptop & big external drive with my FLACs > upgraded soundcard > used DAC > preamp.

[crooner]

Thanks for the kind words!
The beauty of the Squeezebox is that you can place it in a different room, like your dedicated audio area, with no unpleasant noise from PC fans or hard drives. Even laptops can be noisy nowadays.

The Logitech people have just released a new version of the Squeezebox called the "Duet". It comes with a Sonos style remote sporting a LCD color screen and wifi capability.

The nice thing is that it also works with older Squeezeboxes, so I'll be ordering one soon!

crooner, I have seen some of your posts regarding your Marantz 10B tuner, as I trolled the archives for info on my Model 20. Sounds as if you've been inside your 10B to get and keep it performing at its best.

Now I see this thread, and how you've modded a source component from the complete other end of the audio spectrum- a cutting edge server for digital files.

Your system truly represents the best of both worlds and the way I like to think about mine. I'm not too concerned about everything "matching", in fact I kind of like bringing components from different eras into the mix.

I don't have the funds or the technical expertise to allow me to get my system to the level of yours, but it sure is an inspiration!

These new servers-e.g. Squeezebox, Transporter- are intriguing. But the technology seems to be evolving rapidly. For now, I think I'm going to start with something like an inexpensive laptop & big external drive with my FLACs > upgraded soundcard > used DAC > preamp.

[bastek]

Ups is going to deliver my SB3 tomorrow, i'm wondering if i should wait and order the Duet instead. Or get the controller for $299 later on. Having source components without display is a negative for me.

[crooner]

Ups is going to deliver my SB3 tomorrow, i'm wondering if i should wait and order the Duet instead. Or get the controller for $299 later on. Having source components without display is a negative for me.

If you plan to use the SB3 via the analog outputs, it is probably going to sound better. Although it is too early to say at this point.

The Duet has slightly worse analog performance according to the spec sheet. Different DAC too.

[Mister Pig]

I spoke with a good friend last night, and he had mentioned an abandoned Squeezebox project. He decided to go with an SPDIF converter run off a laptop. Sitting on his shelf was a custom built 5V PS with high end transforme, Jensen caps, and copper ground plane. Nicely built unit. Actually a clone of a well respected custom PS. He sent it home with me for a listen to, and from what I see its going to stay.

Regards
Mister Pig

[bastek]

I' m planning to use this PS for my Squeezebox.
It's a highly regulated, industrial grade power supply.