Here is what I posted on audioasylum.com about the SB3 -----------------------------------------------------------------
I recently bought a SB3 after deliberating for a while whether to go into Computer-based music or not. I was not sure about the SB approach vs the USB approach. Meanwhile, my 1 yr old was damaging the CDs whenever he can get hold of them. It became clear I need to atleast save a 'master' copy on the computer. Finally, I decided to go for the SB3 because of the display and widespread good impressions about its digital output. My Philips 963SA is fed via a VHAudio power cord and is connected by a Zu Ash or Glass Toslink to my Panny XR55. The player is on Vibrapod cones and the shelf itself is on spikes on the rack frame (this made quite a difference). The Panny has Nordost shiva power cord and all of them are connected to Blue Circle MR1200 balanced power conditioner. Speakers are Silverline Sonatina's with Zu Wax cables (biamped). I used EAC to rip CDs to 100% quality as wav and played them back as wav through the SB3.The SB3 is connected via the Sound Professionals Glass Toslink to the XR55 (JA of Sterephile used a $400 AQ Optilink 5 and thought it sounded more or less same as a Ayre player). THe wallwart is connected to the MR1200. The first impression of the SB3 is that its sound is sweet and non-edgy. Initially I thought the soundstage was not there, but it is almost the same as the 963SA. The SB3 beats the Philips on detail - detail as is in texture of instruments rather than the razor sharp edges of a digital photograph. Actually, overall the analogy of a film (smooth and realistic) vs a impressive digital photograph is a good one. The detail I hear in drum instruments makes the sound very enjoyable. I could also turn up the volume higher with the SB3. One thing, I noticed is the sound does not seem to be as dynamic as the 963SA. The Philips 963SA was considered to be a good transport, but sounding 'clinical' (as per Steve of Empirical Audio). Maybe, I am just missing the 'edge' or 'digitis' or whatever. In summary, I feel the SB3 is a good transport in the above configuration, especially if you value detail/texture and smooth sound. -- SoftwireEngineer ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SoftwireEngineer's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7000 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=26743 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
