To Marco I'll describe the whole chain of upgrades.
1) SqueezeBox (the one that looks like the bedside clock) -> analogue output directly into Parasound A21 power amp + a pair of NHT 2.5i. Can't recall what version of server was running. The sound - racey, dynamic, untidy. Best suited for the likes of AC/DC. 2) SqueezeBox -> Audio Alchemy DAC-in-the-Box + Power Station -> Parasound A21 power amp + a pair of NHT 2.5i. Can't recall what version of server was running. The sound - racey, dynamic. A definite improvement, more accurate sound, but the general character of sound is the same as in previous setup. Reminds of analogue gear. 3) Duet -> Audio Alchemy DAC-in-the-Box + Power Station -> Parasound A21 power amp + a pair of NHT 2.5i. Can't recall what version of server was running because I diddn't realise that was important. The sound - totally different from previous setup (to my surprise, because I bought it because of the controller). It's like you've made $10K upgrade. I've heard a very similar sound from a system costing in excess of $25K (VTL tube monoblocks + Vandersteen 3ce + Esoteric CD + DAC) only mine had a insignificant trade-offs in mid and overwhelming advantage in bass. This is funny because I thought the digital signal from SB/receiver should be the same. Obviously I was wrong. Some processing is being done internally in the SB/receiver. Then I noticed this issue with flac vs wav but brushed it off as inevitable trade-off. But then I've read this thread and started experimenting with different version of server. The results amaze me to say the least. -- deadushka ------------------------------------------------------------------------ deadushka's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=35306 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=71321 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
