Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Modwright TP: Balanced or Single Ended

2008-06-09 Thread Mr_Sukebe

Kind of makes a mockery of threads like what balanced DAC should I
buy.

My understanding is that in theory balanced should have the edge, but
requires a good implementation, and as such can result in a worse
solution.

After years of seeing this kind of technology at all costs being
preached, I'm now a believer in the idea that if it sounds better, then
it is. 
Go enjoy!


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Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Posible bug in built-in MP3 decoder - please verify

2008-06-09 Thread sikahr

Robin Bowes;309312 Wrote: 
 
 Nenad,
 Calm down.
 

Ok, I'll try.

Robin (and many others) points out this bug doesn't affect many people
because:
-   Audiophiles don't listen to lossless
-   Average Joe don’t need high quality 
So, conclusion is, high quality mp3 playback is not important to most
users, and this bug have low priority.

BUT,

at the same time, all slimdevices (Squeeze, duet, transporter) have
these statements in specification (my caps and bold):

•  Compressed formats (MP3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, MP2, MusePack, WMA)
•   MPEG decoding uses MAD software, *WIDELY REGARDED AS THE MOST
ACCURATE*, most compatible MP3 decoder.
•   *HIGH ACCURACY 24-BIT SYNTHESIS*
•   Supports all MP3 data rates and sample rates, including VBR

I understand these statements as advertising of high quality mp3
playback capability.

So, 

-   When you need to make selling point, high quality mp3 playback
capability *IS IMPORTANT* and emphasized in specification.

-   When you need to fix bugs, high quality mp3 playback capability *IS
NOT SO IMPORTANT* and bugs have low priority.

In my opinion, because of bug, slimdevices mp3 playback quality is
bellow average, because *accuracy of decoder(because of bug) is about 
10-12 correct bits* (my estimation - needs testing but I believe it is
true).

Statements in specification gave *false impression of high quality mp3
playback capability*, when implementation quality, because of bug, is
*bellow average*.

To make conclusion,

*IF SLIMDEVICES IS FAIR AND HONEST COMPANY*, they will *remove false
claims*  of high quality mp3 playback from specification and other
advertising material * until this bug is fixed *( it is now open more
then six months).

Please feel free to comment flaws in my logic here.

Peace,   Nenad


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[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Lite DAC 60 and SB3 for sale

2008-06-09 Thread pkfox

Hi All, thought I'd try here before going the Ebay route - I have a Lite
DAC 60 and a SB3 ( with linear power supply ) for sale, all items are as
new, I'm based in Surrey in the UK - any offers ?


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Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Posible bug in built-in MP3 decoder - please verify

2008-06-09 Thread sikahr

To Phil Leigh:

Please accept my apology because I overreacted and use some words which
are  inappropriate.

Peace,  Nenad


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Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Modwright TP: Balanced or Single Ended

2008-06-09 Thread cliveb

dtz;310004 Wrote: 
 So after some tube swapping and some head scratching I tried it single
 ended. New RCA's are part of the mod and the old RCA's are
 disconnected. What a difference. The frequency extension is back as
 well as the dynamics. It went from dullsville to musicland. Almost any
 review I've ever read said, if something can be used balanced it should
 be. I was a bit surprised to find, in this case, the opposite to be
 true. Anyone else have  a similar experience? Thanks for any replies.
The stock TP is an intrinsically balanced device, and its unbalanced
output is derived from that. IME the balanced output is distinctly
better.

The Modwright update completely replaces the analogue output stage,
right? Reading their website, they say that their balanced output uses
custom wound transformers. This implies their output stage is an
intrinsically unbalanced design. It would therefore be no surprise that
balanced signal, after it has been through a transformer, might be
degraded in some way. If you have short interconnects it is therefore
quite feasible that the unbalanced output would sound better.


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Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Personal Introductions: Please Make This a Sticky!

2008-06-09 Thread Zardoz

Hi there,

since last weekend I enjoy playing around with my new favourite toy,
the Squeezebox Duet. I love everything about it, the sound quality, the
looks and the usability.

I'm routing it to my Solen Tigre hybrid amplifier, from there via
Silent Wire cabling to my Audiophysics Yara Evolution speakers. Right
now, I'm having a hard time in finding any improvement in sound quality
when using the RME ADI-2 as an external DAC. When I don't find any help
in this issue soon, the DAC has to go and I'll invest in better
speakers instead. ;)

Greetings from Hamburg, Germany,
Zardoz!


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[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] RME ADI-2 - External DAC issue

2008-06-09 Thread Zardoz

Hi,

since last weekend I'm the proud owner of a Squeezebox Duet.
I also bought a RME ADI-2 mastering quality DAC to improve audio
quality.
The funny thing is, to my ears there is no audible
difference/improvement when I compare its output to the Duets analog
jacks, neither with optical nor coax connection.

In the upper scenario I used the Squeezeboxes clock to slave the
external DAC. As far as I know, the ADI-2 can also be used as a master
clock for the Squeezebox. When I try to switch the DAC into the correct
mode (44.1khz) the sound is worsened by dropouts. 

Could anyone help me in this, because I'm about to sell the DAC and use
the Squeezebox without it. Is this behaviour the same with every other
DAC or is it related to the ADI?

Thanks in advance,
Zardoz!


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Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] RME ADI-2 - External DAC issue

2008-06-09 Thread StigErik

I've had an RME ADI-2. Nice DAC, but not top notch. Its far behind the
brilliant Transporter. I've never heard the Duet, so I cannot comment
on its sound, but it wouldn't amaze me at all if the Duet is at least
as good as, if not better, than your ADI-2

The dropouts are a typical clock synch problem, indicating that the DAC
and the source are not using the same clock source.


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Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Posible bug in built-in MP3 decoder - please verify

2008-06-09 Thread Phil Leigh

sikahr;310056 Wrote: 
 To Phil Leigh:
 
 Please accept my apology because I overreacted and use some words which
 are  inappropriate.
 
 Peace,  Nenad

Nenad,
Apology Accepted
Phil


-- 
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You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it
ain't what you'd call minimal...SB3+Stontronics PSU - Altmann
JISCO/UPCI - TACT RCS 2.2X with Good Vibrations S/W - MF X-DAC
V3/X-PSU/X-10 buffer (Audiocomm full mods)- Linn 5103 - Linn Aktiv 5.1
system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend
Supertweeters, Kimber  Chord cables

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Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] RME ADI-2 - External DAC issue

2008-06-09 Thread Zardoz

Thanks StigErik,

that's weird. I'd never thought that the squeezebox would actually
outperform a professional production level DAC 600€ worth! To be
honest, I'll give it another test run this evening.

I've learned that in order to make the ADI-2 the clock master, I'd have
to connect the ADIs digital out to the squeezeboxes digital in for clock
synchronizing. The regular Duet doesn't come with a digital in, so
there's no way of using the clock of an external dac as master. It
works with the transporter though. 

For 2000€ the transporter is not an option for me right now. As far as
I see it, there's no audible sound improvement by adding an external
DAC. At least in the price range under 1000€. Do you feel the same?

Hopefully this doesn't lead to flamewars, I'm just thinking about
rerouting the money I spent on the ADI-2 to something else if it
doesn't improve the sound.

Cheers,
Zardoz


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Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] RME ADI-2 - External DAC issue

2008-06-09 Thread Phil Leigh

Zardoz - to be clear the ADI-2 doesn't have a word-clock output (or
input). It always uses the clock in the spdif or ADAT/Toslink signal or
it replaces them with its internal clock.

To really get a big improvement on the SB internal DAC, you'd need one
with word-clock output (so the DAC can drive the SB) - and the SB would
need to have a word-clock input added (modders can do this). These tend
to be expensive DAC's! Also, opinions are divided on just how much
better this arrangement would be over a closely coupled DAC as in the
Transporter.


-- 
Phil Leigh

You want to see the signal path BEFORE it gets onto a CD/vinyl...it
ain't what you'd call minimal...SB3+Stontronics PSU - Altmann
JISCO/UPCI - TACT RCS 2.2X with Good Vibrations S/W - MF X-DAC
V3/X-PSU/X-10 buffer (Audiocomm full mods)- Linn 5103 - Linn Aktiv 5.1
system (6x LK140's, ESPEK/TRIKAN/KATAN/SEIZMIK 10.5), Townsend
Supertweeters, Kimber  Chord cables

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Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] RME ADI-2 - External DAC issue

2008-06-09 Thread StigErik

Zardoz;310088 Wrote: 
 Thanks StigErik,
 
 that's weird. I'd never thought that the squeezebox would actually
 outperform a professional production level DAC 600€ worth! To be
 honest, I'll give it another test run this evening.
 -
 For 2000€ the transporter is not an option for me right now. As far as
 I see it, there's no audible sound improvement by adding an external
 DAC. At least in the price range under 1000€. Do you feel the same?
 
 Hopefully this doesn't lead to flamewars, I'm just thinking about
 rerouting the money I spent on the ADI-2 to something else if it
 doesn't improve the sound.
 
 Cheers,
 Zardoz

I didnt think so either, but when I heard the Transporter I was very
very impressed with it. It crushed the ADI-2, and compares very well
with my 3000$ RME ADI-8 QS. It wont surprise me if the SB3 compares
well with the ADI-2.

I have two SB3, but I have never listened too closely to their analog
out to make any serious comment (one is used on the porch, and the
other one only with digital output). My 0,02$ would be to save up for a
Transporter. Then you'll have the best media player on the market, and
maybe the best DAC in its price range. I got mine for ~2000$, which is
~1500€. Not to bad.


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Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Modwright TP: Balanced or Single Ended

2008-06-09 Thread ted_b

I'm a MWTP owner (first one, in fact) and have tried multiple XLR's and
RCA's but have never been able to a/b using the same cable model.  I
use RCA's only (I thought) cuz the Stealth Nanofiber midrange is
wonderful, and I only have Nanofiber in RCA.  Maybe it's more than
that, as Clive suggests.

DTZ, what cables did you use when swapping?  Could that variable be
enough?


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Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Trade: My silver Transporter for your black Transporter

2008-06-09 Thread JayNYC

...still looking to trade my Silver Transporter for a Black Transporter.
If interested, PM me.  Thanks.


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Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Behringer DEQ2496 in Transporter digital loop for room correction?

2008-06-09 Thread HalleysComet

Robin Bowes;309997 Wrote: 
 HalleysComet wrote:
 
  How do I turn this sucker on?
 
 Settings | Player | Audio | Effects loop input
 - choose the appropriate input
 
 Also, set Effects loop clock mode to Synchronous: Transporter is
 master
 
 R.

No wonder I was having trouble!  Perhaps I have the wrong version of
SqueezeCenter 7 because this option doesn't exist on my list of
settings under Settings | Player | Audio.  I have 14 heading options
there, and none of them is Effects Loop.  I'll try updating to the
latest version and see if it appears.  

Thanks so much!


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Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Behringer DEQ2496 in Transporter digital loop for room correction?

2008-06-09 Thread HalleysComet

OK That's got it!  Downloaded and installed 7.1 and there's the option. 
Whew!! I thought I was going nuts.  Turns out the effects option wasn't
shown in the first version of 7.0 that I've been using.

I'll document my Behringer settings and results when I get the setup
done, in case someone else wants to do this.

Thanks again Robin!


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Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Modwright TP: Balanced or Single Ended

2008-06-09 Thread dtz

Ted: I'm using Audience AU24 in both systems. I use equal lengths of
balanced or single ended so that isn't a variable.
Thanks for the response guys.


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Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Modwright TP: Balanced or Single Ended

2008-06-09 Thread ted_b

Here's Dan's reply:

The ModWright Transporter is terminated via custom-wound output
transformers.  The outputs are, thus, truly balanced.  The RCA's are
ALSO connected to the OPT's, using only one leg of the signal from the
OPT.

While in theory, one might assume that adding any active device such as
an output transformer may degrade the sound, you must also consider what
the transformer does.

A.  Lowers output impedance to 110ohm.
B.  Filters out all out of BW noice  60Khz.
C.  Converts SE input into true balanced output.
D.  Allows for phase correction of RCA outs.

There is no reason why RCA outs should sound better than XLR's,
assuming all else is equal.  It is possible that there is a phase issue
here, but cannot be certain.  The only way that the balanced outs could
possibly sound bass shy and lacking in clarity and dynamics, would be
if one output was wired out of phase from the other.  Again, however,
the comparison is only valid if the same preamp is used to evaluate the
outputs, RCA vs. XLR and cabling the same.  I am not sure of all of the
variables.

By all means, if you have any concerns about the unit, we would be
happy to take a look at it under warranty for you.

Thanks,

Dan Wright
President, ModWright Instruments Inc.
www.modwright.com

ModWright LLC - www.modwright.com


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Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Modwright TP: Balanced or Single Ended

2008-06-09 Thread dtz

Thanks for going the extra mile. I should be able to get my hands on
some other cables to try to figure this out. Maybe I'm just daft. If
there is a problem, I'll contact Dan. Thanks again.


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Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Posible bug in built-in MP3 decoder - please verify

2008-06-09 Thread Nonreality

cliveb;308940 Wrote: 
 You appear to be extremely worried about sound quality, and yet choose
 to use MP3. These two positions strike me as curiously in conflict.
 Surely if you're that worried about sound quality, you should switch to
 a lossless codec (and then the MP3 bug wouldn't be an issue for you).
So he shouldn't be able to get the best sound quality out of what he
has? Just because there exists something better?  Maybe he already has
a couple of hundred albums encoded to Mp3.  My car is not handling well
because they put the wrong tires on I'd like it fixed. Oh if your
worried about handling just drive a BMW. I can't imagine you being
worried about handling if you don't drive a BMW.  The other thing is
yes Flac is great but maybe 1 in 10,000 can really hear a difference
between it and a 320 lame Mp3.


-- 
Nonreality

-IF THE RULE YOU FOLLOWED BROUGHT YOU TO THIS, OF WHAT USE IS THE RULE.-

HTTP://www.last.fm/user/nonreality

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Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Behringer DEQ2496 in Transporter digital loop for room correction?

2008-06-09 Thread HalleysComet

I thought it might be useful to someone to document the steps I went
through to make the Behringer DEQ2496 work in the effects loop of the
Transporter.  So I'm attaching a couple of posts as sort of a primer,
in the hopes that the next person who does this will benefit.

First I'll talk about setup, then the process.

Physical install: I used digital AES/EBU cables with XLR connectors I
got from a pro music shop.  Connected a digital AES/EBU cable from the
TP output to the Behringer input.  Connect another cable from the TP
input to the Behringer output.  Finally, connect calibrated microphone
to XLR microphone input, and tape mike to listening chair in position
of head.  I used a tape measure to measure distance of microphone to
center of speaker drivers.  Adjust for exact distances required.

You'll need your Transporter updated with the latest beta firmware,
currently FV42.  You'll also need the most recent SqueezeCenter
supported release (I found this out the hard way).  The option to
select the effects loop doesn't exist in version 7.0!  Choose to enable
the loop using AES/EBU.  Scroll down and make sure that the Transporter
is running in Syncronous mode using its own clock.

Once you've done this, you can turn on the Behringer to check it out. 
The DEQ2496 is by far the hardest part of this whole process.  Push the
I/O button  on the behringer (right hand side, bottom center of 9-button
matrix) to select the digital input.  Rotate the select wheel to pick
the Dig In XLR input  Then play some music  make sure the meter on
far left is moving.  Use lower button beneath meter to display
different meter screens.
when tired of this...push RTA button on top of second column of buttons
to show the frequency bars (response by frequency)
More setup:
* Push the tab button on upper left by screen to select the second
screen, then used the middle button on the left to select AES 3
* Pushed the tab button again to select the third screen, then selected
the RTA Mic to use the microphone as the input for the RTA (Real Time
Analyzer); note that there's a gain button here for the mike gain, if
needed (lower left button)
* Pushed the tab button for the fourth screen to confirm that there is
no digital delay selected
* Now you should set the unit to Dual Mono rather than Stereo.  Push
the Utility button on the lower left of the matrix of 9 buttons.  Use
the small scroll wheels to move up or down in the menu.  Find the
Channel Mode item, and rotate the large scroll wheel to Dual Mono
and press to accept that setting

Next post: Room equalization process


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Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Behringer DEQ2496 in Transporter digital loop for room correction?

2008-06-09 Thread HalleysComet

Assuming things are working, it's time to try some measurement.  Turn
down the amplifier!
* first, need to enable pink noise.  Push I/O button again  select
first tab.  Use large scroll wheel to move input from Dig In XLR to
Pink Noise  then push in scroll wheel to select.  You should hear the
rush/roar of pink noise.  Turn it up until your significant other
complains about the jet plane taking off (anyway, works better good'n
loud).  Then select another input or something so you don't have to
listen to it while you finish getting ready
* Now if you push the button on the upper left of the unit labelled
RTA you can see the response of your room to pink noise played
through your system.  In theory, pink noise has equal energy at every
frequency, so where the display shows peaks and valleys, that's the
response of your system/room deviates from flat.  Pretty discouraging,
huh?

So how do we fix this?  First, you can relocate your speakers.  Moving
them closer/further from the wall, or closer/further from corners can
have profound effects on their response.  Second, you can change your
room, such as by adding carpets, curtains, or room treatments, such as
the very-effective RealTraps.  Or you can try to change the relative
frequency spectrum that is sent to your amplifier by your source via
digital correction using the Behringer.

If you use the Behringer, you can do it either manually, or let the
unit Auto-Equalize.  The latter is kinda cool, if you don't expect
too much.  I start with Auto as a baseline, then twiddle to make fine
adjustments.  There are some parameters that will make it work better,
such as not letting it auto-equalize below 100Hz or above 18kHz.  Also
the usual rules apply: don't try to force your amp/speakers to produce
frequencies of which they are incapable, so don't boost the low bass in
an effort to squeeze blood out of a stone.

Now it's time to set your target curves.  This is the goal to which you
are trying to optimize response.  For starters, you can try for a flat
response.  There might be other target curves you prefer, such as the
famous BBC curve.  
Press the upper left button (GEQ) in the matrix of 9 buttons on the
right.  This gives you a screen where you can see the frequency
spectrum, and the boost or cut that the unit is applying.  If you push
and hold the button on the lower left of the screen you can reset these
to flat  The middle button on the left of the screen lets you select
which channel you're viewing, right or left.  If you hold it down for a
couple of seconds, you can adjust both channels in tandem.  BTW, this is
one of the really cool parts of the unit.  You can use the scroll wheels
to select specific frequencies, then adjust them up or down with the big
scroll wheel.  The lower scroll wheel lets you change the bandwidth of
the equalization, so you can create a nice parametric adjustment that
is spread over related frequencies.  If you push the lower scroll
wheel, you can change its mode to a shelf mode that lets you boost or
cut all the frequencies above/below a set frequency.  Lotsa cool stuff
here.

Now it's time to let the Behringer do a self-adjust to reach your
target curve.
Push the button on the upper left RTA  The screen has 3 tabs.  The
bottom left button lets you start the auto-EQ feature and sends you to
your target curves.  After you set your curves, press the upper left
Page button which will take you to the second screen, showing your
pink noise response again.  This time, push the middle button on the
left which starts the auto EQ process.  Actually there are some other
parameters you can set, such as how fast it modifies parameters (I like
fast to start, then slow to finalize), but at this point the unit
samples each frequency and auto-adjusts the parametric equalizer to
come as close as possible to your target curve.  When it stops moving
things around, press Done, on the lower left, then go look at your
curves.

If you play pink noise again, you should see things are now much closer
than they were before.  Some frequencies are still whacked out, and you
can manually set the lows to help manage room bass nodes.  Back and
forth between settings until you are all fiddled out.  You can save
these curves, and name them, and create new ones, and knock yourself
out.  But that's the basic process.

Now you can go back to the I/O screen and select your TP as input Dig
In XLR  Then when you play music, you'll be amazed at the
transformation.  You may not like it at first, but give it some time. 
After a while you'll find it hard to go back to the unadjusted sound of
most rooms.

Hope this helps someone!

Frank


-- 
HalleysComet

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