Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New Transporter - Volume Problems With Amps
SuperQ;192158 Wrote: > The VU meters are a visual affect, and are not designed as a calibration > device.. ignore them :) > VU = Virtually Useless -- Skunk Skunk's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2685 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34148 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New Transporter - Volume Problems With Amps
Sword1;192151 Wrote: > When I set the Transporter volume setting anywhere close to its maximum, > the vu meters start moving into the overload zone, and the signal > becomes distorted at certain points. > > Thanks for any help you can provide. The VU meters are a visual affect, and are not designed as a calibration device.. ignore them :) What is "anywhere close".. you should list numbers. If you are using FLAC (I hope you're using FLAC :) Make sure to check replay gain, as it can affect the volume of a track by +-7db or more. -- SuperQ SuperQ's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2139 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34148 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New Transporter - Volume Problems With Amps
To answer your questions, the two amps I am referring to are integrated amps, including both a preamplifier and amplifier section. I have the transporter connected directly via analog inputs. When I set the Transporter volume setting anywhere close to its maximum, the vu meters start moving into the overload zone, and the signal becomes distorted at certain points. Thanks for any help you can provide. davep;192147 Wrote: > Just to be clear about what you are doing, how are you connecting the > output of the Transporter to your headphone amp, and how are you > setting the volume on the Transporter? > > You are correct that the attenuators inside the transporter can only be > used to further reduce the signal level coming out of the analog > outputs. > > It is generally accepted that you should be running the Transporter at > or close to its maximum volume setting (i.e. 0dB) so as to avoid any > potential downgrading of the signal quality, although this is only > reckoned to be a factor if you run the TP at or below about -30dB. > > I run a TP direct into a power amp with no pre-amp in between and have > to have the internal attenuators set at -15dB to enable the volume > control to be used in the upper quarter of its range, otherwise there > is just too much signal, so I would not expect to see any issue with > low volume fed to a headphone amp. > > davep -- Sword1 Sword1's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10991 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34148 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New Transporter - Volume Problems With Amps
davep;192147 Wrote: > > It is generally accepted that you should be running the Transporter at > or close to its maximum volume setting (i.e. 0dB) so as to avoid any > potential downgrading of the signal quality, although this is only > reckoned to be a factor if you run the TP at or below about -30dB. That's another piece of received wisdom from this forum which has turned out to be false - search and you will find posts from Sean Adams to that effect. In short, any decrease in digital volume reduces signal/noise slightly, and there is nothing special about 30dB. It's probably not a bad rule of thumb anyway, though. To the OP - you should verify that none of the volume attenuation settings are set in slimserver. The max level out of my squeezebox is slightly higher than either of two CD players I've compared it to; I don't have a Transporter, but I doubt it's significantly different. -- opaqueice opaqueice's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4234 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34148 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New Transporter - Volume Problems With Amps
Just to be clear about what you are doing, how are you connecting the output of the Transporter to your headphone amp, and how are you setting the volume on the Transporter? You are correct that the attenuators inside the transporter can only be used to further reduce the signal level coming out of the analog outputs. It is generally accepted that you should be running the Transporter at or close to its maximum volume setting (i.e. 0dB) so as to avoid any potential downgrading of the signal quality, although this is only reckoned to be a factor if you run the TP at or below about -30dB. I run a TP direct into a power amp with no pre-amp in between and have to have the internal attenuators set at -15dB to enable the volume control to be used in the upper quarter of its range, otherwise there is just too much signal, so I would not expect to see any issue with low volume fed to a headphone amp. davep -- davep davep's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=61 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34148 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] SB3 to power amp. Confused
Need some help here. Have read the connecttopoweramp wiki and thought i got it but now not sure Just purchased 2 Murano Audio Monoblocks based on the IcePower 1000ASP module (rated 1000W into 4Ω). Sound is fantastic - clarity and weight i did not get from earlier set-ups. After reading the wiki i was very careful when setting up in case i caused damage to my speakers as i fully expected them to be stretched at higher volumes. I am conecting the SB3 directly to the Poweramps then to my speakers (Monitor Audio S10s rated 200W at 6Ω with 91 db sensitivity). What really surprises me is that i can play the SB3 full-out and get to a volume level that is loud but i know from previous amps quite a lot less than what the speakers can handle. So my thinking after reading the wiki is that the input sensitivity on the amps must be higher than that coming from the SB3? Looking at the amp specs it does not give me an input sensitivity, noting only that the dynamic range is 118dBA. Looking at the B&O ICE website and other manufacturers using the same 1000ASP module they indicate input impedance at 60k ohm. HOwever i am lost as to how to compare this to the wiki which is quoted in volts? Probably a stupid question but i cannot work it out. [Am separately going to experiment with a DAC-1 this weekend using it as a pre-amp and running balanced cables to the amps to see if there is any difference.] thanks! -- robsob robsob's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=6851 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34150 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New Transporter - Volume Problems With Amps
I have tried the Transporter connected to two of my headphone amplifiers, and in both cases, I have to nearly maximize the volume setting for an adequate playback level in my headphones. The Transporter offers attenuation settings, but they require opening up the unit and changing jumpers. Of more concern, they mention that the attenuation is currently set to 0 db as a default, and you can change this to -10, or -20. These settings would, I expect, lower the volume level even further. Previously, these amplifiers required that the volume be set, for the loudest reproduction wished for, at perhaps 1/5th of the maximum setting for both of my cd players, and perhaps 1/4 max total volume for my Polk XM radio. When using the Transporter, I am required to turn the volume setting up to nearly max volume for even adequate listening. What is the answer here? I can't believe this isn't a workable situation. Thanks. -- Sword1 Sword1's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10991 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34148 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] EMI takes locks off music tracks
Now does this mean EMI will stop putting their @#$%ing copy protection on CD's? It doesn't stop me from getting the full res data from the CD to my computer for Slimserver, but it does make it more painfull! -- DCtoDaylight DCtoDaylight's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7284 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34127 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] SACD vs HDCD vs DVD-AUDIO, a quick summary?
Well, it can be a bit confusing, but I'll try and summarize (and hopefully won't leave out too much!)... CD: 16 Bit, 44.1KHz Sampling rate HDCD: 16 Bit, 44.1KHz Sampling rate for CD compatibility. Comprised of three elements, a one bit peak limiter, a three bit low level compressor, a very good digital reconstruction filter. To get the benefits of all three, a hardware based decoder is required. For the peak limiter and low level compressor it can be done in software as well (ie Windows media player). The digital control signals for HDCD, that control the audio expansion, are hidden in the lsb noise, so are preserved in any full resolution, or lossless compression format. DAD and DVD-V: (You didn't ask, but I'm throwing these in as well!). 16, 20, or 24 bit, 48K, or 96K sample rates, Stereo only (?), Linear PCM, can be ripped with correct software. Also Dolby Digital & DTS, lossy compression, stereo or 5.1, can be ripped with correct software. DVD-A or DVD-Audio: 16, 20, 24 bit, 44.1K, 48K, 88.2K, 96K, 192K Sample rates. Stereo or 5.1. Linear PCM (like CD's). High res rates are down sampled to 16/48K on digital outputs for copy management. No legal rippers, but the encryption has been cracked (through a hack to Windvd) if you do some digging. SACD: DSD or Direct Stream Digital, a different digital data technique, related to pulse width modulation. A different disk data format is used, based on DVD hardware, so ripping impossible with current gear (afaik). Stereo or 5.1 versions. Can be converted to Linear PCM or vice versa in software. Stereo SACD's are roughly equivalent of 20 bit 200K Linear PCM. Hope this helps! Dave -- DCtoDaylight DCtoDaylight's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7284 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34142 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] EMI takes locks off music tracks
There's another thread in the General Discussions forum asking for AAC support now that DRM-free tracks will be available from the ITunes store. I suggest interested folks post and show their support. -- LejfK LejfK's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=3773 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34127 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Some thoughts on transporter's jumpers to alter analog volume out
truckfighters;192082 Wrote: > > > in other words: will the -6 dB transporter jumper change affect sound > quality in any negative way if I adjust my amp +6 dB higher to maintain > the same heard volume? > The only way to know for sure is to try it. As long as you're comfortable that you know what jumper to change, you shouldn't hurt anything by doing so. And not having any advance expectations as to whether the sound should get better or worse should make your reaction to the change more likely to be correct! -- bobschneider bobschneider's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10074 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34140 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Some thoughts on transporter's jumpers to alter analog volume out
I think you have it right the way it is. If you changed it you would be attenuating the signal at the TP and amplifying it more at the amp. -Ben -- Ben Diss 'SB3' (http://www.slimdevices.com/pi_squeezebox.html) -> 'Lavry DA10' (http://www.lavryengineering.com/productspage_da_10.html) -> 'BAT VK-31SE' (http://www.balanced.com/products/line/Vk-31SE/index.html) -> 'Halo A21' (http://www.parasound.com/halo/a21.php) -> 'B&W 803D' (http://www.bwspeakers.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.models/label/Model%20803D) Ben Diss's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4289 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34140 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] SACD vs HDCD vs DVD-AUDIO, a quick summary?
Hi Can someone quickly summarize for me the main differences between HDCD,SACD,DVD-audio and standard CD? Having just picked up a japanese remaster of some Bowie, I understand that a lot (or all?) japanese imports are re-mastered at 24bits. But the resulting CD is still the 16bit redbook standard. As I understand it, HDCD is simply a way of encoding/extracting an extra 4bits of data in a standard 16bit CD, but to do so you need either a HDCD enabled CD drive OR use the latest Windows media player which is able to extract/rip this extra data. For SACD's, you need a SACD equipped CD player to extract the extra layer of data. SACD's are essentially 24 bit cd's? For DVD-audio... -- mmg_fan mmg_fan's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=9157 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34142 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New Benchmark USB DAC1
325xi;192046 Wrote: > Perhaps I'm missing something, but I simply don't get all this desire to > hook your system into the laptop directly. Well, if you were headphoner > then... but otherwise? Using the laptop, I can listen to a number of sources, not just SlimServer. For example my laptop has a digital TV tuner that also receives radio channels and I can also let my family play back their iTunes libraries from all machines instead of having to have it all on one PC. Also, I much prefer the visual interface of iTunes for album browsing - as I said I have already written my own Java controller for slim that gives me some of that back, but it still falls way short. My laptop is very quiet, so if I can find a way to remotely control it, then I'm all set. The real question is audio quality - I prefer my Copland CD player to the SB+XDACV3 I have now, it has a more natural presentation and bigger soundstage for example, so I need to find out if the Benchmark can give me that too. Otherwise, I shall wait for a DAC that gets close to the Copland. -- CardinalFang CardinalFang's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=962 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34132 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Some thoughts on transporter's jumpers to alter analog volume out
using transporter directly through my redgum amp (incl. pre-amp) into B&W N 802D. very very nice. always listening to music within the magical TP volume setting of -30 to 0 dB to maintain full bit depth (as far as I have understood). but the amps volume control is only set to 1/3 of its full range. so now I wonder if I would use the internal jumpers of TP to cut down TP output volume by -6dB and then turn up the amps volume to again balance it out? there is no noise listenable if I crank up the volume on the amp. but I could imagine that the amp will be more agressive if the pre-amp section is turned up that way? too much text, sorry :) in other words: will the -6 dB transporter jumper change affect sound quality in any negative way if I adjust my amp +6 dB higher to maintain the same heard volume? honestly I am not sure if my amp sounds better if I put more gain on the power amp, but I would like to hear opinions before I open up my transporter case... thanks in advance! -- truckfighters | Transporter | REDGUM RGASil OCC Silver Interconnects | REDGUM RGi120ENR AMP | REDGUM LS Cable | B&W Nautilus 802 D | >>> Live musicians at the end of my room! <<< truckfighters's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7852 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34140 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New Benchmark USB DAC1
CardinalFang;192011 Wrote: > They claim it bypasses kmixer on their website on other OS part from > Vista, although it might be that it holds true if you have the volume > set to maximum only. > I don't understand how that would work without extra drivers. -- johann johann's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10177 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34132 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New Benchmark USB DAC1
Perhaps I'm missing something, but I simply don't get all this desire to hook your system into the laptop directly. Well, if you were headphoner then... but otherwise? How can you connect laptop to your system - either placing it there, or with a long cable. I can't imagine how much EMI/RF noise laptop can emit into your system if you put it close to the other components and cables; it's also always a bit noisy - hdd, fan, etc. And you can't control it from listening position. Long optical cable over whole room would make the room looking kinda messy to my taste. I wouldn't like to have a table in between me and the speakers, but then I'd had to worry where to locate the laptop conveniently. Finally, USB as it's implemented in audio is prone to high jitter, depending on implementation, as discussed recently in another thread. I see no way to check the way USB was implemented in a particular device, including DAC1, so I'd stay away from USB unless I really know what I'm doing... -- 325xi 325xi's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=5661 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34132 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New Benchmark USB DAC1
There are quite a few folks that have tried the DAC-1, even the new one with USB and not liked it's sound. Everyone says it is detailed and analytical. Some reports I've read say it is TOO detailed and analytical to be enjoyable. I've read some reviews of folks that preferred the X-Dac v3 to the Benchmark. I know I just bought an X-Dac v3 and was also looking at used DAC-1s and after reading about a dozen reviews or more, including user reviews I went with the X-Dac v3. As far as going with USB instead of SB3 that's a different thing. I agonized over that one myself when I bought the SB3. I think the only reason to stick with the SB3 is if you like the convenience and the interface. I know I do. But, when my X-Dac gets here, I'll at least listen to my Mac Mini (via Optical Digital Output) direct into the Dac. I'm not a Mac Zealot, my Mac Mini is less than a week old and I have 23 years experience with PCs from Dos 1.1 to Vista, but with a Mac, you do get and Optical S/PDIF right on the computer. And, of course, no Kmixer. -- creativepart - Great Guitar Websites: www.telecaster.com | www.strat-talk.com | www.gibson-talk.com creativepart's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10822 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34132 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New Benchmark USB DAC1
CardinalFang wrote: > I saw a quote for £999 for it and I suppose once you add in shipping > VAT, etc., it does add up. It's still rip-off Britain though :-) no > wonder 10% of the population has left already! For a low low fee, I'll order one to my house in VA, open it, close it, and label it as "used electronic gear" with a declared value of under £999. You deal with Inland Revenue... vats, customs, etc. -- Pat Farrell http://www.pfarrell.com/ ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New Benchmark USB DAC1
adamslim;192022 Wrote: > Looks good, but I doubt they'll sell you one direct to the UK. Their UK > distro, SCV, sells the DAC-1 for £839 ($975), so that $1,275 is going to > be well over a grand. I saw a quote for £999 for it and I suppose once you add in shipping VAT, etc., it does add up. It's still rip-off Britain though :-) no wonder 10% of the population has left already! -- CardinalFang CardinalFang's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=962 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34132 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New Benchmark USB DAC1
CardinalFang;191985 Wrote: > Someone tell me why I shouldn't sell my SB+XDAC V3 and just hook one of > these up to my laptop! The transporter was to be my natural next step, > but with this I can use iTunes or any other player I like for lossless > and listen to digital TV broadcasts as well through a USB tuner I have. > I'm sorely tempted if I can find a way to have a remote control for my > laptop! Looks good, but I doubt they'll sell you one direct to the UK. Their UK distro, SCV, sells the DAC-1 for £839 ($975), so that $1,275 is going to be well over a grand. I'm getting irritated by import margins at the moment, given exchange rates. What do they really do? In the US there are dealer margins, why does it have to be so much greater over here? Grumble! Adam -- adamslim SB3 into Derek Shek d2, Shanling CDT-100, Rotel RT-990BX, Esoteric Audio Research 859, Living Voice Auditorium IIs, Nordost and Anti-cables http://www.last.fm/user/AdamSlim/ adamslim's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=7355 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34132 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New Benchmark USB DAC1
ezkcdude;192006 Wrote: > Well, a few reasons come to mind immediately: > > 1) It'll put you out a thousand or so dollars. > > true, but I'd be selling the SB and XDAc. ezkcdude;192006 Wrote: > 2) It may not sound much better, if any. > Absolutely, it would have to sound better, but it would also be a simpler set-up. ezkcdude;192006 Wrote: > 3) You lose wireless capability. > Not really, I can stream from iTunes via my laptop from another PC already via wireless into the DAC. Thanks for the comments though, I'm still not 100% sure whether I'll do it, but with the rumoured big price increase for the Transporter in the UK, it'd be the cheaper upgrade if the benchmark proves to be a better DAC. -- CardinalFang CardinalFang's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=962 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34132 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New Benchmark USB DAC1
johann;192001 Wrote: > Without installation of other software, I don't see how it would > possibly bypass kmixer and other limits as long as you run any kind of > Windows else than Vista. They claim it bypasses kmixer on their website on other OS part from Vista, although it might be that it holds true if you have the volume set to maximum only. The main reason I'm not hitting the buy button right now for this is remote capability. I do like the idea of being able to see the album art from across the room on my laptop, which I could do with iTunes, but also being able to change song without getting up has become quite important to me. I guess part of it is also that that I have gotten tired of the Slim Web Interface and lack of graphical remote. I have written my own Java interface that runs on the laptop so that I can see album art, but if I have to have a laptop to get a decent GUI remote screen for SlimServer, then I think that I might as well dispense with the Slim part and stream direct from the laptop. -- CardinalFang CardinalFang's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=962 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34132 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New Benchmark USB DAC1
CardinalFang;191985 Wrote: > Someone tell me why I shouldn't sell my SB+XDAC V3 and just hook one of > these up to my laptop! >From an audiophile perspective, I can't. I'd compare them first if I could, and select the one with superior sound. The biggest advantages to the Squeezebox or Transporter are primarily logistical. No computer in the listening room, and the ability to move digital music from a computer at point A to your stereo at point B. Things like animated screen savers, baseball scores on the display, and whole-house audio aren't very high on the list of many audiophiles that I know. -- JJZolx Jim JJZolx's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34132 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Firmware on Multiple SB3's ?
Re: "Stop it" Last time I checked, it was my SB3 and the modded unit that I have does invert the phase. In spite of your eloquence, I believe I will continue to tinker with this until I - Not you - am satisfied. -- whdean whdean's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=9127 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34115 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New Benchmark USB DAC1
CardinalFang;191985 Wrote: > http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/dac1/ > Someone tell me why I shouldn't sell my SB+XDAC V3 and just hook one of > these up to my laptop! Well, a few reasons come to mind immediately: 1) It'll put you out a thousand or so dollars. 2) It may not sound much better, if any. 3) You lose wireless capability. I suggest that if you do buy the Benchmark, sell the XDAC, but keep the SB3 for a while, just in case you "need it". -- ezkcdude HE'S NOT HI-FI, HE'S MY STEREO. EZ DIY AUDIO DESIGNS: http://www.ezdiyaudio.com EZDAC BUILDERS GOOGLE GROUP: http://groups.google.com/group/ezdac-builders ezkcdude's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2545 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34132 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Firmware on Multiple SB3's ?
whdean;191891 Wrote: > I have two SB3's - One in our family room home theater system and a > second one in our study. The family room unit has recently been modded > by Bolder Cable - in my tinkering, I found that firmware v.15 sounds > better to me than the current v.72. (I am using SS V. 6.5.1). I leave > the SB3's volume at max and use the volume control on the pre/pro on > that unit. > > However, I would like to continue to use Firmware v.72 on the stock > SB3. V.72's volume control has a wider range, it seems. > > I have been able to switch between firmwares using a tool a member > posted, but it also forces both units to use the same firmware. > > Is there a patch that would allow each unit to use a separate version > of the firmware? > > Thanks. Stop it! Firmware 15 is broken, has known bugs, and does not "sound better". This idea is dead and buried. Firmware 15 has an audio bug that inverts the phase of the audio. There are also other known bugs in the way it handles audio. Search the forums. -- SuperQ SuperQ's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2139 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34115 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New Benchmark USB DAC1
Without installation of other software, I don't see how it would possibly bypass kmixer and other limits as long as you run any kind of Windows else than Vista. Same as my X-DACv8 really, at least in that sense. Cheers, /Johan -- johann johann's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10177 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34132 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Anybody Hacked SB3 > External Clock?
Very nice post! Thanks for going to the trouble. I haven't sent my stuff for the mods yet and I'll take your experiences into account. Mike -- miklorsmith miklorsmith's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4349 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=32761 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Anybody Hacked SB3 > External Clock?
Hi folks, I take the opportunity of reporting my own modest experience with clocks and SB. Actually, it's a SB2 I played with, so components references and pinout in the following may differ for a SB3. I elected a D-Clock from NewClassD, the new home for Lars Clausen, formerly at LCaudio. Advertised intrinsic jitter is a mere 1.5 ps. Small enough, I guess. So I ordered a 12.2896 MHz clock, keeping the 12.28 MHz part of the circuit untouched. The output of this clock is floating, using a pulse transformer. At first, I ried to connect the cable directly to pin#42 of the Xilinx, after cutting the trace between this pin and the pin#2 of the HCU04. My concern was not to use the crystal pad, as this one is fed through two successives gates before it gets to the Xilinx FPGA. And these gates are not free of any power supply noise, which is a well known cause of jitter. A convenient ground was found by inserting a short piece of thin component lead (from a signal diode, I think) in a via close to the Xilinx. Just peel of the varnish on the bottom side of the PCB, then gently scub the ground plane in order to make a good solder. After that, you get some kind of a robust pin to hook the cable shield to. Adequate power supply was obtained from the pins of the conspicuous big 3300µF cap in the vicinity. Alas, it didn't work: as reported by another member in this thread, no progression on the timing bar. I drop a line to Lars Clausen, and he was kind enough to answer back promptly. I followed his advice to go first through a gate of the HCU04, assuming that this device would be more compliant to the symetric, low voltage, clock output (actually, it's a +/-1.6V instead of a 3.3V). He added that the transitions of his clock are very sharp, and shouldn't be affected jitterwise by the HCU04. However, I decided to keep the gate count as low as possible: no more than one! So I connected the clock cable to pin#1 of the HCU04, actually using one of the pads of the previously removed 12.2896 MHz crystal. Of course, I repaired the previously cut trace between the output of this gate (pin #2) and Xilinx pin#42. This setup works perfectly now. In order to get clean of unwanted signals, I removed also the caps C6 and C15 (the small companions of the crystal) and, as a final touch, I lift up the pins #3 and #4 of the HCU04, effectively removing of the circuit the Pierce oscillator gate. Doing this, I'm pretty sure there is no other component involved in the path of the clock output. Oh, yes, one end of the resistor R1 (the one paralelling the crystal) is still connected to it... but the other end is now floating around, so it shouldn't hurt. This is for my story: I hope it will be helpful for somebody. Well, now it works, and well, but does it worth the expense? If using the analog out of the SB, maybe yes, assuming you also do your homework on power supply and the like. But if you go for a first class external DAC, and in my humble opinion: no. Last month, I purchased a Lavry DA10, and, as I also own an untouched SB3, I set up some comparison, one SB using the Toslink, and the other the coax: the Lavry allows for a convenient switching between these inputs. I felt unable to tell a difference. I exchanged the connection, too, in order to eliminate possible difference in electrical vs. optical interface. I made some spectrum analysis, using the sound pattern from Julian Dunn, and I must say there is some improvement in the picture for the reclocked SB2 over the stock SB3. All well below the -130 dB theshold. Hardly audible. As a matter of fact, I'm wondering if the guys at Slimdevices didn't do some fine tuning in the SB3 over the SB2, with improved PCB layout, or different components, I don't know, but my feeling is that the SB3 is slightly better than the SB2, regarding jitter (I didn't pay much attention to analog output, however). So this is my (not so humble) advice: don't bother modding the SB3. Just buy a decent DAC. The Lavry DA10 is a dream, BTW. JLM -- jlmatrat jlmatrat's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10656 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=32761 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] EMI takes locks off music tracks
Seineseeker;191983 Wrote: > It's only EMI for the moment. 99p a track is a bit expensive though, > when you can buy plenty of CDs new and old still for 5-8 pounds. That's true, but how often are there only one or two good tracks on many CDs released nowadays? -- CardinalFang CardinalFang's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=962 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34127 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] EMI takes locks off music tracks
It's only EMI for the moment. 99p a track is a bit expensive though, when you can buy plenty of CDs new and old still for 5-8 pounds. -- Seineseeker Seineseeker's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4591 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34127 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] New Benchmark USB DAC1
http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/dac1/ I was previously looking at getting one of the new MF XDAC V8 with USB, but this looks more like it - straight through transmission of data via USB with no filtering or tweaking by the PC mixers software. Someone tell me why I shouldn't sell my SB+XDAC V3 and just hook one of these up to my laptop! The transporter was to be my natural next step, but with this I can use iTunes or any other player I like for lossless and listen to digital TV broadcasts as well through a USB tuner I have. I'm sorely tempted if I can find a way to have a remote control for my laptop! -- CardinalFang CardinalFang's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=962 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34132 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] EMI takes locks off music tracks
amcluesent;191970 Wrote: > No DRM, 256kbit/sec AAC played via the SB3/Transporter may sound quite > OK for pop-music. 256K AAC should sound more than OK for the vast majority of people, I doubt many consumers could tell the difference between that coding and lossless. I buy the odd song now and then that's hard to get in stores, or where the album isn't worth the outlay because of filler tracks, and my daughters buy a lot of tracks off iTunes, so this really good news for me at least. -- CardinalFang CardinalFang's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=962 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34127 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] sub for Quad ESL 988
Here is an ad on Audiogon for a ML "Depth" sub--that may have been the one I heard in NY. http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homesubw&1180673443 Do they also make a "Descent?" -- sc53 sc53's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=8690 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=33981 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] EMI takes locks off music tracks
The EMI press release mentions 'CD Quality', and also goes on to say: "EMI expects that consumers will be able to purchase higher quality DRM-free downloads from a variety of digital music stores within the coming weeks, with each retailer choosing whether to sell downloads in AAC, WMA, MP3 or other unprotected formats of their choice. Music fans will be able to purchase higher quality DRM-free digital music for personal use, and listen to it on a wide range of digital music players and music-enabled phones." http://www.emigroup.com/Press/2007/press18.htm -- werock SlimServer: 6.5.1 OS: Ubuntu 6.06 Server: Jetway J7F2 C7 EDEN 1.2Ghz Fanless http://lescannoniers.blogspot.com/ werock's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4747 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34127 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] EMI takes locks off music tracks
No DRM, 256kbit/sec AAC played via the SB3/Transporter may sound quite OK for pop-music. -- amcluesent amcluesent's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10286 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34127 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] EMI takes locks off music tracks
Interesting news from bbc.co.uk/news: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6516189.stm -- norderney norderney's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=378 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34127 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Apple Lossless a compromise?
No, as you will have to setup the SlimServer to transcode the ALAC files "on the fly." If you transcode to WAV, the SB will be receiving data packets identical to your original WAV files. If you transcode to FLAC, you will save some bandwidth, but since you are already streaming WAV there is probably no need. Obviously, if you transcode to MP3, you will be using lossy compression, so the audio properties will be affected. -- jeffmeh jeffmeh's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=3986 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34122 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Apple Lossless a compromise?
Why are you keeping your files as WAV - would FLAC not be a better medium in terms of disk space? Any lossless format is just that - lossless - so you will not compromise quality. You will eat up bandwidth on your network as you will have to stream the ALAC files as WAV's - SB3 does not have ALAC native. -- Heuer Heuer's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2543 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34122 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Apple Lossless a compromise?
Hi All, For years I've been ripping my files to wave using EAC but in the as my Itune library has grown I've realized that I'd be better off (in terms of disc space) condolodating my entire library in Itunes. Is there any risk that I will sacrifice any audio quality if I use Apple Lossless files as the source for my Squeezebox? Gerry -- gdg gdg's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=1122 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=34122 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] A photo of your Squeezebox setup (please)
A poll associated with this post was created, to vote and see the results, please visit http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=19817 Question: Should there be a new forum for photos? - yes - no - maybe Bob Bressler;190906 Wrote: > janly, nice AN amps! What is the preamp? The preamp are Cary SLP98P F1, a special upgradet version that Cary offers. Sounds fantastic! :-) I belive it's Upscale Audio that are behind the idea of the upgrade. Jan -- janly janly's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4695 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=19817 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Firmware on Multiple SB3's ?
whdean wrote: > Because I want it all, of course ! Try this: Edit server/Firmware/squeezebox2.version. Note: your file may have a different number than 80 Change this line: 1..80 80 To this: 1..14 15 16..80 80 That should skip firmware upgrades for firmware 15 I must say, I personally think the whole "this firmware sounds best" thing is a red herring - there was problem in early revisions where the L&R channels were reversed but that was fixed in later revisions. Anyway, each to his own! R. ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] A photo of your Squeezebox setup (please)
A poll associated with this post was created, to vote and see the results, please visit http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=19817 Question: Should there be a new forum for photos? - yes - no - maybe Jetlag;190922 Wrote: > janly, > > I could not help but to notice the wood ceiling, walls and floors. > With those giant hornspeakers and SWs I am curious what kind of > acoustic treatment might be outside of the photo area? > > Not to be offensive or start a flame war, but the reason I am asking is > that hornspeakers tend to sound quite bright to -my ears- and I would > imagine with a highly reflective room and no visible acoustic > treatments that those qualities might get exaggerated. I was curious > what you might be doing to offset that potential, or is it not an issue > with that particular room? Actually the room sounds very good. The DUO horns are very easy to implement in the room, and doesn't give much need for room treatment. However, the room acoustic and the shape of the room are ofcourse important, and I'm now building a new dedicated listening room from scratch (35 sq.meter). In this room I will work with the room treatment, and build it as good as it posible can get. Jan -- janly janly's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4695 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=19817 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
