Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Squeezebox A/B - digital out rca out same level?
The difference you're hearing could be due to higher gain in the op amp section of the DAC compared to the op amp in the Squeezebox. If you do the same test with the analog and digital outputs from a CD player, do you hear the same difference? -- TiredLegs These go to eleven. - Nigel Tufnel TiredLegs's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=6201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=63198 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Squeezebox A/B - digital out rca out same level?
I thought I had updated here with my observations, but I realized I never did. I wouldn't really say that there is a dramatic difference between an external DAC and the Squeezebox's. I discovered that either the SB's digital coax or the CI Audio VDA-2 outputs a signal 1.5 dB louder than the SB's analog outputs, which is what accounted for the immediately noticeable difference at first. In order to test I have to switch to a blank input, change the volume on my preamp, and then switch to the other input. If nothing else, I think the CI DAC has a different character than the SB3. Non-blind impressions have been that it sounds a little bit warmer and fuller, but the difference is so subtle that I'm not sure I'd miss it. I'll have to do a blind test at some point, as I still have to do with the Transporter. If I can correctly identify which is which 8 out of 10 tries (95% confidence), then clearly it has an affect! -- dekaliber dekaliber's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=9852 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=63198 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Squeezebox A/B - digital out rca out same level?
peterw;422019 Wrote: Not I'm the latest software verisons. Don't recall when that changed -- sometime after 7.0. That capability was removed to make room for other stuff in the Squeezebox firmware. Damn ! I was hoping i'd be able to do that in order to so the same kind of testings (A friend of mine will bring his Zhaolu DAC to compare it with SB3's DAC). So, is there any other way to level the volumes ? (which does not involve buying some expensive hardware) -- BlueScreenJunky BlueScreenJunky's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=22725 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=63198 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Squeezebox A/B - digital out rca out same level?
If you have a preamp that can set different levels for different inputs, you're good. Otherwise, you might have to look into passive attenuation. -- dekaliber dekaliber's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=9852 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=63198 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Squeezebox A/B - digital out rca out same level?
Nope, only an integrated amp. I'll see what I can do with squeezeslave and the digital output of my PC :-/ I'll check passive attenuation too, thanx. -- BlueScreenJunky BlueScreenJunky's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=22725 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=63198 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
[SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Squeezebox A/B - digital out rca out same level?
I'm currently doing some A/B testing of the Squeezebox v3 with a Channel Islands VDA-2 + VAC-1 power supply. The SB is connected via digital coax to the CI amp, which is connected to input 1 in my NAD M3 integrated. The SB also has its RCA outs to input 2 in the same amp. I've been switching between them and the difference is quite pronounced, but I just want to make sure it's not an artifact of the two outputs having different volume levels, or perhaps the CI unit introducing slight gain. Off the bat (with about 15 minutes of listening), the CI DAC sounds much more engaging and the bottom end is noticeably more present. Switching back to the SB's analog outs, the sound is leaner and less forward. There is really a dramatic difference in overall presence. Much, much more than I expected to hear, which is what's making me a little suspicious. Can anyone familiar with the hardware chime in? As far as I know, all of the input on the NAD M3 have the same gain. -- dekaliber dekaliber's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=9852 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=63198 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Squeezebox A/B - digital out rca out same level?
Depending on your system, its quite normal that an external dac is better. Is the dac good enough you get true high end sound from that little plastic Squeezebox. I use a Bryston dac, and Inguz roomcorrection and I wouldnt go back to a cd player even if I got it for free.and for the record, I think the built-in dac in SB3 is average. The gain in digital is determined by the source, the file on the computer that is. For example, the digital out on my satellite decoder is really low, and from my dvd player its normal. -- Anne Squeezebox 3 Stereovox XV2 Bryston B100-DA SST Martin Logan Aeon I Anne's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10071 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=63198 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Squeezebox A/B - digital out rca out same level?
Yes, you should use a white/pink noise track to calibrate the output differences between the two sources. You can either use an acoustic measurement tool, or if you have a fairly accurate voltmeter you can disconnect one speaker terminal and measure the output after the amplifier. -- SuperQ SuperQ's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2139 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=63198 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
