All,
For the past one week I had been listening critically to two different modifications of Squeezebox: Bolder's modded SB2 and Redwine Audio modded 's SB3, I also compared them to 3 very highly regarded CD player, this thread summarizes my impression. I cannot stress enough that my conclusion are based on my "subjective" listening, I have no measurement to prove anything. Difference people will certainly prefers different sounds and may end up with difference conclusion. I prefers transparent and neutral sounding. Generall I find tube sound a little too "blurry" for me. So I hope you won't be surprise with my finding after knowing my preference.

My list of equipments:

speakers: Salk HT3
Amplifier: Bryston 4B-SST
Preamp/DAC: Tact 2.0S with Aberdeen PS and DAC

The two squeezebox I am comparing are:
- Bolder Modded SB2 with full mod, with Silver Slipstream Bybee Purifiers added to digital AND analog outs. Sonicap Gen 2 and Platinum bypass caps added to analog outs
- RWA fully mod SB3 (as described on RWA most current website)

Bolder's company also sent in two power supplies:
- The Ultimate PS Bolder Power Supply, built in Silver Par-Metal case with Jensen capacitors and new transformer and voltage regulator circuit with Silver internal wiring and 4) Bybee Purifiers
- Bolder Modded Elpac PS

Friends of mine also brought 3 CD players:
- Ayre CX-7
- Cary 303/300
- Rega Jupiter

And I am comparing the following setup:

#1 Bolder's Ultimate PS + Bolder modded SB2 analog out into Bryston 4B-SST into HT3
#2 Bolder's Ultimate PS + Bolder modded SB2 digital out into Tact 2.0S into Bryston 4B-SST into HT3
#3 Bolder's Elpac PS + Bolder modded SB2 analog out into Bryston 4B-SST into HT3
#4 Bolder's Elpac PS + Bolder modded SB2 digital out into Tact 2.0S into Bryston 4B-SST into HT3
#5 RWA modded SB3 analog out into Bryston 4B-SST into HT3
#6 RWA modded SB3 digital out into Tact 2.0S into Bryston 4B-SST into HT3
#7 Ayre CX-7 analog out (Single Ended) into Bryston 4B-SST into HT3
#8 Ayre CX-7 digital out (AES/EBU) into Tact 2.0S into Bryston 4B-SST into HT3
#9 Cary 303/300 analog out (Single Ended) into Bryston 4B-SST into HT3
#10 Cary 303/300 digital out (AES/EBU) into Tact 2.0S into Bryston 4B-SST into HT3
#11 Rega Jupiter analog out (Single Ended) into Bryston 4B-SST into HT3
#12 Rega Jupiter digital out (S/PDIF) into Tact 2.0S into Bryston 4B-SST into HT3

Whenever Tact 2.0S was used, I set it to "bypass" mode.

The analog interconnect used in all setups was Bolder's custom-designed IC made from single crystal, solid core, cryo-treated, Silver wire. It has a Silver shield, terminated with Gold Bullet Plugs.

The digital IC between Bolder's SB2/Rega Jupiter and Tact is Bolder designed digital cable with WBT NextGen connectors (RCA to RCA).

The digital IC between RWA modded SB3 and Tact is the same digital cable designed by Bolder but with BNC to RCA termination.

Nordost VALHALLA AES/EBU digital IC were used between Ayre/Cary and Tact 2.0S.

The power cords for the Ultimate PS and for the Bolder's SB2 are all provided by Waynes.

The power cord for the Bryston 4B-SST is Bolder designed with built in Bybee.

The power cord for Tact 2.0S are Bolder's Nitro.

Bolder sent me too many cables and I might be confused with exactly what they're made of, but at least I tried my best to use the same cables for all setups. In general I find that difference in sound caused by cable are much more subtle than that caused by speakers, CDP, preamp and amp.

My reference cuts are:
- Eva Cassidy's "Fields of Gold" from the album "Live at Blues Alley"
- Arild Andersen's "Lines" from the album "The Triangle"
- Eric clapton's "Hey Hey" from the album "Unplugged"
- Johnny Hartman's "My one and only love" from the album "John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman"
- Donnell Jones's "Shorty (Got her eyes on me)" from the album "Where I wanna be"
- Toni Braxton's "Let it flow" from the album "Ultimate Toni Braxton"
- Rebecca Pidgeon's "Spanish Harlem" from the album "The Raven"

I do not have a "golden ear", the difference between each setup was quite subtle, I really had to listen to each for quite some time and switch between each of them using the same song over and over again. To my humble ears, here's the ranking (starting from the best):


1st place: Setup #1 Bolder SB2 with Ultimate PS analog out
2nd place: Setup #2 Bolder SB2 with Ultimate PS digital out
3rd place: Setup #4 Bolder SB2 with Elpac PS digital out
4th place: Setup #6 RWA SB3 digital out
5th place: Setup #4 Bolder SB2 with Elpac PS analog out
Joined 6th place: Setup #8 Ayre analog out, #10 Cary analog out
7th place: Cary 303/300 digital out
8th place: Ayre digital out
9th place: Setup #5 RWA SB3 analog out
10th place: Rega Jupiter digital out
11th place: Rega Juipter analog out


Because there're so much to write, but so little time to write it, I'm afraid I have to be brief. Basically, the difference between 1st place and 2nd place is pretty "noticeable". Setup#1 sounded so fluid and smooth, the midrange is fuller (abeit slightly forward), bass is dynamic, instruments hang in the air a little longer. Setup#2 is slightly more transparent, but leaner sound.

Setup#3 is actually pretty close to #2, maybe it's because they're using the same DAC in the Tact 2.0S. The difference is Setup#3 has slightly less air than Setup #2.

The 4th place is even closer to 3rd place, in many of the songs, I can hardly hear the difference, luckily with Toni Braxton's "Let it flow", I managed to notice that with Bolder's Elpac and SB2, the intruments and vocal seemed to blend better together, the mid/low was a little recessed when using RWA SB3.

Without the Ultimate PS, setup#5 (5th place) loses quite a bit of the magic of setup#1, it sound slightly analytical, less air, slightly recessed mid range compare to 4th place.

The difference between Cary analog out and Ayre analog out was very noticable, however, each has its own strengthes and weaknesses, Cary reaches down lower, has richer midrange, Ayre has more refine high. Certain songs sounded better with Cary, other sounded better with Ayre. Each has it's own signature (color) sound, the 5 setups that ranked above these two are more neutral sounding (which is my preference).

The difference between 7th place (Cary digital out) and 8th place (Ayre digital out) was less noticeable, I prefers Cary because it sounds smoother than Ayre.

The 9th place RWA SB3 analog out was very ok from mid to high although the high can be slightly edgy, the bass was slightly on the loose side compared to the 8 setups ranked above it.

Finally, regarding setup#11 and #12: Rega Jupiter had ok bass extension, lots of details but not so outstanding soundstaging, high frequency was a little etched and jagged

To tell you the truth, I could have lived with any of these 12 setups, because I'm talking about very subtle differences and it took me quite a while to train my ear to notice the differences, and the differences are song-dependent.

Over the past week, I have had 7 people coming in to listen to my setup, and they were all surprised by the sound from the squeezebox because in their mind, the squeezebox is a cheapo $300 gadget meant for general public. I had to explain to them that it takes some serious modification to bring the squeezebox up to the level of some of the best CD player/transport.

This is getting too long... I am not a professional reviewer so you have to forgive my bad grammar and dull writing. Nevertheless, I hope this reviews gives people some interest in testing out the potential of squeezebox, especially those that're modified by Bolders and RWA. After listening to their mods, I simply cannot see myself spending $3000 for a CDP.


Regards
Barry
Houston, TX

95bcwh:

Very interesting! I have the RWA Modded SB3 and have found it to be very satisfactory.

I'm confused about your "digital out" cases. Is the Tact 2.0S a DAC? If so, what is the purpose of the Mods?

To answer the title of the thread, they are GREAT! Definitely look a lot bigger, better, firmer, fuller, more pert and perky than unmodified ones.

However, they don't necessarily feel any better. :p

I have never understood the appeal of the whole "modification" concept, especially if the mods are expensive. If something doesn't sound great right out of the box, why not spend the extra $ on something that does?

95bcwh:

Very interesting! I have the RWA Modded SB3 and have found it to be very satisfactory.

I'm confused about your "digital out" cases. Is the Tact 2.0S a DAC? If so, what is the purpose of the Mods?

Boxerboy,
The Tact 2.0S is a room correction preamp, but there's an option of adding a DAC so you can run your digital signal into it. The room correction is done on the digital signal before it goes to the DAC.

In the stock form, the Tact sounded a little dull, Aberdeen component (mauimods.com) is offering full range of modification to the Tact. When I switched out the stock power supply with Aberdeen power supply, it makes quite an impact on the sound of the Tact, it sounds more transparent, more live. When I switched out the stock DAC card with Aberdeen's DAC card, again, it brings even more transparency to the system.

Right now, I can't imagine living without the mod.. :D

barry

I have never understood the appeal of the whole "modification" concept, especially if the mods are expensive. If something doesn't sound great right out of the box, why not spend the extra $ on something that does?

Because you have run out of other things to spend your money on? ;)

More seriously (but not too much more), why would anyone hot-rod a Yugo?

Because you can.

Because you want something different than everyone else has.

Because you want to see if it makes a difference.

Because someone has convinced you it will make a difference.

Just a few of the many possible reasons. :D

I have never understood the appeal of the whole "modification" concept, especially if the mods are expensive. If something doesn't sound great right out of the box, why not spend the extra $ on something that does?

I thought the same a few years back.
You can spend a ton of money, and still not get the performance you desire.
Mods can get you, what you though not possible.
You can have a sound quality that rival system costing many times over in price.
Today I have systems that totaly satisfies me.
One of the funnest Mods is to take an Oppo Dvd Player, $120 in parts, 4-5 hours in re-work , and have a unit that will blow a stock Esoteric DV-60 out the water, and give a Ux-3 a run for the money.

In Fact the Dvd player project ($100 to $200 cost) is a really fun project / Hobby for anyone would would like to High Performance Modding!.

Regards!
Mauimods!

This might be the new modification of the squeezebox in this forum.
I just did modify my SB3 and my MHDT Renaissance II DAC with the low impedance SC947-02 that we discuss in Audio Circle Forum.
In my opinion and taste I think this is the best modification I have ever experienced (I also did the comparison between the other two mods that you discussed in this forum). Besides I also built my own PS for SB3 after listening to Elpac modded (wallwart) and Basic Rev1 from Bolder Cable. I am very happy with my system right now and do not need to spend so much $$$. :D

Cool :) Sounds nice!

EDIT: you joined in 2002 and this is your first post! wow :D

This might be the new modification of the squeezebox in this forum.
I just did modify my SB3 and my MHDT Renaissance II DAC with the low impedance SC947-02 that we discuss in Audio Circle Forum.
In my opinion and taste I think this is the best modification I have ever experienced (I also did the comparison between the other two mods that you discussed in this forum). Besides I also built my own PS for SB3 after listening to Elpac modded (wallwart) and Basic Rev1 from Bolder Cable. I am very happy with my system right now and do not need to spend so much $$$. :D

Nguynchiro,

This is a mod I had introduced about 1 1/2 years ago, first on the SB2 and then SB3 and transporter.
When the pics got posted on the SD forum , the circle, and my forum, I got hammered by the critics.

Then a few tried what I have accoplished, and its a holy grail.
The circle members need to be open minded when I post some info.
Instead they jump off the ledge, cause the truth hurts.

I just supplied the group buy with 60 pcs @ the best price.
Josh will have them friday.

In a email to Josh I gave several tips on getting the most out the pulse transformers, and I gave the OK to copy n paste that info on the circle..

Anyways, I am glad you tried the mod.
You rolled the dice and gained huge!..
Awesome!

Best regards!
Anthony
Maui Mods, Digital done right!

I have never understood the appeal of the whole "modification" concept, especially if the mods are expensive. If something doesn't sound great right out of the box, why not spend the extra $ on something that does?

But doesn't everything sound the same in your fantasy land :rolleyes:

Nguynchiro,

This is a mod I had introduced about 1 1/2 years ago, first on the SB2 and then SB3 and transporter.
When the pics got posted on the SD forum , the circle, and my forum, I got hammered by the critics.

Then a few tried what I have accoplished, and its a holy grail.
The circle members need to be open minded when I post some info.
Instead they jump off the ledge, cause the truth hurts.

I just supplied the group buy with 60 pcs @ the best price.
Josh will have them friday.

In a email to Josh I gave several tips on getting the most out the pulse transformers, and I gave the OK to copy n paste that info on the circle..

Anyways, I am glad you tried the mod.
You rolled the dice and gained huge!..
Awesome!

Best regards!
Anthony
Maui Mods, Digital done right!

Anthony,

I do not mean to steal your idea one half years ago.

jhm731 told me and I have believed that. Actually Gary (GBB) introduced in the Circle and I also knew this method since once friend of mine he also has built DIY preamps and amps told me the theory of this mod.

In my heart I can see musiclovers like us who suffer in the way to spend so much money to furnish a simple hi-end stereo system for their hobby to at least relieving stress from work, family and society. But sadly they have never got what they want. Now and then they already found the solution of DIY ways but still other people who have also tried to rip them off with some kind of modifications (I do not mean you in this case) but what can I say if this is a way to do business. Therefore, if I know some better way to improve my audio components I will share to anybody who like to hands on to make their system sound better their ways. In other words if those musiclovers believe what they can do or change the way they want I will be happy to help. I do not mean to do business in any audio websites.

Anyways if somebody comes up to me and ask whose idea is that? I will be happy to say the inventor is Anthony at Mauimods and Gary had introduced to whom are interested and I took the risk to experiment but luckily I have succeed in a way I want my music sounds much better with this modification.

Thanks for your bright idea of modification and understanding my will. Any better tips please let me know so I can share with others.

Best regards,
Tan

Anthony,

I do not mean to steal your idea one half years ago.

jhm731 told me and I have believed that. Actually Gary (GBB) introduced in the Circle and I also knew this method since once friend of mine he also has built DIY preamps and amps told me the theory of this mod.

In my heart I can see musiclovers like us who suffer in the way to spend so much money to furnish a simple hi-end stereo system for their hobby to at least relieving stress from work, family and society. But sadly they have never got what they want. Now and then they already found the solution of DIY ways but still other people who have also tried to rip them off with some kind of modifications (I do not mean you in this case) but what can I say if this is a way to do business. Therefore, if I know some better way to improve my audio components I will share to anybody who like to hands on to make their system sound better their ways. In other words if those musiclovers believe what they can do or change the way they want I will be happy to help. I do not mean to do business in any audio websites.

Anyways if somebody comes up to me and ask whose idea is that? I will be happy to say the inventor is Anthony at Mauimods and Gary had introduced to whom are interested and I took the risk to experiment but luckily I have succeed in a way I want my music sounds much better with this modification.

Thanks for your bright idea of modification and understanding my will. Any better tips please let me know so I can share with others.

Best regards,
Tan

Tan,

There is no stealing..... never meant it like that.

BUT:

Key thing is when someone has an idea or a IMO,
It would of been great to have other share some educated insights.
I am not talking about anyone in peticular on the circle,.
But you know, you got these losers, talking out of their Arse... on the circle.

When it is a give give and no take, FORGET IT.

In regards to the people who tried to rip people off,
Who are the People? Is it the Innovators of the mods?
Or is it the DIY'er who take credits of the innovators mod, hard work and money spent?

What happens when a regular Joe, would like the performance of the Modded gear, but makes a screwdriver a dangerous weapon? And is willing to pay someone to do it for them? Does that make them a Idiot?

Anthony