SQB touch has. Touched a nerve that is. Streaming internet radio is a hoot and some of the 320 KBPS streams are very listenable. I have started ripping the 1.5K cd collection into FLAC via DBpoweramp. The files are being sent to a 2 TB NAS connected via 10/100 ethernet to the LAN. The SQB is also connected 10/100 via hard wire. I have done some of the set up suggestions made by the well known SQB guru soundchech. I have not downloaded the software patches as that level of tech is a bit beyond my comfort zone.
Browsing the music collection has NEVER been anywhere near as much fun as it is now. I have seen my audio future and this is it from a user interface standpoint.
Sound quality of the built in DAC on he SQB is pleasant and honestly better than I expected. But.....
I did an A/B both sighted and blind and my current reference CD spinner ( Ayre CD 5 Xe ( no MP )) really shows off the weaknesses in the SQB dac and line out. The Ayre has much more timbral shading, a greater sense of ease, more dynamics, blah blah, blah. It is just better but heck it should be.
I now want to bypass the DAC in the SQB and run that sucker into an outboard DAC. I am not ready to commit to the USB mods to allow the SQB to output data via the normally input only USB. That said, I do not want to rule that out for the future. Here is what I am looking for in a DAC:
Differentially balanced output via XLR connectors
Coax SP/DIF input
USB input ( asynch not mandatory but nice )
The ability to listen in my rig for at least 30 days with full return privileges.
Sonic integrity that equals or surpasses the C 5 Xe*
Tube output would be fun but not mandatory.
Defeatable upsamplng
Not too many damn lights*
Low BS factor*
* Subjective as hell right?
I lean towards US gear and a dynamic yet subtle presentation. Overseas units are not ruled out, just more of a hassle with returns if necessary. I have been reading reviews, forums and blogs for days and all the usual suspects come up. WFS, AYRE, REGA etc. All have most of the qualities as far as option but my head is swimming from the choices. I would like to narrow down the choices and to 2-3 and get them in the rig to test their mettle. Budget is up to 3K including cables, power supply mods, bags of magic sand, voodoo and tuning devices up to and including NOS dacs ( WTH ? ), wood blocks, diamond rings, good home brewed beer and even the honest suggestion to scrap the DAC idea, buy a killer phono stage for the VPI Aries and listen to records until I die.
Browsing the music collection has NEVER been anywhere near as much fun as it is now. I have seen my audio future and this is it from a user interface standpoint.
Sound quality of the built in DAC on he SQB is pleasant and honestly better than I expected. But.....
I did an A/B both sighted and blind and my current reference CD spinner ( Ayre CD 5 Xe ( no MP )) really shows off the weaknesses in the SQB dac and line out. The Ayre has much more timbral shading, a greater sense of ease, more dynamics, blah blah, blah. It is just better but heck it should be.
I now want to bypass the DAC in the SQB and run that sucker into an outboard DAC. I am not ready to commit to the USB mods to allow the SQB to output data via the normally input only USB. That said, I do not want to rule that out for the future. Here is what I am looking for in a DAC:
Differentially balanced output via XLR connectors
Coax SP/DIF input
USB input ( asynch not mandatory but nice )
The ability to listen in my rig for at least 30 days with full return privileges.
Sonic integrity that equals or surpasses the C 5 Xe*
Tube output would be fun but not mandatory.
Defeatable upsamplng
Not too many damn lights*
Low BS factor*
* Subjective as hell right?
I lean towards US gear and a dynamic yet subtle presentation. Overseas units are not ruled out, just more of a hassle with returns if necessary. I have been reading reviews, forums and blogs for days and all the usual suspects come up. WFS, AYRE, REGA etc. All have most of the qualities as far as option but my head is swimming from the choices. I would like to narrow down the choices and to 2-3 and get them in the rig to test their mettle. Budget is up to 3K including cables, power supply mods, bags of magic sand, voodoo and tuning devices up to and including NOS dacs ( WTH ? ), wood blocks, diamond rings, good home brewed beer and even the honest suggestion to scrap the DAC idea, buy a killer phono stage for the VPI Aries and listen to records until I die.
