Meridian 500 or Squeezebox 3

+1 on the Bolder modifications.. I run full digital mod's plus the Bolder Ultimate Powersupply.

Hi Cytocycle
Did the modded SB3 better the Theta Digital Compli? Or you are keeping the SB3 for the convenience?

Ethifi: I can't compare it to my Theta Compli as I run it as a transport only since I don't have a typical preamp. Plus my SB3 is running through a crappy digital cable until I can come up with the money for another Transparent Digital. I have ~2k in my SB3 and it's pretty close but I need a powercable on the Bolder powersupply and I need my 2 dedicated outlets back (which haven't been installed in under my projector screen yet until I figure out whether this is the resting place for my system). I am still amazed by the SB3 when playing Flac files ripped using plextor tools. I also need a wired ethernet to this location as right now I'm using my unmodded SB2 wirelessly which degrades the quality quite a bit.

Even so it's probably 80-85% so I'm pretty happy... Room acoustics are my main problem..... If I had to do it again I would just buy the SB2/3 and have them modified... it's that good and even more accessible to my music!!!

Having both running into a Meridian 563 dac I can tell you that as good as the sb3 is, the 500 is much much better.

Ethifi: The Bolder modded SB3 plus PS Ultimate MK II replaces a modded Rotel RCD-1070 with Superclock II, DBE digital output, Rubycon's caps, deadening damping sheets & diodes upgrades.

I have not side by side compare the SB3 to the "best of best" cdps but IMO, its right up there with them sound quality wise ie: the tweaked SB3 plus the PS. The tweaked SB3 plus PS is not cheap but it will cost much less than an equivalent high end CDP.

FYI, before I settled on the SB3 route, I auditioned flagship CDPs from Krell, Meridian & Cary.

I did mention the convenience factor is a SB3 added bonus, right:-)?