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Macbook vs Squeezebox 3

Why does my Bolder Cable modded SB3 sound sooo much better than my Macbook? They are both going into the same PS Audio Digital Link III DAC. The SB3 via coax, the Macbook via USB. The SB3 is connected to my Mac Mini via ethernet and accessing files that are stored on an external hard drive. The Macbook has the same files stored on it's internal drive.

The SB3 sounds fuller, more detailed, more extension at both ends, just better all the way around. Wondering why my Macbook sounds so bad by comparison? Seems like I should be able to get equal, if not better sound out of the Macbook.
ecruz
realremo
460 posts
 
If you are using a stock usb cable, i can heartily recommend the pangea pc usb cable from audio advisor. It's $35 for a 1.5 meter length and the difference between this and a regular usb is very noticeable, i have the same dac, and i auditioned the pangea against stock usb and the audioquest forest, and the pangea gives a lot more clarity and detail. Which vlink did you buy?
ecruz OP
402 posts
 
I got a demo V-Link II from Crutchfield for $109. But on your recommendation, I just ordered a V-Link 192 from Music Direct for $199 & free shipping. I'll compare them and see if I can hear a difference, then return one of them. Once I get use to this setup, I'll try a couple of USB cables also. My digital cable is an Acoustic Zen Silver Bytes. I also just downloaded the free "Musical Fidelity" version of Amarra. I'll compare it to Pure Music and see if I can hear a difference there.

Thanks for your input.
realremo
460 posts
 
I am actually in the market *right now* for a USB cable upgrade, and this is my short list, in case you're interested:
Kimber USB and USB AG
Audioquest Carbon
DH Labs USB cable
LAT International USB cable
Cardas USB Clear
Wireworld silver starlight
Ridge Street Audio Poiema
...still gathering information, also looking at digital cable upgrade, will add Acoustic Zen Silver Bytes...
saeyedoc
103 posts
 
I'd just stick with the SB until it's no longer usable. Eventually, you may not be able to use the streaming services that use mysqueezebox.com, but streaming local files should work forever, as long as your OS on the server remains compatible with LMS. I have saved copies of LMS for backup.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
"Are you saying that I will not be able to get sound that equals or betters my Squeezebox, from my Mac, without a USB converter and an expensive digital cable? It seems like the converter is the more important piece at this point?"

Yes, that is what I am saying.

"Before putting a lot of money into this, I am going to try the Musical Fidelity V-Link, to see if that improves things at all. Do you expect that this set up would bring the Mac closer to the SB3?

I would expect it to beat the Mac Mini alone.

This is like buying a phono cartridge. A good one will sound better than a cheap one, but the expensive one gets you the live performance.

Think about this: if the source is compromised, there is not much you can do downstream to fix that.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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