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SB Touch w/upgraded power supply: good next step?

I'm enjoying my SB Touch and so far using it stock, and taking analog out into my pre. As is it performs on par with my Rotel RCD1072, but want to take another step forward.

The Soundcheck mods are enticing, but for the time being I need to continue to use wireless and the Touch's screen, which are 2 big impact areas of that toolbox, so I'm thinking of waiting there a bit.

An outboard DAC is the logical upgrade, but more expensive. Maybe a Metrum Octave.

An upgraded power supply, like a Teddy Pardo, would run at around $300 and would be doable now. But how significant should I expect that upgrade to be if using analog out and stock settings? Should I go here now or wait a few months and get Soundcheck mods and the DAC first?

FWIW, I have 2 dedicated power lines, Oyaide outlets, upgraded power cables, Lamm LL2D, McIntosh MC275, B&W 804S, Rel sub.

Thanks!
lewinskih01
rbautista
97 posts
 
Obviously the power supply, dac, and SoundCheck mod all make incremental improvements. If money is an issue and you don't hear any clicking sounds through your speaker using the stock walwart, I would say hold off for now. Get a wireless adapter like the Netgear WNCE2001 and install SoundCheck's mod. I heard a big difference than stock SBT. When I upgraded to the Channel Island Audio power supply, it refined the music and added a smoothness but IMO not as big as SoundCheck's mod. I keep the screen on for my wife and the difference between having it on/off is not that big to my ears. There is a difference but not enough to annoy my wife.

I haven't heard the SBT using analog out since I already had a DAC so can't comment there.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,383 posts
 
Get the dac right first then see.
kennythekey
593 posts
 
I first used the Squeezebox Touch hardwired to my router and using its internal DAC and analog outs. I found the sound to be decent but not great.

I purchased the Eastern Electric DAC Plus and connected the Squeezebox to it using a coax cable. This was a remarkable improvement.

I did turn off some of the Squeezebox services but not all that were recommended, so just enough to operate it without much incovenience.

I am extremely happy with the sound from this inexpensive and simple music server.
lewinskih01 OP
909 posts
 
OK, got it: the DAC is the next best step. But for that I'll have to wait about 9 months.

So on to alternatives.

Rbautista, I had forgotten about a wifi bridge. Good point! What is the difference between the Netgear piece you suggest and a simple wireless router set to receive (connected to the Touch through ethernet)?

I guess power supply will be delayed until after the bridge + Soundcheck mods.

Any other opinions?

Thanks!
richardfinegold
196 posts
 
I think your problem is that you are using the analogue outs. The SBT is a heck of a value, but at it's price point it can't be expected to do everything well. I suspect using it the spiff will sound much better and eliminate the click. I wouldn't waste what sounds like limited funds on a new power supply.
Dacs are really cheap now, and many CD players and pre amps or AVRs have decent digital ins. On the second hand market you can probably get
Something suitable. There are some great headphone amps that have Dacs and have digital ins and outs for under $200.
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