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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

Showing 3 responses by audioengr

audioengr
3,282 posts
 
3 possible reasons:

1) USB interface jitter is higher

2) SB3, particularly with mods has lower jitter

3) the playback software you are using with the USB interface is compromised. If you are using for instance iTunes on a PC, this is what you get.

You have only scratched the surface of the most important thing in all digital audio systems, the clock jitter.

This only gets better. Try reclocking the SB3 or upgrading your USB interface with a USB converter.

Try playing back from a PC with Foobar2000 and Jplay plug-in.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Ecruz - the Mac Mini by itself will probably never beat the SB because the jitter is too high.

If you were to use either a reclocker from the toslink output of the Mini or a USB converter from the USB output of the Mini, this would beat the Mini by itself.

The more you spend for these devices, the lower the jitter and the better the result. You MUST use good cables too. A good 1.5m cable from a reclocker to your DAC would cost over $400. Be prepared to spend some money if you want stellar results. This is more important than the DAC.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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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