Analog output is very weak,

[dwsomers]

Hi there,
I just purchased the new SB3 and although I am impressed with the Digital output, the analog output sound is very dull and weak in comparison. I am running the analog signal to a Cyrus 5 Integrated amp. Is there something I can do to improve the analog output signal\quality?
My other problem is because I don't have enough TOS inputs on my Yamaha digital amp, I share the cables by way of a TOS splitter\joiner that shares my DVD player and SB3 digital outputs. But when I ever want to hear by DVD player, I have to physically pull out the power cable to the SB3 so I can hear audio from the DVD player. SB3 seems to remain on, even when it is not connected to any slimserver. Is there a way of disabling, turning off the Digital output on the SB3 when you shutdown your slimserver, other than physically having to remove the cables?
Thanks
Dwsomers

[ceejay]

Hi there,
I just purchased the new SB3 and although I am impressed with the Digital output, the analog output sound is very dull and weak in comparison. I am running the analog signal to a Cyrus 5 Integrated amp. Is there something I can do to improve the analog output signal\quality?

This is hard to comment on as we are in subjective territory here (what are you comparing with?). Most users find the analog outputs compare favourably with at least mid-priced CD players. Have you tried some different cables?



My other problem is because I don't have enough TOS inputs on my Yamaha digital amp, I share the cables by way of a TOS splitter\joiner that shares my DVD player and SB3 digital outputs. But when I ever want to hear by DVD player, I have to physically pull out the power cable to the SB3 so I can hear audio from the DVD player. SB3 seems to remain on, even when it is not connected to any slimserver. Is there a way of disabling, turning off the Digital output on the SB3 when you shutdown your slimserver, other than physically having to remove the cables?
Thanks
Dwsomers

You might want to visit and, if you wish, vote for the following enhancement request... http://bugs.slimdevices.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1397
It looks as if this is under consideration for 6.5

Ceejay

[)p(]

Upgrading to firmware 28 and slimserver 6.2.2 might also help. I think it did for me. But I have to recheck it to be sure. For more info see the last pages of this thread:

http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=18439

peter

[Mark Lanctot]

Do you mean Toslink (optical) digital inputs? Why
not try the digital coaxial output on the SB?

dwsomers wrote:

> My other problem is because I don't have enough TOS
inputs on my Yamaha
> digital amp, I share the cables by way of a TOS
splitter\joiner that
> shares my DVD player and SB3 digital outputs. But
when I ever want to
> hear by DVD player, I have to physically pull out
the power cable to
> the SB3 so I can hear audio from the DVD player. SB3
seems to remain
> on, even when it is not connected to any slimserver.
Is there a way of
> disabling, turning off the Digital output on the SB3
when you shutdown
> your slimserver, other than physically having to
remove the cables?
> Thanks
> Dwsomers
>
>

--
___________________________________


Mark Lanctot
___________________________________

[dwsomers]

Hi Ceejay,
The output from the analog is very poor to the degree that I think there is a problem. If I was to turn off my digital amp, then the analog sound which is going through Cyrus 5 amp through Cable talk talk cables into Mission speakers, would not even be to any mid range standard at all. I really have to crank the volume up to hear any reasonable volume of sound, and it sounds bright and echoey - very strange. Do I need an external DAC or something?
I'll try the update that Peter mentioned, then go from there.
As for the Dig outputs, yes I will be voting for this bug fix, it's definitely worth having if you have different audio sources sharing same DAC.
Hi Peter,
I think I will try the update to 6.2.2 first to see if there is any improvement. My sb3 automatically upgraded the firmware when I first succesfully connected to my network. I think I have the latest.
Thanks guys for all your input, very much appreciated.
regards
Dwsomers

[ceejay]

Hi Ceejay,
The output from the analog is very poor to the degree that I think there is a problem. If I was to turn off my digital amp, then the analog sound which is going through Cyrus 5 amp through Cable talk talk cables into Mission speakers, would not even be to any mid range standard at all. I really have to crank the volume up to hear any reasonable volume of sound, and it sounds bright and echoey - very strange. Do I need an external DAC or something?


This certainly sounds as if there is something wrong here - you don't need an external DAC, the analog outputs are meant to be pretty good (I prefer to use the DAC in my SB2 over running digital into my Denon receiver).

At the risk of asking a really obvious question - you are using the phono outputs and not the headphone socket (which would kind-of work)? And you are plugged into any input to your amp EXCEPT the "phono" ones (ditto)?

Ceejay

[seanadams]

dwsomers,

do you have a voltmeter? Try measuring AC voltage across the one off the analog RCAs while playing the built-in sine wave test (hold power to reset, then press "3" on the Slim Devices screen). If you get about 2V then you've verified the hardware is at least sending out the correct volume level.

Also as other suggested, try a different input (NOT phono) and try swapping the rca cables.

[dwsomers]

Hey guys,
Guess what? I patched with the latest slimserver version 6.2.2 and big improvement. The improvement was so noticeable, even my wife noticed it. Now I'm starting to hear some life in my missions again. I think this patch should be applied when rolling out this product because it could put people off buying it. This is a major bug fix. I can't believe it was that all along. Thanks ceejay and seanadams for your responses, I think we were all worried then.
I'm going to stay glued to those patches for new bugs. Wow I'm so impressed with the sound now. I'm off to rip some more of my cds.
Thanks
Dwsomers