to mod or dac that is the question

[little fred]

has anyone here compared a SB modded by redwine/boldercable to a stock SB run through a benchmark/bel canto dac. what did you find? how do modded SBs sound through these dacs

thanks

fred

[ezkcdude]

Can I make a prediction? Anyone who has actually gone to the trouble of making this comparison will no doubt say there is a difference one way or another.

[little fred]

what office are you running for. you are probably more right than i would like to admit

[boxerboy]

I run a software company and have in stalled four SB3's working off a dedicated music server. I have a RWA modded unit in my office powered by a linear power supply. Vinnie suggested this because my high level of usage would not allow for battery operation.

My partner has an SB3 playing through the Channel Island DAC with its dedicated power supply.

In all fairness, both units sound equally great. There may be some small incremental improvements available with lots more tweaking but I think it would be wasted on us.

Two other senior staff members have unmodded units going directly into Arcam integrated amps and they seem totally happy too.

[Skunk]

I run a software company and have in stalled four SB3's working off a dedicated music server.

A software company wouldn't profit much if businesses bought one copy of your app and let all employees share it. You should review the music's license :-)

[boxerboy]

skunk:

I don't understand your post. I've been loading my original CD's into my music server. The .wav files are being accessed by four potential listeners using Slimserver and SB3. Who's license is being violated?

[Ben Diss]

Skunk- Are you implying that we should purchase one copy of each CD per SB? If so, what would you suggest if I have a conventional CDP connected to multiple zones in my house? If that one CDP played music in the living room, family room and on the deck would I need three copies of the CD?

-Ben

[opaqueice]

skunk:

I don't understand your post. I've been loading my original CD's into my music server. The .wav files are being accessed by four potential listeners using Slimserver and SB3. Who's license is being violated?

Sounds fine to me - if they had dropped by your office and borrowed the CD for an hour, how is that any different? Or if you had set up a soundsystem in your business with several CD players and sets of speakers, as many businesses do?

As long as no one copies the files from your server, I don't see how there could possibly be any legal problem.

[Skunk]

skunk:

I don't understand your post.

I only meant the office (especially a software co.), seems like a place where the letter of the law should be followed. I was under the impression the letter of the law said it's a copyright infringement to put music on a hard drive. You have my apologies if that's an incorrect assumption.

[konut]

Can't give any objective advice, only an anecdote. I've been using a RW modded SB3. This is the latest mod with battery supply and upgraded opamp. I am nothing but thrilled using the analog outs to a OBH-12 Creek passive, direct to a pair of Genelec 8020s. Just killer!