Analogue only mod?

[cbjb]

I've purchased a Squeezebox3 for my cottage so that I don't have to duplicate my cd collection. I want better sound since I have a fairly decent preamp and amplifier. However, the cd player at the cottage is not up to snuff. Question: will the analogue only mods provide by Bolder provide audiophile quality sound, or is it better to get the digital mods and an external DAC? Bolder told me the analogue mods are sufficient.

[whdean]

I have recently had Bolder upgrade my SB3 - Both digital mods and analog mods w/Platinum Sonicaps (No Bybees). I am also using a modded Elpac power supply.

I was running my stock SB3 into a decent Parasound HT pre/pro. Digital used the pre/pro's DAC's, of course, and the analog was run into the pre/pro's 6-channel bypass inputs (No add'l processing by the pre/pro). In that setup, I preferred the sound of the digital output.

After the mods, I prefer the sound of the analog output. From what I have been able to determine, it would be difficult to exceed the level of the full analog mods with any type of external DAC - Not looking for a debate here - Just passing on what I've been able to gleen from posts of others.

Short answer is that from my experience I think you would be very happy with the full analog mods from Bolder. I sprung for the digital mods at the same time for $50 more - It was worth it to me to be able to judge the difference between the analog and digital mods in my own system. Even though I am using the analog outputs, it's nice to have the digital option so that I can run the sound thru the pre/pro's DSP's - Surround modes for get-togethers, etc.

Hope this helps.