How to improve Touch sound?

[mlsstl]

Just set up Touch for the first time. FLAC files are being fed via a wired connection from a Synology DS212+ NAS, then into amp (analogue) using the supplied leads and thenspeakers. The sound is very digital, ie bright and and I want to know ways of making it less digital. I have read that power supplies can help and also feeding into a stand alone DAC then into the AMP.

I haven't seen this mentioned in the other messages, but how did you make the comparison that led to the conclusion the Touch is "bright" sounding? When I got my first Squeezebox, I compared CDs played on my CD player against the exact same music ripped to lossless format (FLAC) through the player. I started the two sources as closely in sync as I could and level matched them so the volume was the same, then switched the amp's input control between the two. I could not reliably hear any difference in sound quality.

Expectations and subconscious influences have a big impact on what we hear, so do some carefully setup comparisons and give yourself a bit of time to adjust to the new device in your system.

[aubuti]

Yes, the question "bright compared to what?" has been asked at least twice, but not answered yet. And good point re expectations, especially with the OP's equating of "bright" with "digital" (as if CDs were analog...).

[SBGK]

Just set up Touch for the first time. FLAC files are being fed via a wired connection from a Synology DS212+ NAS, then into amp (analogue) using the supplied leads and thenspeakers. The sound is very digital, ie bright and and I want to know ways of making it less digital. I have read that power supplies can help and also feeding into a stand alone DAC then into the AMP.

the dac won't help, unless you are after better sound quality. TT3.0 has been reported as making the sound very digital.

I posted some ideas in my blog, see signature below

A cost effective way to improve the ps is http://www.squeeze-upgrade.com/index.php?language=en

otherwise, try putting a cloth over the tweeter

[Rosewind]

the dac won't help, unless you are after better sound quality. TT3.0 has been reported as making the sound very digital.

Could you please clarify? Which Soundcheck mods make the Touch more digital-sounding? This is news to me.

Best wishes,
Peter

[guidof]

Could you please clarify? Which Soundcheck mods make the Touch more digital-sounding? This is news to me.

Best wishes,
Peter

I use EDO and I also use TT3.0 and SBGK's blog values. In my experience and to my ears, each of these has enhanced the sound of my main system. I do not find them to yield a particularly 'digital' sound -- and I don't find the sound of the unvarnished SBT, with or without external DAC to be 'digital' either, by which I mean I don't find it edgy, shrill, or tipped up in the high frequencies. I also have digitized a few of my LPs, and I don't find the resulting transfers in any way 'digital' in sound.

By this, I'm not suggesting SBGK and some other forum members are imagining things. We each listen with different ears and expectations and through different systems in different rooms. Personally, I think this is just the way it should be.

If your system does not sound 'digital' to you, enjoy it and the music it lets you hear.

Best,

Guido F.

[pgeorges]

I use EDO and I also use TT3.0 and SBGK's blog values. In my experience and to my ears, each of these has enhanced the sound of my main system.

I use SBT (Tiny SC server) with EDO connected via USB to a Cambridge Audio Magic 100 (thanks to Triode's great job). In this configuration, I don't think any other tweaking is necessary (TT3.0 or other parameter tuning) given that the DAC is fed with raw binary data, and the data transfer rate is good enough (no stall).
Am I right ?

[guidof]

I use SBT (Tiny SC server) with EDO connected via USB to a Cambridge Audio Magic 100 (thanks to Triode's great job). In this configuration, I don't think any other tweaking is necessary (TT3.0 or other parameter tuning) given that the DAC is fed with raw binary data, and the data transfer rate is good enough (no stall).
Am I right ?

I don't know if any further tweaking is necessary. I would suggest you try it with and without tweaks, then decide for yourself.

Happy listening!

Guido F.

[Rosewind]

Guido.

Thanks. Do you tweak TT 3.0 in any way before you install it after the Triode app?

Best wishes,
Peter

[guidof]

Guido.

Thanks. Do you tweak TT 3.0 in any way before you install it after the Triode app?

Best wishes,
Peter

No tweaks to TT before installing it. No vollock, though. However, I do apply SBGK's blog values after TT is installed.

Regards,

Guido F.

[Turnandcough]

the dac won't help, unless you are after better sound quality. TT3.0 has been reported as making the sound very digital.

I posted some ideas in my blog, see signature below

A cost effective way to improve the ps is http://www.squeeze-upgrade.com/index.php?language=en

otherwise, try putting a cloth over the tweeter

I bought an S-Booster a while back figuring that for the price I didn't have much to lose. I left it in for a few weeks and forgot about it. Then a couple of weeks ago I decided to pull it out. I found the sound became more lively without it. Was I imagining things? Anyhow, yesterday I popped it back in and things sounded dull again.

Sometimes it's a compromise between smooth and dull vs harsh and lively. I'll give it another try but for now I find my sound to be as smooth as it'll probably get with the Touch. (or maybe I'm imagining things...)

A sidenote - After owning it for several months I decided to give my Oppo BDP-93 a try as a transport(PC running Mezzmo--->ethernet--->Oppo--->S/PDIF--->EE DAC). To me it bettered the Touch + CIA Power supply + EDO + TT3.0 + SBGK in every way.
The tradeoff, in this case, is that it's not as user friendly as the Touch.