It's still 2 boxes along with the Pioneer which is there if my wife just wants to pop in a CD or if I want to play one of the several SACD's we have. The MacBook Air I used during the remodel as a source and still use it for- up to now- KEXP uncompressed.
Advantages of the SBT (aside from the sound quality which I'm very happy with after the improved power supply and external DAC) is that I can operate it from my work station area 30 ft away.
The other major change is the remodel of the front wall of the room. In the PNW no such thing as too many windows.
My first a-gon purchase. went to secondary system due to failing WAF in prior location. She's happier with their present location- they stay in my house as the Arro's are much better speakers with the SPMs attached.
Bryston b60r sst
integrated. A good match for my Arros
Apple Time Capsule @TB
Overpriced as storage only or as a router. But works really well as a backup device and as a NAS.
Logitech Squeezebox Touch
Serves as the sole source for the system. I did add a Wellbourne Labs power source. This improved the sound sufficiently that I can use as is until I figure out the external DAC.
Dynaudio Contour S1.4
These speakers were formerly in my main setup downstairs where both my wife and I were very happy with them. Much to my relief they sounded adequate (not as good as donwstairs) in this much larger space. A big improvement over the Arros and an adequate solution to acheiving acceptable sound upstairs (not the Arro's fault- horses for courses).
Pioneer DV-45a
Purchased about 8 yrs ago in my pre HiFi days. Plays everything (except Blu-Rays o course). At first I felt it was markedly inferior to my newer stuff. But with a good set of cables, my opinion has softened. Probably would sound better going through the Burson.
Welborne SBT power supply upgrade
An improvement from the SBT using it supplied power brick. Lived with it for a while until my ears were convinced the setup needed an external DAC
Burson HA 160D
My 3rd DAC in 3yrs. After the SBT my most cost-effective component. Solved a pretty bad case of digititis. My only criticism is that it only has 2 digital inputs; add an optical input and it's all I'd need.
Tbcatjr- Bottom line- between the Burson DAC and the Welborne ps, I'm very happy with the SBT being my main source for this system. What you have to consider is sinking money into a discontinued item. For my purposes, the SBT is ideal as it allows me to use my computer and external hard drive from a 30 ft distance.
Smortega, I just bought a Squeezebox Touch the other night and couldn't be happier. I used to listen to SOMA through iTunes, but slowly forgot about them as time went by. Actually, your post noting SOMA pushed me over the tipping point in getting the Squeezebox. Thank you!
Toro3. Thanks for the feedback. Internet radio is one of the treats of my re-entry into music listening. Listening to old friends like KUSC and KCRW from my years in LA and new sources like KEXP and SOMA restores some of the benefits of big-city living. I added WireWorld Starlight USB cables to my 2 music setups-mild improvement in my main setup and more options and marked improvement in this setup. Look forward to you posting your system.
Love the system, and even more so, love the fact that there's another 90.3 listener on Audiogon. There's not too many radio stations out there anymore that can match the eclectic nature of KEXP. Simply a great Seattle-based station.
Here's an interesting review of some DACs in your price range:
System edited: For now fits in the done for now category. I'm going to look at the USB cable upgrades next week. Adding a turntable is a down-the-road thought if digitizing vinyl is worth it.
Good to hear from everyone. Dhoff01- given the quality of both your listening space and your audio equipment, I very much appreciate your complement. I added a Burson HA-160 to my SBT. I'm very happy with the sound. No further tinkering needed. I'm trying to build up the fortitude to making a mess of this room- drywall off, new headers, plywood covering window openings,etc,etc. The carrot would be a wide expanse of divided panel windows and french doors. Mapman- are you using a DAC with your SB? Lush- the SBT and an old pioneer CD/SACD player that gets used very occasionally are my sources for this room. Pure Music works if you're using a computer as a source. I do have Pure Music on my other setup and it made for quite an improvement on my Mac Mini/Wavelength Brick source.
System edited: I went over my initial budget- never thought I'd put speakers of the Dynaudio's quality into a 2ry system. I'll also move my photo workstation closer to the speakers to make things easier on the system. So, what's left now is the DAC.
System edited: Changes provoked by unsatisfactory quality. My poor Totem Arro's were too small for a 8500 cubic foot space. In addition, the mac mini/wavelength brick had a major case of digititis in the this setting. Fortunately, the combo sounds great downstairs in a smaller, less acoustically challenging place. Thus, the new name- 2 little black boxes+speakers. The Arro's have been replaced by Dynaudio Contour S1.4. Much better fit, although still asking a lot from these speakers. The squeezbox Touch is upstairs now and serving as the only source for the setup. I'm still looking for a DAC in the $1500.00 range. The Orb Audio Jade 24/192 DAC seems quite innaresting. W4S-2, and Burson are other options.
Thanks for the complement, Pcoombs. Looking at your post we have similar priorities. When considering speakers for our analog system downstairs, I spent some time looking for Harbeths to audition in the Ptld-Salem corridor w/o success. Wound up going with Dynaudios.
Love the interior of your space , window, floor cabinets. The system looks great in it. I like the way the system doesn't overpower the space which I'm sure helps make listening to music a real pleasure.
smortega on Secondary Rigs