SB3 Digital only mods - Is it worth the money?

[cocolaj]

I am considering the Dig only Mod from Boldercables.com (price 250$) to work with my newly purchased regulated PSU (a cheap one - 30$). BUT the little feedback I have been able to find leaves me uncertain of the benefit?! Has anyone tried this mod on their SB3? Furthermore the SB3 is to be used with my Audio Note DAC1.1x/II.

 

[Pars]

Seems rather expensive for what it appears to include.

Take a look here.

 

[breakfastchef]

Despite many postings on the Net with graphs, oscilloscope screen shots and lots of fancy specs and numbers, I trust my ears. I am currently happy with my stock SB3. That said, I have never heard any that have been modified. In an effort to stem ‘bank account drain’, I have decided to enjoy what I have and wait until I hear something better. I definitely fear CanJam ‘08 for this reason.

 

[wower]

If wishes were horses. I'd upgrade it. Who wouldn't? (Though I was looking at a different modders approach.) Importantly, if I was on a budget, modding the digitial output would be the very first to go. Upgrading the analogue output stage will give one the best performance gains (for the money).

 

[cocolaj]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wower /img/forum/go_quote.gif If wishes were horses. I'd upgrade it. Who wouldn't? (Though I was looking at a different modders approach.) Importantly, if I was on a budget, modding the digitial output would be the very first to go. Upgrading the analogue output stage will give one the best performance gains (for the money).

If nobody has been able to find an improvement after the dig mod has been performed, I don't see why one should digitally upgrade the SB3!

 

[wower]

Uh? Is there a reason you quoted me? Is there something I could specially answer or are you just another anti-audiophile troll derailing honest OPs with wild statements about subjectivity and empiricism? It's hard to tell over the text-only medium,

 

[cocolaj]

The reason I quote you is that your reply indicates that you would pay for an upgrade even if no one has been able to show that it improves the product!

 

[MrLA]

i'm running my sb3 via coaxial out to an outboard dac. i'm happy with result.

 

[melomaniac]

worth it - depends on whether you feel more strongly about $250 or about music.

I am facing a similar trade-off question: would you get a beefier power supply for the DAC, or the Bolder Co digital mod on the SB3?

both are the same amount of money. which would improve the sound more?

 

[wower]

Sigh... You're just trolling... This is what makes head-fi increasingly useless. I'm out of this thread. It's not worth my time.

 

[Turn&cough]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cocolaj /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am considering the Dig only Mod from Boldercables.com (price 250$) to work with my newly purchased regulated PSU (a cheap one - 30$). BUT the little feedback I have been able to find leaves me uncertain of the benefit?! Has anyone tried this mod on their SB3? Furthermore the SB3 is to be used with my Audio Note DAC1.1x/II.

I posted a similar question on the Audio Circle forum which is sponsored, in part, by Bolder Cable. I never got a reply. I suspect the improvements would be marginal at best. I think it all depends how easily you can afford to gamble the money. Personally I plan on upgrading my speakers, amp and possibly my DAC before considering a Bolder upgrade.

 

[mofonyx]

Don't upgrade because SB3 is purely a budget source, and it should remain as such.

The only reasonable upgrade path on the SB3 is getting a linear power supply, in my opinion.