Sqeezebox to 102 connection

Posted by: Number 5 on 14 January 2010

Are special cables required or will a DIN to RCA connect the 102 to the SB via the SB digital output. Do I have choices?? What sounds best??

Many thanks
#5
Posted on: 14 January 2010 by Jack
You can't connect the 102 to the SB digital without without an external DAC. You could connect the 102 to the RCA analogue outs of the SB box and thereby use the SB internal DAC.

Having an external DAC will sound better.
Posted on: 15 January 2010 by Number 5
What is the sound quality like using the internal DAC of the SB without the external DAC? I understand they use fairly decent DAC's in the SB products.
Posted on: 15 January 2010 by ChrisBathory
Sadly the SB3 internal DAC is pretty flat and boring - I found that the cheap and cheerful Beresford is a huge upgrade (although still not really a match for my CD2)...

Hope this helps
Chris
Posted on: 15 January 2010 by Alco
quote:
What is the sound quality like using the internal DAC of the SB without the external DAC? I understand they use fairly decent DAC's in the SB products

The SB's internal DAC is decent for it's low price, but no competition against any Naim CD-player.

I'm using a SB3 and a couple of months ago I added the affordable but great Cambridge Audio DACmagic!

To me this DAC took the SB sonically to a CD-5i level.

regards,
Alco
Posted on: 17 January 2010 by Number 5
How does this Dac connect to the 102?
Posted on: 17 January 2010 by Keith L
SB3 - optical toslink or coaxial lead to Dac. Dac - rca phono (maybe xlr or 5 pin din depending on chosen Dac) to 5 pin din to Nac102