Finally, an affordable CD Transport: the Shigaclone story

[TheGimp]

I agree that isolating the board from the motors is important. One question in my mind is how far is far enough?

An additional idea is to add a Mu-Metal shield between the motors and the board. I don't see that any spacing option would preclude this.

How good is the internal DAC option?

I was expecting to use an external DAC (WM8741) but it might be nice to compare the two for myself since I have no experience with such.

[uncle_leon]

Originally Posted by massimo

Keeping the small pcb and sw on the mech and connecting it to the new main pcb, not only offer Jazz more freedom in designing the pcb, but also isolates the motors from the electronics. Somebody in the past reported this as beneficial sound wise.
It's an option I would consider......

I'm definitely with massimo on that.

I don't quite see the point of discussing the length of the ribbon cable at this stage though (but maybe I'm missing something?...). The way I'm imagining it, we will have a "control PCB", which we will be able to connect to any compatible CD mech in any way we please - with a short ribbon, with a long ribbon, hard-wired or whatever. As BMW850 rightly pointed out, closer is not necessarily better, and some degree of separation will almost surely be beneficial. Everyone can decide for themselves how far to go with separating the two components when they actually build the player as there will inevitably be other constraints to consider.

@TheGimp - the internal DAC is ok-ish, but nothing to write home about... It has a fairly bright sound, mediocre bass control and a typical "digital" timbre.

[tonyptony]

Originally Posted by tvicol

I'm going to order 50 CD-mechanic SFP101N-16P-DA11V.

Tibi, is this the same mechanism which you are ordering?

SF-P101N CD Mechanism SFP101 16 Pins Sanyo Philips Alba | eBay

Oh, and while I know this will be of no real use to virtually anyone else, would anyone know just what it would take to fit a ST glass output to this design? I have two DACs (EAD and Wadia) and both have the ST glass input. Right now I consider that superior to others using my current transport. In my dream for this DIY project I'd love to be able to have a quality ST output available.

[tvicol]

Thank you all for your opinions!

The benefits for having a separate board are obvious.
- less mechanical vibrations, less noise induced by ceramic components
- more space to accommodate 1206 components
- better layout and grounding as the motors are no longer on pcb
- flexibility in terms of board placement - dampening, shielding etc

Jazz and me will change the design for a separate board.
The board will be mounted under cd mechanic, something like in picture posted by Rudy http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/attac...ry-oil-rig.jpg

Regards,
Tibi

[tvicol]

Originally Posted by tonyptony

Tibi, is this the same mechanism which you are ordering?

SF-P101N CD Mechanism SFP101 16 Pins Sanyo Philips Alba | eBay

Oh, and while I know this will be of no real use to virtually anyone else, would anyone know just what it would take to fit a ST glass output to this design? I have two DACs (EAD and Wadia) and both have the ST glass input. Right now I consider that superior to others using my current transport. In my dream for this DIY project I'd love to be able to have a quality ST output available.

Yes, it is the same mechanic.

ST glass output it is an option I´ll consider.
Maybe it will be another separate board with reclocking and AES/EBU, S/PDIF, Toslink and AT&T ST glass.
Do you have any recommendation here for a good ST glass output?

Regards,
Tibi

[tvicol]

Can be an option
Laser -> http://www.optekinc.com/datasheets/OPV314AT.pdf

LED TX -> http://www.optekinc.com/datasheets/OPF694.PDF

LED RX -> http://www.optekinc.com/datasheets/OPF560.PDF

And here an application note from HP
http://server.elektro.dtu.dk/ftp/dat..._apps/ab78.pdf

And an old thread Fibre optic - AT&T style (HP, Optek,...)

Regards,
Tibi

[massimo]

Originally Posted by tvicol

Maybe it will be another separate board with reclocking and AES/EBU, S/PDIF, Toslink and AT&T ST glass.

Very good idea, Tibi!
I understand Wadia user, but I support AES/UBS over the rest.

[syklab]

Originally Posted by massimo

Very good idea, Tibi!
I understand Wadia user, but I support AES/UBS over the rest.

Totally agree.

[Ivo-Cici]

Originally Posted by tvicol

Can be an option
Laser -> http://www.optekinc.com/datasheets/OPV314AT.pdf

LED TX -> http://www.optekinc.com/datasheets/OPF694.PDF

LED RX -> http://www.optekinc.com/datasheets/OPF560.PDF

And here an application note from HP
http://server.elektro.dtu.dk/ftp/dat..._apps/ab78.pdf

And an old thread Fibre optic - AT&T style (HP, Optek,...)

Regards,
Tibi

Many, option????
Wonderful, I agre!
Regards
Ivo-Cici

[tonyptony]

Originally Posted by tvicol

ST glass output it is an option I´ll consider.
Maybe it will be another separate board with reclocking and AES/EBU, S/PDIF, Toslink and AT&T ST glass.
Do you have any recommendation here for a good ST glass output?

Regards,
Tibi

No Tibi. I wish I did. My experience is only with the older ODL 50 types and one from HP.

I understand massimo's preference, but I do hope for a ST solution. Many older higher end DACs used ST glass. It's a much better interface than Toslink (for those who can use it).