rotel RCD 965 BX

[paul_peraic]

Hello
Does any body have a Rotel RCD 965 BX for sale in the forum if not any one know if the Rotel RCD 965 BX has any lesser siblings like the Marantz 63 has the 53 or if the Rotel RCD 970 and 971 are good to modify
or

[paul_peraic]

Or can anyone tell me if the Rotel RCD 865BX has the same circuit board
as the Rotel RCD 965BX they seem hard to come bye any help would be greatful

[jnewbold]

I am pretty sure that the RCD865BX and 965BX use the same PCB and are identical, apart from a cosmetic differences to the front panel. They certainly use the same chipset.

I have the service manual for RCD965BX and will be happy to email it to you if you want it. You can also email Rotel USA for service manuals. I was astonished to receive a copy of the RDC855 manual within a couple of hours of asking for it last week, so they will proabably send you the 865 manual. You could then compare the pcb artwork in the manuals.

Rotel USA email is <techsupport@rotel.com>

There is quite a bit of information about modding the RCD965 on this forum.

Joe.

PS you will have tio cut and paste the email address.

[paul_peraic]

Thankyou for your reply would you also know if the Rotel Rcd 971 and 991 are any good to modify

[jnewbold]

RCD971 has one Burr Brown PCM63 DAC per channel per channel and uses OPA2604 output op amps, so it seems to be a good contender for mods, although I haven't heard one.

Whether the RCD971 will be a better proposition for mods than the RCD965 is a moot point, but the PCM63 has a good reputation.

There are sevevral threads on the forum with information about both the 965 and 971 and they are worth a look if you are trying to decide which player to mod.

It depends how far you want to go I suppose. You could follow the lead of the Masrantz CD63/CD67 megathread on this forum and modify eveything. For example, the stock RCD965 has a total of 5 regulators:, i.e. +5V digital, -5V digital, +5V DAC and +-15V for op amps. Mine will have a total of 13 when I finish and 5 transformer/PSUs to feed them all.

Cheers

Joe

[coolmaster]

I installed a DIY Kwak clock into the RCD-971 and there's audible improvement. Opamp swap is another avenue to improving the sound. I also installed an IEC socket, something that was implemented in the later RCD-02.

[KP11520]

I, on the other hand love my two.

I have a RCD-965BX and a BX LE.

Considering I got the LE for $90.00 USD and the BX free (except it needed two repairs).

They sound great. Yes, forgiving on harsh CDs like some poorly mastered stuff from let's say Neil Young! But amazingly real like on Dave Mathews Live stuff. Great middle of the road for the price.

You can do mods to bring it up a few notches.

OPA627s to replace the 5534s. Be sure to match Data Sheet recomendations on cap values for decoupling.

Output cap is 100uf electrolytic. Change that to a 4.7uf of your choice. There are components after the op amps that you need to re evaluate. You might be able to lose some or most of it.

New Clock with its own PS (clean). Clean PS for DAC. Clean up the standard PS for everything else. (I only read about these recommendations).

New belt for CD drive.

If you can get one cheap... Go for it! IMO, you most likely won't be disappointed!

Regards//Keith

[paul_peraic]

Thank you all

[JC951t]

Hi Guys,
I bought a 965BX LE in tip top condition.
Took a peek inside & I notice that the output
stage is discrete. No opamps in sight. Could this be the difference between the standard BX ?

Thanks

[paul_peraic]

Hello
I am no pro like most of the guys here but I have seen inside a 965BX
and 965BX LE and their only visual difference is the LE has some bigger
10,000 470 and 1000 caps and they both have Op-amps so that must be it.