Denon DCD-660: worth modifying?

kenwood61 · 6th January 2009, 03:12 AM

Hello all, this is my first post! This looks like a cool site

I found this forum whilst looking for mod's for my CDP . . .

I have a few projects in front of this, but I'm wondering if this CDP is worth performing some of the mods I've seen made on higher model Denon's. Are there affordable mods I can make, or am I better off upgrading to another deck? To help clarify my position, I have a max of $50 I could spend.

The reason for modding? Well, it's an okay deck, but after reading some user experiences (before/after) I'm intrigued by the idea. I like DIY projects, but have never attempted mod's in a CDP.

Thoughts?

jitter · 6th January 2009, 06:05 AM

Welcome to this forum!

I would suggest to start with the DC-blocking caps on the analogue output. If that turns out to be a success, go a bit further...

Don't start upgrading parts wildly. Do it step by step, while patiently and carefully listening to the results as you go along. Otherwise you'll lose track of what you did and have a hard time finding which "upgrade" didn't seem to work for you...

Good luck.

pilli · 6th January 2009, 09:04 AM

On top of the good suggestions given, my two cents:

You have of course several "levels" of modifications:

- Replacing individual parts with better quality equivalents (usually caps, but also relays for muting transistors, etc.)

- Replacing "functional blocks", which you can you can "buy" or "build".

In the second category, it is usually recommended to start from these three things (listed in order of increasing effort):

- Power supplies (better regulators, dedicated supplies per "block)
- Output stages, in particular I/V (replace op-amp based with discrete or passive - your player has PCM61, I think) and output buffering (which could use vacuum tubes).
- Clock

All these things are very well documented in these forums.

I have tried these things on players of the same class as the DCD-660, with great satisfaction (and I am not the best builder around) and immense fun and learning.

You do not need expensive parts.
If you have the basic tools and equipment for building small PCBs, you can go very far with 50$. It helps to have a stock of leftovers/recycled components, at least for trying out prototypes.

_

6th January 2009, 03:12 AM	#1
kenwood61 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2009	Denon DCD-660: worth modifying? Hello all, this is my first post! This looks like a cool site I found this forum whilst looking for mod's for my CDP . . . I have a few projects in front of this, but I'm wondering if this CDP is worth performing some of the mods I've seen made on higher model Denon's. Are there affordable mods I can make, or am I better off upgrading to another deck? To help clarify my position, I have a max of $50 I could spend. The reason for modding? Well, it's an okay deck, but after reading some user experiences (before/after) I'm intrigued by the idea. I like DIY projects, but have never attempted mod's in a CDP. Thoughts?

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6th January 2009, 06:05 AM	#2
jitter diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Eindhoven, The Netherlands	Welcome to this forum! I would suggest to start with the DC-blocking caps on the analogue output. If that turns out to be a success, go a bit further... Don't start upgrading parts wildly. Do it step by step, while patiently and carefully listening to the results as you go along. Otherwise you'll lose track of what you did and have a hard time finding which "upgrade" didn't seem to work for you... Good luck.

6th January 2009, 09:04 AM	#3
pilli diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2006	On top of the good suggestions given, my two cents: You have of course several "levels" of modifications: - Replacing individual parts with better quality equivalents (usually caps, but also relays for muting transistors, etc.) - Replacing "functional blocks", which you can you can "buy" or "build". In the second category, it is usually recommended to start from these three things (listed in order of increasing effort): - Power supplies (better regulators, dedicated supplies per "block) - Output stages, in particular I/V (replace op-amp based with discrete or passive - your player has PCM61, I think) and output buffering (which could use vacuum tubes). - Clock All these things are very well documented in these forums. I have tried these things on players of the same class as the DCD-660, with great satisfaction (and I am not the best builder around) and immense fun and learning. You do not need expensive parts. If you have the basic tools and equipment for building small PCBs, you can go very far with 50$. It helps to have a stock of leftovers/recycled components, at least for trying out prototypes. _

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