Pioneer PD-S802...worth tweaking?

[Gram]

perhaps someone has an opinion as to whether this player is worth reclocking etc. I realise it's getting old now..but it still performs well.. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

[jean-paul]

Every cdplayer benefits from a low jitter clock. When you want to do it right feed the low jitter clock with its own separate supply. If I remember correctly the Pioneer doesn't have regulation of the opamps power supply ( I am pretty sure the 502/602 didn't have that, the 901/902 had it ). Placing a board with regulated + and - 15 V instead of the unregulated ( too low ) supply voltages made it better. When that cdplayers came out Conrad used to sell DIY +/- 15 V regulated boards that were small and easy to build in the cdplayer. Don't know if they still sell those.

In general: replace the opamps for better types as usual. Place OSCONS in the digital part of the machine and check the quality of caps in the analog part of the cdplayer, replace ceramic caps in the filter section. Clean the laser. If you really like the cdplayer: buy a spare laser from Pioneer when the price is OK and while it is still available.

For details on cleaning the laser or what opamps to use please use the Search function. Much threads about that.

[A 8]

The pds-802 already have a regulated supply for analog.

It is in general a pretty well laid out player, as an example the master clock and distribution circuit is just a few centimeters from the dacs which it feeds directly.
I would assume plugging in a good clock with separate PS into the distribution logic would pick it up a bit.

The biggest issue I have with it is the legato link thing that I seem to have a problem getting to terms with...........
If you don't the easy thing would be to switch critical caps for the likes of black gate and/or finding a way to change the 78xx regulators for some of the ones posted on this forum.

The op amps are the 5534 and there is one elco cap per channel to remove dc on the output so you could try another op amp or even a discrete circuit.
Depending on the rest of your stuff you might get away with just shorting the output caps.

The player has separate transformers for the dac board and the rest.

It will perform well with a few modifications as a transport, if you would consider a separate dac.

[Gram]

Thanks for the replies.. No digital out on this model (UK only) An external DAC is probably the best way to go.

[borisov57]

Hello,

> No digital out on this model.

I modified pds 501. It has place on the edge of board for optical (toslink) output.

Cd player has place at power supply board for another transformer, to feed analog stages and maybe another DA converter. It is very good machine for modification.

[Ruach]

Hi Gram,

I have the instructions for the standard clock mod for the S802. I have modded the Pioneer PD-S904 which is very similar to the S802.

Let me know if you are keen. Thanks

[Atomicbob]

Hi Ruach and others. Im a new member from New Zealand and keen to learn all I can.

Would you mind posting some recommended external DACs for the 802? I would appreciate your insights.

Cheers

[DirkD]

Hi there Gram

I do CD player mods as a source of extra income (when I have the time). I did an 802S not so long ago. Replaced the opamps with AD825's, replaced all resistors on the D/A conveter and audio output board with Vishay/Dales (the stock resistors are crappy 5% carbon types) and replaced all capacitors with Elna Cerafine and Silmic types. The components were about $100 and it took me about 3 hours to do the upgrade. The upgrade realised a substantial lift in the sound of the player. More focused and smoother highs, better soundstage, more transparent mids and tighter bass. If I was forced to quantify the improvement I would say that it was ~5%.

Certainly worth the $100 in parts and time spent doing the upgrade.

Regards

Dirk

[Ruach]

The 802 uses the Pioneer 2028B dac which is very pleasant sounding. If proper mods were to be done to the 802, you would not need any external DAC.

For starters, replace existing caps with Oscons. Silmics and Cerafines are good caps but the Oscons are much better.

External clocks, OPA627 opamps make good improvements too.

For dramatic improvements, change the transformers

[Raj1]

Hi,

for a really nice sound here's what you can do with one of these players....


http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showt...highlight=tube

it's not as cheap as using opamps though!

I did replace the 7805's with the super reg's, have 2 of peranders boards supplying the dacs and also 1 of alw's boards supplying the digital filter and reclocker. I also have kwak clock 7 installed in the player........

Thanks
Raja