Poogeing the SACD: The Pioneer 563A

[Vinnie R.]

Originally posted by JonScaife
lol GregGC


On the subject of the 563A - it still seems to exist in the US, but Pioneer Europe doesn't list it. they have a 565A instead. I can't find a single online retailer selling the 563A in the UK. Did Pioneer EVER sell the 563A in Europe?

Vinnie & KBK being in North America can probably still get it, but I'd guess its not available over here.

Good luck modding it guys

As far as I know, the 563A never existed in Europe. The 565A is the European version.

I know Best Buy in the US is still selling plenty of 563A's for $179.
I think www.audioadvisior.com has them too, along with lots of online stores.

[Vinnie R.]

All,

I am making significant progress with my 563A mods. I wrote a long post here last night, but when I tried to attach a picture, it would not take it and I lost the whole message
Let me sum up what I have done so far:

POWER SUPPLY BOARD UPGRADES

C5 250V, 150uF Panasonic
C1 275V, 1uF Panasonic X2 rated noise filter
C301 35V, 100uF Panasonic FC
C302 35V, 100uF Panasonic FC
C251 35V, 100uF Panasonic FC
C201 16V, 470uF Panasonic FC
C202 35V, 100uF Panasonic FC
C101 16V, 680uF Panasonic FC
C601 16V, 220uF Panasonic FC
C102 16V, 470uF Panasonic FC
C501 35V, 100uF Panasonic FC
C401 50V, 47uF Panasonic FC

Added bypass cap across C302, a 50V, 0.1uF
Panasonic Polypropylene

AUDIO/DAC BOARD

C245 6.3V, 47uF Black Gate NX Hi-Q
C246 6.3V, 47uF Black Gate NX Hi-Q
C732 16V, 220uF Panasonic FC
C111 16V, 330uF Panasonic FC
C102 16V, 220uF Panasonic FC
C105 16V, 330uF Panasonic FC
C232 16V, 220uF Panasonic FC
C203 16V, 470uF Panasonic FC
C201 16V, 470uF Panasonic FC
C109 10V, 470uF Panasonic FC
C116 10V, 470uF Panasonic FC
C805 16V, 330uF Panasonic FC
C771 16V, 220uF Panasonic FC
C773 16V, 330uF Panasonic FC
C730 16V, 330uF Panasonic FC
C707 16V, 330uF Panasonic FC

--Removed JA801 (optical digital out)
--Replace stereo opamp IC204 (BA4560F)
with Burr Brown OPA2604
--Removed IC302 (surround sound opamp)
--Removed IC402 (surround sound opamp)
--Removed IC301 (surround sound dac)
--Removed IC401 (surround sound dac)
--Added dampening sheets to the inside of the top cover

So, how does it sound so far?
VERY VERY VERY GOOD!!!
All aspects of the sound have been improved, and in some areas,
significantly improved (such as bass tightness and control, treble air, smoothness, and detail, midrange purity).

Before doing a more in depth review, I am hoping to finish the rest of my tweaking this weekend:

Replace the output muting transistor circuit with high-quality COTO reed-relays. This will remove two resistors from the output signal path (440ohms total) and should improve the sound quite a bit, increasing dynamics and PRAT (I hope)

Install a 12V, 1.3Ah SLA battery to replace the V+12A rail that powers the opamp in the output stage, and also powers a 5V regulator that feeds the DAC. In fact, I plan to completely isolate the analog circuitry (which will be powered by the battery) from the rest of the player. Another Coto SPDT reed-relay will be used that will turn on the battery power when the player turns on, and will switch the battery to charge mode when the player is put into standby/off mode. To the user (me), everything will work exactly the same way, only the sound should be taken to another level (black black background -- think Ack!dAck here).

Well, I have a lot of work to do this weekend. If all goes well, these mods will be done by Sunday night
These mods have taken a lot of time, but the payback is well worth it!

I'll report more in a few days...

Vinnie

[KBK]

Well vinne.. you're crazier than I am! But I might be willing to go a bit further than that, as nobody beats me at my own game.

As for the manual.. you tried contactimg me and now I have to search through my emails... and look in my 'way back' machine. My problem ibecomes something I have never had issue with before: time! I don't have the time to do these things these days, and I can't stand stock gear, no matter what the price range. so I might buy a expensive piece of gear..but end up moddding it anyway. The latest is a $10K DLP projector. One week old..and already under the knife. shame about the warranty.....

[Vinnie R.]

Originally posted by KBK
Well vinne.. you're crazier than I am!

so I might buy a expensive piece of gear..but end up moddding it anyway. The latest is a $10K DLP projector. One week old..and already under the knife. shame about the warranty.....

Now who is the crazy one

[net-david]

Has anyone added an i2s output to their 563A?

--David

[larry moore]

So, Vinnie, did you do these mods in stages? And if so, what impact did the opamp change make by itself?

[Nic.M]

Vinnie

Thanks for the schematics.
I've ordered the parts to redo the psu and dac boards as you outlined in your post.

I don,t have much-any experience with handling sm devices,
nor am I familiar with the wiring connectors used on the Pioneer unit.

So, can you describe how you got the op amps and the transistors out - special tools, fluxes, etc.?

And how did you undo the wiring harnesses? Dammed if I can figure the flex foil ones out!

Hey I can't even figure out how to add smileys.
Shows the level of my questions.

Anyway, if you think others will benefit, please give us a few tips.

[KBK]

You think that's bad? Yesterday.. I literally dropped a $20k SXGA DLP projector. It was brand new, with 13 hrs on it. It spun in the air..did a 360, bounced off ANOTHER piece of demo (both loaners! ieeee! signed for and brand new..ieeeee!! )equipment...hit the edge of the table, and then spun again, and then bounced off the dog food bowl on the floor..hit the dog's water bowl..and got soaked. But just wet on the outside...thankfully. This..ten minutes before the demo I was scheduled to do with it. I was heading out the door just a bit too fast.... To say that I nearly had a heart attack when it happened.. would be an understatement.

[Vinnie R.]

All,

I'm sorry to be a little sluggish with posting updates. I've been working late and have been busy with doing home improvements to our new condo.

I plan to write an update post tomorrow of what I've done so far, and will answer Nic.M's questions.

Back to plumbing

-Vinnie

[machinow]

Originally posted by KBK
One week old..and already under the knife. shame about the warranty.....

I LIKE THIS - VERY WELL SAID



Go on, KBK