How would you modify Sony DVP NS900

[DIAR]

I would like to modify my cd/sacd/dvd player. I just installed so called Auricap tweak and I liked the results. http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovideo/DIY/auricap/

What else can I do with my very limited knowledge of electronics? I would like to have more transparent and 3D soundstage. The stereo image is very flat and in your face. The depht of the soundstage is pathetic.
Of cource other components and acoustics are the most important factor in imaging but I think that the CDP is the weakest link at the moment. Here's my gear:
http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovi...nht/munht.html
http://cgi.audioasylum.com/systems/5593.html

Should I change some caps or something else. And which parts exactly should I change (which make a notable difference).

Here's what I found on DIYAudio.com:
Sony SACD dynamics

Many good hints but I need more specifid advice.

Do you know any other usefull cd player modifying internet sites.

Heres some pictures of Sony DVP NS900:
http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovi.../sisajohto.jpg
http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovi...stus/ennen.jpg

http://hso.keskipiste.com/hso_images/8dvd4_screwed.jpg
http://hso.keskipiste.com/hso_images/120NS900-1.jpg
http://hso.keskipiste.com/hso_images/120NS900-2.jpg

Can somebody tell what do these circuit boards do. I can only guess.

Thanks!

[jean-paul]

http://www.ultranalog.com

Look for the SACD enhancer. A nice challenge for designing a neat looking/working pcb for it !!!

[DIAR]

That's too complicated for me but there's great info about the player itself on that site. Thanks!!

[DIAR]

So far I've changed analog output OPA to AD8065 and ordered a few Black Gate caps for DC coupling.

I'm going to change one of the oscillators to Tent Labs XO.

There are two oscillators in the player. One 16.5 MHz (not 16.9443) and one 27 MHz oscillator. How do I know or find out which one of these oscillators is more important?

About the PSU for XO. I'm going to get a separate transformer for the clock. Is this wise or should I use the one feeding both digital and analog boards.

What kind of transformer is best for this application? Toroidal or some other?

Thanks for answers!

[Davet]

Is there an link to an English translation of your website??

[DIAR]

The pages are in finnish only because I try to provide something to the Finnish hifi enthusiasts. WWW is full of great articles written in english but there are only a hand full of Finnish pages.

So far this is the only article I have translated:
http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovideo/DIY/preamp1/

[Davet]

Thank you for the response. I enjoyed reading about your passive preamp. I was trying to figure out what you had done to your Sony NS900. A picture does take the place of a 1,000 words, but it would help if you could summarize what you did to your CDP.

I have read the diyAudio posts (incliding your 2 threads) about the NS900. Are there any other English text postings regarding this CDP?

Are there any other details you want to provide above and beyond what you have in the archives?

Beautiful preamp! I really admire your craftsman ship.

[DIAR]

I haven't changed many parts in my DVP NS900 but here's what I've done so far

1. I added an IEC socket to it:

before:
http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovi...g1geo235p5.jpg

after:
http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovi...g1geo236p5.jpg

http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovi...g1geo239p5.jpg

(I've changed those abiko's to insulated connectors)

2. I added two caps between hot and neutral (so called Auricap tweak). I used these caps:
http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovi...pg1geo29p5.jpg

I placed them to an external box (picture without the cover)
http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovi...g1geo202p5.jpg

3. I damped the player. I used 7.5 kg/m2 rubber sheets (made for damping)
http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovi...g1geo154p5.jpg
http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovi...g1geo153p5.jpg
http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovi...g1geo167p5.jpg

4. I damped the oscillators using rope caulk (I covered the caulk with thin plastic folio.
http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovi...salpakitti.jpg

5. I made DIY Rollerblocks for coupling and isolation (sounds better than Ceraballs but I hate the rocking motion when pushing buttons)
http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovi...lock/proto.jpg

6. I made an insulation platform using inner tube
http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovi...pg1geo32p5.jpg
http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovi...pg1geo84p5.jpg

Platform issue needs a lot of experimenting. I'm not convinced that this is the best configuration.

7. I changed the OPA in analog output NJM4580 >> AD8065
http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovi...pg1geo14p5.jpg
http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovi...pg1geo53p5.jpg

These tweaks have been very good and I strongly recommend trying those as they cost nothing or atleast very little. The sound has changed radically. I longed for a new player for a long time but now I'm very satisfied with this one. I had ROTEL, REGA and Cambridge Audio for a few days for testing and they couldn't beat my Sony (partly because of the demanding preamp of mine).

[Davet]

Thank you so much for taking the time and putting forth the effort to address my inquiry. I have a SACD player whose sound that I don't particularly like. Your efforts have given me a number of things I can pursue to, possibly, improve the sound.

I have used roller blocks and inner tubes under digital sources and I must agree they better the sound in my system. I will be trying a number of your successes. I will post my findings.

Again thank you.

[DIAR]

No need to thank me. I'm just trying to give something back to this Forum as it has helped me in several questions (many has been answered using the search button )

I forgot to mention my DIY power cord. I haven't been experimenting much with different power cords because I don't believe in them. If someone knows an internet site with convinsing explanation why I should believe in different sounds between power cords, I would gladly read it.

Well anyway. I've made a few power cords of my own. The other one is Supra Lorad (nothing special) and the other one is self braided.
http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovi.../virtakaapeli/
I also made an extension cord using shielded Ölflex cable.
http://kotiweb.kotiportti.fi/audiovi...takaapeli.html
(check out the links (pics) to other diy projects! )

The idea is borrowed from several places. If you are interested in these, you should klick on the internet links shown on the page which were the most essential.

I noticed changes in sound when changing the cables but I think that it was due to changing the position of the plug in the socket (didn't bother to check the "polarity"). Changing between hot and neutral has an effect to sound as everyone knows.

In spite of all I have a hint of suspicion that the braided cord really inproved the sound (but don't tell anyone )

Summa summarum
Lorad - indifferent, nothing special
Ölflex - not recommended
Braided - recommended