Marantz CD63 & CD67 mods list

[Glenn2]

I don;t think you'll need to swap the transformer - they are all the same, just a jumper wire or two to move will run the transforemr on 120v or 240v (puts primary windings in parallel or series)

I don't think that's true - not according to this anyway:

 

[Glenn2]

The only caps that need to be bipolar are the ones that go from + to -.

Not sure why this would be - they would have a constant 24V across them. A normal polarised electrolytic would be fine here... unless I'm missing something...

 

[Glenn2]

Anyone tried a Zapfilter in their Marantz? I have a Zapfilter mkII in a chinese Zhaolu DAC using a CS4398 chip and the sound is just ridiculously good considering the price. I'm probably too lazy to try it out myself and the DAC is very versatile as I can use it with DVDs, digital tv and with the computer too.

Yeah I'm hoping somebody will try this one day too... maybe I will myself... I have a virgin CD63 lying around waiting to be deflowered. I was thinking of trying out Ray's filter on it.

Actually I got it for spares as it was knackered - you had to open the drawer with the remote because the open/close button didn't work, the sound came and went from either channel randomly, and it skipped!

I swapped the tact switch behind the open/close button for the switch behind one of those little gold buttons ('Edit') and then found that both buttons worked fine (must've been a dry joint rather than worn switch). The coming and going was dry joints on the RCA - easily fixed. Threw in a spare VAM1202 and she's good as new now.

 

[SimontY]

Not sure why this would be - they would have a constant 24V across them. A normal polarised electrolytic would be fine here... unless I'm missing something...

Oh really? My mistake, sorry.

 

[Fidelity Audio]

I do have a CD53, wich was sold to me as "already a MkII" but without any outside proof. The guy -famous ear around- told me Marantz already changed things inside, like the fact the amplification was higher, and that soon they'll make commercial benefit of it by selling it under the MkII name and a rise in price. So it seems there is a pre-MkII!
The fact is that for modding it, I've also advised a friend to buy a CD53. A standard CD63 only have the HDAM on: will be bypassed, so why find a more expensive CD63 to make it a 53?

I find funny to have a CD53 much more good than a standard... CD63SE!

Yes there is a type of pre MKII

Basically there is a MKI 63

Then there are a pile of them out there with the SE pcb fitted (no copper HDAM and standard TX) These were later versions.

The MKII has SE pcb with SE TX and a strut brace. (The SE has copper cans and bottom plate)

Note on the 53. A lot of the caps and resistors on the 53 are lower grade/lower value than the 63 ((TX included)defo lower grade than the later MKI and MKII). But if its being modded most of these parts will be changed anyway.

Brent

 

[Malefoda]

Brent,

what about that TX? May this a big improvment on a modded CD53?

Thanks

 

[Fidelity Audio]

Yes the TX makes a big difference. In the KI the TX is a good 90% why the it sounds better than a SE.

I say always get the best TX you can. (The KI TX is very good)

Brent

 

[Malefoda]

I mean if I can get a 63's one, will it be a clear improvment?

 

[Fidelity Audio]

If you get the SE one yes (I think 67SE TX is pretty much the same too). There is more VA for the opamps.

Smoother deeper audio with better attack and dynamics.

Brent

 

[Thomo]

Hi guys.

The other day I added an extra tx to my modded ki (2x9v) for the analogue and digital and I'm shocked at the difference, it's way better in every area.

I am now looking at fitting another to power the superclock II as I think this will be the best improvement. What VA rating would be ideal anyone please?

I have used 30va for the previous one cos that is all I had and I know it's total overkill.

Also, would it be wise to fuse protect those extra tx's?

Lee.

 

[Fidelity Audio]

Yes 30Va is way overkill LOL

Audiocom use a 1.6VA per winding TX for their clock pre reg pcb which is also overkill. So aim around that kind of figure.

I don't fuse mine! I use the same type as Audiocom (Nuvotem) who also make the KI TX's. They are fully encapculated and whould not pose a problem.

Brent

 

[SimontY]

I have used 30va for the previous one cos that is all I had and I know it's total overkill.

My extra transformers are overkill and so was the sonic improvement. Coincidence?

Ok, that's not specific advice is it? Just saying don't worry about using some big uns if it's all you've got.

I've not bothered with a fuse myself. The kind of mistakes I make tend to blow 13A fuses anyway, of which one remains.

Simon

 

[Thomo]

Aaahh. I thought 30va was overkill but I didn't realise how much!

I do intend to swap it at some point for a slightly smaller version though. It fits EXACTLY in the "V" shape of the drawer when closed.

Thanks for the advice Brent. I assume the other parts of the circuit wouldn't need any more va than the clock either then?

Lee.

 

[SimontY]

I assume the other parts of the circuit wouldn't need any more va than the clock either then?

The DAC and op-amps need a lot more than the clock. And you want to have more VA than you need for the best sound.

I think if you perform an all-day searching session you may find the exact figures relatively early in this thread! Good luck!

Simon

 

[Fidelity Audio]

The opamps benefit the most but I left the standard KI tx for this as its overkill too (especially now that winding only runs the output).

I use seperate TXs for all my regs 6 extra windings. Remember everytime you remove one circuit from the standard tx the circuits using it also benefit as less is sharing the VA.

Brent

 

[Fidelity Audio]

Analogue circuits require more VA. They by nature require more current to perform therefore OPamps/discrete and analogue 5V for DAC require the most VA. Anything digital requires much smaller amounts of VA.

Brent

 

[Thomo]

I think if you perform an all-day searching session you may find the exact figures relatively early in this thread! Good luck!

Simon

I think i'd look like you in your new avatar if I did that! lol.

I would like to keep the extra tx's internal as I'm low on space but I can't find Nuvotem at RS & Farnell, where do you get them Brent?

I think I'll keep the 30va and in future use it solely for analogue and add other smaller ones for digital.

Lee.

 

[Thomo]

I can't find Nuvotem at RS & Farnell, where do you get them Brent?

Lee.

Scrub that, I found 'em.

Lee.

 

[stueyh]

Just got home and found a UPS delivery ticket behind the door, the shipper is Nat. Semi. !!! Now that is what I call QUICK! Have arranged to send it to a factory down the road as I know someone will be there. Tomoz night I should be installing my new LM4562 opamps!

 

[Fidelity Audio]

Scrub that, I found 'em.

Lee.

Bet you found it in RS. This is the one Audiocom and myself uses

TX

Its a cracking TX

P.S I use the 9V TX for the 5V regs (9 * 1.4 = 12.6V)

Brent