Marantz CD63 & CD67 mods list

[6h5c]

Originally posted by float
Another thought; has anyone done a reality check; modded cd63 against a modern decent player?

I haven't and it does nag at me that I might be wasting my time..

Originally posted by navin


Me too! esp since my 63Ki is about 10 years old.

Hi Navin, Float,

The sound of a standard CD63 out-of-the-box is nothing compared to that of a well modded one, it's unbelievable what these players (CD53/63/57/67/OSE/KI) are capable of. If one of these players is well modded, it's definately a high-end player.
But the rest of your audio setup has to be on a VERY decent level to enjoy this. Next thing you know you'll be out for new (expensive) interlinks because they hold the player back. And you will dislike 70% of your CD collection, because now you finally hear how bad the recordings actually are.
A lot of modern players are blown away by such an old modded Marantz. Maybe it's because most modern DACs have part of the analog output stage integrated. Here's a nice article by Thorsten Loesh that covers some thoughts on DACs: http://www.fortunecity.com/rivendell...da/vasfda.html

It seems that the SM5872 is not such a bad one....

Regards,

Ray.

[Fidelity Audio]

You defenatly need to change the interconnects with these once the modding comences.

I use these in the UK, bargain prices (nearly half the original price)

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/The-Missing...QQftidZ2QQtZkm

[6h5c]

Originally posted by Luke
I have the schematics of this player and it seems that the hdam is a discreet shielded buffer using highly desirable jfets!
Ive read diyers on these threads talk about adding discrete buffers to increase performance and now that a manufacturer has gone to the trouble of giving us one it sounds better without
Could it be that it sounds different and to some tastes its better?

regards arthur

Hi Arthur,

If you take a crappy opamp, like the 2114, and put a HDAM circuit behind it, it may sound better. But if you find an opamp that performs well in this circuit, why would you need to buffer it? Then you'll find that with the HDAM circuit it will sound worse.

I try to follow the 'less is better' principle. Don't put all this extra electronics in your signal path, it will not add to your music, only more noise and distortion. It makes a nice marketing point though, and I also love the shine of those copper shield cans....

Regards,

Ray.

[6h5c]

Originally posted by rowemeister
You defenatly need to change the interconnects with these once the modding comences.

I use these in the UK, bargain prices

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/The-Missing...QQftidZ2QQtZkm

Yep,

I recently upgraded to Nordost Solar Wind, but i'm afraid it's not enough.

Ray.

[Fidelity Audio]

Yeah less is more.

I will be keeping the cans

[Fidelity Audio]

I am currently using the Cable Talk Reference 3.
0.5M interconnect. And I liked the improvement it made.


Do you get Northern lights above your cd player with all that solar wind!!!

[kptseng]

Hi All,

I've heard of some mod that bypass or replace the HDAM circuit with Op-amp.
I'm using CD6000 and hope I can get some insight to this mod.
Thanks.

King

[Luke]

If you take a crappy opamp, like the 2114, and put a HDAM circuit behind it, it may sound better. But if you find an opamp that performs well in this circuit, why would you need to buffer it? Then you'll find that with the HDAM circuit it will sound worse.

Hi Ray,

so what your saying is that if you use a crap opamp, the hdam will improve the sound. If you use a good opamp the hdam will improve the sound?
Seems to me KI would be well aware of this wouldnt he? Surely a decent opamp is not as expensive as the sexy copper cans alone
But you got me curious and I would like to try this although its not minor and I blew my last player up

cheers Arthur

[6h5c]

Originally posted by rowemeister
Yeah less is more.

I will be keeping the cans

I kept them too, coudn't resist. There's a straight wire running under it

Ray.

[Fidelity Audio]

Sweet!

I will be bypassing mine with a little bit of silver wire