Get Rid of the Small SMD Capacitors on CDROM for Better Sound

rickronn · 3rd October 2005, 06:09 AM

I was told that small SMD capacitors (small rectangular capacitors)on PCB of CDROM can be removed for better sound. Have anyone try this and I would like to learn the thoughts. Can anyone tell me where I can find schematics of CDROM so that I can check which capacitors I can remove?

DSP_Geek · 3rd October 2005, 07:47 AM

Take out those nasty control ICs too: they just add digital noise to the DAC.

frdchang · 3rd October 2005, 07:49 AM

you probably mean ceramic caps placed on audio traces.

Extreme_Boky · 3rd October 2005, 10:16 AM

Well,

the SMD capacitors provide the best theoretical noise attenuation / decoupling. No legs, and if the ground plane area is maximized and with no noise, they work wonders. The problem is finding”nice” sounding ones...

Someone here on forums reported Murata 22uF SMD ceramic as excellent choice....

Extreme_Boky

rickronn · 3rd October 2005, 11:14 AM

Thanks Extreme_Boky, frdchang and DSP_Geek for quick replies.
However, I thought the ICs are for servo control and laser control. Would appreciate if DSP_Geek can provide further details.
Extreme_Boky, do you mean that I should keep the ceramic caps?? Or I should replace them with good ones as you suggested (Murata 22uF SMD ceramic).

Jocko Homo · 3rd October 2005, 02:00 PM

Why do you think that a 22 uF ceramic cap could possibly be good?

Jocko

chris719 · 3rd October 2005, 02:10 PM

In 22uF the only reasonable choice is electrolytic, yes? I could see ceramic being used for values of 0.1 uF and under but 22...? That would have to be Z5U and Z5U sucks.

DSP_Geek · 3rd October 2005, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rickronn
Thanks Extreme_Boky, frdchang and DSP_Geek for quick replies.
However, I thought the ICs are for servo control and laser control. Would appreciate if DSP_Geek can provide further details.
Extreme_Boky, do you mean that I should keep the ceramic caps?? Or I should replace them with good ones as you suggested (Murata 22uF SMD ceramic).

You do realize I was *joking*, right?

Anyway, the caps are on the circuit board for a reason: they keep the supply voltage from bouncing around. Removing them could cause the CD-ROM to work intermittently or not at all.

Joseph K · 3rd October 2005, 08:35 PM

Jocko,

I accept that a 22uF cap sucks big time quality wise.. But where the quantity maybe counts more than the quality.. [digital]
It would be good to know, if You have any seriuos objections. Because also me makes part of that world who has been lured in..

And had spent money on such things..

Though I got only the 10uF ones - I'm a modest guy. Also some 1uF, about this later. They are damned small, for testing them I had to make a better jig.

Ecco l'impedance of a common 100nF/50V x7r:

Joseph K · 3rd October 2005, 08:37 PM

And the parallel combination of a 10uF /10V Z5u // and the same 100nF:

3rd October 2005, 06:09 AM	#1
rickronn diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	Get Rid of the Small SMD Capacitors on CDROM for Better Sound I was told that small SMD capacitors (small rectangular capacitors)on PCB of CDROM can be removed for better sound. Have anyone try this and I would like to learn the thoughts. Can anyone tell me where I can find schematics of CDROM so that I can check which capacitors I can remove?

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3rd October 2005, 07:47 AM	#2
DSP_Geek diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, California	Take out those nasty control ICs too: they just add digital noise to the DAC.

3rd October 2005, 07:49 AM	#3
frdchang diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Berkeley	you probably mean ceramic caps placed on audio traces.

3rd October 2005, 10:16 AM	#4
Extreme_Boky diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sydney	Well, the SMD capacitors provide the best theoretical noise attenuation / decoupling. No legs, and if the ground plane area is maximized and with no noise, they work wonders. The problem is finding”nice” sounding ones... Someone here on forums reported Murata 22uF SMD ceramic as excellent choice.... Extreme_Boky

3rd October 2005, 11:14 AM	#5
rickronn diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	Thanks Extreme_Boky, frdchang and DSP_Geek for quick replies. However, I thought the ICs are for servo control and laser control. Would appreciate if DSP_Geek can provide further details. Extreme_Boky, do you mean that I should keep the ceramic caps?? Or I should replace them with good ones as you suggested (Murata 22uF SMD ceramic).

3rd October 2005, 02:00 PM	#6
Jocko Homo Banned Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: As far from the NOSsers as possible	Why do you think that a 22 uF ceramic cap could possibly be good? Jocko

3rd October 2005, 02:10 PM	#7
chris719 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Connecticut	In 22uF the only reasonable choice is electrolytic, yes? I could see ceramic being used for values of 0.1 uF and under but 22...? That would have to be Z5U and Z5U sucks.

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