Newbie - how to start modding my transport?

jsmccray · 28th November 2006, 06:47 AM

Hey Gang,

This is a VERY, Very newbie question. I'd like to start modding my Sony XA-20es transport, with maybe new caps, transformer, etc.. and/or other things. The search I performed turned up much info, but a bit unfocused for my first steps.

I can solder, but need a little help with reading schematics. Can anyone point me in the direction of how to start down this path? My goal: to make the transport sound better via diy mods, in the most cost effective manner possible. I know this may be a slippery slope, with lots of philiosophy and arguments. I just want to crack this thing open again, and try to make it sound better on my own.

Thanks for everything...

Jake

protos · 28th November 2006, 01:34 PM

I would probably start with a high quality clock eg tent labs and some damping/vibration isolation on the chassis.I have not seen many mods here of the actual cd transport circuitry probably because A) it is too complicated even for some good diyers e.g smd components etc and or B)it will not bring substantial benefit compared to other pursuits such as optimising the dac.

zanash · 29th November 2006, 08:04 AM

go read my article on Zerogain.com

http://www.zerogain.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9058

obviously you only need to concentrate on the transport side....

don't get too far ahead of yourself !

start small ...say swapping the rectifier diodes

jsmccray · 29th November 2006, 12:03 PM

Yeah,

thats sounds excellent! That is the sort of easy thing I'm talking about. Now I need to find out how to locate a rectifier diode, then find out where to buy them, then I can begin getting messy. Also, how can I locate all the internal workings that are not part of the transport side of things, so I can start disconnecting them? I've heard that is a good thing to do. Geez, this all sounds SOOO newbie, I feel like a 3rd grader, thanks for all your patience.

jake

zanash · 29th November 2006, 12:46 PM

The rectifier diodes ..are small cylinerical device that are often black with a silver band that denotes polarity ...

sony often fit green ones....

they may be in groups of four forming a diode bridge and will be fairly close to the mains transformer.

28th November 2006, 06:47 AM	#1
jsmccray diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Washington, D.C.	Newbie - how to start modding my transport? Hey Gang, This is a VERY, Very newbie question. I'd like to start modding my Sony XA-20es transport, with maybe new caps, transformer, etc.. and/or other things. The search I performed turned up much info, but a bit unfocused for my first steps. I can solder, but need a little help with reading schematics. Can anyone point me in the direction of how to start down this path? My goal: to make the transport sound better via diy mods, in the most cost effective manner possible. I know this may be a slippery slope, with lots of philiosophy and arguments. I just want to crack this thing open again, and try to make it sound better on my own. Thanks for everything... Jake

28th November 2006, 01:34 PM	#2
protos diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Athens+Addis Ababa	I would probably start with a high quality clock eg tent labs and some damping/vibration isolation on the chassis.I have not seen many mods here of the actual cd transport circuitry probably because A) it is too complicated even for some good diyers e.g smd components etc and or B)it will not bring substantial benefit compared to other pursuits such as optimising the dac. __________________ ``The author always assumes that when power is applied , the amplifier will explode or ,at the very least, catch fire.´´ Morgan Jones, Building Valve Amplifiers.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Newbie - where do you start?	chb	Multi-Way	1	7th November 2007 10:23 AM
newbie,Where to start?	Avi28	Class D	10	8th January 2007 04:39 AM
Newbie to modding with a Dynaco ST-150...	ChuckK	Solid State	0	30th May 2006 05:21 PM
Best cheap CD player to start modding...newbie, searched	ttrentt	Digital Source	4	4th February 2006 10:17 AM
Cold start problems with CD transport	Sheldon	Digital Source	24	7th November 2005 11:26 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

29th November 2006, 08:04 AM	#3
zanash diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Notts	go read my article on Zerogain.com http://www.zerogain.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9058 obviously you only need to concentrate on the transport side.... don't get too far ahead of yourself ! start small ...say swapping the rectifier diodes

29th November 2006, 12:03 PM	#4
jsmccray diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Washington, D.C.	Yeah, thats sounds excellent! That is the sort of easy thing I'm talking about. Now I need to find out how to locate a rectifier diode, then find out where to buy them, then I can begin getting messy. Also, how can I locate all the internal workings that are not part of the transport side of things, so I can start disconnecting them? I've heard that is a good thing to do. Geez, this all sounds SOOO newbie, I feel like a 3rd grader, thanks for all your patience. jake

29th November 2006, 12:46 PM	#5
zanash diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Notts	The rectifier diodes ..are small cylinerical device that are often black with a silver band that denotes polarity ... sony often fit green ones.... they may be in groups of four forming a diode bridge and will be fairly close to the mains transformer.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)