help me D/A converters? DC player ?

[tweedclassic]

i am having trouble finding information on good affordable converters.

basically i am a poor college student DIY'er that needs to get a new cd player. i am hesitant to buy anything because well i don't want to buy junk.

is there any cd player out there in the $150.00 range that could be modified easily to give me better quality? (i enjoy tweaking gear)

or should i just bit the bullet and buy whatever i can afford to get me though tell i can afford something nice?

i hope i am posting this in the right place.

Thanks
R.

[maxlorenz]

Hi,
I can recommend two options:

http://cgi.ebay.com/SAMSUNG-DVD-HD84...em300047758706

Samsung multiformat players; see what referenceaudiomods.com say about them:

http://www.referenceaudiomods.com/Me...oduct_Count=22

Tweak the SMPS, change the Power Cord; change output opamp for a good one, like the new LM4562 (or OPA2134); later play with clock.
That's what I'm doing presently with a lesser unit.
Plays all formats. If you can make a silent PS it will sound decently good, very detailed.

Other option:
Any transport plus Doede's Douma NOS DAC; DDDAC1543 MKII:
http://www.dddac.de/
Modular and upgradable

The two options are good IMHO, with different sound presentation.

Hope this helps.
Good luck,
M

[tweedclassic]

thanks for the advice i think the DDAC project is a little over my head right now but a great option i hope to pursue someday soon.

in reference to the Samsung:

so the main issues are with the power supply?

what generally is done to improve the power supply?

[maxlorenz]

Hi,
I'm not expert but the mods I've done are worth the (little) pain. The referenceaudiomods site covers quite a bit of modding programme. Read it.

I would do:
1) Instal IEC male AC connector instead of cheap lamp cable. Use Power Cable of your choice...(No matter how many threads you read, cables DO make a sensible impact on sound).

2) Good mains hookup cable.

3) Some change the 100nF X1 rated mains decoupling caps for good film caps, wich must be high voltage, i.e. 600V (I've never done that but should be safe ).

4) Change stock rectifiers for soft recovery type. I put Hixis 12Amp . This surelly made unit more silent. Watch out for polarity!

5) The main electrolytic cap must be changed. I used Black Gate FK or VK, but referenceaudiomods uses Jensen four poles wich they think are superior here.

6) Use some form of EMI blocking technique for the SMPS not to contaminate de sensitive circuits.

7) Chassis damping. I will use thick wood base and wood feet. I use a "bathroom grade" Teflon film "ball" underneath the big PCB, to damp vibes. Very effective.

8) Local decoupling caps for digital chips. I will use BG-NX type. Oscon should work also. Referenceaudiomods uses Ruby ZL/ZA, though I'm a great fan of these, here I'm not convinced.

9) Clock.
27MHz "DIY XO" + 5V low noise "shuntreg" @ Tentlabs.com is around EU60, including shipment. (it's flying home by now )

10) Get rid of all unused circuits like mic, karaoke...etc.

11) Output opamp and decoupling caps. (LM4562 "free sample")

That should be a good and funny start. IF anyone has other/better ideas please post it.

Maybe I will try later conventional PS with R-core transformers.

I was first guided to this player by CC Poon, CEO of Monarchy Audio, wich uses a modded player with his line of products (Class A, hybrid amps, DACs, DIPs) on BIG shows like CES!
If you don't believe it, goto audiogon's shows pages and search for Monarchy Audio.
Then I read the statement at referenceaudiomods. So two authorized opinions agree of best bargain.

I hope it helps.
M

[tweedclassic]

so sounds good do you have any idea where i can get a service manual for the Samsung? i am scoping them out on eBay and seem cheep enough that if i destroyed one in attempts of modding i wouldn't feel to bad.

great advice but i cannot find and thing on "referenceaudiomods" that goes into great detail other than what they would do. i have never taken apart a dvd player before. so maybe this is over my head but i would like to try and maybe learn something in the process.

thanks
Cheers

Robert

[Fin]

Another option is to get hold of something like a Marantz CD40/50/60 or Philips CD620/30/40/50.

These all have CDMs and lasers that last a long time and are easy to find replacements for if it does fail. They are easy to work on with most parts being full size as opposed to smd. They all use the well renound TDA1541A dac chip. There is lots of potential to play with various power supply mods, oversampling vs non-oversampling, various output stages, reclocking etc........and they are cheap....

The real bonus is that there is a mountain of information here on these CDPs and many people with experience in modding them. Service manuals for them are also freely available from some generous members.