Regarding the 1520, I've read for a upgrade is to change the op amps? What op amp are the best for replacement? I purchased my CD player when I was a teen, and would like to go through it.
Its not that easy 🙂 We would need to know which opamps you are looking at and also what their function is (audio, PSU, DC servo etc). If you post the circuit diagram showing the opamps you are looking at then we might better be able to advise.
Also see:
Also see:
Hi, I am looking how expensive it might be in parts to service the unit. I have seen some discussion on op amps and burr-brown op amps and they are $$. Someone mentioned NE5532P for a replacement, although I am not sure if that is correct or right?
Anyone have access to HiFiengine? I have been trying to get on there for 3-4yrs, and they have membership turned off. Does anyone have a copy of the service manual? thks
Anyone have access to HiFiengine? I have been trying to get on there for 3-4yrs, and they have membership turned off. Does anyone have a copy of the service manual? thks
Looks like it use NE5532, someone posted NE5532P looks to be a package variation? This IC's are 0.50, the burr brown ones I search were 20-50.00 each? What's the best option for replacement?
This is a very in-depth subject! Much more than I thought.
I see many talks about replacing the NE5532 with OPA2134PA, some say replacing leeds to not so good audio?
Also, talk about the OPA227U is better than the OPA2134PA... help!
I see many talks about replacing the NE5532 with OPA2134PA, some say replacing leeds to not so good audio?
Also, talk about the OPA227U is better than the OPA2134PA... help!
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5534 and 5532 are very high performance for audio. Not worth the effort
Hi, the only results I am looking for is an upgrade if available, while I service my unit. I do not know much about this, that is why I am here. Some are stating the OPA227U has less noise than the 5532. I am wanting to just service this unit and upgrade it, if needed. thks
Hi bxt,
I was authorized warranty for Denon and worked on many. A great CD player. I had one on the bench, there is a DCD-S10 in my main room. It has been upgraded.
The op amps won't do much. Denon used very good parts. Other changes - yes. Those aren't for your average tech. Most things you read about don't do anything. Emperor's new clothes syndrome.
One thing that will greatly improve the sound quality? Proper alignment. Lower digital errors will result in much better sound quality. This is true of all CD players. Mind you, you need the right test CDs (cannot be copied), the right equipment and above all, proper training.
I was authorized warranty for Denon and worked on many. A great CD player. I had one on the bench, there is a DCD-S10 in my main room. It has been upgraded.
The op amps won't do much. Denon used very good parts. Other changes - yes. Those aren't for your average tech. Most things you read about don't do anything. Emperor's new clothes syndrome.
One thing that will greatly improve the sound quality? Proper alignment. Lower digital errors will result in much better sound quality. This is true of all CD players. Mind you, you need the right test CDs (cannot be copied), the right equipment and above all, proper training.
Yeah, what anatech said 😉
Rest easy; Denon made pretty good machines.
If you have the technical savvy and equipment (e.g. a good sound card and software like REW or ARTA), over on ASR someone has posted audio files to burn onto a CD and posted some examples of testing he has done to measure performance characteristics of some older CD players. Might be fun and educational to try out. Then, you can swap op amps and see that you actually made it worse 😏
Or maybe you didn't...😀
Rest easy; Denon made pretty good machines.
If you have the technical savvy and equipment (e.g. a good sound card and software like REW or ARTA), over on ASR someone has posted audio files to burn onto a CD and posted some examples of testing he has done to measure performance characteristics of some older CD players. Might be fun and educational to try out. Then, you can swap op amps and see that you actually made it worse 😏
Or maybe you didn't...😀
Thanks mlloyd1.
Hi bxt,
The thing you need to adjust require an actual test CD. We are talking about aligning the transport and servo system. You absolutely do require the correct test equipment and test CD's. I bought them, and built the filter jig for Denon CD players. Experience is required as well, as in training.
Hi bxt,
The thing you need to adjust require an actual test CD. We are talking about aligning the transport and servo system. You absolutely do require the correct test equipment and test CD's. I bought them, and built the filter jig for Denon CD players. Experience is required as well, as in training.
Hi, thanks.. Best option might be to service the mechanical, and elc around the pwr supply? Everything I read was to change out the op amps for improvement/upgrade. You guys are saying not so much of benefit.
I know nothing about aligning a CD player, what required regarding test equipment? I know nothing about doing this, maybe I have the eq, most likely no. thanks..
I know nothing about aligning a CD player, what required regarding test equipment? I know nothing about doing this, maybe I have the eq, most likely no. thanks..
I don't understand this. I don't want to be rude, but what do you expect from an opamp "upgrade"? Why upgrading the opamps? and not the resistors, laser, motors, tray, connectors, D/A converter, servo system, flatcables or capacitors?
In any case, in the book Small Signal Amplifiers by Douglas Self you'll find an detailed discussion on opamp properties and how to select those. Page 115 and on.
You can download the book here: https://user.faktiskt.io/rikkitikkitavi/SELF/Small Signal Audio Design (2010).pdf
The correct approach seems to me to identify the audible shortcomings of the 5532/4 used in the CD player, and then search for replacements which offer better performance. Just "upgrading" for the sake of upgrading without knowing what is wrong with these opamps, and without knowing what specification you want to improve is pointless IMHO. And if the sound quality of the player is less than may be expected the problem lies probably somewhere else, not in the type of the opamps.
In any case, in the book Small Signal Amplifiers by Douglas Self you'll find an detailed discussion on opamp properties and how to select those. Page 115 and on.
You can download the book here: https://user.faktiskt.io/rikkitikkitavi/SELF/Small Signal Audio Design (2010).pdf
The correct approach seems to me to identify the audible shortcomings of the 5532/4 used in the CD player, and then search for replacements which offer better performance. Just "upgrading" for the sake of upgrading without knowing what is wrong with these opamps, and without knowing what specification you want to improve is pointless IMHO. And if the sound quality of the player is less than may be expected the problem lies probably somewhere else, not in the type of the opamps.
Hi bxt,
Yes, use your thinking cap and service the power supply intelligently. No not read stuff on the internet.
To be honest, there are things I do to upgrade equipment, but those are engineering things. Others do the same thing, but we do not have time to post it. You also have to adapt to each piece of equipment.
Upgrading something is engineering. Not a part swap. It may be "easy" for trained technicians or engineers, but there are decades of experience behind us to make real, meaningful improvements. Many times you have to know when to leave things alone. The original designers often knew precisely what they were doing. Some ... not so much. We also measure the results, not relying only on our ears.
So the steps would be, assess the power supply. Assess the health of the transport. Service the power supply if required, align the transport as long as the head and motor is okay. If not, replace those parts and then do a complete alignment. A good service tech is highly trained, you can't read this on YouTube or anywhere else. You really do need the proper good test equipment. We wouldn't invest in it if we didn't need to. Anyone who says they don't hasn't got a good idea of what they are doing. I see the results of the work these guys do almost daily coming across my bench.
Having a real pro service your equipment gives you the very best performance and reliability. Otherwise it may not (probably not) perform properly and you rob yourself of the sound quality you are searching for. The worst case it the equipment is damaged. For example, adjusting the laser current, do it wrong and you burn out the laser before it's time, or suddenly. There is no warning, one second it works fine, the next you need a new head. Some adjustments are extremely sensitive, a little off and you have a poorly performing (or non-functional) machine. Also, if it acts up, do not adjust anything!!!! It was working aligned that way, you have something else wrong. Adjustments are the LAST thing you touch!
Yes, use your thinking cap and service the power supply intelligently. No not read stuff on the internet.
To be honest, there are things I do to upgrade equipment, but those are engineering things. Others do the same thing, but we do not have time to post it. You also have to adapt to each piece of equipment.
Upgrading something is engineering. Not a part swap. It may be "easy" for trained technicians or engineers, but there are decades of experience behind us to make real, meaningful improvements. Many times you have to know when to leave things alone. The original designers often knew precisely what they were doing. Some ... not so much. We also measure the results, not relying only on our ears.
So the steps would be, assess the power supply. Assess the health of the transport. Service the power supply if required, align the transport as long as the head and motor is okay. If not, replace those parts and then do a complete alignment. A good service tech is highly trained, you can't read this on YouTube or anywhere else. You really do need the proper good test equipment. We wouldn't invest in it if we didn't need to. Anyone who says they don't hasn't got a good idea of what they are doing. I see the results of the work these guys do almost daily coming across my bench.
Having a real pro service your equipment gives you the very best performance and reliability. Otherwise it may not (probably not) perform properly and you rob yourself of the sound quality you are searching for. The worst case it the equipment is damaged. For example, adjusting the laser current, do it wrong and you burn out the laser before it's time, or suddenly. There is no warning, one second it works fine, the next you need a new head. Some adjustments are extremely sensitive, a little off and you have a poorly performing (or non-functional) machine. Also, if it acts up, do not adjust anything!!!! It was working aligned that way, you have something else wrong. Adjustments are the LAST thing you touch!
I appreciate the response. No response on equipment that is needed on aliment, maybe I have? Not sure what's needed. I will look through the service manual.