I recently acquired a Denon DCD-960. There are plenty of threads that touch the DCD series, but none that I've seen that includes the 960, or the x6x series. I'm handy with basic electronics and soldering, but most of the DAC-related stuff in CD players is over my head.
What's the best way to improve the analog output section of the 960? I plan to do some recapping, but I'd like to know what circuits to cancel, and whether replace DCD-960 with better DACs and op-amps.
I attach a couple of images with schematics and a list of ICs in case it's helpful.
Circuit Board
ICs and transformers
What's the best way to improve the analog output section of the 960? I plan to do some recapping, but I'd like to know what circuits to cancel, and whether replace DCD-960 with better DACs and op-amps.
I attach a couple of images with schematics and a list of ICs in case it's helpful.
Circuit Board
ICs and transformers
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A schematic would be more useful than pictures of components. Otherwise, its very hard to suggest possible improvements.
Replace IC309 & 310 with your choice of dual op-amps. IC702 & 703 too if you want to upgrade the variable outputs as well. You can also replace the components in the signal path after the DACs (IC303 & 304). Replace the resistors with 1% metal film types of your choice and upgrade any ceramic, film or electrolytic caps too. And if I’m not mistaken transistors TR706, 707, 708, 709, 710, 711, 712 & 713 are muting transistors. If that’s the case you can just remove them. Get confirmation on this part first.
That's very helpful, thanks! I'll double check on the muting transistors, I had no idea there were so many of them. Would it make sense to also get rid of the headphone circuitry? (I don't plan to use it and sometimes can influence other circuits)
You could unplug the HP circuitry if you wanted but if it were me I'd leave it alone. I've modified a few DENON CD players over the years and I've never been able to hear any benefit from disconnecting the HP circuitry.
it's very similar to my dcd 1560 except the dac , active filter instead of passive(mine).
Honestly, i moded mine for three times, recapped it entirely with the best caps, removed muting transistors, changed op-amps with the best possible, bypassd the cd4066 chip entirely(actualy useless technique..)improved even the ground plane conections for lower noise...but i think that there's a real theoretical limit that can't be crossed due to the eiaj to i2s converter made with those CF37606 chips and all the analoge mods are fruitless. It wold be much better to replace the entire dac section with pcm 1798(94, 93) and make a better eiaj to i2s converter and plug it strainght into cxd2500.
I don't know if sm5840 is better than sm5813 (mine) or if cxd2500 is better than cxd1125(mine) but modern dacs are way better and able to replace a huge amount of old digital electronics.
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