Compare the 31 & 32
"Parts is parts"
Will the mechanism of the 31 & 32 interchange?
If I rebuild a 31 will the transport and other pieces from a 32 swap into it later?
"Parts is parts"
Will the mechanism of the 31 & 32 interchange?
If I rebuild a 31 will the transport and other pieces from a 32 swap into it later?
Peter Daniel said:
If you can find the product called "Superlube" it will be perfect for the job. Its a silicone/PTFE based lubricant that can be had as grease or spray. It does absolutely not attract dirt/dust which is a nice feature for this application. It is also a very gentle lubricant. No etching/eating other materials.
🙂
Re: Compare the 31 & 32
In one sense yes, in another no. The hardware is totally different and none of the boards are interchangeable, however if you provide enough room you could swap a '32 for a '31. Better and easier I think to stick to one or the other.
The '31 integrates a micro-controller into the DSP which controls the mechanism and display. Power supply management is simply a matter of providing a good clean 8V supply to the mechanism and its electronics when you want to play a disk.
The '32 OTOH requires 3 different supply voltages from the relatively complicated power supply board, two of which are switched. In addition there is a separate board with a micro-controller on it. Power control is under software control, and the micro-processor is always active. (You get a cheesy clock as compensation when the unit is off.. LOL) The modifications to the micro-controller pcb and the power supply complexity required to eliminate the audio board are recommended for the more experienced hobbyist. Simple mistakes can destroy the mpu..
I have not heard a version based on the '31, but I can say that the '32 does an extremely good job in its own right, and I suspect it is quite similar in performance potential to the '31. I chose the '32 solely because I could get some - I did not even know at the outset what chipset it used, or whether it could even be used for this project. I got very lucky I guess. In return I got the opportunity to do a lot of detective work, blow up a board, and end up with a very good result. If you want track times and related information from your transport this version will give that to you and more. (A clock...
)
The '31 based project was my inspiration, but I spent a lot of time figuring things out on the path less travelled. It paid off, but might not have. Other boom boxes are likely to have chips and mechanisms made by Sanyo that should achieve the same potential performance, we just need to know what those are.
Older Alba model?
JVC RCEZ31, 32, 51, UX-5000 compact stereo..
Probably any budget application with a related Sanyo mechanism and chip set that does not support MP3 playback...
Ed LaFontaine said:
In one sense yes, in another no. The hardware is totally different and none of the boards are interchangeable, however if you provide enough room you could swap a '32 for a '31. Better and easier I think to stick to one or the other.
The '31 integrates a micro-controller into the DSP which controls the mechanism and display. Power supply management is simply a matter of providing a good clean 8V supply to the mechanism and its electronics when you want to play a disk.
The '32 OTOH requires 3 different supply voltages from the relatively complicated power supply board, two of which are switched. In addition there is a separate board with a micro-controller on it. Power control is under software control, and the micro-processor is always active. (You get a cheesy clock as compensation when the unit is off.. LOL) The modifications to the micro-controller pcb and the power supply complexity required to eliminate the audio board are recommended for the more experienced hobbyist. Simple mistakes can destroy the mpu..
I have not heard a version based on the '31, but I can say that the '32 does an extremely good job in its own right, and I suspect it is quite similar in performance potential to the '31. I chose the '32 solely because I could get some - I did not even know at the outset what chipset it used, or whether it could even be used for this project. I got very lucky I guess. In return I got the opportunity to do a lot of detective work, blow up a board, and end up with a very good result. If you want track times and related information from your transport this version will give that to you and more. (A clock...
)The '31 based project was my inspiration, but I spent a lot of time figuring things out on the path less travelled. It paid off, but might not have. Other boom boxes are likely to have chips and mechanisms made by Sanyo that should achieve the same potential performance, we just need to know what those are.
Older Alba model?
JVC RCEZ31, 32, 51, UX-5000 compact stereo..
Probably any budget application with a related Sanyo mechanism and chip set that does not support MP3 playback...
This thread is providing a lot of interesting info. Johnm wrote for HiFi World, Kevinkr for Positive Feedback, I did some articles for Affordable$$Audio last year, and although he hasn't surfaced yet on this thread, NuuK (Decibel Dungeon)writes for TNT !
HiFi world did an article in November 2006 (I think) about the mods to the Sonic Impact amp, which was very good. However the DIY supplement went years ago, to be incorporated in the mag, and now it seems to have died a death completely.
But why am I unable to stop buying Hi Fi mags, when the stuff inside is completely irrelevant !!!!!
Do you think I need a doctor ?!
HiFi world did an article in November 2006 (I think) about the mods to the Sonic Impact amp, which was very good. However the DIY supplement went years ago, to be incorporated in the mag, and now it seems to have died a death completely.
But why am I unable to stop buying Hi Fi mags, when the stuff inside is completely irrelevant !!!!!
Do you think I need a doctor ?!
kevinkr,
Thanks for the thorough response. It is the moving parts I became concerned for after some preceding posts relating to life expectancy.
Thanks for the thorough response. It is the moving parts I became concerned for after some preceding posts relating to life expectancy.
Peter Daniel said:
I'm using Vaseline for that purpose for years - for VHS , DAT , DVD ,CD mechs ........
just wipe white goo and add some Vaseline , when needed
Ed LaFontaine said:
My fault really, there is no evidence so far that this is an issue with these mechanisms. Peter reports over 800hrs so far and the mechanism is performing as new. I wouldn't worry too much, it's not an immediate concern IMO. It is not a bad idea to have some spares around provided that they do not break the bank.
Frankly I can't help feeling that we are in the twilight of cd production now, and I will mostly be using mine to play material acquired in the past and material not archived on my server. This means it is likely to used for a lot of shoot outs and less casual listening where it seems to excel. I have not yet compared its sonic performance to the server, but in comparison to the Sony it is different, but certainly not worse, and shows signs of being a bit better in some areas that are particularly important to me.
Haha looks like all us part-time writers hang out here then! Spookily enough I wrote that Sonic Impact mod. article you mention from Hi-Fi World!
Kevin - I'm also running a music server, using iTunes, then running into a 'digitalpclink', which provides SPDIF which then goes to my DPA DAC. I recently replaced all caps in the usb-SPDIF link with Sanyo Oscons and a Nichicon Muse for the reservoir cap, and removed the LED and also the optical toslink output... less is more 😉 . Am in the process of adding a BNC to the output as well. Will be interesting to compare it to the Shiga then. Sound is amazing, but I'd say the Shigaclone beats it now. However, I'm not currently (as I understand it) getting bit-perfect output out of my PC at present, due to iTunes not being compatible with ASIO (currently). Apparently iTunes on a Mac IS bit perfect though, so I may get a Mac Mini in the future. Must say it is handy having all one's music to hand on iTunes in Lossless format.
Once you know - for sure! - that you ARE getting a bit perfect output, it really only falls to the DAC and upstream equipment to improve I guess.
Still, I do like spinning those silver discs on the Shigaclone though, and I'm addicted to its sound at present!
Kevin - I'm also running a music server, using iTunes, then running into a 'digitalpclink', which provides SPDIF which then goes to my DPA DAC. I recently replaced all caps in the usb-SPDIF link with Sanyo Oscons and a Nichicon Muse for the reservoir cap, and removed the LED and also the optical toslink output... less is more 😉 . Am in the process of adding a BNC to the output as well. Will be interesting to compare it to the Shiga then. Sound is amazing, but I'd say the Shigaclone beats it now. However, I'm not currently (as I understand it) getting bit-perfect output out of my PC at present, due to iTunes not being compatible with ASIO (currently). Apparently iTunes on a Mac IS bit perfect though, so I may get a Mac Mini in the future. Must say it is handy having all one's music to hand on iTunes in Lossless format.
Once you know - for sure! - that you ARE getting a bit perfect output, it really only falls to the DAC and upstream equipment to improve I guess.
Still, I do like spinning those silver discs on the Shigaclone though, and I'm addicted to its sound at present!
Peter:
I use a silicone grease on my mechanism.It has no discernable smell, so should have no added solvents.
It can be found at Canadian Tire in the treadmill lubricant section.
I use a silicone grease on my mechanism.It has no discernable smell, so should have no added solvents.
It can be found at Canadian Tire in the treadmill lubricant section.
I saw that some one got the service manual on www.audiostereo.pl. Does anyone got a pdf copy to share?
Thanks Peter. Super 🙂
EZ31 are going fast, almost 2 units almost sold...Please send me an email if you are interested.
EZ31 are going fast, almost 2 units almost sold...Please send me an email if you are interested.
Hello Sylvain and all.
I got my RCEZ31 this afternoon. I do not know where you found yours Sylvain, but mine comes from CentreHi-Fi in Laval, next to your home. I don't know how many they have, but if you need more, may be you could get a few there.
Cure Labelle corner with the 440 expressway. I am sure you know.
If they have it there, I beleive you could look also in other CentreHi-Fi stores.
I am half way with my project. I upgraded my preamp with my new circuit. The results are stupefying.
The next step is the DAC tube output stage. That should not take long since it will be almost identical as the present circuit.
I will call you,
Jean-Charles
I got my RCEZ31 this afternoon. I do not know where you found yours Sylvain, but mine comes from CentreHi-Fi in Laval, next to your home. I don't know how many they have, but if you need more, may be you could get a few there.
Cure Labelle corner with the 440 expressway. I am sure you know.
If they have it there, I beleive you could look also in other CentreHi-Fi stores.
I am half way with my project. I upgraded my preamp with my new circuit. The results are stupefying.
The next step is the DAC tube output stage. That should not take long since it will be almost identical as the present circuit.
I will call you,
Jean-Charles
Thanks Jean-Charles. Just returning from there. I got probably all the left units from around Montreal. Guys send me emails, chance for you to get the almost impossible to find anymore transport.