That mod sounds like a fat waste of time. Why not just buy one of the many TDA1543 or TDA1547 players that are available? But then from what I hear about NOS that's also a waste for high-end. It seems like just a quick-fix to get a more listenable sound.
Couldn't agree more, Simon.
Besides which - replacing the '63s (noisy, but not bad) dac with one that has about 13-14bits of resolution at best - just check the 1543 datasheet for dynamic range - seems a bit wilfull. Of course it will sound 'different'...
Besides which - replacing the '63s (noisy, but not bad) dac with one that has about 13-14bits of resolution at best - just check the 1543 datasheet for dynamic range - seems a bit wilfull. Of course it will sound 'different'...
Some pics
Here are some pics, which may be of interest to anyone doing the typical mods.
COG ceramic 220pF caps on the servo, a similar cap added to one of the decoder's digital rails, and an overview of Steve's CD63.
It really does sound excellent now. The big cap on the +10V rail was probably the single most important mod, but it would still be missing detail, dynamics and lots of sweetness and warmth were it not for the COG ceramics, decoder regs and Black Gates.
Simon
Here are some pics, which may be of interest to anyone doing the typical mods.
COG ceramic 220pF caps on the servo, a similar cap added to one of the decoder's digital rails, and an overview of Steve's CD63.
It really does sound excellent now. The big cap on the +10V rail was probably the single most important mod, but it would still be missing detail, dynamics and lots of sweetness and warmth were it not for the COG ceramics, decoder regs and Black Gates.
Simon
Attachments
Everyone loves pictures, don't they?
Some more pics.
One of them shows more or less where you'll have to drill to put an oversized snap-in electrolytic at C813, another is the output area with "HA" op-amps, Black Gate caps and the obligatory bypassing of fuse resistors and HDAMs. The other pic is the decoder regulators. No need for PCBs here, just connect them straight in! Their power feeds aren't yet connected in this picture.
Some more pics.
One of them shows more or less where you'll have to drill to put an oversized snap-in electrolytic at C813, another is the output area with "HA" op-amps, Black Gate caps and the obligatory bypassing of fuse resistors and HDAMs. The other pic is the decoder regulators. No need for PCBs here, just connect them straight in! Their power feeds aren't yet connected in this picture.
Attachments
This CD player is good now, although comparing to my modified Philips CD650 does put things into perspective. On that player the dynamics and image are wide open and the bass is not only something you hear but something that you feel in your gut - even at moderate volume settings... but that is why I like the TDA1541A chip....
I think some Burson op-amps would bring those dynamics right up of course 🙂
But I also want to hear more about these transformer outputs - how is yours singing now Lee?
Simon
But I also want to hear more about these transformer outputs - how is yours singing now Lee?
Simon
Nice work there Simon! I've also got a couple of those TX's Lee's got so I'll try them in my 63!
All of my Uber regs are in my CD960! I've now got 9 or 10 LM317's in my 63. I've been on a bit of quest, trying to see what other cheap options are available. I've been researching LDO low noise regs. I've found these as a direct replacement for 7805 etc.
TS2940
They cost about 50p from RS in 20's!
I've also been looking at MIC5219. although only rated at 500mA they could be very good if used with the bypass cap for lowering noise
MIC5219
should be easy to mount the caps to the top of the chip and the chip directly to the top of the board?!?!?!?😱
i'd be interested in any thoughts on these "low noise" of of the box regs!
Ian
All of my Uber regs are in my CD960! I've now got 9 or 10 LM317's in my 63. I've been on a bit of quest, trying to see what other cheap options are available. I've been researching LDO low noise regs. I've found these as a direct replacement for 7805 etc.
TS2940
They cost about 50p from RS in 20's!
I've also been looking at MIC5219. although only rated at 500mA they could be very good if used with the bypass cap for lowering noise
MIC5219
should be easy to mount the caps to the top of the chip and the chip directly to the top of the board?!?!?!?😱
i'd be interested in any thoughts on these "low noise" of of the box regs!
Ian
I wonder how those TS2940 regs compare to other TO220 fixed regs.
The others I couldn't be bothered with personally, I just don't want to faff about that much.
Some of our friends on the continent have tried some of the lower noise fixed voltage parts, so maybe they'll chime in at this point 🙂
Simon
The others I couldn't be bothered with personally, I just don't want to faff about that much.
Some of our friends on the continent have tried some of the lower noise fixed voltage parts, so maybe they'll chime in at this point 🙂
Simon
Hi Brent,
I got the second one Lee kindly sent me as the first is somewhere but home, and this one is not even making the disc motor running.
And I can't reach Ian who kindly offer to send me one, that's too sad :'(
Matthieu
I got the second one Lee kindly sent me as the first is somewhere but home, and this one is not even making the disc motor running.
And I can't reach Ian who kindly offer to send me one, that's too sad :'(
Matthieu
Hi Matthieu, I am glad that arrived ages ago!
edit: I expect the fault is elsewhere, because I'm pretty sure that chip was fine. Sorry to hear you've had no joy.
Lee.
edit: I expect the fault is elsewhere, because I'm pretty sure that chip was fine. Sorry to hear you've had no joy.
Lee.
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I did another couple of mods this weekend: Silvered Mica caps on the servo and the HF Amp. I also swapped the 470uF Oscon SEPC on dac analog to 1000uF BG FK.
I got better, cleaner treble and a touch more separation and bass.
Cheers, Lee.
I got better, cleaner treble and a touch more separation and bass.
Cheers, Lee.
Thanks Lee & Brent,
tray moves, mech moves up & down, radial is also OK, only the disc does not spin. Maybe too much damages around there, but I've check pins and target continuity and it's OK so I don't see any onther problem, I'll have another look later.
Matthieu
tray moves, mech moves up & down, radial is also OK, only the disc does not spin. Maybe too much damages around there, but I've check pins and target continuity and it's OK so I don't see any onther problem, I'll have another look later.
Matthieu
Hi Matthieu, sorry i've been illusive lately!
I do have a decoder chip that I can dig out. When I swapped mine, I found the problem was elsewhere. Check the whole signal path from the laser to the decoder using the service manual. My problem was in the HF amp area. The decoder chip will need the signal from the laser to spin the motor. Do you hear your laser focussing? Mine gave me very similar problems to you but it wasn't the decoder. I think there is a good chance that if Lee's decoder hasn't fixed the problem, mine won't either! I think you might need an oscilliscope to diagnose this problem! I think to be honest, i'd be on the look out for another player ready to start transplanting all the mods! 🙁
🙁
I do have a decoder chip that I can dig out. When I swapped mine, I found the problem was elsewhere. Check the whole signal path from the laser to the decoder using the service manual. My problem was in the HF amp area. The decoder chip will need the signal from the laser to spin the motor. Do you hear your laser focussing? Mine gave me very similar problems to you but it wasn't the decoder. I think there is a good chance that if Lee's decoder hasn't fixed the problem, mine won't either! I think you might need an oscilliscope to diagnose this problem! I think to be honest, i'd be on the look out for another player ready to start transplanting all the mods! 🙁
🙁
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