Naim CD3 Upgrade and DAC Questions

[FlintCa]

Greetings all,

I will preface this with "I know just enough to be dangerous" LOL
I have a Naim CD3 and have really loved it for 20 years. However, I am considering breathing a little more life into her.
At this point I think that I have 3 options:

1. Take her to my trusted expert (but his rate is very steep).
2. Take her to my local hobbyist (Excellent Rates) just to bypass the on board DAC and use my own external DAC.
3. Take her to my local hobbyist to convert her to a really cool, tried and tested upgrade that includes a Tube (love the tube sound).

1. I want to avoid this option if possible but may go that route depending on options 2 and 3.

2. Naim are EXCELLENT quality right down to their components and my DAC is a Cambridge DACMagic (which are also good quality). I would like to get some feedback from the experts on this forum as to their opinion on the DACs. How much difference does the main DAC Processor (Chip) make and how do they compare. The processors are as follows:
Naim CD3: Philips TDA1541A S1
DACMagic: Wolfson WM8740

3. Below is the link for this Tube mod but I really am not sure about all the work and not sure that I really want a Tube in a very small concealed space.
NAIM CD3

So my friends .... what to do ?
I am very keen to get your feedback and I think a good start is simply how do those 2 DAC Chips compare with each other ?

Thanks to all who reply

Cheers
Flint

 

[Ken Newton]

The DAC circuitry can make a great difference in subjective sound character. However, to make use of different DAC circuits, I strongly recommend utilizing your CD3 as a disc transport only. You may then experiment with different DAC circuits, but as external boxes, not by messing around with the CD3's internal DAC circuitry and risking damaging your CD3.

 

[FlintCa]

Thanks Ken, that makes great sense.
However, when I think about it, I wonder if it is really possible to tap off the circuitry just between the transport and DAC. I imagine that it is all SO integrated that it may not be that simple.

What are your thoughts on this ??

 

[richardr]

4. try an old Naim HiCap or look into a Teddy Pardo power supply. If it will work, then you can improve the sound quite simply without losing the Naim PRAT for prats. 🙂 (I have a CD5 with a HiCap and the addition of the HiCap(used) made a big difference.)

Despite what some will say, an added power supply makes a difference on a DAC. Especially on a lower price Naim(like you and I have) where dividing the power supply for the Analog from the Digital can help with sound quality.

Richard

 

[Ken Newton]

Thanks Ken, that makes great sense.
However, when I think about it, I wonder if it is really possible to tap off the circuitry just between the transport and DAC. I imagine that it is all SO integrated that it may not be that simple.

What are your thoughts on this ??

While this is possible in concept, it may not be practical. You will likely need a schematic for the CD3. In addition, the required circuit nodes may not be easy to access.

I have two primary concerns about hacking inside the CD3. One is that there is very limited space inside the case, which will significantly limit the range of DAC circuits you can experiment with. The other concern is that hacking around inside your CD3 greatly risks damaging it. The more you experiment, the more likely it becomes that the unit will eventually be damaged.

External DAC boxes are more costly to build (mostly, due to the case and the power supplies), but don't risk damaging your CD3. Once you damage your CD3 you might not ever get it working again.

 

[rfbrw]

....I wonder if it is really possible to tap off the circuitry just between the transport and DAC. I imagine that it is all SO integrated that it may not be that simple.

It is that simple. The SAA7220 has an output pin just for that purpose.

 

[dowser]

Keep the CD3 as an integrated player with DAC - replace main smoothing caps f not already done, fit a decent clock to it (I.e.; PFM Flea, with dedicated supply), then a dedicated supply for SAA7220, then play with OP caps to fine tune for your preference. If you do split to use an external DAC...take pictures of 1541A S1 in circuit, then carefully remove it and sell on eBay...but honestly, keep it integrated (I own 2 heavily modified Naim CDIs) 🙂

 

[dowser]

Or...sell me the CD3 and use money to buy a player with digi out 😉

 

[hollowman]

Naim CD3

I would keep the Naim CD3 as much "stock" as possible (replacing electro caps with SAME value as necessary for ageing effects).
Maybe seek out Naim's own FlatCap (or similar) outboard Naim-brand PSU.
Hard to beat an UN-MODDED Naim CD3 + FlatCap, imo.

 

[jev]

I replaced output stages with the lampizator circuit and it gives a dac a big boost in dynamics and 3d imaging. It is probably possible by getting the signal after the chip out and creating an external output stage. This will not easily fit in the case

Also I have a very old cd player Sony 338ESD but did not do anything else like replacing parts and it sounds fantastic

 

[gareneau]

I would keep the Naim CD3 as much "stock" as possible (replacing electro caps with SAME value as necessary for ageing effects).
Maybe seek out Naim's own FlatCap (or similar) outboard Naim-brand PSU.
Hard to beat an UN-MODDED Naim CD3 + FlatCap, imo.

I have always been told the FlatCap outboard power supply won't work with a Naim CD3 CDP, that it was only fit for CD3.5 and newer models. Is that incorrect? It would be news to me....

 

[gareneau]

I checked with NAIM and they said "the addition of power supply not possible with cd3. It only has an output, no inputs. You correctly identify that the 3.5 could use a power supply." What am I missing?