Upgrading Philips DVD 963 SA

I don't see a problem with adding mass; I know it gives better control, clarity and a bigger - and tighter - bass. It's just that I don't have a clue as to the sonic results I'd get from using compliant mounts between the transport and the chassis.
 
Battery power supply

Hi Sugarn,

I've done it! I've build a battery power supply with two 12V 7.2Ah batteries, automatic loader, over charge protector, general protector and automatic switch, and manual switch.
Both supplies are installed, so regulated supply +8V and -8V for the analog stages, and the unregulated 12V for the digital circuit.
It's in an identical case as the player but with a custom made face plate. This just came in this morning and is not yet installed. I'll have pictures posted later.
All caps in the regulated supply are BG's (Standard and N's). It's still running in, but innitial sound is already a big step forward, what a depth in sound stage. Previously I switched now and that from upsampling to non-upsampling because on some discs I found the sound to upfront to harsh, that's completely gone now. Really relaxed and analogue sounding player with plenty of sound stage and detail. Very smooth top end and pronounsed bass.
I can switch the supply to load by hand or it will automatically switch to load after putting the player into standby mode. It will also switch on again after the player awakes from standby.
I'll post pictures this weekend.
Anyway, thanks for your help, after you discription it was very easy to connect the battery supply.

Best regards,
Saffier
 
Hi Saffier,

Good to hear that you've successfully installed linear PSU and you're happy with the result.
I'm planning to try replacing opamp output stage with tube output stage. Maybe it will improve sound to more analog and more hi-end.
I'll post the result when I'm done.
 

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963SA firmware

Hi all,

Just recently got a second hand DVD-963SA and have been enjoying it.

I am interested in upgrading to the latest firmware. I found the French site which has the 4.81.25 firmware, and I downloaded and installed in last night. However, I still have the original servo firmware version of 7.10.0. Is there a version available that has both the .25 firmware and the 7.12.0 servo update?

Or, would it be more desirable to go 'down' to the .24 version to get the 7.12.0 servo version? I am most interested in improving audio performance and disc reading capabiliities. All thoughts are welcome, if you have the 7.12.0 version that can be applied seperately to my .25, please contact me via PM.

Thanks!
Sam
 
upgrading output stage of 963sa

Has anyone out there tried adding the Musical Fidelity X-10 V3 or Decware Z-Box stage buffers to the output of their 963sa? I'm cuirous if either brings any benefit. I realize a new output stage with tubes would be best, but I lack the know-how to design/build something like that and wondered if one of these commercial units might get me part of the way there.
Thanks
Chris
 
output stage

Hi Chris,

Both options are no output stages but output buffers, so you still have the opams in the circuit. The output buffers just make the output impedance match your pre-amp better.
The best way to upgrade the output of the 963SA is to exchange the opamp to the AD8066 or the like...or plug in a tube output STAGE, see http://www.machmat.com/sales/kits/pre/index.htm then sellect TUBE OUTPUT.
A third option bypass the opamps and plugin some exotic transformers (Audio Consulting), so you will have passive amplification.
The last will sound the best, but also the most expensive.

Rgds,
Saffier

www.picturetrail.com/s.brull
 
outpute stage for 963sa

Thanks Saffier. So, if I wanted to use one of those kits to upgrade my 963sa, I would need to order one of the Stereo single ended output module, and one of the Resistor coupled power supply for the tube output stage; is that correct? If I order them fully assembled, how difficult would it be to attach this system to the 963, i.e., what would be involved? Is this something that someone like me who has replaced the signal path cap's with Blackgates on my 963sa be able to manage, or is it fairly complicated?
Thanks
Chris