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Re: building a basic power supply for cd player clock/upsampler

Posted by happyears on December 13, 2005 at 17:01:02:
Good Day Frank
I have an AH CD4000 player with the upsampler board that I have done some modifications on. First off the stock Philips CD723 & Marantz CD4000 or CD5000 are not the same as the Ah. Yes the Ah uses a stock Marantz CD4000 CD player but they have preformed the following changes, clock in the changer has been replaced and a totally new motherboard replaces the original board used by Marantz. With this new motherboard the power supply has been upgraded considerable from the stock version but as always improvements can be made.
Upgraded powercord did make an improvement, cannot confirm if deadening the chassis made an improvement but it most likely did as in other components as it has a filmsy chassis (cost control). Added car sound deading sheets when I first recieved unit, but I also have a Marantz CD5000 that I have been tweaking which I also added sound deadening material which made a difference.
Recently I replaced the 2.2uf @ 63Volts output caps with Hoveland 2.2uf @ 400Volts as well as the the 0.22uf @ 63Volts with China made silver 0.1uF @ 250 Volts (this is what I had avaiable). Replaced RCA outputs with gold plated versions unknown make, had to use some short wires. Original RCA connectors broke due to constant plugging in and unplugging.
Have tried many different tubes and although the Ah uses tubes in a buffer stage it really reveals the sound of the tubes. Best sounding tubes so far are early 60's Siemens CCa(grey plates) or E288CC, followed by early sixties Philips E188CC, some PCC88 also sounded good. (Need some cheaper tubes I got some spares)
The capacitors improved the high end glare that was present but I could not tell you which set is responsible but it is most likely the 2.2uF Hoveland's due to there position.
Recently my friend was over and after listening to the Ah with the Siemens early 60's CCa with grey plates was it runs with a lot of turntables in that price range. He had no desire to compare it with his Arcam which almost costs twice as much, there was no doubt which one he preferred.
So at this point I would have to say try the following Mods
1. Ah upgraded powercord or after market but for the price difference the Ah cord is pretty good. Result are less background noise with better detail shouldn't make a difference but I found it did.
2. Sound deaden chassis I used car sound deadener. On Marantz CD5000 seamed to make everything tighter with some reduction in background noise.
3. NOS tubes by far the biggest and most distinct sound changes compared to all mods I have preformed.
4. Capacitor changes all around improvement with a top end which sounds like vinyl.
I am looking at upgrading the Wima 6.8uF on the power supply as well as 0.1uF on upsampler board. Also might replace some diodes with Sckotty's we shall see.
The Marantz CD5000 has been upgraded with the Dungeon suggestions which did make an improvement thanks for the great information but remember this is for the Philips/Marantz stock units.
The modified Marantz is a nice improvement and for less than $100.00CDN I can buy a used unit complete Dungeon upgrades (did not add seperate power supplies). No the modified Marantz does not run or surpass the Ah modded or not but with the above changes the Ah is a very nice sounding CD player and the next step up would cost dearly.
Everyone tells me that a new DVD player will blow away the Ah because they are that good, I most have a poor sounding DVD player because it does not come close to the modded Marantz CD5000.
Would upgrading power supply make a difference I will say yes it should how much I do not know. For power supply information go to tnt-audio.com, thanks for the great information Dejan V. Veselinovic. I must owe both of these guys a bean and a bear
Happyears (hope this helps)