CDP Mods

[Early B.]

I want to take my Bada CDP to the next level.

I'm considering replacing the five caps on the DAC board and 2 caps on the power supply board with Sonicaps. I'm also considering a clock upgrade.

Any thoughts or suggestions about what I should do here? Would these cap upgrades make a difference? What other mods would you recommend?

Thanks.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

I think the only way you can upgrade that thing is..

Is if you have to make a new top for it to accomodate the new caps you put in because they are so bad@$$ they need to be stacked to fit in there...

All joking aside, I dont have a clue but I will follow this closely!

[Ricardo]

I've thought of doing something similar; I know now that Sonicaps do make a difference over Solen for crossovers, but have no idea if it will make a noticeable difference in the CDP; it sounds pretty good already, and we are probably talking at a couple hundred $$, so I'll let you go first and let me know...

Sonicaps vs Solen are not that different in size; they'll fit in there ok.

[Early B.]

The total cost of the Sonicaps will be $54 plus shipping, I think.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Dont mind me asking....

What exactly is it you are trying to upgrade on the CDP that you currently do not like?

[Ricardo]

Then go for it; worst case, you put the Solens back; wasn't thinking...for the size they must be very low values.

[RuSsMaN]

You don't need Sonicaps in the power supply, only in the signal path. I've seen a lot of members damp the chassis with dynamat or the like, and they have reported good results.

Looks like 5 caps, a good tube, maybe some dynamat, and finish it off with a set of black diamond racing cones underneath. I wouldn't waste time doing much more.

Cheers,
Russ

[TroyD]

I dynamatted the living crap out of my Jolida and it made a very noticeable improvement in the sound.

BDT

[Early B.]

Dont mind me asking....

What exactly is it you are trying to upgrade on the CDP that you currently do not like?

Nothing in particular. Just modding for the hell of it.

I'm not interested in buying another CDP, and I want to maximze what I already have, as long as it doesn't cost too much.

[Early B.]

Thanks for the responses so far, fellas.

Once I make these minor mods, I'll post the pics and results.

[Early B.]

I dynamatted the living crap out of my Jolida and it made a very noticeable improvement in the sound.

Troy --

Did you use Dynamat Extreme? Also, what specific noticeable improvements did it make in the sound? I'm asking because the modded versions of both the Jolida and Bada sounded identical when we ran an A/B test on them.

Thanks.

[F1nut]

What are the values for the power supply caps and who makes them?

Yes to Dynamat Extreme.

Who's mods, what mod's?

[Early B.]

Who's mods, what mod's?

I got my Bada modded at Verastarr (aka: Hot Rod Audio Mods) near Atlanta, GA. They also perform mods on the Jolida. Here are the exact mods they perform on the Jolida (http://www.hotrodaudiomods.com/cjojd100.html), but after the mods were done, we tested the Bada against the Jolida, and we couldn't discern any differences between the two.

Only minor stuff was performed on the Bada -- damping (inadequate though, IMO), changed out op amps, replaced RCA plugs to Cardas, and added some silver wire. These mods were done over 2 years ago, so I might be leaving out some stuff.

[Early B.]

What are the values for the power supply caps and who makes them?

They are Solen caps -- two of 'em @ .33uf 630v.

[F1nut]

Ok, I haven't heard the Bada player, so it's impossible for me to say how it sounds. However, as both are built and possibly designed by the same folks, I wouldn't be surprised if they sound very close.

Their Level 1 mods aren't doing much and they don't really say much about what they do for the Level 2/3. I wonder why?

I thought they looked like Solen's. I'd probably leave those alone. However, those electrolytic caps could be replaced with Black Gates.

[Early B.]

Their Level 1 mods aren't doing much and they don't really say much about what they do for the Level 2/3. I wonder why?

Yeah, you're right. The biggest change is the tubes. Some of that other stuff is really not very valuable. Another reason to become an informed consumer, otherwise you'll be paying a lot of money for stuff that won't make much difference.

[F1nut]

At least the Parts Connexion folks give you a more detailed list, but their Level 1 mod costs more, closer to Hot Rods Level 2 price.

Other than swapping out those caps I mentioned above and the output caps Russ mentioned, I think you'd find a big improvement in upgrading the clock. There's a number of coupling caps that could be upgraded, but without a schematic, I'm shooting in the dark.

[Early B.]

One more question --

There are three Gen I 3.0uf Sonicaps to choose from:

3.0µF / 200VDC
0.75 x 1.30
$8.60

3.0µF / 400VDC
1.23 x 1.30
$14.55

3.0µF / 600VDC
1.20 x 1.80
$17.95

As you can see, there are big differences in size and price. The two 3.0uf caps currently in my CDP are labeled 250v. Which 3.0uf Sonicap should I buy and why? Will a 200v Sonicap work here? Will a 600v cap perform any better than a 400v? Are there sonic differences between the two?

Thanks.

[F1nut]

Are they 3.0uF or .33uF?

[Early B.]

Are they 3.0uF or .33uF?

Corrected. Thanks.

[Ricardo]

I'd go with the 400V...but have no scientific reasons behind it; if in doubt, pick the middle :)

[F1nut]

"They are Solen caps -- two of 'em @ .33uf 630v."
"The two 3.0uf caps currently in my CDP are labeled 250v."

Use .33uF 600V for the first set and 3.0uF 400V for the second.

[Early B.]

I decided to do the Sonicaps and Dynamat, but not the clock at this time. The clock and power supply I want costs more than I paid for my CDP!!!

I'll report back when everything's installed...

[Early B.]

Installed copious amounts of Dynamat Extreme today. Didin't notice any difference in sound.

[phipiper10]

Thanks for saving me the effort, was next on my list of tweak considerations.

Instead I got signal cable digital refernce powercable and vibrapods en route.

[Ricardo]

Thanks for saving me the effort, was next on my list of tweak considerations.

Instead I got signal cable digital refernce powercable and vibrapods en route.


I have the digital reference cable in my Bada; I think the light is bluer now ;)

[phipiper10]

Awesome, blue is my favorite color..and I bet it looks cooler than the stock cord too, so another tweak/upgrade well worth it. :)

[Early B.]

Instead I got signal cable digital refernce powercable and vibrapods en route.

In my experience, the PS Audio cords are a better choice for about the same price.

Hadn't tried vibrapods on the Bada. I actually prefer the stock feet because they have built-in vibration isolation. Let us know how they work.

[phipiper10]

The pods will be for my amp...I'm leaving the feet as is on the cdp, at least that's the initial plan. The cdp feet almost look like the vibrapod cones they have now.

[F1nut]

Installed copious amounts of Dynamat Extreme today. Didin't notice any difference in sound.


I can't say I've ever noticed a different either, but I will continue to use Dynamat on any piece of gear that rolls thru here.

[Early B.]

Sonicaps arrived today. Oh my goodness!! They're huge!!!

I assumed they'd be a little larger, but the 3uf ones are about four times as large as the existing caps.

[Ricardo]

luckily it seems there's enough space there; it might not look good...but who cares.

[Early B.]

Here is the "AFTER" pic of the Bada with the Sonicaps installed. See first post in this thread for the "BEFORE" pic.

I will report on the sound differences (if any) in a few days.

[Ricardo]

I would think you'll find some differences; anyway, I'm waiting for your thoughts :)

[haimoc]

What a difference after the mod. How difficult to do it yourself, Early B? Waiting for your review on the MOD cd player.

[schwarcw]

Nice job Early! I see a couple of opamps on the board, can you read and post the part numbers?

You may want to add a tube dampener. I think you have the room and it's cheap!;)

Let us know your observations. Most folks who mod their CDPs report the biggest change come from a clock upgrade. Send me a PM if your interested and I'll send you a reference on a DIY clock.

Good luck!

[GV#27]

Nice job Early! I see a couple of opamps on the board, can you read and post the part numbers?

Good luck!
It is spec'd as the very competent Burr Brown OPA 2134's but in pic's Ive seen it actually had NJM parts which maybe their equivalent(copy).

[Ricardo]

See last picture here; Burr Brown OPA2604AP

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44767&highlight=opamps

[GV#27]

See last picture here; Burr Brown OPA2604AP

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44767&highlight=opamps
Interesting,so they also used 2604's in some units.If you look at the description in the link they mention 2134's but in the spec listing it says OPA 260 which they probably meant 2604.http://pacificvalve.us/BDHD22.html

[Early B.]

The op amps are 2134's.

The Pacific Valve spec listing has a couple of mistakes, including the op amps.

[Early B.]

You may want to add a tube dampener. I think you have the room and it's cheap!;)

The pic shows a Herbies on the tube.

[Early B.]

Send me a PM if your interested and I'll send you a reference on a DIY clock.

I'm interested. Please post the link here for everyone.

The clock I really wanted cost more than what I paid for the CDP, so I decided not to pursue it. DIY is budget friendly.

[F1nut]

Sure is purdy!

[Early B.]

OK, I finally got my CDP back from the shop (long story). Plugged it up, popped in a CD and noticed an immediate and significant difference in the sound. It's very difficult to describe at this point, but all I can say is that the music sounds a lot fuller. There's more body, it's more robust, I guess. That's a good thing.

It also sounds like the stage took a few steps back. Another way to say that is it appears I'm sitting a couple rows further away from the performance. It's not good or bad yet, just different.

The Sonicaps are still breaking in, so I'll report back when I've put my ears on them again late tonight or tomorrow.

[Ricardo]

Looking forward to hear from you after they break in; I'm really interested in hearing your thoughts. If changing these caps have some decent impact on sound, I might try using Mundorf's.....I'm very happy with the results on the ASL monoblocks by just changing the coupling capacitors to Mundorf (and a few resistors);)

[GV#27]

Great to hear you have it back and its working.
btw What was the problem?

[Early B.]

Great to hear you have it back and its working.
btw What was the problem?

Bad Zener.

[schwarcw]

Folks over at the DIYAudio Forum are doing flips over the Nationa Semiconductor LM4562 opamps. They sell for a little over $3.00 apiece and are supposed to be much better than the famed BB OPA2627, which cost about $27.

The OPA2604's and 2134's are very respectable.

Carl

[GV#27]

Folks over at the DIYAudio Forum are doing flips over the Nationa Semiconductor LM4562 opamps. They sell for a little over $3.00 apiece and are supposed to be much better than the famed BB OPA627, which cost about $27.



Yeh the OPA 627 has been considered the Queen Mother of all audio opamps so the 4562 must be very good.I plan on using these in a active crossover project soon.

[McLoki]

Folks over at the DIYAudio Forum are doing flips over the Nationa Semiconductor LM4562 opamps. They sell for a little over $3.00 apiece and are supposed to be much better than the famed BB OPA2627, which cost about $27.

I am about to drop some of these in my NAD pre-amp. BTW - the single unit cost on them is about $5.00 each with a price break if you purchase more than 25 units. (purchased from Digikey - Not sure where else to get them)

Anyway - they are supposed to arrive next week. I will be replacing the NJM5532's in the pre-out stage (4 of them) and if that works out well I will replace 3 more NJM5532's on the DSP board. (I am getting in 7 of the LM4562's total)

I will let you all know how it goes.

Michael

Edit - here is the thread on my Mod. (http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49021) I got in some AD823's today that I was going to use, but I just found out I can get the LM4562's, so I may end up using the 823's somewhere else on the NAD or in a different project.

[Early B.]

I just finished listening to music for 2 hours and I am absolutely blown away by the Sonicap upgrade!!!:D :D :D

First of all, the upgrade is a significant one. The new caps made everything sound better. The first thing I noticed (as I already described) is that the music is definitely fuller. It is much more musical -- there is a clearer separation of instruments, the highs are crisper, the bass is cleaner, and the mids are stunning. At one point while listening to Liz Wright's vocals, my nut sacks began to tingle.

The music is faster. There's also slightly more slam. There's more air around the instruments. The vocals are more natural. Hell, I said everything improved, didn't I? So I'll stop here.



BADA OWNERS: This upgrade is very highly recommended. Total cost of the caps was $83.70 plus shipping.

[Ricardo]

Glad to hear that. Caps take LOTS of hours to fully break in; expect improvements up to 100 hours later. Sounds like I already have my next project.