What's next....hmm

[kawizx9r]

So, I'm not just satisfied with my setup.....I'm really happy about how it's come out! Tubes burned in, cables burned in, amp is fully modded, placement to me sounds right given the room size/shape, everything works so well together!

I've decided to put off the 'huge step up to a more respectable tubed preamp' and want to focus on anything else I can do to my setup.

That leaves a few things left which are possibly; room treatments (difficult to do in my situation, but will try), upgrading my power cords (no extra funds atm for audio), modify my source?

I've read about DIY mods for the 29xx and 39xx denon dvd players but has anyone modded a dvd2800? I can work my way around soldering electronics (got plenty of exp), and it'd be cheaper than buying a DAC but what would I do to it exactly?

Any help is appreciated! Just looking for something to do over the next couple of weeks.

-Freddy

[steveinaz]

Personally, I'd start with a dedicated CDP. Rotel, Cambridge, Music Hall....

[me_myself_I]

The Music Angel components are typically run of the mill stuff. Not really state of the art. I would think some modifications could improve them. A great amount of the amplifiers and preamps imported from China are based on vintage circuit designs.

When I mean modding I don't mean rolling tubes or changing caps and the like, but altering the circuit topology by adding constant current sources or properly regulating the power supply. How handy are you with a soldering iron? And do you have a schematic we can look at?

[concealer404]

The Music Angel components are typically run of the mill stuff. Not really state of the art. I would think some modifications could improve them. A great amount of the amplifiers and preamps imported from China are based on vintage circuit designs.

When I mean modding I don't mean rolling tubes or changing caps and the like, but altering the circuit topology by adding constant current sources or properly regulating the power supply. How handy are you with a soldering iron? And do you have a schematic we can look at?

Huh?

[mhardy6647]

Build yourself some 'audiophile' power cords with parts from a boutique if you like, or a semi-boutique like Parts Connexion or a non-boutique like PartsExpress! :-)

The two vendors I named are both fine to do business with in my experience and NSHO.
http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=912&CFID=5980163&CFTOKEN=40573219
http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=914&CFID=5980163&CFTOKEN=40573219
http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=478&CFID=5980163&CFTOKEN=40573219

[GV#27]

The Music Angel components are typically run of the mill stuff. Not really state of the art. I would think some modifications could improve them. A great amount of the amplifiers and preamps imported from China are based on vintage circuit designs.

I think he's looking at modding his Denon not his pre.

The D-A section of your unit should be very capable as I believe it incorporates a custom version of Burr Browns's excellent PCM1792 dual differential dac chip. IMO with units like your Denon the biggest performance gains are usually obtained by upgrading the analog section,ie. installing better opamps for the current -voltage convertor and low pass filter /output buffer section,removing or upgrading output coupling caps and improving the power supply regulation.

[GV#27]

The D-A section of your unit should be very capable as I believe it incorporates a custom version of Burr Browns's excellent PCM1792 dual differential dac chip.Correction it's the 2900 that uses that DAC,not sure which one is used in the 2800.I did a quick search for a schematic so as to give some specific suggestions but have'nt found one yet.

[kawizx9r]

Oh man, I didn't think anyone had even looked at this thread. Where to start?


Personally, I'd start with a dedicated CDP. Rotel, Cambridge, Music Hall....

I've looked at that, but I was looking torwards something a bit more budget-friendly if it's to happen in the near future.


The Music Angel components are typically run of the mill stuff. Not really state of the art. I would think some modifications could improve them. A great amount of the amplifiers and preamps imported from China are based on vintage circuit designs.

When I mean modding I don't mean rolling tubes or changing caps and the like, but altering the circuit topology by adding constant current sources or properly regulating the power supply. How handy are you with a soldering iron? And do you have a schematic we can look at?

I'm really handy with a soldering iron/schematics. I just couldn't find many mods that provide an accurate description of what was done. The M.A. is based off the Marantz model 7A preamp iirc. I've seen several modded M.A.'s and they sell for a good +1,200! A sick preamp to mod, but in it's stock form it gets by being a beginner's tubed pre.


Huh?

Just blame Curt :p


Build yourself some 'audiophile' power cords with parts from a boutique if you like, or a semi-boutique like Parts Connexion or a non-boutique like PartsExpress! :-)

The two vendors I named are both fine to do business with in my experience and NSHO.
http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=912&CFID=5980163&CFTOKEN=40573219
http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=914&CFID=5980163&CFTOKEN=40573219
http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=478&CFID=5980163&CFTOKEN=40573219

That's actually what I've had in mind. I didn't look at your links just yet, but I've been checking out P.E. for parts I might use.


Correction it's the 2900 that uses that DAC,not sure which one is used in the 2800.I did a quick search for a schematic so as to give some specific suggestions but have'nt found one yet.

Yea, I've seen alot of mods on the DIYforum for the 2900 and several other places but I've got a 2800. If I see a 2900 around here I'll consider it, think there was one on CL for only 80 bucks but I was looking for Maggies at the time :o