System of a messy pup

[fraser.]

Been upgrading almost non-stop for the past 2 years when i bought my first 'proper' system... i'm quite happy with where i am now but it's hard to shake the upgrade bug

No new pictures until next week but this is slightly out of date idea:
SOURCES:
PS1 fully modded
SONY CDP M95 with heavy mods to mech
1210 TT- mods starting next week

AMPS:
cambridge audio P60
AVI S2000 pre
AVI S2000 monoblocks

SPEAKERS:
DIY TDL RTL2s
Sony SS-G1s

[alb]

Nice to see a bit more DIY on here, Fraser.

I've just done the PS1 thing myself, mainly out of curiosity.
Results were better than I expected. Even after reading all the stuff on DIYaudio.
I was just on the verge of making a new case for it, with an integrated tube output stage. Christmas festivities got in the way.
Hoping to start work on it at the weekend. At least i've got some time to think about it.

[fraser.]

It is very nice isn't it- i wasn't expecting much, i did it mainly for a learning experience- which it was- but it turned out to be an excellent player... Good enough for me to sell my modded VDRS and DAC collection lol

Tube stage would be very interesting, it's already quite a 'warm' player eh

[alb]

Yes its a warm player, without doubt.
I use a 5 watt tube amp anyway, and i found the output from the PS1 to be quite low. So i already tried it with an extra tube output stage, which not only boosts the output, but also adds depth and dimensionality to what i thought was previously a rather flat soundstage.
Next job is to find out which tube stage sounds best and put the whole lot into a box.
Then all i have to do is find the best PS1 output cap. (Black Gate at the moment.) Should be a nice player then.

I normally use a DVD player as transport with a Lampizator/Lampucera tube dac. The PS1 is in some respects preferable to the above combination. It just lacks a bit in the dynamics department.

[fraser.]

I have some mundorfs (N series i think, or M i dunno) as output cap just now, as in all my equipment very nice- adding a tube output stage seems a bit tricky fo rme- maybe you could start a thread detailing the process on the PS1 with photos? Would definitely be a useful guide for anyone wanting a very good introduction to DIY cd players

[combwork]

I'm using a PS1 as well, serial number SCPH 5502. From what I've read, this is essentially the same as the 5001. I can't compare it to other CD players as prior to using it, I used a Panasonic DVD/VCR unit. The PS1 sounds better, especially through the Quad ESL 57 speakers. Much more detail; on a good CD such as the ones given away with Hi-Fi world the difference is more than just detail, it sounds better all round.

I've heard a lot about modifications; could anyone advise me as to what could be done without going as far as valve output stages? I'm using an AV link that plugs into the port by the mains socket and ends in 3 male phono plugs, two of which I'm using with the third plug (video?) just floating about. Plugs are bright silver (nickel plate?). I've read about wiring female phono sockets directly into the audio input; some say it makes an improvement; others say it doesn't. I've read that gold plated leads (if I can find ones with the PS2 plug at the Playstation end) can make an improvement. I'm OK with soldering but despite being a Hi-Fi enthusiast have very little knowledge of electronics. Any advice anyone can give would be most welcome.

[fraser.]

Hi combwork, does your PCB look like this:


or this:

[fraser.]

My new toys to play with! Some SONY SS-G1 speakers, early 80s i think. Crappy spring connections and need some TLC with the internals i think, but that can wait til after my exams. Positives are: bass punch which the TDLs could only dream of, and some insane detail at the top end- i think to an extent these were clones of the NS1000 design and (wishful thinking) seem to have some of their qualities- i'm hearing things i've never heard before in some very familiar songs




And my nice new Denon 110- which may or may not be set-up optimally

[Filterlab]

Nice collection of components there Fraser, I love those big fat Sony speakers as they show that some early 80s designs really were excellent.

[alb]

Frazer.

Have you seen this.
http://www.lampizator.eu/LAMPIZATOR/...1/VRDS-T1.html

It might be of interest now that you have parted company with yours.