"Audiocom Mods & Services"

Hello All

For those new to Audiocom our company started out in 1996 selling audio grade components to consumers and the industry and offering consultancy on use of components. Since then we have evolved to providing modifications to digital & analogue products with CD, DVD player upgrades being at the forefront of our business. We have developed various solutions to improve on the generic parts used in digital audio such as master clock, linear regulators. Our products included the “Superclock” now in its 4th generation, the recently introduced state-of-the-art Ultraclock, and a range of very low noise DC regulators; the Invisus 2 and forthcoming Super-regulator 3.

Our modifications span across generations of players from 1980’s high-end Sony, Marantz, Wadia units through to the latest 2008 offerings from Arcam, Musical Fidelity, Denon, etc.

If you have any upgrade related questions I can offer advice and solutions.

http://www.audiocominternational.com

Mark Bartlett
Audiocom

Hello Mark

You used to sell quite a lot of specialised components at one bit, why the cut back?

Hello

Specialist parts were our focus for many years but with the increased demand for upgrades we found we could not continue with both ventures. Also, the manufacturer’s supplies increased the volume of parts to meet MOQ’s and we found we were stockpiling, we still have hundreds of Holco H2, H4’s from the 1990’s. We are working through our stock and aim to get passive components back in our store over the coming months but with a reduced range.

Hi Mark,

Great to see you here :)

I think that I know a *little* bit about your CDP mods!

Enjoy the forum and feel free to recommend your products to our members where appropriate.

Marco.

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Originally Posted by Audiocom

Hello

we still have hundreds of Holco H2, H4’s from the 1990’s.

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Right that's nice to know cos i think the old line has finished now...You got any H8's?

Hi Mark,

Your Superclock and Superegs are still doing sterling service in my DVD2900! :)

Cheers,
Mike.

Hello Mike

That is great to know. I recently revisted the mods for this player and it does put in a great performance.

Kind Regards,
Mark

Hi Andre

All the H8's are long sold out, sorry.

Best Regards
Mark

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Originally Posted by Shian7

Hi Mark,

You're Superclock and Superegs are still doing sterling service in my DVD2900! :)

Cheers,
Mike.

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Those Denon machines are wonderful things, I had a 2800 mk2 and a DVD-A1, both fantastic sounding and performing. :)

Thanks Rob, I bought it primarily for DVD duties, but found it plenty good enough (especially post Audiocom mods) for audio. To the extent that to this day, I've still not bought a dedicated CDP!

:)

No need mate, the 2900 is far more capable than many CDPs at its price and more. Have you opened it up at all? The transport is one beefy piece of equipment, from what I remember it's a brass coloured chromium finished affair. :)

Well, the 2800 is anyway:

http://www.diskobol.ru/anatomy/denon2800in.jpg

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Hi Mark,

Your Superclock and Superegs are still doing sterling service in my DVD2900!

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Good to see that I'm not the only satisfied Audiocom customer here :)

All I can say is that Mark has transformed my Sony X777ES/DAS-R1 into something very special indeed. I simply would not change it - ever!

You just don't get CD players like it anymore.

Marco.

Hello Marco

The Sony x777es & DAS-R1 are certainly rare breeds amongst Hi-Fi and products that were probably overlooked by many because they carried the Sony badge. Players like the x777ES inspired the Accuphase range and over the years of examining the innards of CD players I have seen little that gets close to the absolute engineering and high grade parts used in the x777ES. It is devoid of the modern day wizardry of 24 bit /192 KHz DAC’s, upsampling, but it should makes nonsense of the sound of many current CD players with these newer features. Take a look here; http://www.thevintageknob.org/SONY/s...77ES-more.html

Now the DAS-R1 is an even rarer item, dedicated, large encapsulated transformers for both digital & analogue supplies, and a bank of Grade 3 Nichicon Great Supply capacitors that keep most integrated amplifiers happy, Sony pulled all the stops out for this one from start to finish. The 4x TDA1541 S1 DAC chips are still amongst the best sounding DAC’s and the only choice for Zanden Audio in the 5000 model DAC., who claim the TDA1541 S2 is the best sounding chip ever made; http://www.zandenusa.com/products.html

Yes, it is a real pity that Sony’s interests now seem only focused on products like PS3’s and home theatre, and no longer make players to the standard of the x777ES, etc. :violin:

Regards,
Mark

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Originally Posted by Audiocom

Yes, it is a real pity that Sony’s interests now seem only focused on products like PS3’s and home theatre, and no longer make players to the standard of the x777ES, etc. :violin:

Regards,
Mark

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Unfortunately that's where the money is these days, I guess Sony would rather make mainstream volume sellers (albeit well engineered, have you felt the weight of the PS3?) rather than low volume high end machines - there's plenty of manufacturers who undertake that.

However there are the classic Sony machines that will always be great, the 777, the SCD-1 etc etc.

You're right, Rob, but sadly I see it as more and more a move towards convenience over quality, which flies in the face of my purist principles. Of course that doesn't apply to your Apogee-based computer set-up, which was obviously carefully thought out and put together, and no doubt sounds superb.

Mark,

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Now the DAS-R1 is an even rarer item, dedicated, large encapsulated transformers for both digital & analogue supplies, and a bank of Grade 3 Nichicon Great Supply capacitors that keep most integrated amplifiers happy, Sony pulled all the stops out for this one from start to finish.

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Absolutely. When the Japanese 'big boys' decide to make a statement product they make a statement product!!

The DAS-R1 is superb in standard form, but I have to say that your modifications have elevated it to a different level entirely. It's probably one of the finest DACs I've ever heard, and its combination with your modified X-777ES is sublime.

The only player I've heard that competes with it to my ears is a tweaked Acoustic Precision Eikos I heard recently belonging to Anthony. It did the 'CD sounding like good vinyl' trick too, which you never hear these days with modern players.

I'm looking forward to the next set of mods. How much better can it get, I wonder? :)

Marco.

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Originally Posted by Marco

You're right, Rob, but sadly I see it as more and more a move towards convenience over quality, which flies in the face of my purist principles.

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I think i'm safe in saying hi-fi as we all used to know & love it is well dead, might be the odd nice piece come out but that seldom happens, hi-fi's just going through the motions for the sake of it, as far as i'm concerned.

...................................

Rob what the hells that pile of shite in the tin box above? Build quality not come into the equation these days?

Andre,

There's still some fantastic equipment being made today, but it'll cost you plenty!

Have a look at those Zanden units in the link Mark posted for example. Now if I won the lottery that's what I'd buy. I've seen these in the flesh and they look and sound absolutely phenomenal. No bloody upsampling or unnecessary pissing about with the signal either!

Thing is though, in terms of absolute sonic performance how much better would the Zanden CDP combo sound compared to the Sony - maybe 10%? Like Mark says the Zanden uses the same DAC chips, and like the Zanden the Sony is also massively over-engineered, albeit not to the same lavish degree. In reality, therefore, there probably won't be *that* big a difference, apart from the price of course - yours for around £50k!!

You see that's the kind of ridiculous price you have to pay now to get the sort of performance from the Red Book format players such as the Sony produced in 1990... Hi-fi today has gone so far down the mass-market route that it's now impossible for manufacturers to use top quality components in their products and house them in the type of chassis that was commonplace on top players 15 years ago without charging a fortune.

These days with CD players (and anything else) it's all about cost cutting and mass production, so unless paying big money (above £5k) you'll more than likely get cheap DVD-ROMs, puny PSUs and off-the-shelf components, all inside a flimsy resonant box that will generally sound like shit.

So in general has CD progressed in terms of sonic performance since 15 years ago? Most definitely not! :(

But everyone is over the moon because they can download unlimited free music from the Internet and play it through a computer. New computer audio technology is great, and I for one gladly embrace it, but in many cases it has been largely responsible for the decline in hi-end audio. It will never be like it was in the heyday of the 1970s and 80s.

Marco.

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Originally Posted by Marco

Andre,

There's still some fantastic equipment being made today, but it'll cost you plenty!

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Andre has a good point here, when I first got into hi-fi there was a massive budget range from lots of manufacturers, that made it really easy for me to get into (as I was only 11). Nowadays of course there's not really much below £500 for any component, unless one goes secondhand of course. In addition to that most manufacturers who were into proper hi-fi (Sony being a prime example) have now moved on to games consoles and MP3s etc etc and away from hi-fi. Of course hi-fi was a mainstream product ten years ago and before, but its time has passed for most and both consumers and manufacturers have moved towards the computer based side of things.

Luckily there will always be small manufacturers who cater for the minority, but it does make one wonder if it will last forever.

Reason I built a diy dac using the TDA1541A S2, this oldie is still the best sounding chip available IMHO but the S2 is getting rare as hens teeth, I was lucky getting mine.
Attention to the regulation, active I/V output stage and jitter rewards you with some fantastic sounds with this chip;)

Hi Mark,

Will you be stocking any more components available to the diyers? suppliers in the UK seems to be getting fewer and fewer today, I mainly have to import stuff I need from the US etc now

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Reason I built a diy dac using the TDA1541A S2, this oldie is still the best sounding chip available IMHO but the S2 is getting rare as hens teeth, I was lucky getting mine.
Attention to the regulation, active I/V output stage and jitter rewards you with some fantastic sounds with this chip ;)

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And don't I know it!!!

:wow:

Marco.

Hello Marco

One the point of upsampling, this has been a hi-fi buzzword for some time now and the merits of those who have heard the effects on the sound are divided. Certainly no additional data is created with upsampling that is not present in the original signal it can only serve to create an illusion whether rightly or wrongly. The best option with upsampling is an option to turn on or off so the listener can decide. There a several manufacturers who have chosen not to use upsampling, Naim with the CD555, the Audio Research CD7 makes no mention of it that I can find.

Regardless of upsampling, oversampling, etc, there are few high grade OEM transport mechanisms available for any manufacturer to use, aside from the Teac Esoteric NEO and lesser Philips CD PRO-2. Almost every OEM is stuck with using cheap plastic Sony, Teac units that have poorer build than many entry level player mechanisms of the 1980’s.

Regards,
Mark

Hi Leo

If you are going to build a DIY then there is no better start then a pair of TDA1541 S2’s. We have also found the I/V converters for this DAC are crucial to performance as is the quality of the regulated DC supplies.

We are aiming to expand our DIY range of audio components in coming months but the line-up is uncertain.

Best Wishes
Mark

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Originally Posted by Audiocom

Hello Marco

One the point of upsampling, this has been a hi-fi buzzword for some time now and the merits of those who have heard the effects on the sound are divided. Certainly no additional data is created with upsampling that is not present in the original signal it can only serve to create an illusion whether rightly or wrongly.

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Now that's very interesting, Mark, and something I've always thought myself. It makes me wonder that if upsampling doesn't reveal additional data then why bother pissing around with the signal in the first place? It's a waste of time, as far as I'm concerned, and imparts a sonic signature that is definitely not to my taste.

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The best option with upsampling is an option to turn on or off so the listener can decide.

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Indeed, however, a better option again might be not to bother including it and just make a decent Red Book player in the first place! :lol:

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There a several manufacturers who have chosen not to use upsampling, Naim with the CD555, the Audio Research CD7 makes no mention of it that I can find.

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Yes, and what about Esoteric, Zanden and Wadia? I don't believe they use it either - certainly Zanden don't. 'Keep it simple stupid' is I think a great motto with hi-fi, as long as high quality parts are used in the first place. It's very much like cooking: the simplest recipies containing the best quality ingredients usually produce the best results!

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Regardless of upsampling, oversampling, etc, there are few high grade OEM transport mechanisms available for any manufacturer to use, aside from the Teac Esoteric NEO and lesser Philips CD PRO-2. Almost every OEM is stuck with using cheap plastic Sony, Teac units that have poorer build than many entry level player mechanisms of the 1980’s.

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Exactly, and that's why most of them use the CD PRO-2. Out of curiosity, how would you say it compares to the transport in the X-777ES? I know the NEO is excellent, though. Transport quality matters big time.

Marco.

Hello Marco

Although the Philips CD PRO-2 is a complete CD mechanism ready to go it has been designed to allow manufacturers to implement their own mechanics for disc loading, disc clamping, etc. In fact some manufacturers like Electrocompanient with the EMC-1 have discarded the aluminium housing in favour of their own heavier, plated steel version. Comparing the CD PR0-2 to the die-cast mechanism used in the Sony x-777ES the Sony is superior in engineering terms. The Sony transport is ultra-low resonance and you also have to consider that the Sony is complete with CD tray that operates with the finesse of a Swiss watch and is near silent when loading and CD’s.

Regards,
Mark

That's all interesting stuff to know, Mark! :)

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and you also have to consider that the Sony is complete with CD tray that operates with the finesse of a Swiss watch and is near silent when loading and CD’s.

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Yes I've always noticed that and admired the mechanism's engineering quality. Almost everything else I've used is clunky in comparison and operates with the finesse of a Massey Ferguson tractor :eyebrows:

Oh, and it also reads CDs ready for playing in a nanosecond! With some CDPs these days you could go away, make a cup of tea, and have a bath by the time they've read a disc. Sssh... Don't mention the Linn Majik to Steve :lol:

Marco.

I was wondering, Mark, is there any connection with how long a transport mechanism takes to load and read the information on a disc ready for playing, and its inherent audio performance?

Or is it just a 'physical' engineering thing that bares no relationship to the inherent performance of the transport mechanism? Basically, do CDPs that takes ages to load a disc (necessarily) sound worse than those that do it almost instantly?

Marco.

Hello Marco

In my experience the length of time a CD player takes to read the Table Of Contents (TOC) has no bearing on the sound quality of the CD player. The timing variations are down to the type of laser and servos used, the with players like the Sony SCD-1 there are two lasers and the unit has to go through a lengthy sequence before you get the TOC.:baa:

The CDP-R1, CDP-x777ES are amongst some of the fastest I have used!

Regards,
Mark

Awww cock!

I knew I was tempting fate by praising my DVD2900!

It's playing up!... The 'Pure Direct' switch is now inoperative!... It still plays DVD's etc, but it doesn't switch off the digital gubbins & display any more! I've lost some of the 'magic'!

Anyone else ever had this problem? :(

Cheers,
Mike.

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Hello Marco

In my experience the length of time a CD player takes to read the Table Of Contents (TOC) has no bearing on the sound quality of the CD player. The timing variations are down to the type of laser and servos used, the with players like the Sony SCD-1 there are two lasers and the unit has to go through a lengthy sequence before you get the TOC.:baa:

The CDP-R1, CDP-x777ES are amongst some of the fastest I have used!

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Hi Mark,

Thanks for that. I just wondered if the Sony's super-fast reading of discs related in any way to its superb sound quality - obviously not.

Btw, can you outline the next set of modifications that you propose for the DAS-R1? Just so I have a clear idea in my head what the plan of action is :)

You may also wish to discuss the cryogenic treatment you've mentioned to me to other members. I think there's mileage to be had in having components treated as well as the likes of cables and valves.

Anyway I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the matter!

Regards,
Marco.

Hello Marco

The outline plan for the next install of the upgrades for your DAS-R1 follow two main paths, the first is the regulated power supplies. We have recently released the *Ultra-regulator* which is designed using the same custom voltage reference module as the ‘Ultraclock’. The Ultra-regulators will be used for the main +5V digital supply which delivers power to the DIGITAL PCB where chips like digital filter, logic gates are situated ,and also for the +5V DAC supply. What level of improvements the Ultra-regulator brings cannot be simply summed up in terms of extra detail, dynamics, PRAT; what is most striking is the music looses a digital signature that you are accustomed to from good quality CD playback that you might attribute to the 16-bit technology or quality of Compact Discs. The sound is that much more ‘analogue’ that is removed from what you might typically expect from hi-end CD or even SACD.

The next step is the clock system, your DAS-R1 already uses a Superclock 4-S running from the internal power supplies, the logical step is to upgrade to the Ultraclock reference master clock and master clock power supply. This is a major step up from the Superclock 4-S alone, bass delineation timing and control is astonishing as are dynamics, tonal naturalness, detailing.
There are also various component level upgrades to make such as I/V converters, regulator bypass and power supply de-coupling.

Over the last 8 months we have been investigating the use of Deep Cryogenic Treatment (DCT) on a variety of different audio products including audio modules like the Ultraclock, power supplies, and Compact Discs. The company who complete our DCT are Frozen Solid Audio who has been applying DCT to cables for companies like Townshend Audio for several years. Our first product to receive DCT was an Ultraclock installed in a DAS-R1 running on the internal DAS-R1 power supply. The DCT’d Ultraclock with no burn-in was exchanged for the standard Ultraclock in the system and what I heard was remarkable. With DCT the lower frequencies have greater definition, control and accuracy, vocals and instruments have a truer tonal balance, realistic timbre; the sound projects into the listening room with increased spatial qualities.

We have since had DCT applied to complete CD & DVD players, one of the first benefits customers report back is the reduction in background noise, lower noise floor. Not all CD/DVD players can be treated but the cost against improvements makes DCT a best buy.

Have a good weekend.

Regards
Mark

Hi Mike

Sorry to learn the news on your DVD-2900. This problem is new to me and I would like to refer you to a freelance engineer who will be able to help. Please e-mail me at mbartlett@audiocominternational.com for details.

Regards,
Mark

Hi Mark,

It sounds like there's still quite a bit more to come :)

Considering how amazing it sounds as it is, I shudder to think how good the Sony will be after what's you've suggested has been done!

Mmm...yummy :eyebrows:

Marco.

That's certainly an odd problem, are any of the other controls playing up at all?

I know that certain material played through the 2900 will prohibit the use of Pure Direct and some will only play with it engaged, is it only on certain discs or is it on everything?

Nope, all other controls work fine.

Makes no difference what disk is in.
'Mode 1', which should turn off video cct's doesn't, still plays movies.
'Mode 2', which should turn off video cct's and the display doesn't, still plays movies and the display remains lit.

Cheers,
Mike.

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Originally Posted by Audiocom

Hi Mike

Sorry to learn the news on your DVD-2900. This problem is new to me and I would like to refer you to a freelance engineer who will be able to help. Please e-mail me at mbartlett@audiocominternational.com for details.

Regards,
Mark

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Thanks Mark, I'll drop you an email tomorrow. I've done fourteen hours over time today and need my bed right now! :mental:

Cheers,
Mike.

Hi Mark

I have a Perpetual Technologies P 1A and P 3A.

What could be done to upgrade them.

And what would the cost be approx.

ATM it's sitting unused,being outperformed by the Beresford DAC 6/3.

Bump

Hello David

The Perpetual Technologies P 1A and P 3A are good designs but would benefit from component level upgrades to power supplies, diodes & capacitors, lower noise regulators & improved bypassing, higher performance active op-amps stages in the post DAC stage.

I would estimate the above can be done for approx. £300.00, but we would need to peruse the circuits to give you an exact costing.

Regards,
Mark

Hello Mark

Thanks for that.

Would you need to see the units in person,or would pictures suffice?

Hello David

Pictures never tell the complete story because circuit layout, parts size, chassis size tend to dictate. The quote of £300.00 is near accurate, but the specifics of the upgrade will have to wait until we are hands on with units.

Regards,
Mark

Hi Mark,

Could you also advise my friend Ian Walker on upgrading the DAC section in his Helios media player and/or advise him on the purchase of a good second-hand DAC to buy for you to modify?

Which are the best DACs to work with in that respect?

Cheers.

Marco.

Hello Marco

I have called Ian today to discuss his Helios x5000, DAC suggestions, etc.

All the best
Mark

Excellent, Mark - thanks :)

I'm sure that Ian will tell me all about it!

Marco.

* NOTE - Optical vs. Coaxial DAC connection discussion has been moved to a new thread in 'The Digital Impression'.