Hello again.

I do quite a bit of vintage electronic stuff, but have yet to tackle a modern amp or CD player. Other than replacing caps that may have gone bad, what are the options to improve something like the NAD 3020, or Marantz CD63-mkII?

My gut feeling, is that I would be better off building a valve based amp as my first attempt at this, as I have a huge stock of valves and a fairly good understanding of the circuits involved. I would like to try a known good design first.

Anyone been there, done that? I see some ‘kits’ advertised for replacement caps, but I cannot see a point in replacing one that functions and measures well.

  • Yarach@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    I have seen multiple fora indeed about improving the Marantz which ofcourse can be done. It is the DAC itself which defines the audio qauality. Do not forget the DAC also contains an amp to generate a line out signal which will feed into your pre amp. You will notice the mods always talk about improving those parts.

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    I doubt if it will be worth it unless you really dig the design of the Marantz and want to keep it at all costs. It would be way cheaper buying any CD player / Playstation with a digital output and put a solid DAC behind it. Ideally with reclocking functionality so that jitter from the source will not be an issue.

    • boofing_evangelist@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      11 months ago

      Fully understand. I will give it a go with my topping dx7s dac as it has optical out. It sounds pretty great as it is to be honest! It is part of my very budget system: tannoy venus mk2, arcam alpha 8 and cd63 mk2. The arcam needed some connections resoldered/replaced, the speakers are very worn on the cabinets, but mechanically great and the CD player needed a new laser mechanism and belt. It came in at under 100 pounds, with the speakers costing just 10 !

      I am stuck with it while I save for a new set of speakers and amp. I have my eyes on jbls with a rotel x7 but will audition when the time comes. I need to sort out portable audio first, as I am currently running a Sony professional tape deck and Chinese iems.

      Thanks for the help.

      • Yarach@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        11 months ago

        The speakers are very budget for just ten quid haha. I you like them by design I can highly suggest the Piega P4L MK2 as your new speakers. They are a steal scondhand (most people appartently do not know Piega). I doubt you will find a better sounding speaker in the sub €200 euro price range (secondhand ofcourse)