As readers of this blog may know, my reference CD player is a DIY modified Rotel RCD-855.
I also have a Sony DVP-S7000 and it is revered for its transport. People also consider upgrading output opamps a big step up.
Burson kindly sent me V5i Dual op-amp samples and its compact size seemed like a good fit in this application.
I measured the input voltages for IC202 and IC302. They were non-symmetric. About -7V and 5V , comfortably within the V5i spec of +/-15V . I did not change LPFs IC201 and IC301. I had to tweak the legs a little to make the V5i stay and have good contact, since the board would be mounted upside down. Perhaps the trouble was with the opamp sockets.
I also swapped out the 100uf, 25V coupling capacitors with Blackgates from a donor.
From previous comparisons, this Sony was different and quite far away from my Rotel reference. I spun up some CDs and compared them now. I realize this is not ideal: only changing one component, keeping everything else the same. But it was what was possible in this case.
At first, bass sounded boomy on the Sony. Per Burson's recommendation, I let it run for ~ 100 hours. It sounded better after that.
During the comparison:
(1) Bass sounded impressive on the Sony. Details were different with the Rotel.
(2) L and R channels seemed more coherent on the Sony. Choruses and ambience were better on the Rotel. High frequencies were exquisite on both.
(3) Instruments individually sounded better on the Sony. Vocals were a tad recessed on the Sony. The whole sounded slightly better on the Rotel
The reference Rotel still stays ahead by a hair. But the Sony has improved by leaps and bounds.
Songs:
(1) Fragile(2) Why Should I Cry For You
Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984-1994
Sting
(3) Fill Her Up
Brand New Day
Sting
(4) The Hat
(5) The Way I Am
Girls and Boys
Ingrid Michaelson
Associated equipment:
Iron SE DIY preamp Zen Mod Labs
Babelfish ᄅſ DIY power amplifier Zen Mod Labs
Pioneer SP-FS51-LR speakers
References:
http://www.agoraquest.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=32249
Build quality is excellent. I am surprised by the number of ICs
