What DIY mods and tweaks have you done?

steveinaz
steveinaz Posts: 19,538
edited July 2004 in Electronics
Lets see those tweaks/mods and DIY projects that you have taken on.

Some of my tweaks:

- Mapleshade brass heavyhats/cone points on CD player
- Shorted BNC connector on CD player-suppose to reduce noise??
- Clay tile under speakers to improve bass articulation
- Cardas RCA caps on unused inputs on preamp

DIY'er:

- None
Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
Post edited by steveinaz on
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  • arufener
    arufener Posts: 63
    edited July 2004
    I took apart my H/K ave 230, then put a a H/K DVD player in where there was empty space. Now its a combo type thing. I also added one of those liquid cooler things that they use for cooling pc's now, and put it in to the same reciever. Oh ya and I added a few of those 3" fans with flashing LED's

    its pretty sweet.

    thanks
    arufener
    Sooner or later you're going to realize, just as I did, there's a difference between knowing the path...and walking it.
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited July 2004
    dude, i'm gonna need to see a picture of that. sounds intruiging!
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited July 2004
    I think that's a poor attempt at sarcasm fellas.

    Dry that one out and you could fertilize the lawn.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,092
    edited July 2004
    Ed Zachry
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2004
    Arufener: You do realize that sarcasm is reserved for those who lack the ability to provide an intelligent response, right? Sarcasm is easy...anyone can do it because it requires so little original thought. Try something a little more challenging and less childish.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited July 2004
    didnt spot the sarcasm here, and did not know what was going on with that subwoofer on ebay. good lord i'm having way too many blonde moments today, its like i'm an effin ****!!! :rolleyes:
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,842
    edited July 2004
    Tweaks:

    Aside from replacing some broken parts and finagling a set of Mullard tubes for an old Heathkit amp, not much.

    DIY:

    -- Built several speaker/sub enclosures
    -- Built my own amplifier

    Fixed It:
    -- two Heathkits
    -- dbx CD player
    -- Onkyo tuner
    -- Sony DVD player
    -- RCA VCR
    -- GO Video VCR
    -- Carver Pre-amp
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited July 2004
    in my own defence, i didnt spot the sarcasm because i still cant figure out what steve said to warrant sarcasm in the first place :confused:
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2004
    That makes 2 of us :D

    Dude needs to take a few Paxil or something, he's been on a "sarcastic roll" here lately. You know the old saying:

    "First time , shame on you; second time, shame on me"
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • phoneisbusy
    phoneisbusy Posts: 867
    edited July 2004
    There's suppose to be a tweak/mod for the Rotel 955ax cd player where you clip the muting transistors on the board. It's suppose to improve the sound significantly.

    Me? I haven't worked up the nerve to take sidecutters to a perfectly working cd player which sounds pretty good as it is. Just chicken I guess.

    Of course, some mod'ers view this as a tweak rather then a mod. :D

    regards

    Dave
    Time is the best teacher. Unfortunately it kills all its students.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2004
    I've heard of that tweak applied to quite a few CDP's. Don't blame you for not attempting that one.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • gidrah
    gidrah Posts: 3,049
    edited July 2004
    I've done some DIY speaker cables and interconnects.
    I get little polyurethane pieces from work that seem to make good isolators - at the very least they elevate and sound better than some standard feet.
    I've reversed the polarity on the HF horns of my Altecs.
    Built some speaker cabs using PVC pipe that sound real good in their limited abilities.

    I've got some big ideas and amitions, but am busy when I'm not being lazy.
    Make it Funky! :)
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  • Lee Bailey
    Lee Bailey Posts: 71
    edited July 2004
    I've rebuilt all the crossovers in my Polks with much higher quality components, and added the AIG Imagers to the tweeters.

    Also made some black mattes for when watching widescreen movies on my 4:3 TV.
    Please feel free to visit my Home Theater Page at The Bailey's Home Theatre in our Living Room.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited July 2004
    "...and added the AIG Imagers to the tweeters."

    Lee,
    Can you tell us your personal experience with this tweak? Did it make a noticeable difference for you?
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2004
    Originally posted by ATCVenom

    As for me - I burn chicken feathers in the room..

    Cool, what does that do? Eliminate standing waves or something?




















    Now that was sarcastic...:D
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • arufener
    arufener Posts: 63
    edited July 2004
    it means he has a brain tumor.
    Sooner or later you're going to realize, just as I did, there's a difference between knowing the path...and walking it.
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited July 2004
    Strike 2.

    Cancer is a REAL funny topic, aint' it? Grow up, or go away. Don't care to do either, the latter will be done for you.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,760
    edited July 2004
    Oh man, this guy has no class.........none!
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,092
    edited July 2004
    Originally posted by arufener
    it means he has a brain tumor.

    My brother in law had a brain tumor removed and my wife is a cancer survivor. Why don't you tell them how funny you think you are.

    Grow up or get the **** out, ****.

    Troy
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • Lee Bailey
    Lee Bailey Posts: 71
    edited July 2004
    Originally posted by Early B.
    "...and added the AIG Imagers to the tweeters."

    Lee,
    Can you tell us your personal experience with this tweak? Did it make a noticeable difference for you?


    Yes it did, it seemed to focus the high end in my sweet spot. In my room, the right side opens up into the dining/kitchen area, and the left side has a small window. This helped to keep the reflections down from the left side, since the right side was going out into the open area.
    Please feel free to visit my Home Theater Page at The Bailey's Home Theatre in our Living Room.
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  • TheReaper
    TheReaper Posts: 636
    edited July 2004
    My tweaks:

    1) Replaced the tweeter in my CSi40 center speaker, with a tweeter from an R20. So that it is a better voice match with my R50 main speakers.

    2) Incestuously bi-amped my RTi70s. My receiver has A/B/A+B speaker switching. I have R50s as my A-Mains for TV/HT surround, and RTi70s as my B-Mains for stereo music. So I connected the B-Main speaker outputs to the lower connector on the RTi70s, and added a speaker selector to switch the A-Main speaker outputs between my R50s and the upper connector on the RTi70s. I can now switch between my full set of surround speakers for TV/HT, and my bi-amped RTi70s for stereo music.

    =======================
    Toshiba 42" RPHDTV (42H83)
    Toshiba DVD (SD-3900)
    Onkyo 360w 6.1 (TX-SR501B)
    Polk R50 L/R Mains
    Polk R30 L/R Surrounds
    Polk CSi40 (tweeted) Center
    Polk R50 Rear Center
    Polk RTi70 L/R B-Mains
    Sony 10" Sub-Woofer (from previous setup)
    Win7 Media Center -> Onkyo TXSR702 -> Polk Rti70
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