Better performance from old CD player!

madmax

Last week a gear in my Theta transport gave way so last night I decided to rip it apart. I would rather just buy a better transport but funds are limited so I decided my new route would be to repair the unit and do a little damping on the inside. I doubt I can get a new gear from Theta so I decided to just remove it. The drawer now operates in manual mode. Fitting I guess. Manual turntables are all manual, right? Yea, I'm trying to talk myself into believing I am happy with it because I have to be.

In any case here are some pics. The sound after the mods was more open and the bass was a little nicer than I remember. Not bad for several hours and a few dollars worth of stuff.

Here is the case:

madmax

Here is the bottom of the drive:

madmax

The top of the drive:

madmax

And here is the final shot:

madmax

I was quite surprised that more attention to the case damping was not done by the company. It rang pretty loud when I tapped on it. The dynamat put an end to that. You would think for 2 grand they would have designed in something similar. I guess that leaves something for the tweakers to do. The sound is better and with the manual drawer I feel so much more manly and powerful. It has a nice strong feel to it, somewhat like closing the door on a safe.

madmax

dcarlson

How does your manual tray work? Pry it with your fingernails?

madmax

Pushing it in is the easy part, lets just leave it at that.

Actually, right now I have the top mounted on the unit just as you see it in the last pic. I just reach inside and give it a push. In the future I will either design a cool looking finger grip for the outside or really cut the thing up and make it a top loader.

madmax

danger boy

you would think that for the price your originally paid.. Theta would replace the transport/tray for free. call or write them up.. and see if you can work out some kind of deal. worth a try.

dcarlson

I'm sure you could stick or glue some sort of nob to the front of the tray without it looking retarded.

madmax

Theta doesn't care about the used equipment buyer. Their customers get top treatment if they buy it new though. They actually state something to this effect on their website. That is one reason I got mine for a REALLY good used price. I may try to get the gear from them when I have some time but I'm not counting on any real help.

madmax

F1nut

Originally posted by madmax
IThe sound is better and with the manual drawer I feel so much more manly and powerful.

Hmmmmm.......with results like that, you'd better patent it.


Get the damn gear!

madmax

F1,
I can make yours into a manual if you want.
madmax

F1nut

Ah, thank you kind sir.

madmax

F1,
I'm still a little distressed after hearing your system. I know it is mainly a better CD player that I need. When do you plan on upgrading anyway??

madmax

F1nut

Don't hold your breath bro, I don't see anything changing for a long time.

Have you seen the new Esoteric's, 13k!!!

tryrrthg

Originally posted by F1nut
Don't hold your breath bro, I don't see anything changing for a long time.

Have you seen the new Esoteric's, 13k!!!

How about $40K? Can you say dCS ?

madmax

The one I have been looking for is a Wadia 861se. I've heard it is a pretty good one. Still above my limit though. If I could find one for a few thousand I would consider it.

http://show.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/shm.pl?dgtlplay&1068140010&item&Audiologic&4&5&6&http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fs_srch.plQQANYAAAApurlsrchAAEXYAAst26AAAAAAwadia

madmax

F1nut

Half price.....

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1104530604

It's a top notch redbook player, I can't wait to hear yours.

madmax

There is a difference with the SE version but I would be happy with one of the standard ones. I need one of those "yes, I'll take 2 grand for it, I have to otherwise I'm going to jail" scenerios.

Oh yea, I just hooked up the S1 cables last night. At first I thought they sounded about the same but then I started to think I lost something. I'm seriously thinking they need another burn in. They are sounding like the S3's did before they burned in. It could be they have a little better bass response and something else needs a little tweaking. I'll give it some hours.

madmax

F1nut

LOL.....hell, I'd take one for 2k also.

I'm sure they do need burning in if they've been sitting around unused all this time. As you know mine went back to MIT for a little fix, so the Harmonic Tech's have been filling in. I miss my MIT's!

Let me know what you think after 50 or so hours.