Show me your ****(embly), and let me get in your guts baby!

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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited July 2006
    Sheng Ya CD-S10 and Kavent CD-731. Identical innards with different faceplates.
    Audio: Von Schweikert VR-2 * Musical Fidelity M2si * Bluesound Node 2i * APC H10 Vinyl: Audio-Technica AT-LP120X-USB turntable * Bottlehead Reduction + Integration Upgrade * KAB RF1 Video: 75” Samsung QN90B Neo QLED * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 Blu-ray Player * Roku Ultra LT
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  • speakergeek
    speakergeek Posts: 555
    edited July 2006
    This is a great thread.
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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,732
    edited July 2006
    Sony's top of the line (MSRP $3,000) CD player from 1998. I bought this out of curiosity because of all the hype about this player. I was very impressed with the heavy duty construction, all copper anti-resonant frame, and ergonomic features. I was not at all impressed on the first listen. I had read reports that the XA7ES needed some modification to reach its full potential.

    The first thing I did was amputate the captive 18 gauge power cord and replace it with an IEC jack. Internally, I ran 12 gauge wire from the IEC jack to the power supply input circuit board. Externally, I connected a Signal Cable MagicPower cable (10 gauge wire). This made a considerable difference in bass definition and impact.

    The next thing I did was replace the wimpy 45 MHz master clock crystal with a precision LClock X03 master clock from LC Audio. The X03 is shown in the 3rd picture in the lower right corner (white arrow) and in the 4th picture in the upper left corner (red arrow). As you can see, the XA7ES is jam packed with circuity. There was only one location available that would accommodate the X03 circuit board: behind the face place. This required a disassembly of the face plate, which really entailed removing all of the external chassis coverings except for the rear plate. The master clock mod provided further improvements in bass definition, detail, and impact, in addition to improved detail in the midrange and treble. It was well worth the $256 spent for the X03.

    This player generates as much heat as some amps. The case temperature (measured with a digital thermometer) reaches 103 degrees after a couple of hours of continuous use.

    Weight: 33 pounds, 1 ounce. Dimensions: 17"W x 5"H x 14-7/8"D.
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,732
    edited July 2006
    From my personal collection of vintage Sony ES components: TA-E90ES from 1996 (MSRP $2,000). Remote controlled, headphone amp/jack, phono stage for MM&MC cartridges. Metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) output stage (something Sony referred to as "MOS Exclusive Design"). Both XLR and RCA inputs and outputs. Inputs for CD, aux, tuner, tape1/DAT/tape2, phono). All discrete ciruitry in the signal path. Glass-epoxy circuit boards, shielded toroidal transformer, Elna SILMIC capacitors, copper screws, anti-resonant construction. An IEC power cable jack was installed. This provided the usual improvements in bass performance.

    Weight: 22 pounds, 11 ounces. Dimensions: 17"W x 4"H x 14-1/4"D.

    The case styling matches the XA7ES CD player and the TA-N90ES power amp.
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,732
    edited July 2006
    From my personal collection of vintage Sony ES components: TA-N90ES from 1996 (MSRP $2,700). It provides 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms, 140 watts per channel into 4 ohms, and is very, very, solidly built. It is the companion amp to the TA-E90ES preamp. It is dual mono and has balanced and single ended inputs, glass-epoxy circuit boards, a shielded toroidal transformer, Elna SILMIC capacitors, copper screws, and anti-resonant construction. The TA-N90ES used metal oxide semiconductors (MOS) in the output stage (something Sony referred to as "MOS Exclusive Design")

    Weight: 48 pounds, 1 ounce. Dimensions: 17"W x 7"H x 17-3/8"D.
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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  • Mike682
    Mike682 Posts: 2,074
    edited July 2006
    DarqueKnight

    Those are some really nice Sony components.

    Hey guys what is the plural of Sony? Is it Sonys, Sonyies, Sonies?:D
    Receiver: harmankardon AVR235
    Mains: polk R30
    Center: polk CSi3
    Rear Surrounds: polk R20
    Subwoofer: polk PSW404
    DVD: Panasonic DVD-S29
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 31,500
    edited July 2006
    Mike682 wrote:
    DarqueKnight

    Those are some really nice Sony components.

    Hey guys what is the plural of Sony? Is it Sonys, Sonyies, Sonies?:D

    You simply say, "That's a nice Sony he's got there. Those other ones he's got are nice too. All of them." :-P

    They are indeed really nice looking Soneaux, by the way.
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  • speakergeek
    speakergeek Posts: 555
    edited July 2006
    Mike682 wrote:
    DarqueKnight

    Those are some really nice Sony components.

    Hey guys what is the plural of Sony? Is it Sonys, Sonyies, Sonies?:D


    Sonae...:D
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 31,500
    edited July 2006
    that's the ticket!
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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,732
    edited July 2006
    From my personal collection of vintage Sony ES components: TA-F808ES from 1998 (MSRP $1,700). It provides 90 watts per channel into 8 ohms, 120 watts per channel into 4 ohms.

    Features a very clean phono section for MM and MC cartridges, heavy weight metal and vibration damping polycarbonate "Gibraltar" chassis, and remote control. The face plate of this amp is extruded anodized aluminum that is 1/8" thick along the front part and and 3/16" thick along the top part. Some Sony ES tuners can be connected to the tuner control port on the rear of the unit and controlled by the amps remote. Sony charges $47 for the cable. Fortunately I found one on eBay on for $20. This TA-F808ES is used with the Sony ST-R730ES tuner shown in the 5th and 6th pictures.

    Weight: 51 pounds, 10 ounces. Dimensions: 17"W x 6-3/4"H x 17-1/4"D.
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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  • speakergeek
    speakergeek Posts: 555
    edited July 2006
    DarqueKnight wrote:
    From my personal collection of vintage Sony ES components: TA-F808ES from 1998 (MSRP $1,700). It provides 90 watts per channel into 8 ohms, 120 watts per channel into 4 ohms.

    Features a very clean phono section for MM and MC cartridges, heavy weight metal and vibration damping polycarbonate "Gibraltar" chassis, and remote control. The face plate of this amp is extruded anodized aluminum that is 1/8" thick along the front part and and 3/16" thick along the top part. Some Sony ES tuners can be connected to the tuner control port on the rear of the unit and controlled by the amps remote. Sony charges $47 for the cable. Fortunately I found one on eBay on for $20. This TA-F808ES is used with the Sony ST-R730ES tuner shown in the 5th and 6th pictures.

    Weight: 51 pounds, 10 ounces. Dimensions: 17"W x 6-3/4"H x 17-1/4"D.


    Sony just doesn't make 'em like that any more.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 31,500
    edited July 2006
    How about this incredible ADC B100 vacuum tube preamp? I stumbled onto this on eBAY for $13. It had a problem with one channel. Long story short... it went back to live with its original designer, Mark Deneen (now the proprietor of Juicy Music and a heck of a guy and a preamp designer/builder).

    Thirteen 6922's in there. Not to mention a pair of Jensen step-up transformers for MC cartridges.

    Pc310022.jpg
    Pc310023.jpg
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 31,500
    edited July 2006
    How about a McIntosh C28 preamp? This little guy is hooked up in the basement.

    P3040005.jpg
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,323
    edited July 2006
    Marantz 510M Power amp. 256 wpc @ 8 ohms. Build 1974 - 1978. This was the flagship unit for their power amp. Similiar amplification circuitry was used in their famed 2500 and 2600 receivers. The cooling system was supposedly a NASA concept:rolleyes: The fan can be a little noisy, but the amp can power just about anything. 0.03% THD at rated conditions.
    Carl

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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 31,500
    edited July 2006
    Any interest in the innards of a Yamaha R-1000? Not quite up to the CR-xx20 or even CR-xx40 receivers, but not half bad sounding. Plus, the price was right (picked it up at the 'swap pile' at our town transfer station, a/k/a dump).

    P4180007.jpg
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,079
    edited July 2006
    Carver TFM-35.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,079
    edited July 2006
    Dodd MLP pre amp.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 31,500
    edited July 2006
    Howzabout a Soundcraftsmen PE2217 preamp/equalizer? For some reason, I had two of these beasts for a while.
    P1250012.jpg

    Nice epoxy PCB's, if nothing else.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited July 2006
    Pic of the Buggtussel Somu crossover -- point-to-point, all parts glued onto a small block of wood.
    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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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 31,500
    edited July 2006
    Are those blue things NP electrolytics? If so, shame on them!
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited July 2006
    I'd love to upgrade the crossovers, but it would be too much of a hassle. Probably would need to start from scratch.
    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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  • speakergeek
    speakergeek Posts: 555
    edited July 2006
    The transformer in this thing is pretty big for a tape deck. It's been in my collection since 1988, and it's still running strong. It's a great tape deck IMO.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 31,500
    edited July 2006
    The transformer in this thing is pretty big for a tape deck.
    Ever seen the inside of a Pioneer CT-F1000 cassette deck? About a decade older than yours...

    Nice photo, BTW!

    P1000482.jpg
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 31,500
    edited July 2006
    BTW and FWIW, here're the naughty bits of a Fisher 500C (mine, actually, as re-hab'bed by NOSValves for its original owner).

    DSC03163.jpg
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  • speakergeek
    speakergeek Posts: 555
    edited July 2006
    mhardy6647 wrote:
    Ever seen the inside of a Pioneer CT-F1000 cassette deck? About a decade older than yours...

    Nice photo, BTW!

    P1000482.jpg


    Nice deck! What does that thing weigh?
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 31,500
    edited July 2006
    quite a bit... Hold that thought; I'll dig out the manual and check. :-)
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  • speakergeek
    speakergeek Posts: 555
    edited July 2006
    mhardy6647 wrote:
    quite a bit... Hold that thought; I'll dig out the manual and check. :-)

    No luck finding the manual huh?
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 31,500
    edited July 2006
    Naw... just forgot. I'll check today... it's SATURDAY!
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,531
    edited July 2006
    I've had a couple of those and they're pretty nice. I like the exposed cassette look on that whole series.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 24,840
    edited July 2006
    I love the clean look and layout of my Nak pre.

    I was a bit disappointed in the guts of the AMC DAC8. The chassis and face plate are heavy, but the guts are very sparse.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Aleph 30 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Plus DAC | MIT Shotgun S3 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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