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Post by fault151 on Apr 7, 2008 18:15:25 GMT
Hi guys i bought an upgrade kit from Mike for my x-can v3. All i wanted to ask is do i need to remove the input caps on the board? Mike said this is optional, but whats would the difference be in sound? Should i just add them anyway? Cheers.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Apr 7, 2008 20:57:31 GMT
Hi guys i bought an upgrade kit from Mike for my x-can v3. All i wanted to ask is do i need to remove the input caps on the board? Mike said this is optional, but whats would the difference be in sound? Should i just add them anyway? Cheers. If your source has DC blocking caps or a DC servo on it's output then YES remove them for SURE...... most modern CDP's have very little offset at the outputs but to be doubly safe you can measure for yourself www.rock-grotto.co.uk/dcoffset.htm......... I'd tend to modify that a bit when measuring your sources output........ Whack in a CD hit play and then hit "pause" with the CD in pause mode probe the phono sockets (line out) and measure there..... ie..... one prong of your probe stuffed into the signal "hole" of the phono socket and the other on the outer "ground" part of the phono socket. Unless your source is a seriously old no name tape deck or something I'd be pretty confident to whip those 10uF input caps out pronto..... just jumper over the pads and you're good to go. Sonic advantage of removing them? One less component (per channel) in the path.... a tad more clarity and refinement...... it's all about the law of diminishing returns at this level but don't hesitate to remove them, seriously, even if you have massive DC on your source output a look at the v3 schematic will show you there's no need to worry Remove them now, no probs at all
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Post by fault151 on Apr 9, 2008 12:15:45 GMT
Ok i will do. My cd player is about 6 years old, its a sony,but i use my xdac via my mac optical out mostly to power the headphone amps i have.
Either way i take it, it will be ok to remove them. Iv done the other cap mods, just got the resistors to change. How do i jumper the input caps? De solder them and then...?
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Post by PinkFloyd on Apr 9, 2008 12:34:23 GMT
Ok i will do. My cd player is about 6 years old, its a sony,but i use my xdac via my mac optical out mostly to power the headphone amps i have. Either way i take it, it will be ok to remove them. Iv done the other cap mods, just got the resistors to change. How do i jumper the input caps? De solder them and then...? Did I forget to include the instructions with yours Mark? This is for the v2 but do the same with the v3......
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Post by fault151 on Apr 9, 2008 12:53:08 GMT
I got a picture in black n white buts thats it. Problem is im very new to diy so i don't really understand the terms. I can solder fine, just don't know many parts or what everything does.
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Post by fault151 on Apr 9, 2008 12:55:59 GMT
is a zero ohm link a piece wire? Where can i get them from?
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Post by PinkFloyd on Apr 9, 2008 13:26:02 GMT
is a zero ohm link a piece wire? Where can i get them from? I should have supplied 2 zero ohm links with the kit? The little beige coloured ones that look like resistors...... if not just use the legs you have cut off the capacitors..... they make excellent links. Mike.
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Post by fault151 on Apr 9, 2008 13:45:09 GMT
yeh i have them, i thought they were resistors. So i just solder them in like the diagram you provided. Do they have to be soldered in a certain way? It will definitely be ok to do the mod won't it?
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Post by PinkFloyd on Apr 9, 2008 13:48:29 GMT
Just solder them in where the links are shown in that pic..... no probs at all man..... you'll be fine!
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Post by fault151 on Apr 9, 2008 14:08:48 GMT
Like the pic. ok i'll have a go tonight. I'll take a pic of it to make sure its correct and post it up. Cheers for your help mike.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Apr 9, 2008 15:29:23 GMT
Correctamundo!
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Post by fault151 on Apr 9, 2008 18:21:32 GMT
Mike your kit came with a diagram that says install the 10uf caps in the input caps place, am i correct in thinking you can either use them or the zero ohm link in this place?? I have now fitted the zero ohm link. Do i not need the 10uf caps now?
Cheers.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Apr 9, 2008 20:36:14 GMT
You either fit the input caps or you dispense with them and jumper across the pads with the wire link..... if you have decided you don't want to fit the cap and have fitted the links then, no, you don't need the 10uF caps..... stick em in a drawer somewhere
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Post by fault151 on Apr 9, 2008 21:01:08 GMT
I jumpered across as you suggested. Its all working fine, so i'll let it run for a bit.
What about a powers supply? Did you manage to get one made up? I don't know if you remember me asking you about it, you said i could try one out sometime.
That still ok?
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Post by PinkFloyd on Apr 9, 2008 21:18:58 GMT
I jumpered across as you suggested. Its all working fine, so i'll let it run for a bit. What about a powers supply? Did you manage to get one made up? I don't know if you remember me asking you about it, you said i could try one out sometime. That still ok? I will do man.... the latest batch of custom transformers have been partially potted.... these guys take their time!...... I chased them up and the production manager was like "we partially pot them and then flame out any air bubbles..... a couple of days later we pot them fully and finish them off with a flame (by hand) so the finish is professional, we don't believe in rushing things" Old school! They may be more expensive than off the shelf but my god they're put together extremely well and consistent from batch to batch...... I'll actually make up a "sampler" that can be passed around all the v3 / v8 owners..... you're first on the list Mark. Give me a couple of weeks tops. Mike.
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Post by fault151 on Apr 9, 2008 21:26:24 GMT
yeh no problem, thats a good idea. Its nice to be able to hear before we buy. Cheers Mike and thanks for all your help with the mods! Email me when your ready to send one out.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2008 14:07:13 GMT
Hi fault151, just carried out the same upgrade, first major soldering job for me to but managed it ok and im pleased with the results. Certainly improves the sound to my ears. Im new to this forum, in fact this is my first input, but i must say that ive found (Mike) pinkfloyd very helpful and have found this forum very interesting and amusing.
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