Latest Max Mod pics..
R channel pcb
2/3's done...........I hope to complete the L Channel PCB Friday afternoon and test the DAC shortly thereafter (once I've triple checked everything before first power up).
This mod is taking some considerable time to complete. I figure I've spent at least 3 solid days getting to this point with at least another 6-8 hours to go before listening tests can begin.
I'll update the post Friday evening/night. Time to get some sleep (wow 4 AM).
UPDATE :
Completed the job (2:20 AM). Took me roughly 8 hours and 20 minutes to finish the last 1/3. I haven't tested it yet but I will do so shortly after I get through with triple checking the work.
Here are a couple of pics to ogle
L Channel completed, wiring between digital board and the 2 channels installed (dividers removed). I decided to use Mundorf silver/gold for those connections since I had some left over from the Phoenix Mod. Might as well keep the wiring the same throughout the unit.
Another angle of the above
Finished job with dividers installed.
Wish me luck with the initial test, hopefully it'll spring back to life without any problems. I took my time doing this mod very carefully so there should be no issues (fingers and toes crossed
).
I'll update the post after the power up test.
UPDATE 2 :
L Channel is not working for the time being. Time to put on the trouble shooting hat.
UPDATE 3:
Both channels work fine from the XLR and RCA outputs so I'm redoing the ACSS output wiring from the pcb to the jack. The custom ACSS cable checks out. It's an odd fault since the continuity tests last night showed the wiring was fine (from the top side through holes). It could be a poor solder joint not making proper contact with the bottom trace. I did find the GND lead was really short, the stripped lead was less than 1/16 in long and the + (pin 2) lead solder joint may have been a cold one. We'll soon see if that is the case. I hope it is since I'm out of ideas after this.There really is nothing else to check that hasn't been looked at over and over ( with all of the work elsewhere). I would imagine if there was a problem elsewhere the L/R XLR/RCA outs would not work.
Update 3.5976B :
I think I've found the problem. Pin 3 (ACSS) connection is bad at the jack pin (and the pcb as it turns out). Weird that it passed the initial continuity test but I figure it must have been moved around too many times since then. In order for one of the stand off bolts to be tightened you have to get a screwdriver right in between the wiring and that rearrangement must have been enough to break the solid core connection (due to metal fatigue). It's a problem you have to look out for when using small gauge solid core wiring. A good object lesson in paying attention to detail (and
to test the wiring after the unit is reassembled). I must have forgotten to do that last evening....I was pretty tired at that point after going at it for 8+ hours. Well now to make all the connections again and test her out..........(fingers crossed).
Yep that was it. She now works as it supposed to. Lesson learned here is simply this.......take the wiring to the jacks off if you plan to pull the boards. Much easier to at the end of the job rather than taking a small shortcut. Anyway...I'll post some very preliminary observations is a few hours time. My guess at this point is the DAC needs a full cycle of burn in before I'll know if this has been worth the effort or not. Total time for this mod is rather substantial, roughly a solid 4.5 days (8 hr days). Definitely the most involved (in terms of parts count) that I've yet tackled. Glad it works at this point, cheers to all for the support and encouragement.
Time to enjoy the effort (my favorite part)
Peete.
