budx3385
500+ Head-Fier
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- Nov 7, 2005
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WOW. I just have to share this experience. I upgraded the clock in my vintage Rotel CD player, and it's now a winner source !!!
I bought the Rotel 965BX in 1995. It was my first "audiophile" component, along with an Exposure XV integrated and Epos 11 speakers.
The Rotel had good resolution, but it was hard-edged and had digital "glare". When I cleaned out the garage at Christmas, I listened to it, thought about selling it for $100-200, but wondered whether it could do better. I scanned a lot of threads, and I decided to upgrade it myself.
I bought the Rockclock 4 from net-audio.com. There are other DIY clocks - kwak, LC, trident, etc. All the websites describe the effect of removing jitter by stabilizing the clock pulse. It makes a lot of sense. The Rotel had the very simplest RC-crystal clock circuit, and I was convinced that they were all telling the truth. I decided they would all make a difference, and perhaps one clock might be better, but that the differences between the various clocks would be WAY smaller than the primary effect of upgrading the clock.
I chose the net-audio clock because it came with a metal shield, because it had itself been upgraded at least three times, because it came as a kit that included two new caps and opamp sockets to replace the original NE5554s, and because the website gave very clear, illustrated instructions for installing it in the very same CD player, the Rotel 965BX. Also, it was far less expensive than most other clocks. I called and spoke with David, too, and I was convinced I could have his help if I needed further guidance. Along with the Rockclock, I also ordered the clock power supply upgrade, silver solder and the gold RCA connectors offered on the same site.
I did take a deep breath before tackling the mod, because I had to remove the CD drawer in order to unbutton the PCB to get to its backside. But it all went smoothly. Adding the RCA connectors made an audible difference. I swapped the opamps (OPA604s, OPA627s, AD797s) and finally settled on AD8065s.
The results are phenomenal. After letting it burn in now for a week (very important), the SQ is VASTLY improved. The "glare" is completely gone. It is now smooth, detailed, dimensional, extended, clear, and balanced. It has a perfect soundstage with stable focus and air. It has good frequency extension and excellent timbral depth. Whereas before it had been emotionally off-putting, it is now emotionally engaging - I sit and listen to the whole CDs, not just the usual test tracks. It lacks only that last oomph of palpability, the heart-wrenching presence that I have with, say, my Audio Aero Capitole 24/192. But DUH, that costs ~ 50x as much ! The Rotel now drives the SP PPX3 SLAM > Equinox > HD600s at my listening / reading chair just fine, thank you!
The next step is installation of the VDC power supply, which is supposed to make another audible difference by providing clean and isolated DC power to the clock. And I've already ordered the Burson discrete opamps, which should just plug in to the 8-pin sockets. Gee, this is FUN !!!
I hope this will encourage other DIYers. Most of the DIY threads I found on clock upgrades were old. This is worthwhile, believe me. For example, I remember what the Arcam and Musical Fidelity players sounded like when I auditioned them in my system just a couple of years ago, and this is WAY better, for a mere pittance, and besides, I did it myself.
IMHO, of course.
I bought the Rotel 965BX in 1995. It was my first "audiophile" component, along with an Exposure XV integrated and Epos 11 speakers.
The Rotel had good resolution, but it was hard-edged and had digital "glare". When I cleaned out the garage at Christmas, I listened to it, thought about selling it for $100-200, but wondered whether it could do better. I scanned a lot of threads, and I decided to upgrade it myself.
I bought the Rockclock 4 from net-audio.com. There are other DIY clocks - kwak, LC, trident, etc. All the websites describe the effect of removing jitter by stabilizing the clock pulse. It makes a lot of sense. The Rotel had the very simplest RC-crystal clock circuit, and I was convinced that they were all telling the truth. I decided they would all make a difference, and perhaps one clock might be better, but that the differences between the various clocks would be WAY smaller than the primary effect of upgrading the clock.
I chose the net-audio clock because it came with a metal shield, because it had itself been upgraded at least three times, because it came as a kit that included two new caps and opamp sockets to replace the original NE5554s, and because the website gave very clear, illustrated instructions for installing it in the very same CD player, the Rotel 965BX. Also, it was far less expensive than most other clocks. I called and spoke with David, too, and I was convinced I could have his help if I needed further guidance. Along with the Rockclock, I also ordered the clock power supply upgrade, silver solder and the gold RCA connectors offered on the same site.
I did take a deep breath before tackling the mod, because I had to remove the CD drawer in order to unbutton the PCB to get to its backside. But it all went smoothly. Adding the RCA connectors made an audible difference. I swapped the opamps (OPA604s, OPA627s, AD797s) and finally settled on AD8065s.
The results are phenomenal. After letting it burn in now for a week (very important), the SQ is VASTLY improved. The "glare" is completely gone. It is now smooth, detailed, dimensional, extended, clear, and balanced. It has a perfect soundstage with stable focus and air. It has good frequency extension and excellent timbral depth. Whereas before it had been emotionally off-putting, it is now emotionally engaging - I sit and listen to the whole CDs, not just the usual test tracks. It lacks only that last oomph of palpability, the heart-wrenching presence that I have with, say, my Audio Aero Capitole 24/192. But DUH, that costs ~ 50x as much ! The Rotel now drives the SP PPX3 SLAM > Equinox > HD600s at my listening / reading chair just fine, thank you!
The next step is installation of the VDC power supply, which is supposed to make another audible difference by providing clean and isolated DC power to the clock. And I've already ordered the Burson discrete opamps, which should just plug in to the 8-pin sockets. Gee, this is FUN !!!
I hope this will encourage other DIYers. Most of the DIY threads I found on clock upgrades were old. This is worthwhile, believe me. For example, I remember what the Arcam and Musical Fidelity players sounded like when I auditioned them in my system just a couple of years ago, and this is WAY better, for a mere pittance, and besides, I did it myself.
IMHO, of course.
