Modding Logitech Z-680s b/c I'm cheap

Apr 13, 2009 at 6:38 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 16

wfarid

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Hey guys, I want to mod my z-680 speaker setup. Its a cheap 5.1 setup in a really tight space. Otherwise I'd be using my old (but trusty) Infinity RS-325 bookshelves.

I included some pics and I was just wondering what I could swap out. I'm in the process of 'hotrodding' the x-fi. I'm planning on swapping out the op-amps for lm4652s. I figured that while I'm at that I might as well make some small changes to my logitech control board for the z-680s as well. Any advice?

from what i can tell the board has surprisingly nice caps. As far as that, I'm not incredibly savvy on audio gear (more of a geek in the pc / photo arena).

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...echboard-1.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...echboard-3.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...echboard-2.jpg
 
Apr 13, 2009 at 7:22 AM Post #3 of 16
Lol. Nice caps compared to what?
 
Apr 13, 2009 at 1:01 PM Post #4 of 16
what you're looking at is the digital decoder inside the control pod that processes the signal into Dolby/ DTS/ 5.1 and/or 7.1 surround sound. you don't want to mess around in there.

the actual power amp is housed inside the big subwoofer, where all the satellite leads feed into. if you're looking to tinker with the analog side of the audio circuitry, that's where you need to look.
 
Apr 13, 2009 at 3:28 PM Post #5 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by Alai /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Lol. Nice caps compared to what?


aha good point, as compared to the x-fi .

Ah yes that makes more sense. I thought maybe the control unit processed the sound as well. Will be posting pics of that soon. Thanks!
 
Apr 13, 2009 at 5:57 PM Post #6 of 16
here are the pics. I carefully dissembled the amp. It has two huge Chang AWF-M, 10000uf, 50 v caps. And the same 4560 3058u jrc op amps on the controller board (i'm not sure if that is the digital part of the circuit as well).

[size=large]FRONT:[/size]
LogitechAmp-1.jpg


[size=large]BACK:[/size]
LogitechAmp-2.jpg


[size=medium]Controller Board Front (attaches to the amp on the back)[/size]
LogitechAmp-3.jpg


[size=medium]Controller Back[/size]
LogitechAmp-4.jpg
 
Apr 13, 2009 at 6:00 PM Post #7 of 16
I think there is a thermal probe attached the logitech controller board, it was screwed onto the side of the heatsink with some thermal paste/thermal grease attached. What exactly is that greasy stuff? Is it just thermal paste? (tempted to put all the extra Artic Silver 5 on it, even though it'd be pretty much pointless).
 
Apr 13, 2009 at 6:55 PM Post #9 of 16
i know the speakers suck, but they are small and can fit in a cramped space. I have two nice bookshelves already but no room to put them with my computer setup. I wouldn't get too much money for the z-680s anyways and I'm to broke to to actually buy a decent 5.1 setup so I figure I can make some small mods here and there, eek out some improvement, and have it be a learning exercise into the wonderful world of audio modification.

its like suping up your tricycle, but why not?

wondering if it would make any difference if I swapped out the chang caps (the two 10,000uf 50v and the 4700uf 25v) for an equivalent spec Elna caps? If i got higher spec'd caps would that mess up anything?

And also are those op-amps on the controller board (not the control unit) for analog? or are they digital as well
 
Apr 14, 2009 at 9:33 AM Post #10 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by iriverdude /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Whatever you do, you'll always be limited to the actual Logitech 680 speakers. Personally I wouldn't bother, sell them off and look into a av amp & bookshelf speakers.


Agreed. I had the Z-5500 and didn't find them flattering at all, and went bookshelf route.
 
Apr 14, 2009 at 10:31 AM Post #11 of 16
i had klipsch promedia 5.1's, around 6-7 years ago.. they got me started in to "hi-fi"... e.g. got so sick of them, sold them for a good price, got decent bookshelves and a vintage amp.
 
Apr 14, 2009 at 10:38 AM Post #12 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by wfarid /img/forum/go_quote.gif
i know the speakers suck, but they are small and can fit in a cramped space. I have two nice bookshelves already but no room to put them with my computer setup. I wouldn't get too much money for the z-680s anyways and I'm to broke to to actually buy a decent 5.1 setup so I figure I can make some small mods here and there, eek out some improvement, and have it be a learning exercise into the wonderful world of audio modification.
l



You can't polish a turd. Well you can try, but you'll left up with a bit swirly mess of poo.

Also have no resale value, I certainly wouldn't buy a set of PC speakers someone has pratted around with.
 
Apr 14, 2009 at 9:51 PM Post #13 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by iriverdude /img/forum/go_quote.gif
You can't polish a turd. Well you can try, but you'll left up with a bit swirly mess of poo.

Also have no resale value, I certainly wouldn't buy a set of PC speakers someone has pratted around with.



hahah, well thing is I don't mind a swirly mess of poo and I'm not interested in selling them. For gaming/movies the z-680s are fine. For music I'm going to get a nice set of cans and I have a pair of Audio-Technica Ck-7s holding me over for now (eons better than those damn apple earbuds).

What I'd like to do is just switch out some stuff and see what happens. See how that poo swirls and what patterns it makes. Then roll in it and get covered in poo and be like wow this really stinks.

So I'm wondering if it would make any difference if I swapped out the chang caps (the two 10,000uf 50v and the 4700uf 25v) for an equivalent spec Elna caps? If i got higher spec'd caps would that mess up anything?

And also are those op-amps on the controller board (not the control unit) for analog? or are they digital as well
 
Jul 30, 2009 at 2:00 PM Post #14 of 16
Hi, I am in Mexico. Anyway, my Z-680 totally blew up, and I took it to a technician and he wanted to charge me to just look at it, which was fine, but when I went to pick it up, he changed the price, and I decided to not leave it with him to repair, besides that he wanted a good amount of money. Well recently I took it to another person, and this person I trust. He told me that the first guy cut all the wires inside of the big box.....ugg....I found these pictures in this thread helpful. But could someone PLEASE take a picture of the other end of the wires.....so we can repair this unit, or if someone has a copy of the service manual!? Please.....without it, I am not going to be able to repair it. I searched the internet and can not find the service manual.

Thanks for any help...ugg, I am so upset about this guy doing this....
mad.gif
if I find the manual or get a good picture it will lower the price of the repair considerably.

Thanks
Laura
 

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