rsaavedra
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2002
- Posts
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Today I got the capacitors I had ordered from Digikey to do the Vinnie Rossi power supply mods for the Toshiba.
Take into account, I'm basically a real newbie as far as DIY electronics is concerned. Had done a bit of soldering about a decado ago, and only today I tried again. First I had to go and purchase a few set of basic tools as listed in the starters kit in one of Head-fi's DIY forum stickies, which included basic soldering iron and stand, solder, desoldering braid, and desoldering pump. Decided to also get an Anti-static service kit from Radio-shack. Couldn't find the clip-on magnifiers recommended by morsel, so at least to have something, just bought a normal large magnifier in Eckerds ($5). Multimeter, cable cutters, and pliers I already had.
Setting up the anti-static mat properly and testing it, then disconnecting the player, opening the case, removing the power supply board, then getting everything soldering-related ready for desoldering the first capacitor, took me more than an hour for sure. At that point, I took this "before" picture.
The desoldering of that very first capacitor (brown, largest one), and then soldering the replacement, was a roller coaster thrill ride for me. Every second I was fearing either burning something or getting the capacitor blown in my face because of excessive heat. Needless to say, I was also wearing protection glasses over my prescription glasses, just in case.
After a couple of hours (yes I was that slow
) it took me to do these replacements of a few capacitors, I took these "after" pics.
Reinstalled the power supply board in the player, reattached the cover of the chasis, and then tried it, with sufficient precautions in case something was going to smoke. I used a line filter switched off, plugged the power cord, stood a few feet away, and then turned on the line filter... nothing smoking!!! Then I pressed the power button in the player, and it worked!!!
In all honesty, I only dared to do this on this Toshiba because the player is so inexpensive, so burning anything with this DIY attempt wouldn't be too much of a loss. Fortunately, it worked fine. Wow I really enjoyed this afternoon you have no idea. This is certainly a new hobbie I've found.
These mods I made are actually incomplete. Only today when going over the Vinnie Rossi intructions for these power supply mods I realized I should have ordered 2 capacitors of a specific kind (Panasonic X2-rated 0.47 microfarads), and I had ordered only one. Didn't want to install the only one I got, since these two capacitors are supposed to go in paralell with two stock capacitors (the blue rectangular ones) for better mains filtering. I chose to postpone that part until I have the other one and can install both at once.
The player is going through continuous play after the mods, for about an hour now. Will leave it like that a couple of days. Can's say much about sound differences, at least not yet, but I can say I'm just so proud and happy that the thing is working
[edit]Rehosting pics[/edit]
Take into account, I'm basically a real newbie as far as DIY electronics is concerned. Had done a bit of soldering about a decado ago, and only today I tried again. First I had to go and purchase a few set of basic tools as listed in the starters kit in one of Head-fi's DIY forum stickies, which included basic soldering iron and stand, solder, desoldering braid, and desoldering pump. Decided to also get an Anti-static service kit from Radio-shack. Couldn't find the clip-on magnifiers recommended by morsel, so at least to have something, just bought a normal large magnifier in Eckerds ($5). Multimeter, cable cutters, and pliers I already had.
Setting up the anti-static mat properly and testing it, then disconnecting the player, opening the case, removing the power supply board, then getting everything soldering-related ready for desoldering the first capacitor, took me more than an hour for sure. At that point, I took this "before" picture.
The desoldering of that very first capacitor (brown, largest one), and then soldering the replacement, was a roller coaster thrill ride for me. Every second I was fearing either burning something or getting the capacitor blown in my face because of excessive heat. Needless to say, I was also wearing protection glasses over my prescription glasses, just in case.
After a couple of hours (yes I was that slow
Reinstalled the power supply board in the player, reattached the cover of the chasis, and then tried it, with sufficient precautions in case something was going to smoke. I used a line filter switched off, plugged the power cord, stood a few feet away, and then turned on the line filter... nothing smoking!!! Then I pressed the power button in the player, and it worked!!!
In all honesty, I only dared to do this on this Toshiba because the player is so inexpensive, so burning anything with this DIY attempt wouldn't be too much of a loss. Fortunately, it worked fine. Wow I really enjoyed this afternoon you have no idea. This is certainly a new hobbie I've found.
These mods I made are actually incomplete. Only today when going over the Vinnie Rossi intructions for these power supply mods I realized I should have ordered 2 capacitors of a specific kind (Panasonic X2-rated 0.47 microfarads), and I had ordered only one. Didn't want to install the only one I got, since these two capacitors are supposed to go in paralell with two stock capacitors (the blue rectangular ones) for better mains filtering. I chose to postpone that part until I have the other one and can install both at once.
The player is going through continuous play after the mods, for about an hour now. Will leave it like that a couple of days. Can's say much about sound differences, at least not yet, but I can say I'm just so proud and happy that the thing is working
[edit]Rehosting pics[/edit]
