Marantz CD63 Upgrade

Hi,
After reading some articles in the web, I'm thinking of upgrading my Marantz CD63 player to a whole new level. The problem is I'm not sure where to start and if there's anyone in KL/PJ who's able to perform these upgrades below RM1k (a friend informed that it should not exceed this amount). I believe there are several upgrade modules available out there. I would highly appreciate any inputs to help me get started. Thanks!!

You could refer to this long thread in diyaudio forum.

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-source/54009-marantz-cd63-cd67-mods-list.html

Hi Flyboi,

Thanks for the link. Will read it over tonight.

Eddy

if you're going to budget RM1K for mods, here's another alternative, u could get a decent price selling off the CD-63 since its such a popular model, and with that 1K extra, hunt for a higher-class but used or s/hand CD player.

You just might get better bang-for-buck for sonic improvements than modding the CD-63 alone.

And if you know some good shops around town that regularly have trade-ins, you might just pick up a real gem for a song.

First thing u should do is to upgrade the clock. Made a night day difference for me in 1998.

joeling wrote:First thing u should do is to upgrade the clock. Made a night day difference for me in 1998.

Seiko, Casio or Citizen ?

Better sell the cd63 n get a marrantz cd 94. I have a friend full mod the cd 63 but ones got the cd 94, the full mod 63 have to retired.

Eddy, if u insist to mod the player, a better master clock n output coupling cap have to be in first.

Cheers,

noodle88 wrote:Better sell the cd63 n get a marrantz cd 94. I have a friend full mod the cd 63 but ones got the cd 94, the full mod 63 have to retired.

Eddy, if u insist to mod the player, a better master clock n output coupling cap have to be in first.

Cheers,

now we're talking .. someone with real experience...

Aiyah, those are watches. Mine was a trichord clock iii.

mugenfoo wrote:

joeling wrote:First thing u should do is to upgrade the clock. Made a night day difference for me in 1998.

Seiko, Casio or Citizen ?

If I got the money, I would prefer to use Rolex. But that is just for the style factor only la. Still, its swiss engineering you know !

For me, the Marantz CD63 project comes as a curiousity as to what the original sound will become after the upgrades. I hope that by the time all modifications are completed the sound reproduction will actually improve by means of better sound staging, details and realism to the vocals.

As for CD94, I believe this is a more superior model. It would be nice to get my hands on a unit but price won't be cheap-lah. Not sure if the lens are still available. However, I'm not looking at comparing different CD players here. I just want to see if it's really worth upgrading the CD63 as claimed by many.

hi...
you should try it... the there were many friendly & helpful guys/guru in diyAudio. try communicate with

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/members/simonty.html
or
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/members/rcruz.html
.

I would suggest that you upgrade the DAC by buying an external DAC. No need to crack your head on the Mod. It is not easy at all. You need to have certain knowledge of circuit work and also DAC works to get the job done.

And chances of something ending up in smoke is very high. So you may need another CD63Ki on standby.

And for the sack for Classic, it is better to keep it authentic.. It will certainly fetch a better price when the years go by.

Dear Adrian4454,
I certainly agree with you that it's best to keep a "classic" as original as possible for the sake of fetching a better price in the collector's market. In fact, I'm still using the very first CD63 (top loading) and it's still serving me pretty well so far.
A friend has suggested the idea of using an external DAC and I would certainly be interested to know what are the "value for money" models out there which could compliment the CD63. The last DAC I used was a Theta Choroma which was way back in 2007. I think I may still have the coaxial cable in my storage box somewhere.
As I mentioned at the beginning, I've got a budget of RM1k to hear improvements. Still, a part of me is tempted to modify the internal circuits and to have the permanent "improvements" as part of the CD63 KI. Don't get me wrong as I'm not planning to have another name engraved next to Ken Ishiwata. Will give it a thought today...

If you want to learn something and have some fun, here is something I recommend:
- download the service manual
- locate the chips like: DAC, spdif generator, processor, demodulator, RF amp (newer player will tend to have all in 1 chip or combine)
- locate the power supply pin of this chip and capacitor that is supplying it, mark it
- for cheap solution, get some panasonic FM or FC series capacitors and 220uf - 1000uf range is good and 16v
- Replace the caps
- get a top loading clamp to replace the original clamp (I will try to post a picture later)

Above will cost you not more than rm150 and some orgasm.

Of cause if you feel rich and want more:
- use black gate, Elna or polymer capacitors
- an external clock, easily rm200 above and you need some skill
- an external DAC

Please be warn it is quite time consuming and addictive. Have fun.

WongKN wrote:If I got the money, I would prefer to use Rolex. But that is just for the style factor only la. Still, its swiss engineering you know !

I like my Casio thank you

The Marantz CD63 or its KI variant is a classic. Here's some inside pics of mine :



The Trichord clock has been moved on to other applications. In its place is a Kwak clock (designed by Elso Kwak).




Shielding of of generating components I think




Op Amp swapping & replacement of some caps




Upgraded sockets




Damping applied generously




Office system




Regards,
Joe Ling

Hi Eddy,
Haha, it is time for me to intro Audio-GD again.. hmm, I wonder will I at least for once, recognised as a salesman for this brand.

Anyway, this is the one I know quite well so far. There are a lot DAC out there nowadays. Only this one has price and spec ratio totally out of the window.

I believe you can get 1 of their entry range DAC at USD300. Check it out at their website~

joeling,
what is the blue damping material you use and where did you buy it ?

You can use something like "Dynamat" which is used for automotive sound insulation and to stiffen the casing from vibration. It does help to some degree. Speaking about CDP mods, I spent the last weekend modding a junked cheap n cheerful Philips DVD (play all kind) player by changing lots of caps, output buffer opamp and improving the internal SMPS PSU output section. Some very low impedance caps were used here and came from defunct PC motherboards.
I'll wait for a few months for it to run in but already quite significant improvement from stock. Nope, I don't expect it to better any mid to high end CDP's but merely a fun project. The main feature of this DVD player is its ability to play SACD.

"Noise Killer" from RockFord Fosgate car audio thingy. Water based paint on goo that dries up forming a damping layer. This is normally used for car panel dampening.

Regards,
Joe Ling

carz wrote:joeling,
what is the blue damping material you use and where did you buy it ?

Hi Joe, i remember the noise killer r so so expensive, does it justify the cost?

joeling,
I looks in the picture to be just a very thin layer. Is it as effective as dynamat (butimen) type dampening ? Can the "Noise Killer" from RockFord Fosgate be purchase locally in KL ? Where and how much a can ?

Carz, 15 years ago I used it in my car b4. Don't think still available anymore. If I'm not wrong, it's RM 300 a small can 15 years ago...

noodle, holy cow, it's expensive but was it good ?
a friend used dynamat for car and it is very good.

Possibly cheaper to rivet on a thick steel plate on top and bottom chassis of CDP. Can't get better than that? LOL!