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Hi-Rez Highway: SCD-1/777ES Transport Cable Mod by jhietbrink

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SCD-1/777ES Transport Cable Mod

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I know I posted a concluding article on mods to the SCD-1/777ES – and I really thought I was done. But then I read a post about another Sony player – and I started thinking about how data and clock signals moved between the Main (Transport) Board and the Audio Board – and I thought of something else to do.

Sony took considerable care in designing the interfaces between the Main and Audio Boards. All of the connections are isolated by photo couplers – including control signals – and I don’t believe Sony has done this on any other player. The photo couplers are located on the sending board with power and ground wires extending from the receiving board.

The most important signals move on just two multi-cable wiring harnesses, CN304/CN705 and CN303/CN706. CN303/CN706 carries inbound CD data and a bit clock signal (2.8 Mhz) from the Main Board and an outbound master clock signal to the Main Board. CN304/CN705 carries the inbound left and right DSD data streams as well and outbound bit clock signal to the Main Board. The third multi-cable wiring harness (CN302/CN704) carries control signals.

Each one of the clock and data signals was provided with its own three wire cable. And then Sony bundled them neatly together.

Argh!!!!!!!!!!

These cables should be spaced apart with cable separators to avoid signal cross contamination. And when you separate them – you will hear that there is indeed cross contamination.

I fashioned temporary cable separators from blue 3M painters masking tape – which unlike regular masking tape will hold up for a couple of years without getting brittle and sticky. I have yet to find a permanent solution although separators used with EEG machine leads look promising. Suggestions are welcomed. The longer of the two cables also needs a couple of hold-downs to keep it from touching the underside of the cover. I used ty-wraps to a couple of the wire hold-downs on the board – but I’m sure there are multiple solutions.

This mod results in a more three-dimensional sound stage as well as increased body in the presentation of voices and instruments. Fluidity is improved, percussion has greater impact and strings and voices are sweeter. The effects seem most pronounced on CDs but are also quite noticeable on SACDs. Best of all, this is a simple and cheap tweak.

And this time I won’t say I’m done. I’ve completed another mod already (still breaking in) and I’m planning yet another.

Other SCD-1/777ES Mods and Information

Analog Signal Path

Replaced RCA jacks with Vampire OFC jacks
Replaced output wire with Kimber AGSS
Revised grounding creating a star ground for audio board
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/41691.html

Replaced AD712s in the output buffer stage with hi-spec OPA2132s
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/78259.html

Replaced resistors and capacitors in I/V conversion stage
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/93363.html

Replaced OPA2604’s in the I/V conversion stage with LM6172’s
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/156269.html

Set filters to “custom”

Power Supplies

Revised capacitors on Audio Board digital power supplies and AC Board http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/155617.html

Revised grounding, AC polarity, analog supply bypassing
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/107304.html

Removed choke on analog power supply
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/32357.html

Transport

Added capacitance to the “Digital” (Transport) Power Supplies
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/133431.html

Separated data and clock cables between Main (Transport) and Audio Boards
This post

Clock

Improved power supplies to oscillator and S-TACT chip and quieted ground plane
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/137033.html

General Description

Analog Signal Path
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/33130.html

Accessories
Electraglide Reference Glide power cord
Chang Lightspeed HT1000 power conditioner (w/upgraded capacitors)
AudioDesk Systeme CD Lathe
Aurio Pro Media Isolation Bearings w/optional tungsten carbide balls


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Topic - SCD-1/777ES Transport Cable Mod - jhietbrink 17:51:43 01/19/04 ( 6)