DIY Question - Op Amp for Naim CD Player

Posted by: king on 12 April 2002

Does anyone knows what Op Amp does Naim CD Players used?

I'm trying to tweak my old CD player to move closer to Naim sound.
I know I can never get a true Naim sound without a Naim CD Player, but this is just my weekend project..............

Thanks in advance.

King

Posted on: 12 April 2002 by Andrew L. Weekes

King,

I'd respectfully suggest that you're looking in the wrong area to get the Naim sound.

Whilst most mass-market CD players use cheap op-amps which can be improved upon, it's not, IMO, the major factor.

Naim entry players use OPA604's, CDX's use OP42's.

I've successfully used both AD825 and LM617x series in Marantz CD63's, replacing cheap JRC2114's to very good effect.

To be honest though, most CD players are fundamentally limited by v.poor jitter (clock) performance, and you would do better to concentrate your efforts here.

My brother's tweaks-a-go-go Marantz CD63 KIS is a fantastically musical front end to his 42.5 / 160 system, and one that I could happily live with in comparison with my CD5.

It took a fair bit of work to get it there though

Andy.

Posted on: 14 April 2002 by king

quote:
Originally posted by Andrew L. Weekes:I'd respectfully suggest that you're looking in the wrong area to get the Naim sound.
Andy.

Andrew,
I know that this is not the way to and will never achieve Naim sound.
What I'm looking for is just someting to occupy me for the weekend and to practise my soldering skills.
I'm an electronic/electrical-idiot and what am trying is just some soldering and de-soldering stuffs.
Thanks, I'll try to find the Op Amp that Naim used (if I can).

Cheers.

Posted on: 15 April 2002 by bam

King,
I agree with ALW. Although I'd try to get rid of the op-amps altogether (sorry Mr T.). As an alternative why not investigate the integrity of the power supplies and grounding. This is often neglected and improvements can yield significant sonic results.
BAM

Posted on: 15 April 2002 by king

quote:
Originally posted by bam: why not investigate the integrity of the power supplies and grounding. This is often neglected and improvements can yield significant sonic results.
BAM

Bam,

I'm trying all sorts.
I don't really mind if I blow it as I got this real cheap from factory.

I'm considering moving the transformer to a separate box, but still considering if I should do the same for the rec and regulator.

As for grounding.........what do you suggest?

I also have the intention to change the RCAs to DIN...........

A real helpful guy from TNT suggested the AD826, I'll try both AD826 and OP42 since I managed to find one who carries OP42sz.

Hope all works.

King