Infant
Thank you for replying to my post. I spoke to Modwright a few minutes ago. He is of opinion that parts are available. He does not do repairs but would repair AND modify my unit.
He promised to confirm parts availability, at which time I will ship the player to him.
It is so very kind of you to reply to my plea for help
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bassdude 9/20/16
"If it were me... I'd get a NOS / lightly used Sony SA-5400 ES and an
extra laser sled / laser assembly for it - off eBay / Amazon. I would
not get it without the backup laser sled / laser assembly - which is the
most likely part to need replacement after a bit of use."
I have a SA-5400ES SACD player which I love. The laser is now having problems reading discs. What options do I have for repairs? Where can I purchase a new laser assembly?
Thank you
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bassdude.
Thanks for your recommendations. Modwright has agreed to modify my Sony disc player. I am not doing his famous "TRUTH" mod as I do not need the added warmth of tubes.
Modwright told me he does not do repairs only, but he will repair AND modify. We have not gone into the details of the proposed modifications
but I am not prepared to spend more than $1000.
By the way I agree with you that the " The Sony player is that good"
I have provided an ideal environment for my Sony. It sits of a Symposium Acoustics Svelte Plus platform, with Rollerblocks JNR, Audience AU24SE power cord. It is fitted with two Synergistic Research black fuses. I have also prevented the top cover from ringing.
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JI35 9-22-2016
"Used Marantz SA-14S1 sometimes come up for low price and is excellent"
There is an excellent review of the Marantz SA-14S1 by Jeff Parks in issue 52 of Positive feedback online. Based on this review, I actually decided to purchase the Marantz for list price ($2500) from Sound Components who is an authorized dealer. They offered a 5 year warranty. However after speaking to Dan Wright, I decided to modify my Sony and save $1500.00
The Marantz is now my PLAN B if the deal with Modwright fails?
What would you consider " a low price" for a used the Marantz? How would you describe its sound?
BY THE WAY do you drive an Infinity?. My wife used to drive an Infinity and
if I remember correctly, the model name was JI135
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bassdude
I have not yet discussed details of the modifications. This will be done when a laser assembly is found. Generally speaking modifications are made in the following areas:
1. Power supply: Replacement of caps and diodes in critical areas. Fast recovery diodes and higher quality film caps make huge improvements.
2. Jitter Reduction: This is usually achieved by replacing the master clock. I know he uses the Audiocom master clock in his "TRUTH" mod.
3, Analog sound quality: replacement of op-amps and caps in critical areas.
4. Mechanical vibration: Mass damping to the drive mechanism and chassis. This, by the way, also reduces jitter.
Dan Wright mentioned a two week turnaround. If things go according to plan I should have everything done in about a month.
i will post the results in this thread.
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mattmiler 9/22/16
"SO to be clear none of you are going with the $1200 Oppo 105, with ESS
saber Dacs and audiophile grade outputs with XLR connections and is
rated among units that cost thousands more in the latest class A
recommendation from Stereophile? "
I agree the oppo 105D is great unit that does many things well. However I need a player for one single purpose only. For 2 channel stereo playback.
I have no need for a DAC, blueRay player, or even multi channel. Nor do I need its video capabilities. I am getting excellent results with the Sony
which works very well in my system. The Sony works synergistically with my existing components to create great music. Sometimes the question is not "which unit is better" but "which unit is best for my system?
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tpreaves
The Absolute Sound Magazine recommends the Marantz SA 8005 in its 2016 buyers guide ( In the price range $1000 to $1400). Here is what they had to say:
"This two‑channel only SACD/Red Book player boasts parts, circuitry, and
construction way disproportionate to its low price—virtues that are
mirrored in its equally superb-for-the-money reproduction of music.
Tonally neutral, authoritative and natural, with just a hint of
warmth—thus simply sumptuous on big material like operas and
nineteenth-century symphonies—the SA8004 is a music lover’s dream. Fans
of hard rock, heavy metal, and the like may—may—find it a little too
smooth, but it’s certainly no sluggard with such fare. It’s hard to
imagine anyone who appreciates what real music actually sounds like not
being seduced. The reviewer (PS) bought the review sample." The price is listed as $999
The OPPO 105D $1299 is also recommended in this $1000 to $1400 price range.
The fact that the reviewer purchase the Marantz sample he tested is HUGE in my opinion.
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tpreaves The Absolute Sound Magazine in their current (2016) buyers guide recommends the OPPO 105D as a best buy in the price range $1000 to $1400. Here is what they had to say:
Oppo BDP-105D
$1299
Few disc player/DACs can compete with Oppo’s BDP-105 at its price point
(or even near its price point), because the Oppo offers a seemingly
unbeatable combination of versatility, flexibility, and serious high-end
sound quality. Clean, clear, and decidedly detail-oriented, it hews
somewhat toward sonic leanness, but is far more revealing than it has
any right to be for the money. With the BDP-105 what you hear is what’s
on the record, with no comforting (but perhaps sonically misleading)
infusions of softness, warmth, or bass enrichment. In sum, the do-all
Oppo is a multi-format disc player and multi-input DAC with which your
system can grow (and it is also the vehicle of choice for many firms
offering ultra-high-performance upgrade mods). Finally, did we mention
the Oppo sounds terrific when heard through top-tier headphones? My son had an OPPO 105D up to recently in his high end system (before he went to a completely computer based system). I know how good the OPPO is because I would listen to his system every 2 months or so.
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jafant
Some reasons why Modwright likes the marantz SA8005 for high quality 2 channel audio.
1. No video circuitry
2. All digital circuitry are fully isolated from analog circuitry. ("very important with modern Hi Rez media and I have not seen this in other players" )
3. All linear power supplies, well executed.
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Modwrigth is very impressed with the
Marantz SA8005 CD/SACD player as a good platform for a dedicated 2 channel audio player. He will soon offer modifications to this player. There will be a tube modification as well as a SS modification at different price points.
He noted that this model has good power supplies and discrete audiocircuits (no op-amps). (my Sony uses op-amps)
Had I known this before I would have purchased a new Marantz SA 8005
for $1000 and have it modified after about 6 months.
He is currently upgrading my Sony 5400 ES.
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tpreaves
Congratulations. Modwright modifications have won universal praise and I expect his mods will sound fantastic.
Modwright has been known to offer a 5 year warranty. You should ask him how long a warranty he is offering for his work on the SA8005.
Great sound with a 5 year warranty. Awesome !
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tpreaves
Modwright gives the option of tube mods or solid state mods for the SA 80005. Which did you order?
Strateahed 10/6/16
"Is the next person going to be willing to pay me for what those guys
did? Probably not. But I have thoroughly enjoyed the sound and how the
mods improved my listening experience. So it's been worth it"
This is exactly the result I am hoping for.
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Regarding the Sony 5400ES SACD player.
I recently purchased a replacement laser assembly for my 6 year old Sony. I am now providing ( as a public service ) the information necessary to purchase a genuine Sony replacement laser:
Source: Encompass.com
Telephone: 1-800-432-8542
Part #: 8-820-322-04
Device: Optical KHM-313 cab/c
Manufacturer: Sony
Price: $43.03
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tpreaves, Jafant, bassdude, J135
I received my Modwright modified Sony on Friday. The first thing I noticed was how well it was packaged. While connecting it to my system I noticed that the IEC inlet was replaced and that it made a better mechanical connection with my Audience AU24 SE power cord. This was a pleasant surprise as Dan Modwright did not inform me of this upgrade.
His invoice specified that he had:
1. Replaced the entire drive mechanism including the tray and Laser
2. Replaced the Clock
3.Replaced (5) op-amps on the audio board with high fidelity op-amps.
4. Replaced key capacitors and diodes within the power supply
5. Dampened Drive mechanism
6 Dampened the case lid.
7. Installed a new Furutech IEC
Since receipt of the player I have played it for a total of 10 hours. Each time
I play it it sounds a little better. It is not yet fully broken in so I cannot post " a review " at this time. I can say however that I am very impressed with what I am hearing.
I will post a short progress review at the end of November, by which time it will have about 60 hours of playing time. It will probably not be fully broken in but at that time I will have a much clearer understanding of its peformance.
Finally, I must mention that it was a pleasure working with the organization.
Most of my communications was with Kristin Rose Boyd who is the Executive Director of Operations.
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Wig,
Thanks for joining in. I did install black fuses about 6 months ago and the results are wonderful. I also have SR fuses in my pre and power amps.
I recently purchased a SR black A/C receptacle, and it is my intention to install it after the Sony player is fully broken in. Since the black receptacle is said to use the same technology as the black fuse, I am very optimistic about its potential benefits.
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Modwright modified Sony XA5400ES CD/SACD player
I have been enjoying my Sony for the past 7 years and was devastated when It began to struggle reading discs. I knew it was time to replace the drive assembly OR purchase a new player. The new player that caught my eye was the Marantx SA-1451 CD/SACD player for $2500. The only person I trusted to repair the player was Dan Wright of Modwright Instruments. Dan has received universal praise for the quality of his work and I felt comfortable dealing with him.
I spoke to Mr.Wright who informed me he did not do repairs but would repair AND modify my player. We agreed I would pay him to replace the defective drive assembly and make a additional payment of $1000 for then unspecified modifications. He added that I would be "very pleased" with the results.
It was not a difficult decision. Repair and modify the Sony for $1250 or purchase the Marantz for $2500. I had no desire to disrupt the voicing of my system by introducing an unknown quantity. I shipped the Sony to Modwright and hoped for the best.
The following repairs and modifications were done.
1. Repairs: (Drive replacement)
2.Master clock upgrade to considerably reduce jitter and provide more precise timing.
3. Power supply: Replacement of diodes and caps in critical areas.
4. Damping of chassis, drive mechanism and lid
5. IEC connector replaced with New Furutech IEC made of pure copper.
6. Operational amplifiers: Five op-amps on audio board replaced with high fidelity op-amps.
7. Several months ago I had replaced the stock 800 ma fuses with Synergistic research black fuses for a very worthwhile improvement.
I have now had the upgraded unit for over two weeks. My break-in procedure is very simple. The unit is left on (but not playing) for 2 weeks and listened to for an average of 3 hours per day. I cannot say it is now fully broken in, but the sound has improved significantly and I am confident its performance will only get better over time.
BUT HOW DOES IT SOUND? I was really feeling tense. Was the unit damaged in transit? I pressed "PLAY" and hoped for the best. The drive mechanism was smooth and quiet. After playing a couple familiar songs (without listening for any particular characteristics) I felt calm and relaxed. the unit was in good working condition. Things were looking up. Phase 1 of my project was complete.
The next step was to listen to music and determine whether the modified player allowed me to enjoy music as much as I did before. The first thing I noticed was just how transparent it was. It was MUCH more transparent. It was more transparent not just in the lower to upper mid ranges as is often the case. It was more transparent over the entire frequency spectrum. It was not possible to say for example, that mid range was more transparent. The entire performance, including sound stage, acoustical and spatial clues were unraveled and presented as a coherent whole. All seven of the Weavers were present and physically occupying the sound stage. { The
Weavers Reunion at Carnegie Hall 1963" Vanguard 2150-2 1987 re-issue } I felt pure joy and relief. The new player was not just better but represented a paradigm shift in my perception of what was possible from the humble CD. I looked to see if the disc was remastered in DSD. No it was a standard stereo CD from Amazon.com. It was all over bar the shouting. I had gambled and won the lottery.
After the spectacular results of the Weavers I decided to listen to another great live recording in Carnegie Hall in April 1959 [Belafonte at Carnegie Hall-Sony Music: K2 HD mastering] I played "Matilda" because of the frequent interplay between Belafonte (who moved around during his performance) and the audience. I was anxious to hear if the modified player conveyed the magical acoustics and scale of the great Carnegie Hall. Unlike the relatively threadbare recording of the Weavers, the Hall was now bursting with the excitement and emotion of the huge and enthusiastic crowds. I have no better recording in my collection. Rumour is that the live feeds from the microphones were sent via copper cables to a recorder in a van parked outside in the parking lot. The modified player hit this one out of the park. It is now clear to me that CD has closed the gap with turntable based systems. It does not surprise me that it took a modified player to achieve this. [For the same reason I do not expect a standard showroom car (regardless of cost) to break any 1/4 mile records on the racetrack]
I had to listen to one more great live recording. (This time in DSD) "{Sam Cooke at the Copa" recorded in the Copacabana, New York City, June 1961. The acoustic environment in the nightclub is very unlike that of Carnegie Hall and the modified player made this quite clear, but the musicality of the performance came through in flying colors. I have listened to many bands in night clubs and have always enjoyed the intimacy of these smaller venues. I was not disappointed. I had the sense not that the modified player was outperforming the stock player BUT THAT SAM COOKE HIMSELF WAS PERFORMING BETTER. It was like listening to two different singers doing the National anthem before a big game. The first one does a great job and there are no complaints. However the second singer provides an inspired performance with such powerful conviction that everyone spontaneously jumps up waving their arms and cheering wildly.
My final test was {ANDY BEY - Ballads Blues and Bey - Evidence ECD22162-2} This is a very simple recording. A singer and his piano in a small studio. Bey's voice is laden with emotion and nuance. The modified player accurately portray the size of the studio. The tone of the piano is accurately conveyed. With the record playing I closed the door, went outside and listened."Is there a real piano in the closed room?" I asked myself. The answer was a resounding "YES". End of test.
One characteristic of the modified player that stood out during these listening tests was that it displayed much greater bass extension and bloom
than the stock player. To be frank bass performance was superb in every respect. I confirmed this by listening to Holey Cole's "Temptation" in DSD.
[Analog productions CAPP 048 SA] I really love this disc. It is also a great test of all aspects of bass performance. Bass detail, weight and slam were all exceptional when compared to the stock player, which is also very good in these areas.
CONCLUSION: Listening tests have made it clear to me that the modwright modified player presents music with an ease and naturalness the stock player cannot match. It is an unqualified success.
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Tpreaves
I hope you are enjoying your modwright modified Marantz as I am enjoying my modwright modified Sony. Does your unit have a separate power supply?
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