Marantz CD63 - Highly Modified
--This player is now sold--

This player sounds fantastic. The entire original output stage has been replaced by a totally passive transformer output. Gone is the harsh and muddy original sound, and instead you can hear a very finely detailed, airy and sweet musical presentation. We believe this is better than any IC opamp. Many of the capacitors are upgraded to Rubycon ZA, Elna Silmic, and Sanyo Oscon SEPC. All parts have been chosen specifically for each application. The hookup wire used is OFC copper by Kimber.

In addition to the transformer output stage, we have installed a low-jitter clock on the dac - all but eliminating sound-ruining jitter from the digital circuit. The results of clocking cd players are well documented, ie. Massively reduced "digititis", much more realistic tonal information and separation of instruments. The clocking in this player is taken a few steps further than usual: The servo section has a clock-divide circuit which takes its signal from the dac clock. This releases even more fine detail, and you can hear the tiny nuances captured in a recording, all adding greatly to the atmosphere and soundstaging.

With the replacement of the active output stage with a passive one, the windings on the main transformer that supplied the original stage are no longer needed. These have been used instead to provide a separate, low noise supply for the clocks - isolating them completely from the rest of the cd player power supplies. The clocks are dual-regulated to further reduce noise.

Above: Transformer output stage with upgraded Rubycon ZA, Oscon SEPC and C1 clock around the dac.

Other mods include:

Sanyo Oscon SEPC on dac digital rails.

Rubycon ZA on dac analog rails for massively improved detail and separation.

Elna Silmic in various positions to ensure that smooth analog sound with fantastic tonal detail.

Panasonic FC Low-ESR capacitors for 5v supply.

The main smoothing capacitor for the 5v and servo supply has been replaced with a large-can BC Components. This gave a very large upgrade in bass depth, control and definition.

Above: D1 clock divide circuit and Elna Silmic capacitors on servo section.

Fitted with these modifications, this player easily outperforms some very, very expensive current cd players costing into the thousands.

All for only £249 including delivery.