Re: MX5021 modding
Yup, those are not too bad, they're what I used in the motherboard (the Thermax caps). I use a pair of 4.7uF as input caps in one of my chipamps, and it's fairly transparent, with only the slightest touch of hash at HF. Very usable, and better than FCs.
I seem to remember that Railton on SP Road was a good source of industrial parts (which is = significantly more expensive and marginally better products). That said it's been ten years since I left Bangalore so I'm not really sure. I'm not sure you can get good electrolytics though. I've never found any in any market in the country, so I prefer to import mine.
As an update for anyone who's watching this thread, I changed out 4 or 5 opamps to NE5532 sourced locally. Made a pretty significant difference to the midrange, cleared out the last vestiges of grain. Those 4558 opamps are quite horrible, but in the bass section they'll be just fine. All the opamps relating to the satellite section were changed out, the opamps cost me 12 bucks each (INR).
I also added a pair of RCA jacks to the back instead of the wimpy little 3.5 mm jack, so finally one can use real interconnects. Alas, I find that the sound quality from the rear input is not up to scratch compared to the dock input. Earlier they sounded exactly the same (thus validating that the mods really did make a difference).
I have a modded SB Live hooked up from my download rig to the rear input (using the wimpy little jack) and the modded Delta 66 to the dock input (using a specially made interconnect). There is a significant difference in the midrange quality between the two inputs. The rear input passes through one extra opamp, so maybe some investigation is warranted, but I have no patience to do it.
Just so you all know, the main audio controller is a custom made ST chip, very difficult to find for sale. Be careful with the MXs, if you blow or otherwise damage the chip there's no way it can be replaced.
I also added small 10uF bypass caps on the satellite amp. I have no idea if it made any difference.
No more mods are planned for the MXs, and I plan to retire them from active duty in a few months' time when the Dynes are properly set up (thanks, Zhops!).
Yup, those are not too bad, they're what I used in the motherboard (the Thermax caps). I use a pair of 4.7uF as input caps in one of my chipamps, and it's fairly transparent, with only the slightest touch of hash at HF. Very usable, and better than FCs.
I seem to remember that Railton on SP Road was a good source of industrial parts (which is = significantly more expensive and marginally better products). That said it's been ten years since I left Bangalore so I'm not really sure. I'm not sure you can get good electrolytics though. I've never found any in any market in the country, so I prefer to import mine.
As an update for anyone who's watching this thread, I changed out 4 or 5 opamps to NE5532 sourced locally. Made a pretty significant difference to the midrange, cleared out the last vestiges of grain. Those 4558 opamps are quite horrible, but in the bass section they'll be just fine. All the opamps relating to the satellite section were changed out, the opamps cost me 12 bucks each (INR).
I also added a pair of RCA jacks to the back instead of the wimpy little 3.5 mm jack, so finally one can use real interconnects. Alas, I find that the sound quality from the rear input is not up to scratch compared to the dock input. Earlier they sounded exactly the same (thus validating that the mods really did make a difference).
I have a modded SB Live hooked up from my download rig to the rear input (using the wimpy little jack) and the modded Delta 66 to the dock input (using a specially made interconnect). There is a significant difference in the midrange quality between the two inputs. The rear input passes through one extra opamp, so maybe some investigation is warranted, but I have no patience to do it.
Just so you all know, the main audio controller is a custom made ST chip, very difficult to find for sale. Be careful with the MXs, if you blow or otherwise damage the chip there's no way it can be replaced.
I also added small 10uF bypass caps on the satellite amp. I have no idea if it made any difference.
No more mods are planned for the MXs, and I plan to retire them from active duty in a few months' time when the Dynes are properly set up (thanks, Zhops!).
