SCD-777ES or SCD-1

I'm at a loss for having not heard the APL/Denon, but
if it gets close to the big boys that I mentioned, then that underscores the
value proposition of modding.
Dgarretson (System | Threads | Answers)

That depends on one's definition of modding. APL did not consider the APL
Denon 3910 a mod, but rather an entirely new player in the Denon 3910's
box.

APL did not modify the Denon in the respect of replacing parts and power
supplies, as most modders do. (Past tense, because the APL Denon 3910 is
no longer built.) APL completely gutted the machine except for the laser
assembly, and video/set-up circuitry.

Then, APL installed new, APL designed power supplies, audio processing and
output stage. There was nothing resembling the Denon audio circuitry or
power supplies remaining.

APL essentially built a new, dedicated two-channel audio player. It was
simply more cost effective for APL to use the Denon 3910's laser assembly
and box rather than designing and manufacturing a new APL box and buying
OEM transports.

Ironically, the part that most often causes problems in these players is the
Denon laser assembly. I am not aware of one APL Denon 3910 owner who has
ever had problems with anything APL designed and installed.

Similarly, in the RAM full-out mod, the entire power section is replaced with aftermarket discrete DC regulation circuits, the one-chip clock oscillator is replaced with a Superclock PCB, and the entire analog output section is replaced with buffered Audio Consulting silver transformers that as piece parts alone can cost up to $2K.

What's interesting is that essentially the same approach is repeatable across a variety of CDP models. The differentiation between machines that remains after these mods are done can be regarded as the inherent sonic signature of the OEM DAC and transport/RF section themselves, rather than the product of compromised stock power and analog sections.

When stripped back to laser, RF, and DAC, are all machines essentially the same? They are not. Allen Wright has written that the STACT/VC24-based Sonys and also those like the SCD-1/777ES with the sliding platter assemblies, are especially good mod platforms. When selecting a mule for modding, the cost and effort of the add-on work may exceed the value of original unit several-fold, so it is best to select a model with the greatest potential.

The Denon may be good as well, and as you point out, Alex has gone further than others by gutting the DAC from the machine and substituting AKM replacements. But even assuming that the AKM arrays are the best of all possible DACs, the question remains as to whether his analog section, clock, and power assemblies are equal to alternative assemblies and piece parts. The player's performance is the synergistic whole of these considerations.

I would add from my own experience with AC and DC mods, that properly implemented large SLA batteries take things to an altogether higher level than the best AC regulated power-- perhaps an equalizer in the tech wars. There are no firm rules as to how the mods all net out, of course.

In this context, I'll add a thought illustrating how engineering choices to improve performance are sometimes available to the modder, but not to the manufacturer.

The many PCB traces that carry power to a DAC chip are bypassed by capacitors at the chip pins, typically by a half dozen or so low-value surface-mounted ceramic caps costing pennies apiece, even in megabuck CDPs. It's an important function, but space and cost considerations preclude using better pieces. However, with a few hours work it's possible to sqeeze highest-quality Teflon caps near enough to these critical locations. Luckily, the russian cold war surplus variant of what would be a $50 piece part if manufactured today, is available direct from eastern Europe for $2. So in go six around one DAC chip for a major improvement in sound. It doesn't take a genius to engineer this modification (in fact, even a genius could not cram 72 such parts around an array of 12 AKM DACs; it is not a viable parts choice for the APL design). Nor is this choice available to a commercial manufacturer, who for this one tweak alone might need to charge something like 4x markup x $50/unit cost x qty 6 pieces per DAC = $1000+.

Just an example of the unusual options that can be cost-effective only for the modder-- and in this particular example, only for a machine using a single DAC.