RWA-Z1ES-3 UPDATE!It's alive - it's spectacular! And it is
almost finished:
Let me first say that I really wanted to use an internal battery supply for this modification. This would keep the power path
from the LiFePO4 batteries to the Audio board and Tube stages as short as possible. I found battery holders to mount to the
right side panel (next to the Audio board). And now, it looks like it IS going to happen (all internal).
The LiFePO4 batteries are now powering the entire Audio board, including:
- The new 3.3V and 5V Super Regulators that feed the L and R d/a chips
- The new 3.3V Super Regulator for the clocking circuitry used for ALL file types
- The I/V conversion stage
- The tube output stages B+
- The output mute relay and circuitry for it
I still need to test play time between charges, but I expect ~ 7 hours continuous.
The stock analog transformer and power supply board will only used for the tube heaters, and battery charger. I still need to add an AC/BATT switch to allow for continuous play/charging, and I suspect the sound to be quite good in this mode since we are using the stock linear supply, but for the best results, run in pure battery mode for critical listening and you will be glad you did! Why?
Because with the lower output impedance (higher output current), isolation from the AC mains, and super-regulated feed to the d/a converters and clocks, I am excited to report on these
sonic improvements:
- Dynamics have improved even more!
- Bass is tighter, faster, and appears to reach lower with more authority. There is serious grip and speed now, with total command
over each note. You will have a very hard time not tapping your feet and move about in your chair now! The timing is spot on.
- An ultra black background that allows you to hear even the most subtle details come out of empty space.
- Music is presented in a way that is free of any grain, glare, or other forms of 'digital sounding' artifacts.
- The sound it taller, wider, and deeper... it's very expansive.
- Overall, the music is conveyed with big doses of energy, tone, body, weight, transparency... you name it, it is ALL there and it's full of vibrancy!
Things left to do for the RWA-Z1ES-3:- Test play time in pure battery mode
- Convert the now unused analog linear power supply board to a linear charger for the LiFePO4 battery packs and test
- Add AC/BATT switch and test
I should have this all wrapped up by the end of the week. I had to order some additional parts for the battery charging side of things.
Pricing:Currently, we have:
- RWA-Z1ES-1 @ $1195
- RWA-Z1ES-2 @ $1995
I've done a few of them so far, and I am going to have to raise these a little more. It's taking me a lot more hours to mod these players than I anticipated.
As of May 1st, the pricing will be as follows:
- RWA-Z1ES-1 will be: $1495
- RWA-Z1ES-2 will be: $2250
- RWA-Z1ES-3 will be: $2995
+ shipping .
I will be modding units to RWA-Z1ES-3 by the end of this month (*probably* earlier - starting next week).
As for the OPTIONS...I received a few requests for the remote volume control and added RCA input(s). While I do not have the pricing up yet, I am confident that I CAN add this for the Level 1, 2, or 3 modification packages above. So contact me about it and we can get it going on it. Otherwise, I probably won't get to it few a couple of more weeks.
That's it for now. Many thanks for all your continued interest and support!
Vinnie
