[ASi_TEK]

Reference Audio Mods presents newly revised 2 channel mods to the Denon DVD-2900 and new mods to the Denon 3910 units. The Mods for BOTH units are now the same price and have been broken out in sections to accommodate audiophiles on a budget or want to upgrade is stages! The individual selected components parts used here in the modifications described below are tried and true CUTTING EDGE "State of the Art" type of parts that outperform everything else we have tried on the current market to get the best sound possible. We literally stay on top of the most cutting edge technologies and topologies to keep advancing to acheive best sound possible within your budgets. The results from these mods are INCREDIBLE and will challenge any stock or modified player regardless of price or modding technique.

If you have an existing Denon 2900, then upgrading with this mod package will be more cost conscience and sound as good as spending the extra money on the 3910 and getting that modded. If you own the 3910 now, then these mods will take the unit FAR ABOVE anything off the shelf you can find and above other modified units on the market. Both units will ultimately sound similar in the end, both being World Class Killers! This will be your last player to ever want to own!! We are supplying fully modded 3910 players directly now as well (about 2 week leadtime).

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Modification Descriptions

-SMPS Power Supply upgrades ($300 installed)

We replace critical capacitors and diodes in the SMPS with Rubycon ZL/ZA and Stealth Ultra Soft recovery Diodes mounted on a wooden platform. These new diodes give the unit a "tube like" sound to the unit from our listening sessions. The Rubycon ZA/ZL capacitors have been tested to outperform the very best blackgates available and offer more speed, dynamics, resolution and air in the music. We replace the stock smsp smoothing cap with an Exotic Jensen 4-pole version, which provides increased performance over 2-poles design which "push" noise, the Jensen blocks noise and decouples. Also, we re-engineer the board and eliminate some energy robbing devices. This brings much more resolution, better defined and deeper bass and more sonic character. This really makes this player sound cleaner, more robust and authorities. This upgrade also makes the video portion look/sound better as well.! We replace the stock IEC connector with an ACME Audio Labs Cryogenically treated Silver IEC connector. Better power transfer characteristics, definitely improves the sound! We re-wire the input with Audio Consulting Silver wire, which offers better power transfer characteristics than the stock wiring.

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-Audiocom Superclock 3 Reference Clock Upgrade (Modified)
$295 Free Install!!

We add a reference quality jitter reduction circuit called a Superclock 3, this a major improvement in overall sound! This replaces the master clock and offers much lower jitter rate than the stock cmos type oscillator. Expanded soundstages and accurate instrument definitions for example are the many outcomes of this major mod component. We modify this clock further for extra additional performance. Metal sounds like metal, wood sounds like wood. Breathtaking performance is now possible with a very vivid soundstage!! Please give the unit well over 100 hours to break-in with this clock. Bonus! WE ARE NOW INCLUDING A PROPRIETARY C37 TWEAK TO THE CLOCK BOARD AND SPECIAL SHIELDING TO REDUCE RFI!! THE RESULTS ARE AMAZING! THESE TWEAKS ARE INCLUDED FREE WITH THIS MOD PACKAGE!!

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-Audiocom Superclock 3 Power Supply Unit (modified) ($295 Free Install!!)-

We add a discrete power supply for the Superclock 3 that adds another level of performance to the unit. Increased dynamics and resolution is what to be expected. We further modify the power supply with Rubycon ZA/ZL capacitors to take it even further. The clock power supply is needed to truly have a matched package with the SC3 clock!!!

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Audio Consulting CD Mains Transformer Isolation Upgrade ($340 installed)- This exotic high quality Isolation Transformer gets mounted next to the power supply and isolates the whole players off the AC Mains. In addition, if you are not in the Americas and your voltage is 230/0, this device will bring the voltage down to 115V! No more looking around for 220v units! The reason to use a CD mains transformer is that it blocks (or isolates) distortions on the mains from entering into the power supply of the player. No matter what kind or amount of the type of supplies that are located in the unit, there will always be a large performance difference with an isolation transformer. What happens is that diode bridges in each piece of component are connected to the mains; they emit an AC harmonic and these harmonics necessarily "talk" to each other, (one component to another) creating allot more noise and harmonic issues. Using the CD Mains transformer, you can "isolate" this issue at the transformer and it doesn’t let this phenomenon pass and thus highly lessened distortions, which leads too much better sound (increased resolution and dynamics!). We noticed this is even better when you in the city (as I am) as there is allot more "hash and trash" on the lines. This is one of the most cost effective "tweak" upgrades you can ever make for your critical digital components!!! Now you do not need a power conditioner, just plug this unit into the wall, dedicated for your digital components.

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Audiocom Invisus PPR1 Voltage Regulation Upgrade $225

The New Audiocom Invisus PPR1 is the absolute best sounding voltage regulation circuit to be ever used in an audio component. This regulation circuit feeds the critical TRANSPORT and DAC chips sections of the player. These brand new ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE voltage regulation circuits provide ULTRA LOW NOISE and ULTRA HIGH SPEED voltage regulation, giving your music the absolute striking SPEED, Dynamics and Stunning resolution that was never before present no matter what unit you have owned, whether it be new or modified. The topolgy is an ultra fast circuit with a propeitary ultra low noise cancelling circuit to make the output noise and harmonics and little as possible. There is no absolute match for this type of performance, this has been designed to be the best!

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Copper or Silver Wire Transformer Output Stage Mods/Rebuild
($675 Installed for Copper, or $1000 Installed for Silver)

Here it is! Now you can get very stunning resolution and dynamics from our Signature Transformer Output Stage exclusively using Audio Consulting Silver or copper wired transformers! These transformers are very rare, handmade and come direct from Switzerland! This totally redefines the Denon DVD-2900 or 3910 stock output stage, which squashes dynamics and resolution and is very slow sounding and constricted in our opinion. Also now we can effectively and inherently provide galvanic isolation, which other modifications by other companies are NOT doing. Music is much quieter, cleaner, and more resolute with no lack of dynamics! You will be stunned! Much more music, emotion, and drive. High Frequency extension is incredible and the clarity of bells and pianos are absolutely stunning. The amount of resolution cannot be found anywhere else. The Copper versions offer great resolution/dynamics and performance without breaking the bank, and still sound much better than other transformers and others output stages on the market. The Silver versions offer the same as the coppers but more resolution and vividness to the music and sound cleaner/faster. We replace the stock I/V opamps with the acclaimed Analog Devices AD8620 versions, replace feedback resistors with Caddocks. In addition, we replace an abundance of voltage bypass caps with Rubycon ZL/ZA capacitors and Replace the Stock RCA connectors with the WBT NextGen Female versions with either copper (provided when copper output stage mod is selected) or Silver versions (provided when Silver output stage mod is selected)

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Reference Audio Mods recommended upgrade path for people on a budget (this package attacks all parts of the unit, but less some of the options to make it sound even much better):

BASIC Mod recommendation-
~SMPS Mod Upgrades- $300 (Installed)
~Audiocom Superclock 3 upgrade- $295 (FREE INSTALL)
~Copper Output Stage Mods- $675 (Installed)
Total= $1270 (INCLUDES FREE RETURN SHIPPING!)(Lower 48 US states)

FULL Monty mods for the best performance out of the 2900 or 3910.
Recommended Full Upgrade path:
~Switch Mode Supply Upgrades ($300 Installed)
~Superclock 3 upgrade to unit ($295) FREE INSTALLATION!
~Superclock 3 Modified Power Supply Upgrade ($295) FREE INSTALL!
~Silver Coupling Transformer Stage and other Part Replacements ($1000.00 Installed)
~Audio Consulting AC Isolation Transformer ($340 Installed)
~Audiocom Invisus PPR1 Voltage Regulation upgrade ($225 Installed)
~Total: $2455 installed with FREE return shipping

~We can also supply Brand New 3910 units for $995 even (choose either black or silver). We can only sell new units to clients purchasing modifications for them.
~The total is $3450 for a brand new fully modded Denon 3910.
There is about 2-3 week leadtime for fully modded brand new units.

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INSTALLATION SERVICES INFORMATION:

East Coast USA: Contact RAM East (Douglas Jesse) in Warren, Michigan at (586-944-5611) or referenceaudiomodseast@yahoo.com

West Coast USA: Contact RAM WEST (Kyle Takenaga) in Riverside California at (951-780-2869) or referenceaudiomods@yahoo.com

The turn around time for these High Performance modifications are about 2-3 weeks!
FREE RETURN SHIPPING on all orders to the lower 48 USA states.

Please visit our website at www.referenceaudiomods.com for shipping address information.

The link on the bottom of the page can be used to instantly purchase these mods and a reply email well be sent with shipping info for the player to be sent off too.

Thanks and we look forward to assisting you in the path of the best sound available today!

[NealH]

So the $64K question; does this vault the performance above that obtained with the Exemplar mod?

[ASi_TEK]

So the $64K question; does this vault the performance above that obtained with the Exemplar mod?

I have absolutely no doubt that the cost differential (compare costs, not bad huh!) and the performance of the RAM Denon 2900/3910 are in a different league compared to other modded denon machines, including the above mentioning. I only rely on client reviews and I have had clients tell me they have "heard" others modifed Denons and then mine and were stunned by the actual amount of presence and liveliness in the music and the resolution and dynamics are second to none.

We use Live Music to detail our mods for a reference (powerful sound coming to us from live jazz clubs, live drum solos, concerts etc...), as our approach is to bring the liveliest performance possible in the end out of the player.

time is money, money is time. 20-30 hours of installation in a denon is not cheap, and people charge for it, thats why these mods are so expensive.  Our mod takes about a good hardcore 3 hours. But charging hourly is not the point. We are offering FREE installation on a couple of products (superclock 3 and the superclock 3 power supply) and I am willing to give a little to the audiophile community to get our sound out to the world.  Thanks!

[Jay S]

Doug,

Assuming limited funds for options, would money be better spend on the Audiocom clock power supply or the silver transformer output stage?  

Also, have you tried putting in a linear power supply?  Do your power upgrades include upgraded voltage regulators?  

Finally, my impression from your post is that assuming you are focused on audio quality then a modded 2900 will sound very similar to a similarly modded 3910 and we may as well pocket the savings.

Thanks,

- Jay

[ASi_TEK]

Doug,

Assuming limited funds for options, would money be better spend on the Audiocom clock power supply or the silver transformer output stage?  

Also, have you tried putting in a linear power supply?  Do your power upgrades include upgraded voltage regulators?  

Finally, my impression from your post is that assuming you are focused on audio quality then a modded 2900 will sound very similar to a similarly modded 3910 and we may as well pocket the savings.

Thanks,

- Jay

Hi Jay,

The Silver Transformer output is a better choice, not only are the transformer made out of silver wire, but the WBT nextgens will be the Silver versions too, which I believe is a better upgrade to the coppers than just doing the SC3 PSU. The SC3 PSU is definitely needed, but I would put the money into the Output stage first.

We have tried the linear supply in the 5900. The problem is the linear supply need Isolation, There are then two power supplies and we all know that it is not good to have one with a ton of switching noise crosstalking into a conventional version.

The Voltage Regulators can be replaced, we are awaiting the New Audiocom Q-powers and will adding this as an upgrade option in january when they are due out. It doesnt make sense to do a number of machines with the older (but still most worthwhile) regulators to only come out with new versions a month later!

We are focues on 2ch only, but the other benefit from the power supply mods and the clock will ultimately effect video and MC portions as well.

If you have the Denon 2900, then you might as well pocket the savings ove buying a new 3910, unless thats what you really want. One other thing is that we offer a Isolation transformer that mounts in the 2900 that really does something to the resolution/dynamics of that unit and could be better than the 3910, I have yet to do any head to head comparisons.

Thanks for the reply.

[ASi_TEK]

This was posted in another thread but I wanted to show how the Rubycon ZA/ZL stand up to other caps on the specs. The sound superior to ALL Blackgate models. I have done head to head tests against the Blackgate N/NX series to only find the Rubycon ZA/ZL sound alot faster, much more open and live articulate detail to come from them. I have used these in coupling, decouple, and bypass situations and am still stunned today. I used to use all BG before and thought that they were the best, today there is a different king of caps!

These caps are close to Os-Con standards are far as impedance, but I firmly beleive these sound alot better for music.


The Rubycon ZA series is not on this chart, it has much lower impedance and much higher ripple current than everything on this list!

Source)




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[some young guy]

[ASi_TEK]

have you listened to the apl hi-fi 2900 or 3910? just wondering what comparisons you'd have. they're the best digital i've ever heard, so i'm curious.

Hi,

I have not heard the APL units, they do not come out to this side of the country it seems as much as you guys have them done in Cali.  

I have compared our OLD Denon 2900 with full mods to the meiter combo and it was alot better. Larger soundstage, more refined dynamics and resolution/inner resolution. I also compared it to a modded Vimak transport/dac combo and had similar results, it bested it in every way.

That was then, this is now. Now there is loads better parts into play and the sound is ALOT better.

That modded 2900 that bested the meinter/philips had different parts that provide lesser sound quality than what we now include into the mods Today. Here is a breakdown of the differences from the "old" mod to the "new" mod so you see:

Diodes- "OLD" high speed harris diodes, "NEW" Stealth Ultra Soft Recovery diodes mounting on a C37 lacquered oak platform. This made a very nice improvement, took out the grain/glare the harris still had in them and brought more of a tubelike sound to the music.

Power Supply cap- "OLD" Blackgate WK Power Tank, "NEW" Exotic Jensen 4-pole cap. I noticed once I put the Jensen in I got more resolution and liveliness and picked up speed.  Bass stay the same (powerful) but became more refined.  The Blackgate sounded too slow and sluggish for my likings.

Clock- "OLD" Superclock 2 (modded) "NEW" Superclock 3 (modded) (w/optional power supply that also gets modded further)-
The New Superclock 3 (RAM modded) is everyway much better than the SC2 modded.  Better Micro/Macro Dynamics, The music comes out into the room with liveliness like never before.  Also, now we option the power supply that also gets modded, and this improves bass/resolution and detail/focus to another level.

RCA Jacks- "OLD" Vampire RCA jacks female "NEW" WBT NextGen Copper or Silver versions-
The New WBT Nextgens are more sonicaly transparent female chassis RCA jack I have heard to date. Because of the lack of metal and the use of silver, my guess to get any better is to go a direct connection!!  Just replacing the Vampire RCA with the WBT Nextgen take out some anolmolies that you thought were something else in your system! I couldnt beleive what a difference a RCA female connector made.

Capacitors- "OLD" Blackgate Std, N and FK series caps, "NEW" Rubycon ZA/ZL series caps-
The blackgates sound SLOW!!! They did not bring the speed and liveliness to the music the Rubycons do. Now matter what series or kind I tried, I could not get the blackgates to bring that live blossom like the rubycons bring.  The ZA/ZL are kinda based on the similar theory, but are much lower impedance and higher ripple currents.  Listening to a toshiba 3950 with the N/NX series caps and then another (side by side) with the ZA/ZL caps we were stunned!! The ZA/ZL 3950 had openess that the BG couldnt bring. The BG sounded constricted and sluggish, and these were the best series caps they offer. I now have a bin full of about 500 used Blackgates that I pulled out of my system in favor for the ZA/ZL caps, now I am much much closer to the real music I have always been searching for...


Todays RAM modded 2900/3910s are even much much better than the previous RAM Denon 2900  units.  With the new products and technologies in the package I have no doubt the performance would be stellar versus other modded units on the market. I would love to hear all available mods to get a idea but this is a hard task. I appreciate your time!

[Chasms]

Hi Doug,
 
I am new to this forum, but I have heard of your work.
I have surfed over to Audiocom and find nothing listed on their site regarding this new SC3. How is it that you have them available so soon?

Please tell me do you have stock for immediate shipment or if I wanted to take you up on your offer on the FREE installation is your turn around time of 1 1/2 weeks good to go at this time?

Also, you sound very excited about the sound you are able to achive with the SC3 over the SC2, besides the 2 Denon products you discribe in the mods listed in this thread, what units have you installed the SC3 into and did you find that SC3 PS is absolutly nessesary?

I have a Marantz SA-1, an oldie (I know) but a goodie. I am particully interested what mods you have tried on the SA-1 with these new parts.
 
thanks,
Sam

[ASi_TEK]

Hi Sam,

The Audiocom website was just updated today with the new Superclock 3 and PSU. Audiocom also makes the statement that this is the best sounding clock on the market as I do. I have tested and heard everything and this clock takes the cake! (Also, not mentioned in my Ad, I modify the SC3 further to even better performance)...

here is the link to the Superclock 3:
http://www.1st-4-audio.com/store/product.asp?P_ID=129

here is the link to the Superclock 3 PSU:
http://www.1st-4-audio.com/store/product.asp?P_ID=130

The SC3 goes for 169 British pounds which is $320 US Dollars. We are selling them at $295 each!! and Free install!!! if you cannot do it yourself.


The SC3 power supply is absolutely necessary as it delivers very clean power to the clock. The new design is ALOT better than prior and we modify the power supply even further (again, FOR FREE!!!) and it takes it to another level of performance. Alot of Richard Kern Sony clients loved the additon of the power supply into their units and David Robinson from positive feedback did a review on it and thought it made a nice difference.

Here is a excerpt from that review from David Robinson of positive feedback:

SUPERCLOCK POWER SUPPLY "The most noticeable characteristic appears to be in improved silence..."black" becomes "blacker," thus allowing quiet to be really quiet. It's especially noticeable in the microdynamics of smaller ensembles, or tactile passages (pizzicati, for example) using guitar, violin, or harp. Saliva on reed is much more evident; the shimmer on pure DSD percussives stands out from a greater silence.

It’s the improved silence that is so notable with this modification. I’ve since confirmed by extended listening the impression that the Superclock with dedicated power supply seems to have a lower noise floor. If you are looking for improved nuance in SACD playback, this is unquestionably a significant step in the right direction. I would not want to do the Superclock upgrade without the dedicated power supply as well, and recommend very strongly that you do both at the same time. The one without the other is a waste of opportunity!"

The NEW Superclock 3 Power supply is ALOT better now and the results are even better!

we expect to receive the next shipment in this week, 1 1/2 weeks leadtime is realistic.

[some young guy]

so have you already implemented the sc3 in a 3910? how does it differ from the 2900?

[ASi_TEK]

so have you already implemented the sc3 in a 3910? how does it differ from the 2900?

The 3910 clock circuit was upgraded with a SC3 (modified) and it really expanded everything from top to bottom of the unit tremedously. The power supply adds on even more.  I have never done a direct comparison between the 2900/3910 clock circuits, but in each case the end result is very very significant.

[some young guy]

so you haven't encountered any of the clocking issues that i've read about with the 3910?

[ASi_TEK]

so you haven't encountered any of the clocking issues that i've read about with the 3910?

I remove the stock master clock circuit parts and replace it with the SC3. I havent had any clocking issues on this or the 2900, and the clock upgrade results are very very significant for both audio and video.

The 3910 has a better audio digital signal processing section I noticed and I beleive can be better sounding, but I havent do a concisive A-B comparison yet...

[some young guy]

So, the SC3 provides all the clocks the 3910 needs or it just replaces the actual crystal oscillator of the master clock circuit? You might want to check this: http://www.aplhifi.com/Masterclock.html  And BTW, I don’t see any specifications for the SC3 on your site. What are the specs for stability, jitter and duty cycle of SC3?

[ASi_TEK]

So, the SC3 provides all the clocks the 3910 needs or it just replaces the actual crystal oscillator of the master clock circuit? You might want to check this: http://www.aplhifi.com/Masterclock.html  And BTW, I don’t see any specifications for the SC3 on your site. What are the specs for stability, jitter and duty cycle of SC3?

There are no known published specifications for the above mentioned to these clocks. I have found that specifications do not tell if the product will or will not sound better...there is alot more too it.. dont let them fool you.

However, if you are not getting the POWER right to the clock, then its all sorta wasted and you will never get the maximum sonic advantages availble. Powering the clock circuit off the modified smps works and works very well, but is still not the most optimal way to getting the least amount of harmonics and noise off the very critical clock circuit power supply rails. Switching supplies generate a TON of noise and alot of HF noise at that. The usual HF and RFI filters do not work here, and top of that, reduce dynamics.  No matter how Alex or any other modder does this, they are not getting the very best sound possible with their choice of clocks.

The best way to do this is use a dedicated very high quality discrete power supply, however, since the Denon uses SMPS, this is not good for Switching supplies to be connect with conventional supplies connected near by to the mains (especially for the critical clock circuit). This is another reason why using tubes with their own supply in these machines is completely NOT GOOD, (unless there is some form of isolation from supply to supply) thus this topology the technicians are using are ultimately reducing resolution and dynamics.

We use an exotic very high quality Audio Consulting mains isolation transformer that REALLY helps for this situation. This isolates the SMPS from the clock power supply. Very low magnetic flux density for optimal power transfer. It could be take much much further by adding additonal Isolation to the clock power supply as well and EVEN further by using a $1500 Silver Rock Sivler wired 1:1 isolation transformer if you really want to get crazy. Even building an all-out no holds barred custom power supply ultilizing silver wire transformers and isolation transformers can be done on a custom basis. If we had more room I would add a smaller isolation transformer for the clock supply as well, but it will not fit and cost too much for most peoples budgets.  

Here is the detailed info about the Superclock 3:
Re-Clocking With The New Superclock 3


Superclock 3 arrives after three years of intensive research and sonic proving. The compact circuit board easily fits inside your player. Installation is straightforward and can be carried out by your dealer if you prefer. But why do we need a Superclock? What is wrong with the player’s clock?

Many CD players use a simple crystal oscillator. This is done to reduce cost. Whilst effective as an oscillator such simple circuits suffer major drawbacks, the most significant being a phenomenon know as jitter or phase noise, both power supply and data related.

Jitter causes many problems in digital systems, no matter whether they are CD players, cell phones or digital telephone exchanges. In CD players jitter directly affects sound quality. Data loss, corruption and incorrect sampling all impact on sonic performance. Loss of soundstage, poor dynamics, and unnatural tonal quality all reduce the listening experience, which should be effortless. Yes there are factors other than jitter which impact sound quality, and these apply right through the audio chain from the digital source itself to the speakers and room acoustics. Restoring data, which is of course "sound" from the disc itself, is the first link in this chain. If this first link is poor then every one beyond it, no matter how good, cannot restore lost sonic quality.

Let us now consider features of Superclock 3 which bring recorded sound to life. Your listening experience becomes a pleasure once more. The process of digital recording is actually very good. A typical disc holds a faithful reproduction of the original artistry, good or bad. In other words the original quality is right there on each disc. The problem comes in extracting this information faithfully and the biggest enemy to this process is jitter.

Superclock 3 generates a pure clock signal for your CD, DVD or SACD player. Like all other clocks this process induces jitter. It is a real world fact of life; there is no escaping the issue. What Superclock 3 does is to minimise this jitter both data and power supply related so its effects are negligible. Many years of intensive research into clock design and its impact on sound quality have provided a knowledge base which directs us into area of unfounded performance in digital audio.

An overview of how Superclock 3 works.


Highest grade, close tolerance parts are used throughout. We used only audio grade capacitors, ultra-low noise operational amplifiers, ultra-low noise precision voltage reference, a high stability, and precision cut quartz crystal and low noise resistors. This carefully selected balance of quality parts are the starting point in reducing jitter.

Noise cancelling, power supply on board with stable output voltage and separate low impedance feeds to analogue and digital circuits.

Noise cancelling. Noise present on the incoming supply is rejected. The result is a clean stable DC voltage which is used to power circuits on the board. The result is reduced jitter.

Stable voltage to logic section. The supply to the logic stage is very low impedance and stable. This means that the logic switching points are also stable; a significant reduction in jitter ensues.

Low impedance feeds. Transient pulses of current from logic switching are not reflected back into other parts of the circuit. Again this results in reduced jitter.

Four layers in the circuit board layout with segregated ground, power, logic and analogue signals. Gold plated power ground and analogue outer layers.

Segregated power and signal planes mean segregated flow of currents. Injected noise from undesirable mixing of current in these planes is therefore minimised.

Gold plated signal, power and ground layers to maintain lowest possible impedance and resistive Skin effect, (flow of current at the surface at high frequency) is enhanced by the use of precious metal coating. Conductors on the PCB are therefore far more effective at high frequencies.

Unique low power sine wave oscillator design to keep jitter at a minimum and optimise frequency stability.

A high quality sine wave is generated, at very low power levels to maintain short and long term frequency stability. Jitter is minimised by generating a sinusoidal wave and converting this to square in the final stage.

Buffer stage to isolate low power oscillator from digital stages.

The buffer stage isolates the low power sine wave from the digital section that replaces your CD's digital clock. The quality of the sine wave oscillator is not compromised due to loading effects. This helps lower jitter.

Fast logic final stage

We use fast logic to convert the buffered sine wave to final logic levels that drive your CD player. Fast logic (200 MHz) means that the sine to square conversion is fast and distortion due to square wave rise time is minimum. This coupled with a low impedance and stable dc voltage to this crucial final stage keep jitter as low as possible.

Next generation sound.

Superclock 3 unleashes the realism and energy available from any digital format. Finally the high resolution of digital audio is fused together with the emotion and absoluteness of good analogue.

With Superclock 3 installed in your CD, SACD or DVD player every recording in your collection is a newly founded, enlightening listening experience.

The music is no longer locked in the loudspeakers and now has a tremendous presence in your listening room. The music breathes will a complete lack of compression and strain from the simplest to the most complex recordings.

Low frequency resolution is superb realising the accuracy, depth and control available from the digital medium. The ‘kick of a drum’ is atmospheric and has reverb, whilst piano notes are full-bodied, vibrant and truly captivating.

Dynamics are paramount with macro and micro dynamics portraying vital nuances to a natural and realistic sound.

The level of detail available from digital audio is ever apparent but remains completely coherent and engrossing, never detracting or highlighting itself from the music.

Vocals have a lifelike ‘in the room’ feel and presence with a cleanliness and natural rarity.

What to do now!

Digital audio has the potential to be as convincing and enjoyable as analogue audio. Whilst new formats are welcome, they do not overcome fundamental clock problems that are a limiting factor with every CD, SACD or DVD player regardless of price, model or manufacturer.

If you own a good quality digital source Superclock 3 is the answer you have been waiting for. The age of the machine is almost irrelevant since dramatic performance increases are made to 16, 18, 20, 24 bit players regardless of DAC or digital filter.

[some young guy]

I have brought your post to Alex Peychev's attention. Below is his reply:

 

I hear what are you saying and agree about the importance of the clock and its power supply. However, most of today’s DVD based universal players use PLL Integrated Circuits for their Clock Generators. For example, Denon DVD-3910 uses SM8701 by NPC. Looking at the SM8701 data sheet tells me that (regardless of the crystal oscillator used) it provides 31% duty cycle and 150 pS jitter (kind of high). Also, when external oscillator is used (in the case of using SC3), the duty cycle of it should be precisely 50% in order for the SM8701 to achieve the same specified performance as with a simple crystal oscillator. Does SC3 offer 50% duty cycle? Not likely, and if it does not, it actually worsens the performance of the SM8701. Further more,  even if the SC3 was the best clock in the world and did not have ANY jitter coming out of it, it still feeds the SM8701 which still introduces 150 pS jitter and 31% duty cycle (double speed mode - 512fS). Considering all of the above, replacing just the CRYSTAL of the SM8701 with SC3 does not improve the overall performance of the Clock Generator, it actually makes it worse because SC3 DOES NOT have 50% duty cycle, it is more like 40/60%. In conclusion, SC3 would be of a great benefit to older CD players where the crystal feeds the actual DSP or DAC. When it comes to the new DVD based players where multiple clocks are required, SC3 is actually redundant.

also, fwiw i now have one of his 2900s and it' is the most amazing piece of equipment (digital or analog) i've ever heard... bar none.

[KyleTakenaga]

Hello,

Remember that RAM, nor do other modders, always give explicit explanantions on how we implement our mods.   Much time and research goes into each player and this learing experience is what becomes proprietary to us.  When broken down there are primarily 3 sections to a digital mod.  Output stage(analog signal path), Re-clocking, and power supply.  This actually entails a great  deal of "stuff" and I believe it is the modification as a whole that is important.  
As Alex has his opinions regarding RAM installations, I  too have my opinions regarding APL.  We basically do not agree with each other.  What he claims is the"best"  I do not.   I assume the opposite as well.  I believe the answer at this point is...possibly a "shoot out".  Maybe this is not possible.   I do not know.  What I do know  is I have a very open mind to new things and have I tried quite a bit.  This is how RAM continues to progress with  more lifelike sound through constant trial and error of new caps, transformers, wire, diodes, clocks,  chips, mechanisms, mains correction, regulation, etc...  The best I hear is what I use and sell, period.
I hope this provides some insight to how RAM develops our modifications.

Best Regards & Happy Holidays,

Reference Audio Mods
Kyle Takenaga- President

[some young guy]

thanks for your responce kyle. i don't mean to insult you or your company, but none of your replys have answered my question so far. i don't think i've asked anything that would reveal proprietary information. i simply asked about how the issues that have been found in regards to the clocking with the 3910 (not the 2900) have been addressed. it is my understanding that replacing the crystle osilator won't completely address the issue due to the fact that there are multiple clocks involved. if you can't answer my question, just say so. i thought you might find the point at least interesting from the stand point of finding a new way to better your mod. if you don't think you can do any better, i guess you won't.

[Alex Peychev]

Hello,

Remember that RAM, nor do other modders, always give explicit explanantions on how we implement our mods.   Much time and research goes into each player and this learing experience is what becomes proprietary to us.  When broken down there are primarily 3 sections to a digital mod.  Output stage(analog signal path), Re-clocking, and power supply.  This actually entails a great  deal of "stuff" and I believe it is the modification as a whole that is important.  
As Alex has his opinions regarding  ...

Kyle,

I don't have anything against your mods, I was speaking from pure technical point of view answering the question. I am busy getting ready for the CES/T.H.E. show. Are you going to be there? If yes, please stop by room 1604 at San Tropez hotel and have a listen. I will be also soon coming down again to San Diego with the Denon. If you are still interested, I can stop by this time so we can put the Denon against the very best you have. The other way would be to just have one of my customers buy your SA-1 (the one you say is your best and will "smoke" my 3910), invite some of his friends over and have a shootout at his house.

Let me know.

Happy Holidays!