[_scotty_]

Ears, I think the output inductors are cast in stone, due to size and space
constraints,a bigger inductor with a higher power rating and the same DCR and uH value might sound a little better.The Jensens you mentioned are 1.37in in diameter and 1.57in.long.  Fitting them into the receiver without the inductance in the wire connecting them to the circuit board becoming a problem would be a good trick. They would definitely be the cap of choice if they would fit.

[AphileEarlyAdopter]

Scotty, I am just a parts swapper and only mess whith cheaper gear... just in case.
The wiring is a given as well as the speaker terminals.
What do you think of a better inducter and a Jensen 4 pole 1000 uf 200v for the main ps cap or maybe even a 1500uf 200v replacement for the stocker?

So if the Bg caps won't fit are there other alternatives that will fit ?

Ears,
I have a 963SA and am very tempted by your feedback. I thought the 963SA never did output more than 96KHz. Can you check your settings ? How does the XR45 sound with the 963SA's upsampling ? I am running mine without upsampling. I feel upsampling introduces too much of 'artificial space/reverb/soundstage'.
I am waiting for Wayne to come out with a mod package for the Xr45. Also, I am wondering about the Sony 'Digital Drive' amplifiers.

[Ears]

Ears,
I have a 963SA and am very tempted by your feedback. I thought the 963SA never did output more than 96KHz. Can you check your settings ? How does the XR45 sound with the 963SA's upsampling ? I am running mine without upsampling. I feel upsampling introduces too much of 'artificial space/reverb/soundstage'.
I am waiting for Wayne to come out with a mod package for the Xr45. Also, I am wondering about the Sony 'Digital Drive' amplifiers.

Yes through the digital connection, the 45 reads and outputs 192hz from the 963 sa and the display says 192.
If you turn the upsampling off the 192 dissapears.

Seems like I remeber reading that an early 963sa owner tried ths whith his Tact digital amp and got the same results.

You need to do the main ps cap upgrade to the Blackgate vk150/350v cap to your 963sa.
I was the first to do this and have had positive feedback from all over the world on this simple mod.

After this mod,  it smooths out everything on this player  including the up sampling, adds more bass and soundstage inner detail ect for a whopping 23.00

The 963 sounds better through the 45 than the Denon 1600 whether or not upsampling is used.

[ABEX]

Speakers for HT.Low impedance, Maggies and other HT speaker systems?

What componetnts have people been finding success with.

Panasonics Speaker array has shown up as one of their pic's for a good HT SPeakre package. Read a so-so review in "What Video" about that HT system.

I have not setup my HT speakers yet and it will be intresting to see how that turns out.

TIA

[Zero]

For whom it may concern,

I was speaking to a rep from Panasonic, the next line of receivers will be all digital-drive.

[PeteG]

Don't know if anyone else has received the digital headphones from
panasonic yet, but got mine today and they don't look bad
I'll give them a listen to next week, unless my son walks off with them.

Headphones

[singhal]

For whom it may concern,

I was speaking to a rep from Panasonic, the next line of receivers will be all digital-drive.

Will they have more advanced receivers or will they have basically the same feature set as the 45/25 (ie. main plugs for everything, more xover control, etc.)

[ABEX]

I found these pages while doing a search over the weekend of Digital amp Tech which might be an intresting read for those who want to know about the TI Chip:

http://focus.ti.com/docs/pr/pressrelease.jhtml?prelId=sc02106

http://focus.ti.com/docs/pr/pressrelease.jhtml?prelId=sc03214

[sal79]

ears, could u provide me a link on how to do that cap upgrade, also , where do u purchase these blackgate caps?
-thanks

[Ears]

Sal, the cap can be purchased at www.referenceaudiomods.com look under power and there is only one 150/350v cap that BG makes and that is the VK 150/350v.

As far as doing the mod, the power supply is seperated on the iec side of the 963sa.
It is held in whith three screws and comes out easy.
The main big  baby blue capacitor has two prongs...desolder these and put the vk 150/350 in the same holes and resolder.

Arrow side is negative.

I t is really self explanatory once you look at the ps.

If you don't do solder, then order the cap, remove the power supply and take it to somone who can swap the cap.

This should only take a novice about 10 minutes including removal and re-installation.

You will notice the change for the positive right away, but after 200 hours you will notice it even more.

If you have at least mid fi gear, this will be the best 23.00 you ever spent.

[ABEX]

How do I configure this unit (XR45) to Bi-Amp a set of speaker?

Which Binding Posts and are there any settings that I should know about?

TIA,ABEX

[Zero]

Unfortunately, I was unable to gather much information from the rep.  He seemed more informed about Panasonic television's, than audio.  I can only hope that the new line of digital receivers will offer more features in terms of custom calibrations.

[Ears]

ABEX, party mode whith sub turned off would result in 5 full range channels in stereo.

Use four of these to bi amp.

For example, use the front and rear right channels for biamping one speaker and the left front and rear channels for biamping the other.

[ABEX]

That is what I was thinking ,but wanted to make certain regarding front\rears.

I will try the Mode and Sub Contol the way you suggested.

Thanks!

[Wayne1]

Please see

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=6281

Thanks

[ABEX]

Would someone perform a simple tesst for me?

I took a pair of AKG-240 Headphones and tried to listen through the X45's headphone Jack.The sound was really pityful. To ascertain that the H{'s were ok I inserted the plug into the CDP I have and the sound ws good.

What I want to know is if the Headphone output of the unit is just plain crap or if I have something else going on here.

TIA,ABEX

BTW-Glad to see you made progress on the Mods Wayne!

[Wayne1]

Larry,

The headphone output is a completely separate circuit. It has a pair of D/A convertors, electrolytic coupling caps, op-amps and inductors in the circuit path.

I listened to it through my HD-600s and it rapidly runs out of current to drive them.

I am also used to listening to the headphones through a dedicated, tube, headphone amp.

If it is important to you, I am sure the headphone output can be improved, for enough money

[ABEX]

A review of the XR-25
Wonder if the reviewer tried an after market PC with the unit at anytime. Probably not!
 
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=514&page_number=1&preview=

pdf Features\Spec Comparision
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/download/11172003142426.pdf

****Differences between the 25 & 45*****

Note:Taken from another post

It looks like the following features are upgrades on the XR45 over the XR25

1. Multi-Source Re-Master*
Using 1/f algorithm technology, this original Panasonic feature compensates for the frequencies of the higher harmonics that are lost during recording due to compression technology such as AC-3, which is used for DVDs. Since these harmonics transmit subtle nuances of sound, this is a key technology for acheiving movie theater ambience with a Home Theater system. It's also effective during playback of CDs and other sources, particularly if the recording format is high-compression such as WMA or MP3.

2. Second-Room Output with Independent Selection*
Enables users in one room, for example, to use the receiver to watch a blockbuster film, while those in another room can use it for listening to their favorite CD or DVD-Audio disc.


3. DTS 96/24*
High-resolution 96kHz/24-bit sound on all 5.1-channels with full-quality full-motion video for music programs and motion picture soundtracks on DVD-Video. Sound quality equivalent to the original 96/24 master.

4. Gold Plated Terminals*
For high conductivity.

5. 4* Digital Inputs
4 digital inputs (3 optical, 1 coaxial) minimize electrical noise, assuring the reliable transfer of high-fidelity sound data to help provide a clear digital signal.

6. Deluxe Universal Remote Control with LED*
Gives you control over many brands of TVs, VCRs, and DVD players, letting you replace a pile of remotes with a single convenient all-in-one solution.

Actually, there is a BIG difference in the power supply. The back half of the PS board - back by the big inductor - is empty/bare in the 25 (it's marked 'xr45 only'). I can't say what this does, but since the main amp rails seem to come from here, I'd guess it's an extra level of regulation/filtering.

I was planning to get an XR45 which would have allowed a direct comparison, but I have an XR10 coming instead, since they appear to be MUCH easier to mod for direct digital input. The XR10 is somewhat different than the 25/45 - apparently it uses a variable output power supply to control the volume for part of the range. It'll be interesting to see what sonic differences there are.

[larss]

Any info of preference Coaxial or Optical Input

larss

[ABEX]

Anyone have a graph or know what these Multi Source Digital RE-MASTER Effects 1-5 do to the frequency resonse Curves?

Just wondering and I will test them at high Volumes.