Panasonic SA-XR45 Mods

Wayne1 · « **on:** 26 Nov 2003, 04:41 pm »

I have had the Panny digital receiver for a couple of weeks now. I am overall very pleased with the sound of this inexpensive receiver.

I did replace the power connector with a Furutech IEC. I recently replaced the coupling capacitors in the analog circuitry with Black Gate caps. There was quite a difference. The dynamics and overall sound quality of the analog inputs improved significantly. If you are at all thinking of using SACD/DVD-A or a phono preamp into this unit, this change will bring the sound a LOT closer to the straight digital input.

I have also replaced the load resistor on the digital input with a Riken-Ohm.

I plan on replacing most of the internal wiring.

I would like to replace all of the speaker connectors with 5 way binding posts, but I do not think there is enough room for 6 pairs. I believe I could fit 5 pairs on a plate to fit over the area where the speaker connectors are now.

What are the thoughts of the folks out there who own this Panasonic receiver now? What sort of upgrades/mods would YOU want to see. How much would you be willing to pay for them?

Ears · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Nov 2003, 08:00 pm »

PS cap upgrades and signal path cap swaps or bypass caps would be nice along whith 5 sets of binding posts and the iec and your other mentioned mods.

Why don't you come up whith a package and let us know how the sonics improve and price?
Need another guinea?

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Nov 2003, 09:17 pm »

I'd be interested. Binding posts would be a good starting point. I'm with Ears as far as the mods go- you're the expert. The obvious stuff like caps & such would be a no brainer, and if the thing has a fan that could use some tweaking.

Crtnt · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Nov 2003, 11:10 pm »

If it needs it I'd be o.k. with a total investment of around a grand in this amp. So perhaps as much as a $700 mod package?

jasonc · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Nov 2003, 11:48 pm »

Wayne,

Have you tried the Panasonic with the 626R's that are a 4ohm load?

Wayne1 · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Nov 2003, 12:40 am »

Thanks for the replies!

Trying to find power supply caps that have lower ESR than the ones that are in there AND that will fit in the small vertical space may be a bit hard.

The signal path caps are quite a bit easier to find and reasonably priced.

Is having a detatchable power cord important ?

I was thinking, if I had a plate machined for the back of the receiver, I could extend it to cover where the AC connector is now. I could then install a fixed NITRO power cable and a good strain relief. This might give enough room to fit all the binding posts.

I have yet to have the fan turn on. I really believe fan noise to be a non-issue.

My 626Rs measure around 6.4 ohms. I have not used the Panny in my HT yet. All my speaker cables in that system use 1/4" spade lugs which won't work with the Panny, yet.

I have been using it in my office system with my old pair of Acoustic Reality 3Ds with subs. The combo measures 6.8 ohms. I am also using WBT bananas with an old set of CC89259 speaker cables.

AphileEarlyAdopter · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Nov 2003, 12:51 am »

I am also willing to spend a grand on this..but I think I need a reference to its performance compared to other integrated amps.
A plate for the binding posts sounds like a good idea. The front L/R should be on oneside isolated from the rest. The plate should also be not visible from the front. I am sure you will take care of this.
Does the power supply need any work ? Will an external power supply be a good idea ?

Ears · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Nov 2003, 03:17 pm »

Wayne, I was thinking the main 850/200v ps cap which has no BG replacement value wise but could be wired in whith a 4 pole Jensen maybe whith more capacity?
You tell me if this is possible.

I don't need any video hookups so maybe some of the speaker terminals can be put where the svideo switching is located.

What caps would you use for each channel?

I would rather have an iec socket than a fixed pc....no matter how good the fixed pc may be.

Happy Turkey day to all.

jackman · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Nov 2003, 04:24 pm »

Wayne,
I think a fixed Nitro cord would be a good option. Also, you may want to look at an option that removes the fifth channel and offers biamping possibilities for four good channels. I understand there is a four channel stereo mode that people are using to biamp speakers. Could be a good option if you can get four sets of decent speaker terminals.

Another suggestion is to offer two levels of mods with the option of upgrades, kind've like you did with the DIO. One level would have the caps upgraded, FRED's or similar upgrades and decent speaker terminals also installed. The next level could have the Nitro cord and other upgrades. If it works, and you are able to get great performance out of this inexpensive player, I think it will be a hit. It would be a cool, sub-$1000 four channel integrated with digital amplification and full remote. Not a bad deal.

J

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Nov 2003, 10:02 pm »

I personally wouldn't go for any mods that ditch any of the channels: MC sound is too important to me. I'd hate to lose any video capability either.

Wayne1 · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 Nov 2003, 10:50 pm »

Thanks again for the comments.

It does appear that there will have to be different levels of mods.

Some folks just want to use the unit for 2 channel while others want to use it in HT.

I will take a look again to see exactly what can fit in the PS area as far as cap upgrades go. I have been thinking about some mods for the video board, as an option.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Nov 2003, 11:09 pm »

Just to clarify my view, MC doesn't mean HT for me. MC music from SACD & DVD-A will be a primary source, as well as HT and CD.

2 levels of mod would be nice.

ABEX · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 Nov 2003, 11:38 pm »

Wayne:
Maybe a list of mods that can be implemented and charges for individual Mods for the unit would be good. Or seperate packages for those who primarily use the unit for either HT or straight Stereo would be good.

I have not decided on what I would want for improvements and which way I will use the unit yet. The Bi-Amping capability was what I primarily was after for 2ch. playback which it does very well when feed by a Digital source.

The Analog Upgrade is a must at somepoint for myself.

Would like to ask this guy weather he had ever heard or thought of trying an aftermarket PC.

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=514&page_number=1&preview=

dwk · « **Reply #13 on:** 4 Dec 2003, 04:44 pm »

I don't know if Wayne is still interested in feedback, but just in case...

I think the 'basics' have been pretty clearly outlined, but I think there is a potential killer mod for the XR25/45, and that is enabling the 6th channel via analog input. This would allow using the panny unit as a 6-channel integrated amp - this is perfect for tri-amping using an external 3-way xover (Orions for example, or with the Behringer DCX2496).
I don't (yet) have the service manual, so this may be more difficult than I imagine, but I *think* it should be possible by bridging the I2S lines directly from the A/D to the Equibit inputs, so that the 'sub' analog input gets routed to the 6th channel rather than the synthesized 'rear' channel.

This seems to lie outside Waynes 'normal' focus, but there might be enough of a market to look into it.

Wayne1 · « **Reply #14 on:** 5 Dec 2003, 04:56 pm »

Thanks for the suggestions.

I will look into the full 6 channel analog input.

I have a few hundred dollars worth of capacitors on order for mods to my unit.

I plan to replace the caps in the output filter with Nichicon KZ and Multicap RTX, main PS cap with Jensen 4 pole, all analog coupling caps with Black Gates, and the secondary PS caps with Nichicon FX.

Once the caps are in and have a chance to break-in for a bit, I will see if Tyson and mgalusha will let me bring the Panny over to compare to their present HT rigs.

neilr11 · « **Reply #15 on:** 6 Dec 2003, 07:20 pm »

Just bought a "45", should be here Weds. Count me in on some of the cap/wiring mods. Keep us posted Wayne.

Wayne1 · « **Reply #16 on:** 7 Dec 2003, 01:13 am »

Quote

Keep us posted Wayne

How about these posts

I made some time between hockey games today to cut out a plate from an old case I had. I mounted the 5 way binding posts and ran some M-80 speaker cable from the output board direct.

So far a lot of grunge, haze and harshness has gone away. The wire and posts will need a week to break in.

mgalusha · « **Reply #17 on:** 7 Dec 2003, 04:38 am »

Quote from: Wayne1

Once the caps are in and have a chance to break-in for a bit, I will see if Tyson and mgalusha will let me bring the Panny over to compare to their present HT rigs.

Love to hear it with the mods. If they're broken in by Christmas that would be perfect, I'm off work the week between Christmas and new years.

Mike

Wayne1 · « **Reply #18 on:** 12 Dec 2003, 09:54 pm »

The Jensen 4-pole cap showed up this week. I installed it today. It actually went in easier than I expected. There are circuit board traces that have to be cut, but there are holes in the circuit board close by the main cap.

I also replaced 20 electrolytic caps in the 6 channels of signal path with Black Gate "N" series.

Along with the binding post change and output wiring, the PS cap seems to let the amp sound more "natural". There is less harshness and more of a "you are there" feeling to the sound. The bass is a bit more rounded and not as dry.

The rest of the caps should be in early next week.

Mike, I think the week between Christmas and New Year's would be perfect to check out the Panny in your system.

I will hopefully have finalized the mods and pricing and start taking apointments for mods by early January.

dayneger · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 Dec 2003, 08:35 pm »

Any chance of there being a mod version based on maximum bang for the buck, closer to the 80-20 rule? Something more in the $300 area, as in about the same cost as the basic unit, would be more interesting to me.

Looking forward to my M-80 speaker cables!

Dayne