BDP-83SE Mods Available and Details!

modwright · « **on:** 28 Dec 2009, 06:20 pm »

BDP-83SE MODS NOW AVAILABLE.

PLEASE NOTE: All mods offered for the BDP-83SE are the same as for the BDP-83, with the exception that the clock is NOT upgraded for the SE model. The new SABRE DACs offer exceptional jitter reduction and the SE has its own DAC-dedicated clock directly adjacent to the SABRE DAC! Additional parts and labor are required to upgrade the SE unit due to the increased sophistication of the DACs and how our mod interfaces with the SABRE DAC. To keep things simple, we decided to delete the unneccessary clock from the SE mod and thus keep the price of the mod THE SAME for both BDP-83 and BDP-83SE!

My final conclusion is that the two units, once modified, are not worlds apart, but the SE does offer enhanced resolution and detail. I also want to clarify that this is NOT at the expense of musicality. It is actually very well balanced.

Thanks,

Dan Wright
President, ModWright Instruments Inc.
360.247.6688

C17FXR · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Jan 2010, 02:15 am »

Dan
Any planes on offering your Signature Tube Modifications for a possible Reference two channel player? I've heard some outstanding music on Bluray disc's and I thought with the marvelous sound your tube mods have this would be one of the better players on the market. If anyone else thinks so Please pipe in.

modwright · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 08:41 am »

Thanks for proposing this. It is possible and could be done. The cost would be higher than for our standard mod and would require an external power supply.

If there is enough interest, we can do it.

An interesting side note, is that we could also possibly combine this with a headphone out for the unit!

I am testing some of our existing tube circuits and I believe that some can drive most headphones (all but Grados) already. Our transformer coupled balanced circuits have a low enough impedance, that this could be very possible, offer either/both XLR balanced and stereo out headphone connections.

Thanks for bringing this up!

Dan

C17FXR · « **Reply #3 on:** 1 Feb 2010, 02:01 pm »

Well then count me in. To bad that it can't drive the Grado's because that's the flavor I like to hear.
Anyway the tube output would make a fantastic reference player for a two channel set up. About the only thing that could make this any better would be a USB or HDMI input for a computer connection. Anyone else interested in a Reference Multiformat Player with Dan's tube output Please chime in.

hrcapers · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 Feb 2010, 04:26 pm »

Dan has my BDP-83 in house now. I have asked him to hold it for the possibility of a tube mod. I have a PS 9.0 for my MW XA-777ES I'm currently using, so going tubes in the BDP-83 would be a no-brainer. Also, I'm using a set of Grado RS-1 headphones with the modified XA-777ES. They seem to work very well with it.

Vulcan00 · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Feb 2010, 04:10 am »

I would also be interested in tubes. I currently have both the 83 & 83SE with SS equipment so the tubes would be good in my system.

modwright · « **Reply #6 on:** 8 Feb 2010, 02:02 am »

Thanks guys, there is obviously great interest in this approach. I will begin looking at the physical logistics of fitting the mod board in the unit. The PS will necessary be outboard of course.

Mod cost will start at $2K for 2CH tube mods.

Thanks,

Dan

C17FXR · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Feb 2010, 01:20 am »

Where's the Buy Now button, do you have a Buy Now. You need one bad.

jackox · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Feb 2010, 04:45 pm »

First of, Hello to every forum members.

Hi Dan !

Those mods sounds very exciting !
I would not mind geting the PSU upgrade, too bad for tube out stage, the unit would not fit anymore in my rack.

That said the BDP83 SE runs really good with your current mods.
Some friends came for a demo and they were blown away, they could not believe an Oppo could sound that good (the balanced output still amaze me, even after weeks of being used).
Did you wonder in looking into the cooling fan and see if it would be possible to get a quieter one ?

modwright · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 Feb 2010, 11:10 pm »

Hi and thanks for your support and feedback.

I had not heard the fan come on in our shop, so wasn't aware that it was noisy. If others agree, I can certainly look into it. A slower RPM fan would be quieter, provided that it would fit, etc.

Thanks for this mention.

Sincerely,

Dan W.

jackox · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 Feb 2010, 03:27 pm »

Quote from: modwright on 9 Feb 2010, 11:10 pm

Hi and thanks for your support and feedback.

I had not heard the fan come on in our shop, so wasn't aware that it was noisy. If others agree, I can certainly look into it. A slower RPM fan would be quieter, provided that it would fit, etc.

Thanks for this mention.

Sincerely,

Dan W.

Hi Dan,

The fan is not that noisy but it is not silent either.
No bugger when I watch a movie as my projector is above my head and is having his share of fan noise.
When I listen to some music (so no projector ON) le unit get hotter and after some time the fan kicks in and it can be heard, that means I know it runs but it does not generate any real disturbance. As my SA17S1 was fanless I wondered if I could get the Oppo more silent and be 100% better than my previous SACD player.

kmmd · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Feb 2010, 10:07 pm »

Hi Dan,

I might be interested in a tube mod. Will there be a MCH tube mod also? It would take a lot to move me from the Universal Truth Denon 5900 with MCH tube mods that you performed.

gerald porzio · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Feb 2010, 10:24 pm »

The only way to quiet it is to replace it w/ a good quiet computer fan. Audiophile fan mufflers will be the next pricey tweak for modded units w/ "not quiet fans." All together now, Shhhhhhhhhhhhh.

modwright · « **Reply #13 on:** 13 Feb 2010, 08:56 pm »

Tube mods are a possibility, but MCH tube mods are not, as there is not enough space.

The best we could do, would be 2CH tube mod, ideally balanced also, with upgraded op-amps to improve the stock MCH circuits. The MCH upgrade would be a separate option.

Thanks,

Dan

jackox · « **Reply #14 on:** 13 Feb 2010, 09:11 pm »

Quote from: modwright on 13 Feb 2010, 08:56 pm

Tube mods are a possibility, but MCH tube mods are not, as there is not enough space.

The best we could do, would be 2CH tube mod, ideally balanced also, with upgraded op-amps to improve the stock MCH circuits. The MCH upgrade would be a separate option.

Thanks,

Dan

So the tube module would be in place of the 9 discret analog module, am I right ?

What about a tube MCH outboard module with an outside cable link ? Not too sexy design but might work, wouldn't it ?

talk2me · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 Mar 2010, 05:40 pm »

Quote from: modwright on 8 Feb 2010, 02:02 am

Thanks guys, there is obviously great interest in this approach. I will begin looking at the physical logistics of fitting the mod board in the unit. The PS will necessary be outboard of course.

Mod cost will start at $2K for 2CH tube mods.

Thanks,

Dan

Hi Dan. Could you please talk alittle about your views on having tubes (when done wright

) in the preamp vs in the source.

mclsound · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 Mar 2010, 07:06 pm »

Quote from: talk2me on 12 Mar 2010, 05:40 pm

Hi Dan. Could you please talk alittle about your views on having tubes (when done wright ) in the preamp vs in the source.

Where did you get your Oppo modded sir?

talk2me · « **Reply #17 on:** 15 Mar 2010, 02:23 pm »

Quote from: mclsound on 12 Mar 2010, 07:06 pm

Where did you get your Oppo modded sir?

Why?

mdabb · « **Reply #18 on:** 15 Mar 2010, 06:33 pm »

Guys let's not let what is going on over at AVS boil over into here

mclsound, While I do understand why you would like to shine a light on what talk2me may potentially be up to, however maybe he would like to move onto greener pastures. Who knows...... On the other hand if talk2me has any intention of using Dan's response to further his cause, Dan's not gonna respond with magical answers that will make him look foolish.

As a customer and owner of ModWright gear, I can say Dan and his techs have always been straight up with me and never once used any magical adjectives to describe their products and services. I never once got the impression they were telling me what I wanted to hear to make a sale.

So rest assure mclsound, if talk2me is asking a sincere and legitimate question, I'm confident from my own experience he'll receive an honest answer, not audiophile babble.

talk2me · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 Mar 2010, 05:20 am »

I am asking a sincere and legitimate question. I am, however, ignoring mccloud. I have the utmost respect and admiration for Dan Wright and also his company. I am asking if the biggest benefit of tubes are at the source or at the pre-amplification.