[MarkR7]

Just a couple of questions to my fellow Circle-ites......

- Any specific feedback from the show on the comparison of the stock Oppo 95 to the Modwright 95 with the tube stage?

- Anyone in the Chgo area, or within a reasonable drive, that has the Modwright 95? I have the stock 95, and I am seriously considering the upgrade; I have been using my Modwright 9000ES for years now, and it's a killer cdp, however very limited in it capabilities compared to the Oppo.  I would really like to compare the players to hear if its worth the upgrade.

Cheers,
Mark
 

[rlmacklin]

dminches (, NutBuster, and all),

You may have heard my MWI 95.
Both NutBuster's and mine have (in addition to the tube mod),
the SS multichannel mod, Bybee Music Rails mod on both
ESS 9018 DACs and the Modwright Truth Umbilical cord
(and region-free).
I had Dan install an Oyaide "Power Inlet R" on mine, which is
probably the only difference between our two MWI 95s.

Really looking forward to receiving mine and listening this week!

Enjoy the music whatever way YOU like.

[dminches]

It is a wonderful unit.

Dan and Kristen were great hosts in their main room.

[rlmacklin]

I notified Dan concerning the firmware upgrade referenced below and he said he would install on both our tube modded MWI 95s prior to RMAF (and presumably on the stock Oppo 95 used in A/B comparisons to keep the playing field level).

The v. 1.5 user's manual also referenced below (which has a link to download it) provides new information re what some of new features are in the latest official firmware:

Speaker distance settings are now individual (no longer linked as pairs !!!)
and distance settings precision are now possible to 1/4 foot instead of 1 foot.
And I think the center and surround (side and rear) (and possibly subwoofer?) speaker distances are no longer restricted to have to be less than or equal to the front left and front right distance(s).

As I mentioned some days ago in other thread(s?),
choosing the audio processing option for stereo output as "FL/FR"
(it's now on page 74 in the new v. 1.5 users manual) will allow use of the Modwright tube mod and the quadruply paralleled/"stacked" ESS 9018 "stereo"  DAC for the audio of front channels of multichannel source material such as SACDs, Blu-Rays, DVD-As, and DVD-V w/MC soundtracks.
You run a pair of ICs from the dedicated stereo outputs and do not use the m/c FL/FR outputs, thus using one less pair of interconnect cables as well!


Go to Oppo Customer Support page for Oppo 95:

http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-95/blu-ray-BDP-95-Support.aspx


**********************************************************

Firmware Release:

Latest Official Release Version

Release date: September 26, 2011
Category: Latest Official Release

Main Version: BDP9x-57-0917
Loader Version: CN0900
Sub Version: MCU93-09-0218 (BDP-93), MCU95-08-0218 (BDP-95)
Installation Instructions and Download Link: Click Here


User Manual:

OPPO BDP-95 Blu-ray Disc Player User Manual (PDF Format) [v 1.5]
Release date: October 10, 2011

[dminches]

This setup only works if you one pre-amp with is used for both 2 channel and multi-channel.  In my set up I am using an LS-100 for 2 channel and a Classe SSP-600 for multi-channel via the HT bypass.  Thus, I need to have 1 set of LF/RF going to the LS-100 and a second going to the Classe.

Unless I am seeing this incorrectly...

[NutBuster]

This setup only works if you one pre-amp with is used for both 2 channel and multi-channel.  In my set up I am using an LS-100 for 2 channel and a Classe SSP-600 for multi-channel via the HT bypass.  Thus, I need to have 1 set of LF/RF going to the LS-100 and a second going to the Classe.

Unless I am seeing this incorrectly...

If I'm not incorrect...
ha, ha!!
Both balanced & unbalanced are active.
Don't know for sure, again, however analog & digital may all so be active.


On another forum, we were talking outs & I figured "out" :
3 Analog [XLR, RCA, & Multi]
+
2 HDMI
+
2 Digital [coax & optical]
=
7  L/R outs

There are seven ways too get two channel audio out of the 95.
WoW
What a BEAST!

[rlmacklin]

dminches,

I am running LS 100 for two channel and FL/FR of 5.0 multi-channel
with current Modwright Oppo 83SE (full SS mods) via two pairs of ICs to two inputs of the LS 100.  Center channel goes to one channel of Modwright SWL 9.0 Signature linestage and left/right surround channels go to a PS Audio PCA-2 preamp.
Volume levels are adjusted/synchronized with AIX setup disc and SPL meter...

[dminches]

I don't follow what you are saying.  Are you using an LS-100 AND an SWL 9.0?

With my Oppo 95 I run the analog L/R to the LS-100 and the 8 channels (7.1) to my pre-processor.

[rlmacklin]

I am running 3 separate 2-channel analog audio only preamps - no pre-processor.

[NutBuster]

OMG(osh)!
The "NutBuster ShowStopper" ™ MWI Mod'ED 95 has left the building!!
And should arrive on my day off!!!
Will I ever leave the house again?!?!

[NutBuster]

10-18-11: Airfla
I spoke to Dan Wright at RMAF 2011 last week and he told me that he will be offering the Digital Input Mod for the Sony XA-5400ES and, eventually, for the Oppo BDP-95 as well. He didn't provide a specific availability date.

WoW

Butt will I be able too send my unit back?!?!
(JJ about giving it back too be mod'ED again/miss it already ha,ha)

[NutBuster]

I'm thinking (not always a good idea ) the tubes will outlive me.
As there only powering a DVD player (can you believe it! :-0 ).
Not a twenty watt amp.
What's your take on tube life for similar devices.

Never "replaced" old/worn out tubes B4.
Any guesstimate on how long a GZ34 and/or a pr of 6SN7's would last in a MWI 95?
Of coarse climate, temp, whatever comes into play; just a rough est.
BIG thanks.

[rlmacklin]

NutBuster,

The NOS Mullard/Philips/Amperex GZ34 if test strong should last quite a few  years. 
Depending on the circuit Dan used in the tube mod,
it may only use one side (half) of each 6SN7,
if so then in a few years you could swap the tube positions and
have "like new old stock" all over again...

[dminches]

NutBuster,

The NOS Mullard/Philips/Amperex GZ34 if test strong should last quite a few  years. 
Depending on the circuit Dan used in the tube mod,
it may only use one side (half) of each 6SN7,
if so then in a few years you could swap the tube positions and
have "like new old stock" all over again...

Are you saying that the left and right tube sockets use opposite diodes?

[rlmacklin]

Looks like both sides of each 6SN7 are likely used
as the tube mod analog output circuit is differentially balanced.

For NutBuster,

from http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=82440.0

ModWright XA-5400ES 'Ultimate Truth Mod' - The Full Details

" The tubes are purposely driven VERY conservatively to give 10,000-12,000 hours + of tube life. The circuit is fully auto-bias, therefore no maintenance required. We chose tube rectification SIMPLY BECAUSE IT SOUNDS BETTER! "

[NutBuster]

Thanks 'Brother'!

I'm getting some nasty noises out of my mod.
When putting a disc in the tray, I can hear it though the spks.
Tap the top of the case & it sounds like I'm tapping the tubes themselves.

I've work around some valve equipment B4.
deHavilland,  Rouge, Mesa, Carver, Quicksilver, & Antique Sound Labs.
Even the ASL units weren't this 'alive'.

Going too switch out the tubes.
As well as load a disc w/the PS 9.0 off.
Try too isolate it more & report back.

UPDATE:
EDweird!
I was unable too recreate the microphone effect from the tray.
Started the 95 w/o the PS 9.0.
No 'tube-like  noise' ; of coarse.
However I did hear the tray closing noise thru the spks.
Then w/the PS 9.0 on, repeated loading & closing the tray.
No noise from dropping the disc in; only the sound of the tray closing thru the spks, again.
I don't know if "all" 95's" make this 'sound'.
However, unlikely mod related.

I did not tap on the cover again.*

Didn't mean too scare everyone.
(Happy Halloween)
Just freakED me out!

What I was really worried about was that it was the beloved KEN-RAD's.
Would've been bummed if I had too switch 'em out.

* The reason I tapped on the cover was because when I rolled the GZ34 into the PS 9.0 the top case rang like a bell.
(just unscrewing the bolts made the case ping & ring)
I was shocked the case didn't have any "enclosure vibration damping" ala the 95 mod casing reportedly has.
(I'll look into something for damping)

Back too the movies & music.

[rlmacklin]

NutBuster,

I saw somewhere else that the rectifier tube
(GZ34/5AR, etc.) should last 10,000 - 12,000 hours
and to expect 5,000 - 6,000 hours from a set of signal tubes (6SN7s).

Try some Herbie's Audio Lab
Tenderfeet or IsoCups w/ Lampblack Balls
under the tube mod power supply
and under the MWI/Oppo 95
and one or two Herbie's
"SuperSonic Stabilizers" on the top of each.

http://herbiesaudiolab.net/compfeet.htm

"Herbie" is Steve Herbelin who is excellent to work with.

Consider Herbie's Ultrasonic RX tube dampers for all the tubes as well

http://herbiesaudiolab.net/tube.htm

(When I recommended these on one forum for my SWL9.0 Signature,
the recommendation was seconded by Dan Wright of ModWright).

[NutBuster]

95 Tube Mod'ED Brother,

I've tried tube dampers B4.
Didn't like the effect.
I know many like the "blacker backgrounds" they get.
I thought it was 'darker'; just at the cost of 'air & openness'.

I've still got em.
So, it's a 'free' tweak!

As always thanks & enjoy.

[Jeffy]

For some reason Dan's modded players are very sensitive to microphonic tubes. I also had the same promblem with Kenrads and 1950 black plate tungsol. When I opened and closed the drawer you could hear the noise you notice through the speakers. The answer is to find non microphonic tubes.

[Jeffy]

Dan does the Modright Oppo 95 play 24/192 files through its USB port. The Oppo website says no. If it does will I be hearing the music through your tube analog output stage. Thanks Jeff