| Topic Review |
Keithant
Sony Addict
Joined: Aug 06, 2002
Posts: 179
From: Rome NY
 |  Posted: 2002-08-23 16:30
And has anybody had any major problems with there's?Is pro-logicII and 6.1 really that important to get rid of an otherwise fine reciever?PEACE..
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
 |  Posted: 2002-08-29 13:21
I have been using the Sony STR DB930 everyday for over three years without any sign of trouble.
Compared with the subsequent versions in the DB series, the 930 will eat them alive! According to the Home Cinema Choice Benchtests the DB930 puts out 93.2 Watts per channel from 20-20K hz. @ .013 THD..
The DB1070 on the other hand was measured at only 72 Watts per channel at .02 THD. The reason is that he DB930 has ES quality amps and the DB 1070 has QS quality amps according to Sony's Malasian website.
Even the DA Series fails to measure up to the DB930.....The DA555 ES measured in at 76 Watts per channel at .02 THD.
The only Sony product that HCC measured in their lab that had more power than the DB 930 was the TAN 9000 ES with 102 Watts per channel at a filthy .06 THD. So the only contemporary Sony unit with more power than the DB930 is the TAN 9000 ES with 10% more power per channel and 460% more THD! I think I'll stick with the DB930 and its 93 WPC of mean clean power!
If you're interested in bells and whistles by all means get the latest itteration of the DB or ES series, but if you're interested in large portions of clean crystal clear power then go "Retro '99" and pick up a Sony DB 930!
Statistical Reference:
Home Cinema Choice Benchtest Archive-
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/testbench/index.html
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2002-08-29 13:57 ]
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kranston
Sonyphile
Joined: May 19, 2002
Posts: 509
From: Orlando
 | Posted: 2002-08-31 10:23
Don't forget the DB940, which is the later release of the awesome DB930. The 940 upgraded the core components, added analog direct, and I believe on-screen television display was added (not sure if the 930 had it).
Maxxwire,
just in case there are a few doubters about the prowess of the 930/940, heres a link with star rating and reviews. The 930 received 4.5 stars, the v55ES, v777ES, and DB1070 received 3.5 stars. Click here for the direct link to the DB930 review
Here is the star rating comparison...you have to select "amplifiers" and "sony" (ignore the other fields), and the list will come up:Home Cinema Choice...DB930, DB1070, V55ES, V777ES
Here's a link different link/review for the DB940 (which received 5 stars)
DB940...
I am completely happy with my 940 and will not change until I absolutely must. And even then I would in all likelihood keep the 940 (or a 930).
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-08-31 18:01
Here is a partial list of some of the features the Sony DB930 has:
-Low hysterisis transformer design
-Large power supply
-Discrete amplifier design
-Dynamic 5 amplifier system for ES series
-30,000 micro farad capacitors
-Super legato linear circuitry
-Slanted PCB circuit board design
-Frame and beam construction
-Aluminum front pannel
These are a few of the design implementations that the DB930 brought with it from the Eurasian market where it was known as the DB930 QS (Quality Standard).
As I understand from an original Fax from Sony Corp., the first shipment of DB930's came from Europe where the Power Supplies were modified to 120v for the U.S. market and shipped here to provide a high power unit for their product line left open by the delays in the production of the DA555 ES.
If you go back in the some 345 reviews of the DB930 on Audio Review to the very early reveiws of July- August, 1999 you can see how it all came about.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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nellow
Sony Fan
Joined: Sep 08, 2002
Posts: 6
From: Newbury, UK
 | Posted: 2002-09-08 14:00
I have been using my STBR930 since August 1999 and am very, very happy with it. I keep considering to get a new one, just...well, really just for the sake of it (any excuse to buy another piece of kit). However, I always conclude there is nothing else yet that I really want from a receiver and I know every little feature of the 930 now, using all inputs. Since I have video integrated, I did think the 940 TV display would be nice, and I too considered 6.1 upgrade, but I wouldn't really use it. The only problem I have ever had is the nice little light in the volume control has gone out, just last week. This is surprisingly useful from across the room to see where the volume is by remote - anyone know if the light is easy to replace? Also, I agree it does run hot.
I primarily use it with Sony DVP-S725D DVD player, and I feel the same way about that, now venerable, piece of kit (realised that when I compared output to a Philips DVDR recorder I bought recently. 
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-09-18 02:23
The Sony STR DB 930 is also a great performer in Stereo as well!
A while back I borrowed an SET- 300B Tube Integrated Amp. from a local dealer to see how it would stack up against my DB 930. It was a fine silver hand wired model made by the CES award winning Silvaweld Co..
I gave that $3,500 Tube amp. three full days to prove that it could do something that my Sony DB 930 couldn't do, but it couldn't.
The speakers that I run employ AlNiCo magnets and the proponents of SET tube amps claim that the combination of these type magnets and amps. powered by directly heated triodes will produce Audio Bliss. After many many hours of direct comparison between the $3,500 SET Tube Integrated and my Sony DB 930 I am convinced that the DB 930 performed equally in every respect when the Direct Analog Stereo inputs were employed.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-09-27 13:51
Oops- I forgot to mention that the British Audio Award 2001 for Best Receiver went to the Sony STR DB 930.
Check it out at:
http://www.british-audio.org.uk/awards_2001.html
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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mofoed
Sony Devotee
Joined: Sep 06, 2002
Posts: 60
From: Toronto
 |  Posted: 2002-10-01 21:22
I would have to agree with all your comments. The DB930 is the best non ES receiver released by Sony. I will add though that the best receiver ever made by Sony is the DA777ES [motorised front panel].
Keep this in mind though. Seperates will always take you to another level in audio & this is where the 9000ES and TAN series come in.
The 9000ES by far is the best sub $5000 audio setup Sony has ever made. I say this because the TAN series is nicer but at $10,000+ you are in another league. I enjoy audio reviews like anyone else does and commend Home Cinema for some good ones. However, audio is not about numbers posted up on a website or how many watts per channel your amp gets compared to mine. Audio is simply about sound. I had a DB940 which sounded very nice until I got my 9000ES setup. The now music seems more lively and filling and not digitized or flat. The mids are now audiable while the highs stay smooth and are less harsh. If anyone gets a chance to hear a TAN or 9000ES setup, please do. You will see what Sony is truly capable of.
Current Setup:
TA-E9000ES
TA-P9000ES
TA-N9000ES
SCD-C555ES
MDS-JB940
Digital sound transfered via Monster Reference. Analog sound through Kimber Kable Hero. Speaker wires are Monster Z1 Reference.
[ This message was edited by: mofoed on 2002-10-01 21:24 ]
[ This message was edited by: mofoed on 2002-10-01 21:28 ]
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kranston
Sonyphile
Joined: May 19, 2002
Posts: 509
From: Orlando
| Posted: 2002-10-01 22:13
mofoed,
you do realize though that you're talking apples and oranges  ; separates vs. a do-all receiver/amp. Also, the 930 and 940 cost under $700 when released. Did you read the entire Home Cinema Choice review? Though maxxwire re-iterated some numbers, that's not all they described in the article.
Cheers!
Kranston
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-01 23:55
Mofoed- Are you refering to the two Tan-9000ES Amps that blew up in the HCC Lab before they found one they could get a descent test out of? Even then it came in at 102 Wpc. with .06% THD. I fail to see how this could possibly produce a better sound than the DB 930 with .013 THD which is what Sony's Specification Sheet claims the TAN-9000ES will produce, but evidently can't on an independant Lab's testbench.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2002-10-02 14:43 ]
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kranston
Sonyphile
Joined: May 19, 2002
Posts: 509
From: Orlando
| Posted: 2002-10-02 00:08
Maxxwire what are you talking about???
Are you referring to poster mofoed? He said that we were only referring to numbers as in the Home Cinema Choice articles you mentioned. I simply stated that the info you referred to also spoke of music quality rather than just numbers, and that one cannot fairly compare TAN and E9000ES' to DBs; they're not trying to accomplish quite the same thing.
[ This message was edited by: kranston on 2002-10-02 20:20 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-02 01:37
One fair way to compare a TAN-9000ES to a DB 930 is to put them each on a Testbench and see what they are capable of.
The Engineers at HCC did just this, and the first two TAN-9000's blew up with what they described as the loudest explosion they had ever heard in their Lab!
On the otherhand the lowly DB 930 did not blow up, in fact it performed better than the TAN-9000, DA777, and DA555 on the Testbench!
All I need is an explanation of why better Testbench performance would make the DB 930 sound worse than the Amps it measured better than???
I beleive this is why Sony decided to yank the ES Amps from the DB Line when they brought out the DB 940 which has QS grade Amps and whose sound quality is thereby not on a par with the DB 930.
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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mofoed
Sony Devotee
Joined: Sep 06, 2002
Posts: 60
From: Toronto
| Posted: 2002-10-02 11:03
I do understand I was comparing Apples and Oranges and appologise for that. Just wanted to comment on the previous apples and oranges comparision.
Maxxwire:
Please open up and look away from one review on one site with one set of numbers. You quoted them twice without any additional info. Numbers will not define sound quality but do indicate some quality of a unit. By your logic, tube amps which some only output 6Watts are absolute garbage. Your receiver does 93.2watts right.
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kranston
Sonyphile
Joined: May 19, 2002
Posts: 509
From: Orlando
| Posted: 2002-10-02 13:43
Maxxwire, hopefully now you see that you may want to alter a previous post erroneously using my name. I would appreciate it. Hopefully you read posts entirely and know to whom you want to respond to. I have never used a 9000 ES. Read MOFOED posts!!
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-02 14:52
Kranston- My sincere appology. I have corrected my mistake and hope that I have not offended you by my carelessness. -Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-02 15:57
Mofoed- The reason I keep refering to the HCC Testbench results is that it is the only set of independant test data on both the DB 930 and the TA N9000ES. If you know of another set of data comparing these two units that exists anywhere on the Web please provide the reference.
As I said in an earlier post I compared My DB 930 with an 8 Watt $3,500 300B driven SET Tube Amp and found that there was no appreciable difference between the two. I use 95 db SPL@ 1 Watt @ 1 Meter sensitive speakers and seldom use that whole Watt to achive a satisfying listening level.
The bottom line is that I have heard both the TAE/N9000ES ($3,000) and TAE-1/TAN-1 ($15,000) in a custom designed listening room using the SCD-1 as a source and hooked up to a $30,000 pair of KEF speakers with a $5,000 pair of Monster Sigma Retro speaker cables. I thought the result was quite dissapionting. The soundstage was forward, decay ambients were almost non-existant, the venue ambience was subdued due to the lack of 2nd and 3rd order harmonic presence.
Nevertheless my DB 930 can pass a signal which has none of these shortcomings. I suppose that I should mention that I run a Hotrodded to Pro-Spec. Digital front end and Pro Studio Monitors.
I have auditioned several other Amps both Solid state and Tubed, and have yet find one that out performs my DB 930 in an a/b listening test.
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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mofoed
Sony Devotee
Joined: Sep 06, 2002
Posts: 60
From: Toronto
| Posted: 2002-10-02 19:50
This is why I find audio so interesting. With cars, the vehicle with more horse power is faster and therefore better. With computers, the higher clocked pentium4 is better. However, audio is entirely based on the audience. Some listeners may find that a $15,000 set of speakers sound no better than a $1,000 set while others will hear a world of difference. Or the person who bi-wired his/her system is now able to hear fequencies never heard before. There is also that person who just returned their bi-wire speaker wires because they heard no difference and could not jusitfy the cost. I would really like to hear the DB930. Like I mentioned, I owned a DB940 and it sounded great for the price. Was it the best solution within that price range... Yes. Was it good enough to drive a set of Dynaudio Contours... No. Then again, it may have sounded just fine to yourself.
Please treat your DB930 with great care as there seems to be absolutely no substitute.
[ This message was edited by: mofoed on 2002-10-02 20:14 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-03 00:49
Mofoed- This thread was originally entitled " Who is still satisfied with their DB 930?" If you've never owned one let alone heard one, why are you posting here?
Did you think your 9000es series gear would put the DB 930 and our satisfaction with it to shame? The DB 930 is a great machine that has proven that it can put the 9000es gear to shame on a Testbench and you can't prove that it dosen't can you. Sometimes the truth hurts!
If you can ever find something more substantial than sarcasm to back up your gear (i.e.Audiolab Data, Testbench Results) to show that it will outperform the DB 930, please post it,I'd really like to see it!
I have shown you Testbench results on the tae/n9000es and you denied them. I related my own listening opinion on the tae/n9000es and you scoffed at it. All the while you have as yet to even hear the DB 930 and you still assume you're right.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2002-10-04 14:52 ]
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mofoed
Sony Devotee
Joined: Sep 06, 2002
Posts: 60
From: Toronto
| Posted: 2002-10-03 12:18
Ok, I appologise. You are absolutely right... This tread is actually being thrown off topic [althought I just commented on your comparison] and it was my fault. You're also right in that the 9000ES or even TAN series is put to shame by the DB930. I guess this is why Sony discontinued it as no one would buy anything else. I am just so upset that I spent all this time and money on a 9000ES when all I needed was a DB930. Maybe I can still find one on EBay?
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-03 15:14
Mofoed- When you come up with something more than sarcasm to defend your point let us know!
I read HCC's TAN-9000es review over and it actually took them four tries to get their results. The first unit blew up, the second unit's power supply failed, the third unit gave horrible readings after their direct short test, and the fourth unit finally came up a THD rating 500% higher than the DB 930 under the same test in the same Lab.
If you want to continue to live in some dream world where the Model number means more than the numbers the Model can generate, then nothing can help you. You might consider doing more complete research before you buy. Often times Independant Labs will give you a more dispassionate assesment concerning the real world capabilities of a piece of equipment than the Manufacturer will.
P.S.- These are just the facts Jack. I have so far been unable to find any Independant Testbench data on the Sony TAN-1, therefore I have not and can not comment on it, so please quit infering that I have. The Testbench results I have found are for the TAN-9000es and DB 930 only, and the 500% difference should be clear to all but the terminally stuborn.
As far as ebay or AudiogoN go- I can find 2 or 3 TAN-9000es units for every 1 DB 930 any day of the week! Go figure! Maybe I'm not the only one that takes HCC seriously.
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2002-10-03 15:20 ]
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mofoed
Sony Devotee
Joined: Sep 06, 2002
Posts: 60
From: Toronto
| Posted: 2002-10-03 18:05
Can you please provide a link to the DB930 up for sale. I already traded my 9000ES for cheese & it's time to upgrade.
[ This message was edited by: mofoed on 2002-10-03 18:07 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-03 18:47
Sorry, unlike the TAE/N9000es it is almost impossible to find a DB 930 for sale. Probably because so many people have read this:
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/testbench/frame.html?http://www.homecinemachoice.com/testbench/PowerAmps/Sony/SonyTAE900ESTAN9000ES.shtml
Glad you at least got some cheese out of the deal!
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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mofoed
Sony Devotee
Joined: Sep 06, 2002
Posts: 60
From: Toronto
| Posted: 2002-10-03 20:52
Hehe ok, enough with the jokes... In terms of audio, what matters most to yourself? Besides benchmarks.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-03 21:43
What matters most to me is to have a preamp/amp combo that will transparently pass all of the resolution and detail that my Digital Front End with its 2 nanosecond risetime, 1.2v p-p, <10 picosecond Jitter Reducion, and bitrate enhanced Digital signal running thru my Hotrodded Theta D/A Converter via the preamp/amp on to my JBL Studio Monitors.
I also beleive that there are several aspects to Music Reproduction which are more critical than the preamp/amp combo,and those are:
1) Room Acoustics and Treatments
2) Speakers and speaker placement
3) High Resolotion Digital or Analog Front End
Of course without an preamp/amp combo to tie it all together nothing would happen, but it is not the most influential part of the playback chain.
I read one fellow's story on Audio Review who had a Wadia 830 hooked up to a Sony Receiver which was driving a pair of Martin Logan Request Speakers.
He ended up spending $15,000 on BAT separates and Nordost interconnects and speaker cables in order to find a better sound than he was getting from his Sony Receiver.
I'm not saying that the Sony STR DB 930 is the best, but in order to actually be able to obtain a noticably improved sound one could get into a pretty steep spending curve. So far the most expensive preamp/amp combo I have auditioned in my Audio System was a $3,500 300B tube integrated Amp by the CES award winning Silvaweld Co.. You would think that at over 5 times the cost of my DB 930 that there would be a huge difference, but it was a draw.
You must think it strange that I would pair $10,000 worth of Digital equipment with a DB 930, but I just haven't been able to get a hold of a unit that I felt did a better job than the DB 930. Maybe Transparent is only so Transparent.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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mofoed
Sony Devotee
Joined: Sep 06, 2002
Posts: 60
From: Toronto
| Posted: 2002-10-04 01:16
Hey, I must apologise for pulling your chain. I wanted to differentiate yourself from a guy who read one review and is basing idea on audio to someone who knows audio.
I must admit, you have done your research. I can honestly say that I would like to hear a DB930. I also realise that the DB940 was a downgrade in that manufacturing plants shifted over to Malayasia and also the sad trend of degraded receivers from Sony. I guess when you have won the market, you can afford to cut back on quality. I am not putting down the new line of Sony receivers but they are not as great as they used to be. The newer line to myself is over priced, especially the DA7ES which I have heard and would not even start to compare it to other receivers in that price range. This is why I got the 9000ES as to me, it was one of the last fine ES receivers/preamp/amp. Sony has focused some really great work into their SACD players though as they are pushing that stardard.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-04 02:04
Mofoed- I apologise for pulling your chain as well. I think we have something in common-
The TAE/TAN 9000es was a turn of the Century Statement piece of Sony's. I agree that the current DA7es at only a few hundered dollars less than the 9000es series is not a good value.
The DB 930 which also came out in 1999 was the foundation piece for a whole new line in the Americas. As is Sony's way they make a dynamite statement product the first year out and then after word of mouth gets around they start skimping on parts and build quality each year to maximize profits.
I guess we're both happy with our Vintage '99 Sony gear!
I go by the local Sony Only store from time to time and they try to sell me on a new receiver (can't get seperates like you have any more) and as I stand there I realize that its not about Amplifier Circuit Toplogy or Clean Quality Sound anymore, its all about bells, whistles, and how many Formats can be decoded. It kind of makes you wonder what changes the next three years will bring...?
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2002-10-04 02:10 ]
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mofoed
Sony Devotee
Joined: Sep 06, 2002
Posts: 60
From: Toronto
| Posted: 2002-10-04 15:38
Couldn't agree with you more. Word of mouth is what Sony is relying on and it will only get them so far. Then again, Sony does caters to the entry & entry-mid level market which most of their revenues are coming from. Sony has focused more on Digital video from cameras to DVD to HDTV's. As far as audio goes, you are right in that it's more about features than quality but this trend continues through most mainstream brands. I didn't care for all these formats as I now only have a 2 channel setup with the addition of a sub.
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kranston
Sonyphile
Joined: May 19, 2002
Posts: 509
From: Orlando
| Posted: 2002-10-04 16:28
I disagree that the 940 was a down-grade. When I first bought mine you could not even find it except for a few stores that had overseas equipment in the US.
[ This message was edited by: kranston on 2002-10-04 16:43 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-04 16:33
Mofoed- So you are a 2-Channel man! I am also of the Stereo Sort!
About three years ago, after doing Multi-Channel for many years I re-discovered Stereo Music Reproduction. Multi-Channel is great for movies, but when it comes to uncompressed, wide bandwidth, full resolution Digital Sound I go for Stereo Music Format!
Technically speaking DD offers 384kb/s Resolution (5.1 channel bitpool), DTS 750kb/s Resolution (5.1 channel bitpool), but my Theta's Dacs. receive a 1.587Mb/s Resolution Digital Stream (2.0 stereo) from my D-D Remastering Unit. This provides plenty of information to provide rock solid stereo imaging. This is 6x as much resolution/channel as DTS and 12x as much resolution/channel as DD.
Like I said I'm not putting down Multi-Channel Formats, they are great for movies. But, as you well know Mofoed, if you want to invite a group of musicians into your home via a recorded Format, Stereo is the way to go!
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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mofoed
Sony Devotee
Joined: Sep 06, 2002
Posts: 60
From: Toronto
| Posted: 2002-10-04 21:54
Kranston... Please do not take it the wrong way. Just that Sony tends to release a "flagship" then then lose a letter with every newer model. I can assure you that your DB940 sounds far better than the new DB1070. It's just Sony's rule of thumb. And when they have exhausted word of mouth and find the sales a dropping. They will release another great product to get them right back into the game.
Maxxwire:
I have my N9000ES setup in BTL mode so basically pushing power of the rear channels and fronts together. Nice kick for a set of Dynaudio's. = ) Heheh it's funny cause I sometimes think multichannel is just another way for companies to make more money. It may seem odd at first but think about. Speaker companies sell more speakers. Cable companies sell more cable. And component companies have to create multichannel amps and processors. Great for movies but not worth the extra $ for audio. Put that money you plan on spending on all speakers, cables etc. into a kick ass music setup.
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kranston
Sonyphile
Joined: May 19, 2002
Posts: 509
From: Orlando
| Posted: 2002-10-05 00:21
mofoed,
I did not take it the wrong way, I just did not agree. You are entitled to your opinion. Which is OK. BTW, the original version was a STR-DB925. The 930 was a subsequent release, just like the 940 was to the 930 (not exactly, though, since the 930 was considerably improved over the 925).
Kranston
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-05 00:23
Kranston- I never meant to offend you or your equipment in any way. The DB 930 and 940 certainly have much in common. The one difference may be that they have a different discrete amplifier system.
Please refer to this Spec. Sheet where they list the DB 940 as having QS grade amplifiers:
http://www.sony.com.my/Prod_Level4.asp?ProdModel=STR-DB940
As opposed to the DB 930 which has ES grade amplifiers:
http://www.sony.com.my/Prod_Level4.asp?ProdModel=STR-DB930
But as you pointed out the DB940 has Analog Direct and OSD which the DB 930 does not.
Certainly they are both fine Receivers and I doubt that a DB 1080 with its Testbench rated 72 Wpc could stand up to either the DB 930 or DB 940.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2002-10-05 00:39 ]
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kranston
Sonyphile
Joined: May 19, 2002
Posts: 509
From: Orlando
| Posted: 2002-10-05 00:38
Strangely enough, only until very recently (a few weeks), the DB940 was the only DB listed under the ES series section on Sony's website. That means nothing, though. And as you pointed out, the 930 does seem to have the better amp (at least I have not found anythig to contradict what you have pointed out). Since I'm a 2 channel type of guy, I guess I'll use those pre-outs with a TAN!
LOL
And BTW, I'm not offended.
Check this out...
Kranston
[ This message was edited by: kranston on 2002-10-05 00:58 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-05 03:19
Sony DB Trivia: The Orion Audio Bluebook begins the Sony DB Series with the DB 940 skipping over the DB 930 entirely! So according to Orion (The Audio Bible), the DB 940 would appear to be the original offering in the DB Series. I wrote them an email inquiring as to why this is so, but they have yet to answer.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-05 03:41
Mofoed- Would it be possible for you to reveal to us what model Dynaudio Contour you run with your TAE/TAN-9000es?
I heard a pair of Dynaudio Confidence 5 speakers once, and they had the most intricately detailed top end I have ever heard from any speaker at any price. They sounded so good that it made their $10,000 price tag seem like a bargain for all of the wonderful sound they could produce.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-07 05:40
Look what I found! Its a brand new STR DB 930 QS in the box! It is being auctioned off and time is running out!
Brand New STR DB 930
Note: This is a 220v Eropean model.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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kranston
Sonyphile
Joined: May 19, 2002
Posts: 509
From: Orlando
| Posted: 2002-10-07 09:58
maxxwire, how come QS? I thought the 930s had ES grade stuff, ie. is the amp ES grade?
kranston
[ This message was edited by: kranston on 2002-10-07 10:00 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-07 14:35
All DB Model Receivers made for the Asian and European markets are designated as QS Models. Their American counterparts do not carry this designation.
The DB 930 Spec. Sheet specifies that ES grade Discrete Amps were used. The DB 940 Spec. Sheet specifies that QS grade Discrete Amps. were used. Model designations can not be confused with the part designations.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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mofoed
Sony Devotee
Joined: Sep 06, 2002
Posts: 60
From: Toronto
| Posted: 2002-10-07 17:54
Well I managed to scrape together some funds and purchase the Contour 1.8MKII. You're right about the detail. I assure you that no matter which model Dynaudio product you purchase, they all sound amazing. I went for the 1.8's as I wanted floor standing [no need for a sub] and these where the "cheapest". I listened to B&W, Energy, Theil [spelling] and although they all sounded good. The Dynaudio's where unmatched within their price range. You sometimes see them on Ebay and they are usually sellers who are upgrading to a higher model.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-09 16:03
Mofoed- WoW! Not one, but two 7" Woofers. With a 4 Ohm rating and 86 db/1w/meter and a Mfg. suggested minimum 125Wpc amplifier rating I can see why you went with the TAN-9000es.
All I can say is Niiiiice!
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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kranston
Sonyphile
Joined: May 19, 2002
Posts: 509
From: Orlando
| Posted: 2002-10-09 21:09
Wow, maxxwire and mofoed on the same page! Nice to see you guys kiss and make up.
Thought I was gonna have to referee the heavyweight bout for a sec there.
kranston
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-10 02:31
We 2-channel Sony guys are pretty fanatic about our equipment! I'm as sold on my DB 930, as you are sold on your DB 940 (which does have larger power supply caps. than the DB 930 I beleive- 40,000 micro farad?), as Mofoed is sold on his TAE/TAN 9000ES combo.
Evidently we each have what we need and are happy with it , so why fight? When I found out that Mofoed was running those 86 db sensitive Danish Beauties, I realized that he needs that extra power to make them come alive.
On the other hand I run 95 db sensitive speakers which only require 1/8 as much power as Mofoed's Dynaudio's do to achieve the same volume level.
So, once again we come down to the unavoidable truth that there are no absolutes in Audio...
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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mofoed
Sony Devotee
Joined: Sep 06, 2002
Posts: 60
From: Toronto
|  Posted: 2002-10-10 12:33
Couldn't say it better myself.
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wilky
Sony Aficionado
Joined: Oct 10, 2002
Posts: 128
From: Richmond, Va
| Posted: 2002-10-10 16:56
Nice thread, guys....had to laugh when the make-up started happening.....I have a STR-DE935 which isn't on the page you referred to Maxxwire, but the model under it is, STR-DE835, and it says it has ES amps as well. What is the relationship between the DB and DE series??? I'm not nearly as educated as you guys, but it would be nice to know that my receiver that I love actually has quality parts as well.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-10 20:06
Evidently according to this information the DE 835 was embued with ES grade amps..
STR DE 835 Features
The DB line shares similiarities with the ES series that the DE sreies does not, such as...
-Low hysterisis transformer design
-Large power supply
-Super Legato Linear Ciruitry
-30,000 micfofarad power supply capacitors
-Frame and beam construction
-Slanted PCB circuit board design
-Aluminum front pannel
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-17 05:52
Kranston- I am trying to remember where I heard that the DB 940 had 40,000 microfarad filter caps in its power supply. I think it was at the Sony Only dealer here in town. They were trying to convince me that the DB 930 with its 30,000 microfarad caps which I had purchased from them a year earlier needed to be replaced. Have you ever come across this in your research?
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Tiny_Turtle
Sony Legend
Joined: Oct 09, 2002
Posts: 1116
From: Stockholm, Sweden
 | Posted: 2002-10-17 06:02
Quote:
|
On 2002-10-05 00:23, Maxxwire wrote:
...I never meant to offend you or your equipment... |
|
Lol Maxx. – Nice to see I'm not the only one who consider my HiFi more than just inanimate objects
/Tiny Offence
(edit: typo)
[ This message was edited by: Tiny_Turtle on 2002-10-17 06:05 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-17 15:09
Tiny- Don't get me wrong, the equipment which comprises a high resolution Audio System is very much inanimate. Nevertheless when a properly modified and matched set of equipment is employed in the proper acoustic environment the resulting effect borders on Magic.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Keithant
Sony Addict
Joined: Aug 06, 2002
Posts: 179
From: Rome NY
|  Posted: 2002-10-17 18:43
My equiptment is not inatimate,it all gets up and sings and dances around my living room when in operation...Just joking guys!!Take care and peace..
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kranston
Sonyphile
Joined: May 19, 2002
Posts: 509
From: Orlando
| Posted: 2002-10-18 17:49
Hello maxxwire,
I really can't find anything about the capacitors. The only possible reference that I could find re: the "updated" 940 and it's components was:
"The analogue section has undergone the most tweakery in an effort to improve audio performance, and now has an Analogue Direct feature that bypasses all of the digital circuits completely - good news for those of you with a lot of VHS tapes. The frequency response has been extended to 100kHz, and the core electronic components have all been upgraded." (see my post page one of this thread with the link to the 940 article)
I do not know what they meant by "upgraded". You might know, though.
kranston
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-28 15:22
I really don't like it when the folks at Sony generalize by making statements like "upgraded core components". I want to know which components were upgraded, and what level of performance they were upgraded to. I still do think that the DB 940 has 40,000 microfarad Power Supply Caps though. By comparison, I opened up a "100 Wpc" Onkyo the other day and found 10,000 microfarad Power Supply Caps. |O|!
Check out the DB 930 that sold for nearly $500 on ebay!.....
STR DB 930 ebay auction
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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kranston
Sonyphile
Joined: May 19, 2002
Posts: 509
From: Orlando
| Posted: 2002-10-30 12:45
Yeah, I am at odds with that sort of verbage too without specifying what has been upgraded!
The 930 definately has staying power.
What's your take on using an amp separate utilizing ther receiver's pre outs to drive my fronts? Click and scroll to see my system setup here...
kranston
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-10-30 21:13
Using the preamp out to a seperate Amp would certainly lighten up the load for the power supply in the DB 940, but do you need that much more power to drive your Mains? Your Klipsch RF5's have a sensitivity rating of 99 db @ 1 Watt/1Meter. Even at 32 Wpc you would be producing 114 db SPL which is the equilivant of a live rock concert right in your listening room!
The reason I don't go that route is that I use the 5.1 inputs for my 2-channel a/d-d/a bypass and unfortunately this also bypasses the preamp out function.
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2002-10-30 21:44 ]
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kranston
Sonyphile
Joined: May 19, 2002
Posts: 509
From: Orlando
| Posted: 2002-10-31 16:56
Thanks, you're right. It does not take much to drive those speakers (unlike B&W, IMO).
"The reason I don't go that route is that I use the 5.1 inputs for my 2-channel a/d-d/a bypass and unfortunately this also bypasses the preamp out function."
Are You saying that you would use an external amp if you could?
kranston
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-11-01 06:43
I am of the opinion that the Amplifier's job is to provide the speakers with enough power to accomplish the task that they are being required to do. My JBL L-100a speakers require 1/4 Watt of power to produce 90 db SPL @ 1 meter. This load is very easy for my DB 930 to drive without breaking a sweat.
The only reason that I would bypass the Amps. in the DB 930 would be if I found a better sounding Amp to do the job. I've had the opportunity to hear Krell, Mark Levinson, Plinius, Cary, Ensemble, Manley, Jadis, Silvaweld, and various other Hi End Amplifiers including the 200 Wpc Sony TAN-1 and each one of them at best was able to portray the Music delivered to them by the upstream components.
I have tried other Amps out, but have yet to find one that sounded better than what I have. Of course the most expensive one I tried only cost $3,500, so I'm not saying that there couldn't be a better sounding Amp.. I did read about a guy on AR that replaced his Sony Receiver with which he had been very happy with a $5,000 B.A.T. Preamp, $5,000 B.A.T. Amp., and $5,000 worth of Nordost IC's and speaker wire and proudly proclaimed that he finally knew what it was like to be an "audiophile". If you have to go that far and spend that much to top a Sony Receiver, I'll stand pat thank you.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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kranston
Sonyphile
Joined: May 19, 2002
Posts: 509
From: Orlando
| Posted: 2002-11-01 08:11
I think I have $15000 somewhere under my mattress.
kranston
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-11-06 03:26
I have a stash of ca$h saved up (not nearly as much as in your matress account though), which I am planning on using to buy a dedicated 2-channel stereo amp with. The only problem I am having is finding one that sounds significantly better than my DB 930.
Kranston- What do you think...Are these DB 930/940 Receivers that good, or is it that there just isn't that much difference in preamplification and amplification to be had?
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-11-09 15:26
Well, curioisity got the best of me this week and I went down to the local Hi-Fi Shop and brought home a Stereophile Class A rated Stereo Integrated Amplifier to see what the difference in performance might be between it and my Sony STR DB 930.
The model I picked was
a Creek 5350SE. With a 90 Wpc. output I figured it would be an even match power wise with my DB 930. I also picked the Creek because it is a Class A rated piece and I could save myself time from having to work my way up through the the ratings from Class D to C to B to A to see how the DB 930 stacked up.
So how did the DB 930 stack up against the Class A Grade Audiophile Integrared Amplifier? I must say it was pretty close overall, but the DB 930 fell short on portraying all of the ultra-fine detail in the Music.
The Creek brought forth previously unknown levels of fine detail in recordings I have heard hundereds of times. In the DB 930's defense, this is the only area in which it was out done by the Creek. In other areas such as soundstaging, placement within the stage, imaging and focus, attack and decay ambients, and venue ambience the DB 930 kept right up with the Class A Rig.
The bottom line...
So what's the difference? I would say that the DB 930 does 95% of what the Creek 5350SE does.
To give you an idea of the amount of difference between these two pieces in resolving detail it is comparable to the difference I noticed when I switched from using the standard (a/d-d/a processed) inputs to the 5.1 Analog Bypass inputs on the DB 930. Take that difference x2 and that is what the Class A Creek is capable of in resolving fine detail.
So, what did I learn?...It's going to cost a lot of ca$h to get a slightly better sound than I have with my DB 930. The words diminishing returns come to mind.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2002-11-15 03:18
I have been into digitally recorded Classical music for some time now. I tried Vinyl, but it just wasn't for me.
So last week I sold my Rega Planar 3 Turntable w/RB300 Tonearm and Sumiko BPS Cart. and purchased a Conrad-Johnson PV-2 Tube Preamp and a Weltronics CVT-2030a 30 Wpc. Class A Tube Amp. to drive my front speakers with.
I now run my DB 930's preamp front L&R out to the C-J to run the mains and the Sony runs the center and rears for movies and it sounds just great!
Please do not get the idea that the Sony DB 930 isn't a great machine. Like I said in a previous post in my opinion it can perform 95% as well as a Stereophile Rated Class A integrated can. Its just that when it comes to Classical music it can't quite muster the Timbre and Tonality that Vacuum Tubes can.
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2002-11-17 06:35 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2003-01-16 08:48
A friend of mine was fortunate enough to be able to buy a pre-owned Sony STR DB 930 which is in great shape.
The only problem is that the red LED on the volume controll knob has gone out and he wants to know how it can be repaired.
Do any of you knowledgable fellows have any ideas about how this light can be repaired?
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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rogernordin
Sony Devotee
Joined: Jan 03, 2003
Posts: 84
From: Stockholm, Sweden
 |  Posted: 2003-01-17 09:37
Hi Maxxwire!
Yeah I'd like to know the same as well. It seems to be a very common problem with the 930, you can see owners of 930 posting here and there with this problem. Of course it isn't a big problem. In fact, on my unit it failed within the warranty period, but I thought the problem was so minor that I just didn't feel like it was worth being without the receiver for a week or 2-3 weeks just to get it fixed on warranty. Now it's since long out of warranty.
But it's been bugging me a little, since when you turn on a movie with dim lighting in the room, you don't always know for sure what the volume is set at, and without the red LED glow on the knob arrow it's hard to see, then you might turn up the volume a little too much if the movie is indeed silent at the beginning when you expect sound. And when the sound finally begins, well... you know that DB stands for Da Bomb, so it can be quite a shock.
I haven't really *tried* to get it resolved. I could for instance try to order a service manual, call the local Sony repair center and ask if it they knew how to fix it and would sell me the spair part (asking couldn't hurt), but I just noticed your post here, and ... well, if you come up with something or anyone else knows how to fix it, I'd like to know too!!
Apart from that I really enjoy my STR-DB930..! It's been servicing me for over two years, probably close to three. I have it hooked up with a pair of bi-wired Jamo 507 speakers, the Jamo Centre 200 and a pair of Sorround 200 surround speakers. I really love this setup, despite it not being an extreme setup budget-wise in any way.
In fact, after reading up on this forum, I am now considering *not* to get the 780 as my 2nd room amp, but to get a 2nd used 930 instead. Seems to offer a much better value! Hey, might even run two audio cables to let each receiver "listen to the other room", lol.
Regards,
/Roger
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rogernordin
Sony Devotee
Joined: Jan 03, 2003
Posts: 84
From: Stockholm, Sweden
| Posted: 2003-01-17 09:48
Hi again,
check out this thread: http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=2831&forum=51
No replies, but some hints. Since the light doesn't seem to be built in the volume knob itself, chances are it might be an easily replaced standard lamp or LED inside the receiver itself. Might be worth opening it up to check it out!
Regards,
/Roger
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2003-01-17 11:51
The volume knob light on my DB 930 is still going strong thankfully.
My friend on the other hand is intent on opening his DB 930 up to see exactly what kind of light it is that needs to be replaced. I'll keep you posted as to whether he comes up with a solution or not.
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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rogernordin
Sony Devotee
Joined: Jan 03, 2003
Posts: 84
From: Stockholm, Sweden
| Posted: 2003-01-17 12:21
Hi maxxwire!
I wish him all the luck! From what I have found on the net, it seems like the LED is not easily changeable by itself, you need to buy a complete new volume control assembly. According to an article thread below, the spare part number is 1-225-445-12 and the list price was $33.42 (30th Oct 2001).
References:
Article Thread 1
Article Thread 2
Article Thread 3
If he does figure out a way to replace it, I guess it would then be possible to choose the color, since the light is reflected through a transparent prism.
Good luck!
Regards,
/Roger
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2003-01-17 17:46
Roger- Thanks for the excellent investigative work! I'll pass the information along to my friend.
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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tanvira
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jul 01, 2003
Posts: 25
From: washington dc
| Posted: 2003-07-06 20:23
Hi fellas,
While on the subject of the DB930, I am a proud owner of one for two years now and much as i love the amplifier section, i did go out and buy a demo 5es only because I wanted a more upgraded processor.
I am reluctant to give up the DB930 because it has a truly great amplifier section. I have not put the 5es to all the tests yet but if it was a matter of upgrading because of better processing capabilities, does the 5es live up to it's 110 watts rating as well as the DB930 does?
If it does not then i would keep the 930 and use the 5es as a processor only and feed it through the amp of the 930.
Any thoughts??
Thanks a million.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2003-07-07 02:32
The DA/ES series Receivers usually benchtest at 76 wpc @ .02% THD 20-20k hz. The DB 930 which is fitted with ES push-pull output amps benchtests at 93.2 wpc @ .013% THD 20-20k hz.
You could use the DA 5ES as a preamp for the DB 930, but the problem you are having with the Subwoofer volume is a line level issue with the DA 5ES and not a speaker level output problem.
-Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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rogernordin
Sony Devotee
Joined: Jan 03, 2003
Posts: 84
From: Stockholm, Sweden
| Posted: 2003-07-07 17:25
Hi Maxxwire,
Did your friend ever had any luck fixing that broken volume knob LED? If you (or anyone else) has more info on this, please share it. I'd love to fix mine. Perhaps it's time to order a service manual.
Regards,
/Roger
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2003-07-08 02:10
To be honest, of all the dozens of people I have heard complain about the light going out on the volume control of their DB 930 including two friends of mine no one has been able have it repaired that I know of.
As I understand it there is an entire circuit board at the base of the volume control's shaft that must be replaced.
-Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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tanvira
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jul 01, 2003
Posts: 25
From: washington dc
| Posted: 2003-07-08 19:47
Hi Maxxwire,
you mention that the reason the DB930 is a superior amp is cause it has the ES push-pull amplification. If that were true then why is the 5es not benchtesting to a higher watt output?
Being an ES receiver it should have the push-pull amplification that the DB930 has.
I also wanted to know if you think the 5es is a good upgrade from the DB930.
I will soon have to part with the DB930 if i keep the 5es.
Thanks.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2003-07-09 14:17
Tanvira- I have been wondering why the DB 930 had better benchtest results than the DA series for years when they both have push-pull ES grade output amps.
The problem with the DB 930 is that it is 5 model years old and its Digital electronic sophistication is way behind that of the DA 5ES.
Its too bad that you must give up the DB 930, but I am confident that the DA 5ES will do fantastic job for you. There are a lot of guys out there who are looking for a DA 5ES and can't find one, consider yourself one of the fortunate ones.
-Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Legend99
Sony Fan
Joined: Apr 11, 2004
Posts: 2
From:
| Posted: 2004-04-11 21:31
Ok,
I have the Sony STR-DB930 receiver. I am very happy about it , I have this unit since it first came out. Suddenly like other people mention here about the volume LED. My died not long ago. At first, I didn't care too much about it. but then like other people mention in this forum, sometime when watching a movie when it is very quite, I can not tell if the volume is up or down.
Well, finally today I took my Sony STR-DB930 apart. I disassembler everything from the volume knobs. The LED is inside the volume shaft. Very small one. But boy, I don't know why Sony make it so hard just to fix something. Even when you get down to the volume shaft, it took me a while to figure it out how to take the led out. if you don't, you might break something else. I finally took it out.
Since today is a holiday and my local Radio Shack is close, I will try to go tomorrow to see what kind of LED they have. It is so small, I hope Radio Shack got something like that.
[ This message was edited by: Legend99 on 2004-04-11 21:39 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2004-04-12 01:19
Legend99- You and I have some things in common. Not only are we both proud owners of the formidable Sony DB 930 Receiver, but this thread is the place where we each made our first post at Agoraquest.
I am hoping to hear some good news about your repair. Many people have had the same problem with the light on the volume knob of their DB 930 and it would be nice to know that their is a simpler way to fix it than getting a whole new circuitboard.
_Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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nellow
Sony Fan
Joined: Sep 08, 2002
Posts: 6
From: Newbury, UK
| Posted: 2004-07-05 20:12
Any news about the volume control led repair?
I am still using the DB930 after nearly five years. Meant to upgrade years ago, just for the sake of it, but I continue to really like this receiver. Functiionality (as opposed to sound quality) starting to feel pretty outdated now though.
Nice to see a couple of messages from 2004 on this topic - other 930 fans I guess.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2004-07-05 23:39
AFAIK the information in this thread concerning the volume control light are the most accurate there are.
While the DB 930 is getting pretty long in the tooth, its ES build quality which includes Nichicon Gold Tune caps and ES grade output amps is still a cut above the QS grade build quality of the one remaining Analog Receiver in Sony's ES line.
_Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Legend99
Sony Fan
Joined: Apr 11, 2004
Posts: 2
From:
| Posted: 2004-07-17 03:21
Disclaimer: What ever I did, I did on my own. I knew the risk involved. I could have damage my whole receiver and throw it away while fixing the volume LED. If you have problem with the volume LED on the db930 or similar receiver, I do NOT recommend you fixing it. I recommend you to take it to a Sony services center to have it fix. If you decide to fix it by yourself, and you somehow damage it, don't blame me. It is your own fault.
Ok, sometime it is good to put a disclaimer, it is better safer than sorry.
Sorry it took a while. After I fix the volume LED, I decide to wait to see if that really work before I say anything. After 3 months, so far the volume LED is working great. Even thought the LED that I bought, it was not that bright but it was ok. I bought it from Radio Shack. Here is the LED http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=276-026
The original LED, I don't know where to get it. I like the Sony one because if I remember correctly, it was much brighter. Normally, I suppose to replace it with the same part because put in different part might damage your receiver. Since it is my receiver, I can do what ever I want.
Taking the volume apart was not that hard. But put it back together was a pain. Also it requires solder skill to unsolder the LED and to solder the LED back. Paid careful attention on how the LED sits in the white plastic and how it get sandwich between the shaft and the back. This was the most troublesome I got when put back together. The LED is a T1 size, it is really small and that goes inside the volume shaft. When I put it back together, it took me a lot of trial and error and I did break the trace on the PCB board. But I manage to re-wire with wires.
When put back together, paid attention to the polarity of the LED, The LED goes one way. If you put it reverse, it will not work. The LED sit in a white plastic and that plastic goes inside the shaft. Also it gets very tight. And now, this is the most important part. It has to be exactly perfect and there is no room for mistake when you put the LED inside the shaft. A little be off, you have to take it apart again.
If you don't put it right, this is what happens.
1. The volume knob has some resistance. When turning by hand, no problem but when using the remote to volume up or down, it may get stuck because of some resistance, and then you have to use your hand.
2. When turning the volume up or down, the volume LED might blink. That means that it is shorting inside.
[ This message was edited by: Legend99 on 2004-07-17 10:26 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2004-07-17 03:58
Legend99- You have chosen an appropriate Moniker because you are the first person that I know of who has successfuly fixed the volume control indicator light on a DB 930 and that makes you legendary in my book!
_Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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rogernordin
Sony Devotee
Joined: Jan 03, 2003
Posts: 84
From: Stockholm, Sweden
| Posted: 2004-08-06 16:01
Hey Legend99,
great work and big thanks for the report! So, the light intensity might be something to consider when choosing a replacement LED. Btw, the LED your choosed has an output rating of 5 mcd - it's quite easy to find a cheap 3mm red LED with an output of 100 mcd, by comparsion. Not that I expect you to want to replace it anytime soon with all that trouble
Typically the LEDs with clear cases (but still coloured output) have stronger output, as does LEDs with a more narrow light spread angle (the light is better focused, which I think would suite this application well, since there's little point lighing up the inside of the amp anyways ).
Btw, I personally would have thought it to be nice to replace it with a blue LED... But I noticed that all blue LEDs have a different Vf, typically 3.5-3.8V (some even as high as 5.0V!) compared to 1.7-2.1V for a red LED, so I guess a resistor would have to changed as well for that to work out. Noticed one rated at 5.0V with an amazing output of 350 mcd..! But perhaps a too strong light would be bothersome as well, in the dark, of course. But at least from your experience we know that something stronger than 5 mcd would be advised.
Might have a go at this pretty soon, considering I have already been thinking about pulling everything apart anyways, and getting those cables straightened out so it doesn't look like a mess anymore. It's very encouraging to know that someone else has managed to do it!
Regards,
/Roger
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2004-08-06 18:24
I don't care for indicator lights that are too bright. I find blue and especially green lights to be the most offensive.
I have some green lights on my equipment that are so bright that they will cast a shadow on the opposing wall if I move my hand in front of them, but I have found that a doubled piece of black electrician's tape will put an end to the way they light up the room. Red lights seem to be visable and yet the most benign.
_Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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rogernordin
Sony Devotee
Joined: Jan 03, 2003
Posts: 84
From: Stockholm, Sweden
| Posted: 2004-08-06 18:56
Maxxwire,
Then you might even consider this an enhancement, I guess, considering it's dimming the light.
I can now report that at least 2 persons have performed this operation successfully now, since I just went and did it myself. It was quite easy, as long as you are careful and take your time.
I'm an impatient guy though, so I didn't want to wait to order a high intensity LED, but I can confirm that just I suspected, the original LED used by Sony is using a transparent casing, since these emit higher amounts of light than the ones where the case is coloured.
I myself used a normal lower intensity red LED from some scrap electronics board I had available. Worked great, and now my 930 once again have a volume indicator light again... hooray!!!
While I did it, I took quite a couple of photos, and I will make a little description to anyone else who feel like "waking up the dead" in their 930.
Regards,
/Roger
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rogernordin
Sony Devotee
Joined: Jan 03, 2003
Posts: 84
From: Stockholm, Sweden
| Posted: 2004-08-06 20:35
Okay the instructions go here:
http://atb.dyndns.org/sony930/index.htm
Hope you enjoy them,
the clock is now 2:35 am and I guess I should be off to bed.
Regards,
/Roger
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2004-08-06 23:33
Roger- Thank you for going to all the trouble of not only giving step by step instructions on how to replace the volume knob LED indicator on the DB 930, but to also include full color Digital photos of the process!
This is the definitive instruction sheet on how to do this repair and you did a fantastic job of putting it together.
_Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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rogernordin
Sony Devotee
Joined: Jan 03, 2003
Posts: 84
From: Stockholm, Sweden
| Posted: 2004-08-07 05:01
Maxxwire,
Thank you for those kind words. I hope this will allow others to get their 930 back into full working conidition. Although it's really only a very minor imperfection, of course, it IS a bit annoying on an otherwise very fine piece of equipment.
My STR-DB930 is still going strong here! Long live the 930!!
Regards,
/Roger
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2004-08-07 12:50
Roger- Thanks to you this thread which on the first page contains the very first post I made at at Agoraquest two years ago this month is still going and growing in informational content.
The Sony STR DB 930 and DB 930QS are truly great Receivers. Thank you for shedding so much light on how to repair this small flaw that sometimes occurs with them.
_Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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joblow
Sony Fan
Joined: Nov 29, 2004
Posts: 1
From: home
| Posted: 2004-11-29 19:22
hey max hope you still check this
my 930 has started to make clicking noises on me
I hope this does not mean that it is going to die on me
please advise
user from nov 99 itll now
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2004-11-29 20:09
joblow- My DB 930 has started making some clicking noises over the last few months. What are the exact circumstances under which your DB 930 clicks?
_Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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AaronB
Sonyphile
Joined: Nov 26, 2002
Posts: 622
From: Ottawa, Canada
 | Posted: 2004-11-30 09:52
joblow:
Clicking sounds are relays operating inside the receiver. Relays are switches acivated by an electromagnet. The receiver uses them to turn speaker outputs on/off, and other similar things. Strange clicking noises usually means that there is a bad connection somewhere.
First, if the receiver just clicks and displays "Protector" on the display, then the receiver is likely in need of service. There are external triggers for the Protector problem (such as a shorted speaker connection), so if you are having this problem then search this forum for "protect" and you will find a lot of advice. Most likely the receiver will need repair though.
Following are two things to try:
Wiggle the speaker selector switch to see if this causes the relays inside to click on and off. My STR-DA4ES had a problem with this switch, causing the relays to switch on and off sporadically (or "chatter") and I had to send it in for repair only 1 week after bringing it home. If this is the problem, then any electronics hobbyist who's handy with a soldering iron should be able to fix the problem.
You could try tightening some screws inside the unit. Warning: there are potentially lethal voltages inside the receiver even when it is off and unplugged, so you have to be very careful if you take off the cover. Preferably, you should discharge the power supply, but otherwise just make sure not to touch anything. end warning. OK, so what you want to do is back-off then re-tighten the screws that hold the various circuit boards to the chassis. Some of these screws form an electrical connection to the chassis (ground) and can cause problems if they wiggle loose or get corroded. Be very careful where you stick your screwdriver; there are dangerous voltages in there.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2004-11-30 13:40
AaronB- Your work with the DB 930 is Legendary here at Agoraquest and your insight into its workings is unrivaled.
About a month a go the relays on my DB 930 started to click off for no apparent reason. I finally discovered that if the button that releases the door was depressed that the relays would click back on. Eventually I found a way to keep the lever that holds the door in place in its retracted position and it works fine now.
The location of this button is right next to the speaker selector switch and what you said about it being able to cause the relays to click off makes perfect sense to me in my situation.
Thank you so much for all of the technical advice you have offered up to us over the years especially with regards to the DB 930 in particular. The knowledge that you gained from doing a custom rebuild of the DB 930 from the ground up with Audiophile grade parts has come to benefit us all. Thank you so much for sharing some of that knowledge with us!
The DB 930 is a very special piece of Sony equipment. I began posting here on the Forum on this very thread over 2 years ago singing its praises and thanks to you and the other contributors on this thread the DB 930 and its fine reputation hopefully will live on for years to come.
_Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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AaronB
Sonyphile
Joined: Nov 26, 2002
Posts: 622
From: Ottawa, Canada
| Posted: 2004-12-02 08:48
Thanks for the kind words Maxx.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2004-12-02 18:39
No thanks needed. You have earned your sterling reputation around here the old fashioned way both in word and in deed.
_Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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andyross
Sony Legend
Joined: Mar 09, 2004
Posts: 1093
From: Schaumburg, IL
 | Posted: 2004-12-25 10:22
I've had a DB930 since 10/99, and the volume light died a few weeks ago. Thanks to rogernordin for the web info with detailed instructions. I had partially disassembled mine, but didn't want to go so far as to start removing panels.
I do have the service manual/schematics. The volume LED is run by driver IC108, pin 29, on the display board. That goes through pins 1 (+) and 2 (-) of CNP101 (Volume board) or CNS103 (Display board). The normal working voltage should be 2.1V. With a dead LED, I measured 5V.
I had considered trying to mount an LED on the back of the volume knob, with a thin wire running up to some power supply inside. You really only need to put a lightsource anywhere along the light-pipe on the back of the knob.
-----------------
Sony KDL-46EX700, Onkyo TX-NR609, Sony BDP-S370, WDTV Live Streaming, Motorola DCT-6412, RCA RCRP05B.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2004-12-25 13:34
andyross- I'm glad to dear that the operation on the volume knob light on your DB 930 was a success.
Like you I also have owned a DB 930 as well as a DVP S530D since 1999 and they are both still running great.
_Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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andyross
Sony Legend
Joined: Mar 09, 2004
Posts: 1093
From: Schaumburg, IL
| Posted: 2004-12-26 09:36
Actually, I haven't changed it yet. I need to pick up a good high-brightness LED (I only have some old weak ones.)
Can somebody verify that this is truely a T-1 size? If somebody still has the original, could they compare it against these dimensions (I just found this using Google, and is not the exact LED I would use.)
http://www.kingbright.com/download/pdf/L-934SED(V2).pdf
[ This message was edited by: andyross on 2004-12-26 09:37 ]
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scenic
Sony Buff
Joined: Dec 31, 2004
Posts: 16
From: Sweden
| Posted: 2004-12-31 16:29
Hi!
I am choosing to by a 930 or 1070 sony receiver.
How come that the 1070 weights 16kg and 930 only 13.2kg and
1080 weights 13.3kg.
Has 1070 large transformator? and is 1070 better than 930??
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2004-12-31 18:22
While the DB 1070 may weigh more the DB 930 has ES grade output transistors and the DB 1070 only has QS grade output transistors which is why when Home Cinema Choice benchtested both Receivers the DB 930 had 93.2 wpc @ .013% THD 25-20k hz and the DB 1070 only had 72 wpc @ .02% THD 25-20k hz.
The DB 930 also has high quality Nichicon Gold Tune and Nichicon Fine Gold capacitors like the STR DA 5ES does and the DB 1070 does not.
_Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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scenic
Sony Buff
Joined: Dec 31, 2004
Posts: 16
From: Sweden
| Posted: 2005-01-01 07:15
Ok! Thanks for the answer!!
Is 940 better than 930?? and has 940 ES things??
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2005-01-01 15:43
The DB 930 was the Flagship of the DB line and starting in 2000 when they came out with the DB 940 they started using QS grade parts leaving the DB 930 the only DB model Receiver to have the ES grade output transformers and Nichicon Gold Tune caps.
When HCC benchtested the DA 555ES they rated it at 76 wpc @ .02% THD 25-20k hz which was was only 81.5% as much power as the 93.2 wpc that they measured the DB 930 at with 53.8% more THD than the .013% that the DB 930 measured at!
_Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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edwardparadigm7
Sony Fan
Joined: Jan 22, 2005
Posts: 2
From: Charleston, S.C.
| Posted: 2005-01-22 07:58
I have had my DB930 for over a year and am very pleased. The sound quality is phenomal for a receiver in this price range.
I have been having an off and on problem. I know what the prolem is so it is just a matter of fixing it. I was just curious if anyone else has had the problem.
In the beginning it was intermittent and a light tapping or bumping would make it go away. A very loud buzzing would come through all of the speakers - but not in stereo mode or digital mode. The buzzing is actually still there in stereo and digital but not nearly to the same degree.
I went through all the usual checks - grounding, speaker connections, cable connections, power cables. Opened up the cabinent and tightened down all of the screws. Still the problem would come and go with a little bumping. Then the problem got progressively worse and no amount of bumping or tapping (or dropping from two inches) would make it go away. So I put it up for several months until I couldnt stand the crappy sound coming out of an old JVC receiver.
I opened up the cabinent again to do a more thorough check. I happened to bump into a large capacitor (40,000 uF I think) near the volume button on the lower board and the problem went away! The capacitor was very loose on the board and rocking it back and forth would turn the problem on and off. It took 9 months to figure it out but now the DB930 sounds just as good as before. Sweet, Sweet music!!!!!!!
I only have a temporary fix in at the moment - I need to take it to Protronics to get it fixed but they claim to have a 8 day backlog. An 8 day wait for a 10 minute soldering job. I've debated trying it myself but its been since college since I've done any soldering.
Thanks for listening. If you've had something similar happend (or heard about it) please respond.
Thanks
Ed
One other thing - the speaker A/B switch on the front panel is partially broken off, any ideas where I can find a replacement?
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2005-01-22 14:03
Thanks for sharing that fix with us. I hope you can find a shop or an individual who can solder the cap for you (I think its 30,000 µF) in a timely manner.
_Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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phish368
Sony Devotee
Joined: Jun 11, 2003
Posts: 87
From: Long Island, NY
 | Posted: 2005-01-22 15:36
Maybe someone can help me out with my DB930 issue.... Intermittently while watching cable, DVD or playing Xbox I get some static sound coming from my right rear surround speaker. I tend to notice that if the DB930 is in Dolby Digital 5.1 mode (AFD) and the blue digital light is on I never have an issue of static from the speaker. But if I am watching a Dolby surround or stereo signal I will intermittently hear a low volume static sound coming from the rear right speaker. Anyone ever run into this issue? Can anyone give any pointers on a fix for me? I’m not very good with soldering so I don’t think I could replace a capacitor or transistor... Thanks everyone for hearing me out and helping...
Brian
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Sony Receiver STR-DB930, Sony DVD Player DVP-NS755V, Scientific Atlantic DVI HD-Cable Box w/ IO Cable, Sony KD-34XS955 34" Wega High-Definition TV, PSB Fronts - Image 5T, PSB Center - Image 8C, PSB Rears - Image 2B, Velodyne Subwoofer VA-1012XII
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2005-01-22 18:53
Brian- It sounds like the right rear surround speaker only acts up when using Dolby Pro Logic decoding. Have you tried using some of the 27 different DSP Soundfields that the DB 930 is equiped with to see if they all have this same problem?
_Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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jehill
Sony Senior Advisor
Joined: Mar 13, 2003
Posts: 13820
From: Sewell, NJ
 | Posted: 2005-01-23 10:26
phish368-
Are your cable, DVD and Xbox audio connections all analog (stereo)? If so, it would seem that you have a problem in the analog section of your receiver. Of course, this begs the question, why are you using analog inputs for those inputs? Do you also have optical/coaxial inputs from those components as well?
-----------------
-John
Sony A/V System: KDL-55XBR8, BDP-S550, AVD-C700ES Super Audio CD/DVD Receiver, 4 SS-LA500ED surround speakers, 1 SS-LAC505ED center channel speaker and 1 SA-WD200 Active Subwoofer
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tanvira
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jul 01, 2003
Posts: 25
From: washington dc
| Posted: 2005-02-01 16:39
Wow, what an exhaustive thread!
MAx, I have both the DB930 and the 5es. I am planning to buy the Denon 3805. Which of the Sony receivers would you give up for the Denon and why?
Thanks,
Tanvir.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2005-02-01 17:37
Tanvir- Exhaustive indeed! I made my first post at Agoraquest almost 2 1/2 years ago on the first page of this same thread. Now that's what I call legs!
If you can only keep one of the Sony Receivers it might as well be the DA 5ES. The DB 930 is a great Receiver with a great build quality, but it is a 1999 model and in this case the 2001 DA 5ES would be the one to keep.
__Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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tanvira
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jul 01, 2003
Posts: 25
From: washington dc
| Posted: 2005-02-03 09:59
Dear Max,
It is clear you have a great apssion for the DB 930. I have enjoyed every minute with this piece of gear and I really would not want to give it up . I just was hoping that an amp like Denon would be comparable to the DB 930 so that I can get the modern decoding and features without compromising on the amp quality.
Didnt mean to question your loyalty to the DB930!!!
Thanks again,
Tanvir.
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tanvira
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jul 01, 2003
Posts: 25
From: washington dc
| Posted: 2005-02-02 21:55
Max,
Thanks for the advice. Does your descision stem from the fact that the Denon 3805 is a recever that can match if not ot do the DB930 in amplification as well? I know you have touted the DB 930 in the amplification dept. several times over. The Denon is rated at 120 watts and has all the latest deoding software. It is for that and several other new features that I would like to upgrade. Will the DEnon amp match up to the DB930 too you think being rated at 120 watts whgile the DB930 is at 110 watts?
I am having a hard time letting the 930 go but I will for the newer technology on the Denon. I would feel better if I knes that the amps match up too.
Thanks again,
Tanvir.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2005-02-03 00:25
First of all I thought that this was a type of "Sophie's Choice" situation where one of the Sony Receivers had to go. No mention was made of comparison to the Denon 3805.
I have compared my DB 930 side by side with some of the top Stereophile Magazine Class A recommended Audiophile grade Integrated Amplifiers and the DB 930 held its own quite well in both the quality of sound and in its ability to deliver plenty of raw power.
Whether or not the Denon 3805 could compete as well in the sound department with this Class A gear I do not know, but as you said it does have more modern features and decoding modes.
The DB 930 embarrassed every single Sony ES Receiver of its time by a wide margin with its powerful and clean 93.2 wpc @ .013% THD 20-20k hz in Home Cinema Choices' Benchtests where for expmple the DA 555ES measured 76 wpc @ .02% THD 20-20k hz.
The only Sony piece that had more power was the TA N9000ES with 106 wpc @ .06% THD 20-20k hz which is 13 wpc more, but measures 461% dirtier at the same time.
If its come time to upgrade for a Receiver with better features then that's one thing, but that doesn't mean that the DB 930 can't still hold its own in the sound department with some of the very best out there.
__Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2005-02-03 14:29
Tanvir- As you probably know I mostly listen to Stereo Music which I run through the DB 930 using the Analog Direct 5.1 inputs in order to bypass any Digital processing in the Receiver's preamp.
There is every possibility that when you use the Denon 3805 for DTS or DD Movie soundtracks that it will sound great with its SOTA Digital processing that the 6 year old DB 930 does not have.
Its too bad that you can't keep the DB 930 for 2 channel duty where it really shines and isn't handicapped by its lack of having the latest Digital processing on board.
__Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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tanvira
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jul 01, 2003
Posts: 25
From: washington dc
| Posted: 2005-02-04 22:59
Ok MAx,
You twisted my arm with guilt!!! I am loyal fella and have decided to keep that which has given me and continues to give me a great deal of high quality listening pleasure. The DB930 and the 5ES both stay!!
I value your expertise very much and you sort of made me snap out of stupid idea. I really would not have had much use for the processing power of the Denon and my 5es is plenty receiver for my application. My dedicated hometheater uses the 5es and my secondary entertainment system uses the DB930. I use it for stereo sound primarily and it sounds awesome.
So I guess you also saved me some money!!
Thanks all the way around,
Tanvir.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2005-02-04 23:49
I have made the same decision to keep my DB 930 each time I have come back from the Sony Only store. I figure that if I ever want more bells and whistles, there will just be more of them next year.
I also frequently see people looking for the DA 5ES because it is such an awesome Receiver. You have a great pair of Sony Receivers the build quality of which would be very hard to top with a current production model at a similar pricepoint.
__Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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phish368
Sony Devotee
Joined: Jun 11, 2003
Posts: 87
From: Long Island, NY
| Posted: 2005-02-07 19:29
Hey guys.. sorry for taking such a long time to post back.
All my inputs are running digital. The DVD player and XBoX are running optical and my cable box is running Digi Coaxil. I've tried listening to different modes... Normal mode, AFD, cinema studio A,B and C and it seems that mode does not affect it. But at the same time the problem doesnt always happen, it seems like the reciever decides when to make the noise and not the input coming into it becuase it happens whether I am watching cable, dvd or xbox. 
any other ideas or suggestions?
-----------------
Sony Receiver STR-DB930, Sony DVD Player DVP-NS755V, Scientific Atlantic DVI HD-Cable Box w/ IO Cable, Sony KD-34XS955 34" Wega High-Definition TV, PSB Fronts - Image 5T, PSB Center - Image 8C, PSB Rears - Image 2B, Velodyne Subwoofer VA-1012XII
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2005-02-07 23:58
Phish368- Since this noise from your right rear speaker does not happen when you use the the 5.1 Digital input I would think that this is an indicaton that something is wrong with your DPL processing.
__Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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andyross
Sony Legend
Joined: Mar 09, 2004
Posts: 1093
From: Schaumburg, IL
| Posted: 2005-02-12 12:52
I finally replaced the LED in my 930's volume control.
Not knowing the exact brightness, I bought 3 different ones. I avoided basic LED's, as I knew they were not bright enough (typically 6-10 mcd). The first was a 32mcd 'high efficiency'. Brighter, but not as much as the original. The next was a 110mcd Super Bright (actually not very bright, as you can get them up to 5000+mcd!). That looks to be about right.
It's number 3 that I ended up using though:
It's an 80mcd BLUE LED. The white stripe is a strip of white tape I was using to know the position while the LED was dead.
I bought all 3 from Mouser (www.mouser.com). The super-bright red is 638-264-7SURCS5302 (Everlight EL-264-7SURC/S530-A2) and is only US$0.11 each. The blue is 696-SSL-LX3044USBD (Lumex SSL-LX3044USBD) and is US$2.25 each.
To add to rogernordin's instructions at http://atb.dyndns.org/sony930/index.htm
I would put a piece of tape behind the LED leads on the holder, unless you are lucky enough to get the new leads to fully seat and snap into place. This will prevent the possiblity of the leads shorting against the back part of the volume knob (the section you pull off.) Be careful pulling that back off. It is held on with two pins near the top. Don't bend too much. I didn't damage mine, but I can see what could happen. Try to get it a bit loose, then wedge in a tiny jewelers screwdriver into the space in the top to pop it apart.
If you worry about putting the volume back together right, just make certain to set the volume knob to about the 9 o'clock position before taking things apart. When reassmbling, the flat of the shaft will be at the 3 o'clock position.
Also, there is a thin washer on the shaft, which is 'between' the shaft and the front block. You can see it on the one picture of the full shaft assembly removed but not taken apart. Don't lose it, although the grease should hold in place.
-----------------
Sony KDL-46EX700, Onkyo TX-NR609, Sony BDP-S370, WDTV Live Streaming, Motorola DCT-6412, RCA RCRP05B.
[ This message was edited by: andyross on 2005-02-12 12:53 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2005-02-12 13:37
andyross- I have nothing but respect and admiration for someone who can through great perserverence and determination turn a dissapointing problem into a wonderful and unique achievement like you have.
I've heard many people "wish" that the volume control light on their DB 930 was blue, but you are the first person that I know of to make that wish a reality!
Thank you for sharing your methodology and parts list with us as I know that there are a lot of DB 930 owners who have expressed a keen interest in doing what you have now so kindly shown us how to do.
__Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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andyross
Sony Legend
Joined: Mar 09, 2004
Posts: 1093
From: Schaumburg, IL
| Posted: 2005-02-13 09:23
Some extra info: The schematics show that the LED (and most of the LED's) is driven by IC108 on the display board. Sony calls it an 'LED Driver'. It is a standard NJU3719L, and is actually a '24-bit serial to parallel converter.' According to the specs, the output current is limited to about 25mA. That is pretty much the normal drive current for most LED's. So Sony just relies on that current limiting to protect the LED's.
My guess is that the actual current could be higher, and the LED was overdriven, causing it to burn out. I'm guessing any LED that will work on up to 5V and 20-25mA will do. The blue LED I am using is rated for 30mA @ 3.5V, so it should be safe. I can't find exact specs on the red LED I bought (even Everlight's site doesn't list it), but I'm guessing it's a standard 25mA @ 2.1V
[ This message was edited by: andyross on 2005-02-13 09:25 ]
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scenic
Sony Buff
Joined: Dec 31, 2004
Posts: 16
From: Sweden
| Posted: 2005-02-14 10:24
Maxxwire
What is the diffrent between 830 and 930?
Has 830 ES transistors and Nichonin capasitators'?
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2005-02-14 13:25
scenic- I've seen spec sheets that say that both the DB 930 and DB 830 have ES grade output transformers, but there was no mention as to whether they are both outfitted with Nichicon Caps or not like the DB 930 is.
__Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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scenic
Sony Buff
Joined: Dec 31, 2004
Posts: 16
From: Sweden
| Posted: 2005-04-10 07:30
Maxwirre
i have get a good price on STR-DA50ES and is this receiver
better than 930?
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2005-04-10 14:36
When Robert Harley reviewed the Sony DA 50ES for his magazine Sound and Vision he liked it very much and even compared its sound favorably to the Rega Mira integrated amp.
There are some differences between the DA 50ES and the DB 930 though. The first of which is that Sony rates the noise level of the Analog inputs of the DA 50 ES 10 dB noisier than the Analog inputs on the DB 930.
The other difference would be that I am doubtful that the DA 50ES has the full complement of Nichicon Gold Tune and Fine Gold Tune capacitors that the DB 930 and DA 5ES have, but then again most other Sony Receivers don't have this level of build quality either.
Don't let any of this discourage you from getting the DA 50ES though. If you can get a good price on one you may find yourself enjoying it as much as Robet Harley enjoyed the one he bought.
__Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2005-06-26 15:02
Keithant- This is your original thread with the link to rogernordin's volume control light replacement instructions here on the 12th page.
__Maxx
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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rogernordin
Sony Devotee
Joined: Jan 03, 2003
Posts: 84
From: Stockholm, Sweden
| Posted: 2005-10-16 17:54
Hey andyross, the blue LED looks awesome indeed, I think I'll have to re-open my 930 and make a change, he he. Glad to see that my instructions was useful, and thanks for interesting stuff about the LED driver (don't have the schematics myself unfortunatly).
Hey Maxx, congrats on passing the 11 Kposts mark..!! Wow.
Truly inspiring! 
Best Regards,
/Roger 
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2005-10-16 18:53
Roger- What can I say, but that this thread has been very good to me. I made my first post on it on 8-29-02 and now I/m making my 11,019th post on it as well thanks to the brilliant work that you have done on showing us how to fix the volume control light on the DB930 which has kept this thread going for so long.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Ladd
Sony Fan
Joined: Dec 10, 2005
Posts: 1
From:
| Posted: 2005-12-10 09:38
Regarding replacement of the burned-out LED in the DB930 volume control knob:
In the grand tradition of following my betters, the LED in my volume control knob quit working last week.
I've read through the fabulous photo sets and detailed info for making the repair myself and I think I just might be able to do this repair myself. This "maybe" evaluation bothers me; although I do believe in having respect for the difficulties of an imminent task, there should be a bit of overconfidence also. This repair would be pushing the envelope of my previous experiences in electronics repair and there is some trepidation with practicing on such a fine piece of equipment.
So, it appears to me that I need one critical piece of information.
If I choose to retreat gracefully and shoulder the what I'm sure will be not inexpensive burden of having Sony fix this for me, does anyone have any clues as to if the replacement part will be upgraded to be more durable? If I'm going to pay the cost, I want the LED to last longer than I do.
[ This message was edited by: Ladd on 2005-12-10 09:44 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2005-12-10 14:57
It has always sruck me odd that the light on the volume control of the DB930 is problematic, but I almost never hear of this problem on other Sony Receivers.
It makes me wonder if the problem is with the LED or possibly with the way its used in the DB930.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Faust
Sony Fan
Joined: Dec 11, 2005
Posts: 1
From: Madison, NJ
| Posted: 2005-12-11 08:55
After approximately 5 years my DB930 volume control LED is extinguished. Thanks to rorgernordin's post (and Legend99, and andyross), his blue LED project, and great pictures, I've bit the bullet and ordered red and blue LED's from mouser.com. Planning on usine blue.
I'll let you guy's know how I make out when the deed is done.
One quick question. While watching a DVD, assuming that the video is DTS encoded, is it possilbe to use the DB930 remote to switch from Dolby to DTS encoding? Or must the movie menu be utilized? I was astounded a few days ago, while watching War of the Worlds, at the incredible difference in voice clarity and bass with DTS.
Thanks!
[ This message was edited by: Faust on 2005-12-11 09:01 ]
[ This message was edited by: Faust on 2005-12-11 09:25 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2005-12-12 00:55
Faust- I wish you well with installing the new Blue LED in the volume control knob of your DB930.
I also have always perfered the clarity of DTS when using my DB930. The additional information in the DTS bitstream seems to bring out the DB930's best peformace.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Mr_Pink
Sony Fan
Joined: Jan 27, 2006
Posts: 1
From:
| Posted: 2006-01-27 12:29
Came upon this site googling for my LED problem on my DB930.Super sweet! The shipping on the LED is 5.75 so I am going to try to find one locally.I wonder if Radio Shack has a suitable part.I will read thru this long thread to find out if anyone has a part number for one at the shack.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2006-01-27 14:17
Mr.Pink- Welcome to one of the oldest continuing Threads here at Agoraquest which was started on 8-23-02!
To expidite your search for information what you could do is click on the "post reply" button. Then below the reply field will appear the complete text of all 12+ pages of the thread.
You can then use the Find feature in your browser to locate the specific information you are looking for without having to read each Post in each Page.
~Maxx~
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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andyross
Sony Legend
Joined: Mar 09, 2004
Posts: 1093
From: Schaumburg, IL
| Posted: 2006-06-09 16:55
Well, after a little over a year, my blue LED started acting up. It was flickering at times. Even when I removed it and tested it with a meter, it sometimes worked and sometimes didn't.
I put in the 32mcd 'high efficiency' red LED. A bit dimmer. I also used some degreaser on the round part with the slot in it that turns the actual pot, and put a piece of electrical tape as insulation. You have to trim the edges very close to the edge or it'll drag on the LED holder bottom. I also found it a good idea to use some sharpedged, almost a knife, when putting in the 90 degree bend.
Also, the little tabs that hold on the front cover have totally broken off. I ended up using some twist-ties wrapped around the front and back of the assembly to hold it together. Unfortunately, there is only one screw and the shaft that holds the volume board on, so if you push on the knob, it pushes on the board and could pull the front cover off. I used some pliers to try and tighten the twist-ties as much as I could so it wouldn't do that.
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Sony KDL-46EX700, Onkyo TX-NR609, Sony BDP-S370, WDTV Live Streaming, Motorola DCT-6412, RCA RCRP05B.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2006-06-11 03:12
andyross- I'm sorry to hear that the Blue LED did not work longer as the light in the volume knob of your DB 930.
So how is your DB 930 working after 7 years?
~Maxx~
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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andyross
Sony Legend
Joined: Mar 09, 2004
Posts: 1093
From: Schaumburg, IL
| Posted: 2006-06-12 17:43
Other than the volume knob light, the rest of it is working fine as far as I can tell. Several months ago I finally put in two small fans in the cabinet to help keep it cooler, too.
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Sony KDL-46EX700, Onkyo TX-NR609, Sony BDP-S370, WDTV Live Streaming, Motorola DCT-6412, RCA RCRP05B.
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Timbo
Sony Fan
Joined: Jul 26, 2002
Posts: 3
From: New Zealand
 |  Posted: 2006-10-20 18:22
Just wanted to add that my faultless DB930 lost its volume light about a year ago.
Unfortunately a few months later it also intermittently lost the remote volume control function.It still goes about 25% of the time and doesn't appear to be temperature related as it still only sometimes works on cold start up.
I have 3 remotes that work the volume so I know it is in the amp.
Does this mean I will have to replace the whole volume circuit board that was mentioned previously in this topic and if so will it be a solderless operation that a good keen person could replace,and where would I purchase such a part considering I am in New Zealand ? (Does anyone no where that is..... yet  )
SONY:
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STR-DB930,DVP-S725D,CDP-XE900E,SLV-ES70,KF-E50A10,SS-X7S,SS-SRX7S,SA-WM500,Mirage MC4
[ This message was edited by: Timbo on 2006-10-20 18:29 ]
[ This message was edited by: Timbo on 2006-10-20 18:33 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2006-10-21 02:03
Timbo- It sounds like your DB930 is holding up well considering its a 1999 model and all. If I were you I wouldn't bother fixing the remote volume quite yet.
Thanks for bringing this thread into its 5th year! You and I have at least 2 things in common. First, we both own the fabulous DB930 Receiver and second, we both made our first post at Agoraquest on this same thread only mine was the first reply and yours is the most recent!
~Maxx~
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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jehill
Sony Senior Advisor
Joined: Mar 13, 2003
Posts: 13820
From: Sewell, NJ
| Posted: 2006-10-21 14:46
I can't tell you where you can get the parts, but here are the part numbers:
VOLUME BOARD 1-673-362-11 (REPLACEMENT, 9-910-999-35)
MASTER VOLUME CONTROL 1-225-445-12 (REPLACEMENT, 1-225-445-11)
All that's available in the US here is the replacement for the replacement master volume control, part number 122739511, for $33.42 (USD). Use the Part or Accessory Number search to locate the part.
Soldering skills are definitely required to replace the master volume control. It doesn't look like soldering would be required to replace the VOLUME BOARD, if it were available. Is there an old DB930 that you can scavenge?
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-John
Sony A/V System: KDL-55XBR8, BDP-S550, AVD-C700ES Super Audio CD/DVD Receiver, 4 SS-LA500ED surround speakers, 1 SS-LAC505ED center channel speaker and 1 SA-WD200 Active Subwoofer
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Timbo
Sony Fan
Joined: Jul 26, 2002
Posts: 3
From: New Zealand
|  Posted: 2006-10-21 17:59
Thanks guys for your prompt replies and helpfull information.
I can now try and pursue some parts locally.
I am certainly not going to upgrade as this amp does everything I want and I never have to use more than half volume !
STR-DB930,DVP-S725D,CDP-590,SLV-ES70,KF-E50A10,SS-X7S,SS-AV33,SA-WM500,Mirage MC4
[ This message was edited by: Timbo on 2006-10-21 18:02 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2006-10-22 00:29
<HR>On 2006-10-21 17:59, Timbo wrote: I am certainly not going to upgrade as this amp does everything I want and I never have to use more than half volume !<IMG height=15 src="http://www.agoraquest.com/images/forum/icons/icon_razz.gif" width=15 border=0><HR>
I feel exactly the same way about my DB930 only for me the volume never needs to go above 2 because at 5 (half volume) stuff starts flying off of the walls!
BTW Timbo, your Receiver is a DB930QS isn't it?
~Maxx~
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2011-02-07 04:07 ]
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Timbo
Sony Fan
Joined: Jul 26, 2002
Posts: 3
From: New Zealand
| Posted: 2006-10-24 05:52
Maxxwire Im glad you asked as I would like you to help clarify if my 240volt version has the high quality amplifiers as mentioned in these forums.
My Sony Manual is dated 1999 and classes mine as an "Australian model",there is also mentioned an "other models" which has subtle input labeling differences.
Mine has inputs labeled TV/SAT and DVD/LD whereas the "other" model has TV/LD and DVD.
My black amp has "STR-DB930" on the right of the front panel below the volume knob.
On the rear it has :STR-DB930,serial # 3302590,Made in Malaysia.
There is no mention of QS anywhere on the amp or in the manual.
It weighs 13.2 kg,according to the manual,and has a switched 100watt power socket on the rear.
What do you think
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STR-DB930,DVP-S725D,CDP-XE900E,SLV-ES70,KF-E50A10,SS-X7S,SS-SRX7S,SA-WM500,Mirage MC4
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2006-10-24 14:17
On 2006-10-24 05:52, Timbo wrote: I would like you to help clarify if my 240volt version has the high quality amplifiers as mentioned in these forums.
1) Mine has inputs labeled TV/SAT and DVD/LD
2) It has serial #3302590, Made in Malaysia.
3) It weighs 13.2 kg
5) Has a switched 100watt power socket on the rear.
Timbo- My North American version of the DB930 is exactly the same as yours in all these respects except it has a 120v power supply and has the serial #8803675 Made in Malasia.
As far as the output transistors go in every mention of them Sony states that they are ES Quality and and the fact that the Home Cinema Choice benchtest results mentioned in my first post showed that the DB930 measured 22% more power than the DA555ES at 35% less THD is independant professionally measured proof of its build quality.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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olavxxx
Sony Fan
Joined: Nov 29, 2006
Posts: 3
From: Bergen, Norway
| Posted: 2006-11-29 13:56
I have read this entire thread now, I have read x amounts of praising on the str-db930.
The thing is, that I have listened to the STR-DA 50ES, I currently have a STR-DB925QS (240V European version).
I bought the 925qs used, along with a minidisc deck, 5cdchanger with optical out, canton fonum 530dc speakers, proson centre speaker, for 353$ (cheap for beeing in Europe).
I sold my old 315 prologic amplifier for 92$, which was o.k. for beeing in Norway.
Prices here and in US can not be compared, as here you will pay almost 1000$ for a midclass amp!
Anyhow, the 925QS here costed 1230$ when new, the canton speakers costed 1000$+++, so I made a good bargain.
I was at first a bit disappointed, but when I got my optical cable from the laptop (qosmio g20, toshiba), the sound was suddenly 10x better.
I now only run digital source.
My speakers are:
Infinity SM255
Mission 70C2 centre
Mission rears..
Anyhow, the 925 is quite good! I however feel it's not very good in stereo, or, not good enough!
My infinity's have a 15" woofer, but they have the incredible 103db sensitivity!! 10-300w, 4-8 ohm. I however feel that I could feed them with more power.
I KNOW the str-da 50ES is a WHOLE OTHER LEVEL than the 925QS.
As far as I understand, the 930 is an upgraded 925, regarding to powersupplyparts from the ES and some small improvements, which the 50ES also has (dsp selector, etc).
I have never tried the 555ES, but what strikes me about watt, is that they do not provide us with a curve!
Yes, it says at CLIPPING, but I think your comparing apples to bananas, if your saying that the 930 is better than the 555, if you can not provide me with curves.
Yes, I know they said so in an article, but the thing is that they do not compare signal to noise ratio, at the same watt and we dont even know if they compare it at the same ohm!
The ES and the newer QS have ohm-switches on the rear panel and I read that it actually makes more watts with the switch in the 8 ohm position.
However, my point is this:
555es specs @ 50 watts:
Distortion @ 50W: 0.0008% (8ohms, 1kHz)
Related article: http://www.homecinemachoice.com/reviews/hccreviews/Amplifiers/Sony/SonySTR-VA555ES.php
The thing that strikes me:
Measured power output @ 1kHz:
106.6W (8ohms, 0.80% THD);
98.3W (4ohms, 0.12% THD)
That is 8 ohms vs 4 ohms, 106.6w vs 98.3w.
It is 0.80% vs 0.12%!! This is on the 555ES!
You there have a decrease of 8.3w, at half the impedance.
You have a decrease of 0.68%!!!!!
My point?
The QS is rated at an even lower watts output (93.8W), along with it, the THD at 0.013%.
Now, let's get back to the 555es:
I'll quote the same magazine, from the same review:
Quote:
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the 555 delivers 106W into 8ohms and 162W into 4ohms, but flip to the 4ohms position and the output into a 4ohms load is reduced to 98W.
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So, what did they do? They flipped the switch for the 4 ohm test, which then decreased the 4 ohm(p) from 162W to 98W peak?
I might be out on a limb here, but I think this review smells!
Ps. not to critisize sony or you members, I'm actually a sony fan myself and I think sony has made a hell of a lot of nice products.
I however fail to see the great value of those reviews, as I feel they lack an important thing: graphs, ohm vs. watt vs thd vs hz.
You can not see everything on peak power, that is like buying a car which has a turbo that is 10 x larger than it should be. Ok, it might give you 2 x the power, but it will not be a good ride.
Not saying the 930 is crap, I think the 925 is good, which is more crappy than the 930.
I think Sony is very underestimated in Europe, as highend.
I'm looking for a 50ES though, not a 930, as I believe the 50ES is better than the 930QS. I however, as said, now nothing of the 555ES, so it might be crappier than the 930.
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olavxxx
Sony Fan
Joined: Nov 29, 2006
Posts: 3
From: Bergen, Norway
| Posted: 2006-11-29 14:08
My post was so long, so I'll make a new one for something I forgot to mention:
The QS stands for Quality Series (like I guess you all know).
Regular | QS | ES
The 925/930 are the same age as the da-50es, as far as I know and that's why I cant find any logic that the 930 should be better than the 50es.
The QS uses some ES parts, as far as I know, the non-qs use even worse parts.
Comparing: str-db 925 QS retailed here at 1230$
str-da 50 ES retailed here at 1538$
They look very much the same, but I can see a visually better buildquality on the ES series than the QS (from the same era).
Yes, I have owned the 50ES for many years and used it on the same speakers that I currently own, I also used the same speaker cables (monstercable) and I used digital source then too!
Source was anything from pc (optical s/p-dif) to highend pioneer dvd-players (717, 737), on large speakers, room was built for home-cinema (non reflecting walls, etc.), ASK projector (200" screen)...
Yeah, I'm no "audiophile", but I have tested a lot of equiptment.
I know nothing of the 555es, but I KNOW the 50ES is something COMPLETELY different than the 925qs. The 930 is a slightly upgraded 925. Even though it delivers 20w more or so, I can not belive it's better than the 50ES, as it's a whole different thing (I've listened to them, held them, cuddled them, etc.)
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2006-11-29 14:47
Olavxxx- I am amazed that you read thru this entire thread that has been over 4 years in the making! I truly respect your dedication!
You have very good taste in equpment because the DA50ES is a very fine Receiver! So fine in fact that after Robert Harley reviewed it for Sound & Vision Magazine he not only bought the review sample for use in his own Home Theater but he also placed a photo of the DA50ES on the cover of the issue of Sound & Vision in which his glowing review of this Receiver appeared!
I can't blame you one bit for wanting to own the 1998 Sony DA50ES Receiver. It will not have the complete set of excellent sounding premium quality Nichicon Gold and Fine Gold capacitors that the 1999 model Sony DB 930 and the legendary 2001 model Sony DA5ES have, but then neither of those Receivers graced the cover of Sound & Vision. As long as you get the one you want that's what matters most!
PS- In your first post you quoted the specs from the HCC benchtests on the 2002 model Sony VA555ES. Just to avoid any confusion I did want to note that the Sony Receiver that I compared the sound quality and specs of the 1999 Sony model DB930 to were those of the 1999 Sony model DA555ES and not the 2002 Sony model VA555ES which is a very different Receiver.
~Maxx~
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
The linear relationship between outstanding performance and pricepoint can be nullified thru the skillful application of knowledge.
Dad's Pixel Painting #1
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2006-11-29 15:35 ]
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mbaez1953
Sony Buff
Joined: Dec 24, 2006
Posts: 12
From: usa
| Posted: 2006-12-28 19:28
How would you compare the STR -DE-985 TO THOSE MODELS??
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SPCOOLIN
Ultimate Sony Reviewer
Joined: Jan 20, 2003
Posts: 3627
From: Tampa Bay FL.
| Posted: 2006-12-28 21:23
On 2006-12-28 19:28, mbaez1953 wrote:
How would you compare the STR -DE-985 TO THOSE MODELS??
mbaez1953~
Sony models are as such...
"D" series....Older before Dolby Digital & DTS (only Dolby Pro Logic)
"DE" series (yours) DD & DTS capable...The higher the first digit...The higher up the line....The higher up the next two digits....the Newer...
But still the Lower class of Sony units....
"DB" series...Higher up the chain than the DE series and some (such as the DB930 are "Statement" pieces that are better than the rest of the DB line and better than some DA....ES models)
"DA" & "V" series....Ending with "ES" (Elevated Standard) after the model number....Sony's Top of the Line Flagship series....Best they offer....
"DG" series....New replacements for the "DE" series...They ran out of DE model numbers ?????
Your DE985 being a 9xx...is at the top of the lowest line but is fairly new...with the last (newest) DE receiver being a DE998....before they changed to the DG series.
Steve~
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Spcoolin's Web Site:
http://marine-ac.com/
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2006-12-28 23:58
mbaez1953- As Steve explained the difference between models is one of build quality.
If we were to compare the build quality of the DE 985 with Sony's best efforts like the classic DA5ES and the DB930 Receivers it might not fare well, but when compared to the latest DG series of Sony Receivers which are more Video oriented the DE985 fares much more favorably.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2011-02-07 04:04 ]
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olavxxx
Sony Fan
Joined: Nov 29, 2006
Posts: 3
From: Bergen, Norway
| Posted: 2007-02-06 12:59
Hi again!
I sold my str-db!!
The reason, you might ask?
Well, I had enough with 5.1, dd, dts, etc. but my remote was not working and the light was defect!
I put it on an auction and I got 240$ for it, since I said it was partly defect. I had read about people getting 470$ for them here!!
ps. everything is more expensive in Norway than in the US. For my old sony 315 prologic, I got over 100$, lol.. around 150$..
Anyhow, my point (there is one), is that the night before the amplifier pickup, I thought to myself:
What the hell, I have to open this up to check what the defect is..
I then noticed that the volume board was not soldered to the mainboard or to the frontpanel, but it was "Plugged" into the frontpanel with soldered pins. It also had a wire harness going to the mainboard.
I saw the volume-board was slightly out of position, so I pulled it out and fitted it again and what the h*ll? Now it worked!! I only got 50% of what I could have gotten for the amp, lol.. but anyways, I bought it with a complete stereo and resold with huge profit.
Sorry sony, I now have a pioneer 1016 thx amplifier.
I think I'll go back to sony in a year or two, when I have hdmi source+++. The pioneer is just something I'll use for 1-2 years and then resell.
More pics of the unit here:
http://www.volvo-power.net/pictures/admins/dabutcher/div/sony_str-db925qs/
[ This message was edited by: olavxxx on 2007-02-06 13:20 ]
[ This message was edited by: olavxxx on 2007-02-06 13:22 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2007-02-06 14:05
olavxxx- Thanks for the Pictures of the DB925QS that you used to own.
I hope some day that you might be able to hear supurb sound quality of the Sony DB930QS because it was a complete upgrade in build quality from the DB925QS.
I have compared the Stereo playback of my Sony DB930 side by side with the Stereophile Magazine Class A Recommended Creek 5350SE Stereo Integrated Amplifier and with the exception of the omission of a very small amount of low level detail retrieval the Sony DB930 equalled the $1,500 Creek 5350SE in every performance perameter including Bass Slam!
The Sony STR DB930 may not have HDMI, but when it comes to sound quality it will keep right up with a Class A recommended Audiophile grade Integrated Amp at 3X its pricepoint!
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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andyross
Sony Legend
Joined: Mar 09, 2004
Posts: 1093
From: Schaumburg, IL
| Posted: 2007-05-13 12:19
Well, less than a year later (about 11 months), the volume LED burned out again!! This time, I did some more digging.
First, I replaced it with a high-brightness (110mcd) that I had (Everlight 264-78SURC/S530-A2, no longer on their site, but the A3 is just a bit brighter, 120mcd. Mouser still lists it, though.)
http://www.everlight.com/pdf/264-7SURC-S530-A3.pdf
http://www.mouser.com/catalog/630/100.pdf
I also looked at the board and service manual, and saw a jumper wire between the 4-pin connector (the one plugged into the display board) and the LED. JW1423. It's the one further away from the connector. Actually, both jumpers go to the LED. JW1423, connected to pin 1 of the connector, is supply, JW1422 (connector pin 2) is ground. The other two pins of the connector are for the motor that turns the knob.
I cut the jumper, and put a meter on it to measure the current. It measured 105mA!!!! The A3 version of the LED is rated for only 60mA (I'm guessing my A2 is probably the same or a bit less). Other LED's are typically 20-30mA. No wonder these suckers are frying. They are relying on the current limiting of the IC used to drive it, which is NOT designed to be an LED driver. It's supposed to be 30mA, but obviously, it can be much higher.
I experimented with some resistors: 47ohm = 45mA, 89ohm = 35mA, and 100ohm = 25mA. Other LED's may give different numbers.
For now, I put in a 100ohm resistor. It does dim it down, but it's very bright to begin with. As it is, I may use an even higher resistance, as it still seems too bright. The 32mcd of the Hi-Efficiency I had been using earlier seemed just right, but then it was probably over-bright to begin with.
-----------------
Sony KDL-46EX700, Onkyo TX-NR609, Sony BDP-S370, WDTV Live Streaming, Motorola DCT-6412, RCA RCRP05B.
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aliensatemyhead
Sony Fan
Joined: May 16, 2007
Posts: 5
From: Norway
| Posted: 2007-05-16 07:53
How will u guys compare the str-db930 to the new str-da1200 (dg1000).
Thinking of buying one....
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2007-05-16 13:28
If you prefer superior quality Audio reproduction then go with the DB930.
If you prefer superior quality Video features and HDMI connectivity then the DA1200 would be the better choice of Receivers.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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aliensatemyhead
Sony Fan
Joined: May 16, 2007
Posts: 5
From: Norway
| Posted: 2007-05-17 17:55
Damn it, I wont both, superior sound AND video quality
My DB930 is starting to malfunction when it comes to playing surround sound. The channels are switching on and off randomly.
Anyways, the DA1200 have been getting some good reviews, looks like I will be going down that road.
AAMH
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2007-05-17 18:25
Since the DB930 is turning 8 years old this year the DA1200 would be a good choice for Receiver purchase in 2007.
Things were a little different nearly 5 years ago when I made my first post at Agoraquest on this thread and the DB930 was in its prime.
The DA1200 may not have the Audio prowess of the DB930, but it has other capabilites that didn't even exist back in 1999.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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aliensatemyhead
Sony Fan
Joined: May 16, 2007
Posts: 5
From: Norway
| Posted: 2007-05-19 13:52
As a last resort I changed the audio cable (digital out)that goes from the dvd to the amp, and it looks like my surround sound problem went away. Didnt think that a faulty cable could cause that sort of trouble, i.e. channels randomly fading away and then coming back minutes later. Also when this happened, I also heard the amp switching soundmodes (you know the clicking sound you get inside the amp)
Has anyone had the same problem??
AAMH
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2007-05-19 14:49
Electrical Digital interconnects have a whole set of RFI/EMI contamination and impedance matching issues that Digital Optical Interconnects are immune to.
Do you have access to affordable high bandwidth Glass Toslink Interconnects there in Norway?
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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aliensatemyhead
Sony Fan
Joined: May 16, 2007
Posts: 5
From: Norway
| Posted: 2007-05-19 16:57
yep, but sadly my current dvd is missing optical out
Anyways, if it works with the new cable, then I wont complain. Have to run some more tests since I have the DA1200 on order, and I will rather keep my 930 if it desides to work. Cheaper to
AAMH
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2007-05-20 14:50
Please let us know how your DB930 does! I hope it makes it because they just don't make Receivers with that excellent build quality anymore.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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aliensatemyhead
Sony Fan
Joined: May 16, 2007
Posts: 5
From: Norway
| Posted: 2007-05-20 17:01
Well, I just canselled my order on the DA1200 (and I got a really, really good price, oh well....).
I have used the weekend to watch, among other things, the whole season of 'Over there', excellent show by the way, and everything works fine
The next thing to do, would be to fix the damned LED on the volume control
Another thing, have anyone watched this interesting video-cast hosted by a broadcast engineer to demonstrate how to make your own high end A/V cables for a fraction of the cost and a "monster" savings.
http://revision3.com/systm/avcabling
AAMH
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2007-05-21 16:11
I think that you did the right thing by deciding to keep your DB930 with its exceptional build quality and superior sonics.
By making your own wiring for your Home Theater you can not only do it for much less than the cost of Mon$ter Cable, but you can build higher quality better performing cables at the same while you save money!
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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greenmonster
Sony Fan
Joined: Nov 02, 2007
Posts: 1
From: capital district, NY
| Posted: 2007-11-02 04:45
wow! great thread everyone!
I guess I'm here for the same reason most people have come - the led on my volume knob burnt out, too.
I'm thinking about fixing it, but I'd like to get an led that I won't have to replace in a year. I know almost nothing about this stuff, but it seems that AndyRoss has figured out the cause of the burnout problem [quote=AndyRoss]"I cut the jumper, and put a meter on it to measure the current. It measured 105mA!!!! The A3 version of the LED is rated for only 60mA (I'm guessing my A2 is probably the same or a bit less). Other LED's are typically 20-30mA. No wonder these suckers are frying. They are relying on the current limiting of the IC used to drive it, which is NOT designed to be an LED driver. It's supposed to be 30mA, but obviously, it can be much higher."[/quote]
so, can anyone recommend a specific led for me that can handle this excess current ? Or would I just be better off using some glow in the dark paint?
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woogoob
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jan 01, 2009
Posts: 25
From:
| Posted: 2009-01-01 01:38
Hi,
I'm new here, I have the STR-DB930 and a burned out volume LED. The link that had some photos is dead: http://atb.dyndns.org/sony930/index.htm
Can someone help me out here?
Thanks,
Gary
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2009-01-01 13:16
woogoob- Would olavxxx's pictures be of any help to you?
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2009-01-07 05:48
The Sony STR DB 930. Celebrating its 10th consecutive year of excellent performances in 2009!
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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AaronB
Sonyphile
Joined: Nov 26, 2002
Posts: 622
From: Ottawa, Canada
| Posted: 2009-01-13 12:19
Ditto to Maxx. My venerable DB930 is still running strong (although it did get a major overhaul about 6 years ago following some serious water damage - no problems since).
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nellow
Sony Fan
Joined: Sep 08, 2002
Posts: 6
From: Newbury, UK
| Posted: 2009-04-06 10:31
I am STILL a very happy owner of the STR-DB930 also. You will see I posted the 4th message in this thread on 2002-09-08, when I said that I was thinking of changing it!! Have had the missing led light on the vol knob most of that time.
It looks good and sounds great, and I am still finding new things to experiment with. However, there are now lots of features I must get, so the sad day really is coming. I mean HDMI, upscaling, new DTS and Dolby HD formats, auto-speaker set-up, possibly usb, ethernet etc., etc..
It's never been a matter of money. In fact, the replacements I am considering are about the same price - Sony STRDA3400ES, Yamaha DSP-AX863SE or above those. But what will I do with my 930 - cremate it or bury it?
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2009-04-06 16:57
On 2002-09-08 14:00, nellow wrote:
I have been using my STBR930 since August 1999 and am very, very happy with it. I keep considering to get a new one, just...well, really just for the sake of it (any excuse to buy another piece of kit). However, I always conclude there is nothing else yet that I really want from a receiver and I know every little feature of the 930 now, using all inputs. Since I have video integrated, I did think the 940 TV display would be nice, and I too considered 6.1 upgrade, but I wouldn't really use it. The only problem I have ever had is the nice little light in the volume control has gone out, just last week. This is surprisingly useful from across the room to see where the volume is by remote - anyone know if the light is easy to replace? Also, I agree it does run hot.
nellow- Its great to hear from you again after so long! The current crop of Receivers may offer Digital formats that the DB 930 does not have, but there is one thing that the DB 930 has that they do not have and that is an excellent build quality that even benchtested better than the Sony ES Receivers of its day.
No matter how high resolution the new lossless compressed Audio codecs are eventually they must be converted to Analog and amplified in the Receiver and that's when the quality of the Receiver determines the final quality of the sound that comes through the speakers and that has been the DB 930's strong suit for the last 10 years!
~Maxx~
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2011-02-07 04:03 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2009-09-10 20:08
woogoob- It sounds as though you have really given your Sony DB930 the royal treatment by providing it with both an excellent quality Digital front end as well as top notch Amplification!
I import Analog Audio signals from both a modified Theta Cobalt DAC and a Carver TX-11 Tuner into the 5.1 Channel Analog Bypass inputs of my 1999 Sony DB930 and the sound quality is noticeably better when listening to reference quality Music than when using the standard Analog inputs because the Analog Bypass inputs only have the DB930's audiophile quality Alps volume attenuator and its complement of 6 high quality Nichicon Fine Gold capacitors between the input signal and its output...
Its easy to understand how your Sony DB 930 fits integrates so well with all of your Audiophile grade gear. Speaking of which if you haven't already done so and you are into very high fidelity FM broadcasts you might check out the Tuners that Bob Carver designed back in the 1980s and early 1990's which have his unique Asymmetrical Charge Coupled FM Detector circuitry which is famous for being the only solution ever invented that deals effectively with FM Multipath Distortion.
~Maxx~
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2010-12-13 22:23 ]
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woogoob
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jan 01, 2009
Posts: 25
From:
| Posted: 2009-09-10 15:13
FYI
Sony STR-DB930 still running.
Have an Oppo BDP-83 Bluray hooked up via multichannel analogs to get most of the latest surround sound options (Dolby HD).
Never got around to trying to fix the Volume Knob light.
Have the receiver hooked up to a Sunfire Grand Cinema 5-Channel Amp via the preouts for the two main and center channel.
I have my mains using 4 of the channels (biamp) of the Sunfire and the 5th channel goes to my center channel.
The 2 rear channels are powered by the Sony.
I need a subwoofer to complete the system.
The FM reception seems to be not as good as before and it would be nice to have Auto-Calibration of any of the newer Receivers.
Gary
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rclarke1
Sony Fan
Joined: Feb 29, 2004
Posts: 3
From: Switzerland
 | Posted: 2009-09-22 01:53
My 930 turns 10 years old this month as well!
Led on volume knob packed in about 6 years ago.
I had to resolder some dry joints on the relays about 5 years ago, a problem which manifestd itself by the rear speakers working intermittently.
By my reckoning that's about 25,000 hours of (almost) faultless service!
It's going to be with some regret that I'll be forced to change it for something more feature rich within the next year
If I look around my house, I can't see many other electrical items which I still expect to be using in 10 years time. 3 cheers for a great product!
Rob
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2009-09-22 16:42
rclarke1- The reason that I took my DB930 over to my Tech's house to have him do a 10th Year Anniversary Tune Up on it was because when Sony used the DB930 to launch the DB Series around the world they made it with a build quality which included expensive high quality parts that even the highly acclaimed DA777ES and DA5ES Receivers that followed apparently did not have namely a pair of Audiophile Quality Nichicon Gold Tune caps in the critically important Power Supply Reservoir...
Before I took my DB930 over to my Tech's place I opened it up to clean it out and take a few pictures which I had wanted to do for many years. I had known that the DB930 had these 15,000 mf Nichicon caps for a long time, but it was a revelation to actually see them in the power supply of the Receiver. Then a few days later after editing these pictures I posted a picture of the DA5ES just like I had done dozens of times before, but this time it looked different because for the very first time I realized that its power supply didn't appear to have the same Nichicon Gold Tune caps like I had seen in the DB930 even though for years I had heard that it did. I then looked up the official jbmaudio picture of the DA777ES and it didn't have the Nichicon Gold Tune caps either giving the DB930 quite a distinction among these Legendary Sony Receivers.
~Maxx~
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
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woogoob
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jan 01, 2009
Posts: 25
From:
| Posted: 2009-09-26 22:46
One question for you, if you turn the balance setting completely to one side, can you still hear sound from the other front speaker? If I crank the balance all the way to the left, I can still here some sound from the Right spk and vice versa. I don't know if my receiver acted like this when new, but it's one of the things that I don't like about it. I just bought a SPL meter and tried to balance my system and found out my right main output is lower than my left. I'm not sure if it's because of speaker placement or if it's my Amp or if it's the Sony, but I'm betting it's the Sony.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2009-09-27 05:18
woogoob- You are absolutely correct the front speaker balance control in the DB930's Digital Preamp does not completely shut all of the volume off on either channel when it is set to the other extreme like the classic Analog balance controls used to do.
Having a new SPL Meter is going to help you greatly in optimizing the set up of your Audio System, but as you have already found out it may also leave you wondering what the causes of is the measurements that you are now getting really are. You may be correct that the DB930 is responsible for the right main output being lower than the left, but as you aptly point out it may also very well be the fault of speaker placement and then again it could be that the room acoustics are the culprit as is the case in my own listening room. Another possibility is that the efficiency of one of the speakers may be lower than the other which can easily be tested by switching the speakers around and remeasuring.
Please keep us posted as you use your SPL Meter to tune your Audio System and the highly influential acoustics of the room and hopefully compensate for whatever turns out to be causing the balance problem that you are now experiencing.
My SPL Meter back when it was new.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-04 19:15 ]
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greekyes
Sony Aficionado
Joined: Jun 06, 2007
Posts: 125
From: Lynn Ma
| Posted: 2009-10-01 11:40
Reunited and it feels so good
Maxx after almost one year of listening to the DA5ES, I decided to set up my DB930 again
after your post about the Nichicon Gold Tune caps.
I used the exact same settings that I used for the DA5ES for the DB930.
The verdict is this....The DB930 is better in audio no doubt about it.
I had my brother over who also has the DA5ES and he said the same thing. Whatever the DB930 has inside, it plainly plays louder....cleaner... much more powerful sound.
He even went so far as to state that the DB930 performs better then his Dynaco 400 with his Pat-5 preamp and the SE-10 equalizer. Now that is really saying something as that is a great combination.
I know that there will some that will disagree with me, but after hooking it back up and hearing it again I was amazed by the sound.
As I said earlier.....Reunited and it feels so good.
~Peter
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evotz2
Sony Fan
Joined: Mar 25, 2006
Posts: 9
From: Chicago
 | Posted: 2009-10-11 13:41
I consider myself a lucky individual that had the opportunity to purchase a very CLEAN DB930 a couple of years ago. It has served me well, but recently the volume LED died. This thread provided excellent information, but I was unable to see the photos/repair instructions posted by andyross (as it was posted a few years ago and the link is no longer available). If there's a kind soul out there (or if you're andyross himself), please repost the information.
Side note: Last year I purchased a used DA5ES from a guy locally. It wasn't the cleanest DA5ES, but I only paid the man $75 for it. It is currently sitting in my basement as a backup unit because I can attest that the DB930 outperforms it.
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winttery
Sony Fan
Joined: Oct 19, 2009
Posts: 4
From: china
| Posted: 2009-10-19 03:47
the later release of the awesome DB930 is excellent.
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woogoob
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jan 01, 2009
Posts: 25
From:
| Posted: 2009-11-12 21:57
Hi Maxx,
I haven't had time to switch speakers or bypass my amp to determine the imbalance in my two front channels. Actually to my ears when listening to music/movies, I can't detect any imbalance Anyways I have a question for you about the Sony's multichannel inputs vs. the stereo inputs. According to your post on the top of the page, it sounds like the multichannel inputs are superior. Can you tell me technically the differences between them? From what it sounds like in your above post, there is no A-D conversion in the multichannel path, how about the 2 channel inputs? The reason I'm asking all these questions is because Oppo has an analog upgrade (multichannel and 2-channel) for there Bluray player, but I've been reading many forum members talking how many AVR's do A-D conversion on the 2-channel inputs and some on there multichannel also. They say that it would be a waste to do this upgrade if the AVR does A-D. It sounds like you prefer to use the multichannel inputs to not only listen to multichannel sound but also 2-channel music as well?
Gary
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2009-11-13 01:13
woogoob- You've got it all exactly right! On the DB930 the stereo Analog inputs lead directly to the Preamp section where they are A/D converted so that the Digital functions in the Preamp section can be applied. Signals sent through the Multichannel inputs remain pure as they bypass the Digital Preamp and only pass through the DB930's high quality ALPS volume attenuator...
I have heard a profound improvement in sound quality when listening to a high quality Digital front end using the Multichannel 'Analog Bypass' inputs on the DB930 as opposed to the A/D-D/A compromised sound of the Stereo Analog inputs.
~Maxx~
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
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woogoob
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jan 01, 2009
Posts: 25
From:
| Posted: 2009-11-13 12:14
Thanks Maxx for the info.
I'm kind of on the fence on whether to buy a new AVR that has room eq and HDMI inputs or stay with the DB930 and upgrade the analog section of the Oppo Bluray. If I go with a new receiver, I wouldn't have to do the Oppo upgrade since I most likely wouldn't use the multichannel inputs and only use HDMI since the new receiver would decode all the latest sound tracks(Dolby HD). Which choice would I notice the most improvement? What AVR's (Sony or other brands) would you recommend?
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2009-11-15 05:30
Gary- I would suggest that you first review the pictures of the DB930 posted on this page and then locate a more modern AV Receiver with that same excellent level of build quality along with HDMI capability and check out its pricepoint which will be well up into the four figure price range before you make your final decision.
In the end what the quality of the Audio you listen to is directly related to the build quality of the equipment that use. I know that Oppo is famous for building top quality players and with their excellent upgraded Analog Output stage and some premium quality interconnects hooked up to the Multichannel 'Analog Bypass' inputs of the DB930 you would have excellent sound quality at a small fraction of the cost.
As far as any kind of Digital Room EQ goes nothing and I mean nothing can surpass the natural, neutral and truly authentic sounding effectiveness of corrective acoustic improvements that can be made by using simple inexpensive and decorative room treatments.
~Maxx~
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
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hdfan
Sony Fan
Joined: Sep 14, 2003
Posts: 1
From: NW Ohio
 | Posted: 2009-11-17 05:52
Good stuff. I picked up my 930 probably back in the summer of 2002. The 940s had just come out and I got like $300 off list. Think it was only $400 shipped. The 930 was my 3rd Sony receiver after the first couple (1991, 1997 models) crapped out. I remember thinking how heavy it was when I lifted it out of the box the first time.
Over the last 7+ years, I've watched at least 500 hundred dvds & blu-rays through it, thousands of hours of tv shows, sports, video games, etc. I'm currently on let's see... my 6th tv set with it. It's been in the basement theater/workout room for most of that time, and I've logged about 750 cardio workouts on three different elliptical machines while blasting music through it every minute, too. The thing is a tank.
My volume light led also went out, about 3-4 years ago. There's a shop in town that repairs sony products, but I don't like the idea of letting it go for a few weeks. And they might screw something up. It'd be hard to go without rocking out in Church or Arena mode at least once a week. The echo effects are pretty incredible. Many of the sound fields just sound great.
After years of using the 2-way remote w/display, I'm still not sure if I like that part of it better or not... learned to live with its delay and flip-panel I suppose. Being able to label inputs and have them show on the remote is kind of cool. At least it still works - which is a little surprising considering the number of times it's been dropped.
With the new features in today's receivers, and also because I'm about to trick out a spare room, I'm close to finally buying my first ES unit. I have no idea if it will match the 930, but if it comes close, I'll be happy.
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woogoob
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jan 01, 2009
Posts: 25
From:
| Posted: 2009-12-02 10:01
Hey Maxx,
You mentioned that you are inputting both a modified Theta Cobalt DAC and a Carver TX-11 Tuner into the 5.1 Channel Analog Bypass. My question is how are you doing this? Do you have one of them going to the rear channels and these in turn going to a separate amp or are you using some type of switch where both are going to the fronts of the 5.1 channel analogs?
Reason I ask is because I have my Oppo Multi-channel outs going to the Sony Multi-Channel ins, but I would also like to take advantage of the Oppo's higher quality 2-channel out to somehow be hooked up to the Oppo Multi-channel fronts some way. Any ideas?
Gary
[ This message was edited by: woogoob on 2009-12-02 10:03 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2009-12-03 18:55
woogoob- In addition to the Multichannel Analog inputs on my Sony DB930 which the Carver TX-11 FM Tuner is connected to with a pair of Modman Andy Bartha's Cryo-Copper interconnects I also have the Theta Cobalt DAC which uses a pair of Electrical Resonance Tuned Transparent Ultra interconnects to connect to my Vacuum Tube powered Stereo System. I do have the Theta DAC hooked up to the DB 930 with an XLO Reference 4 Digital Coax because unfortunately there isn't a way to get 2 seperate Analog Bypass signals into the DB930 at the same time unless you use an extremely high quality and totally transparent switch.
~Maxx~
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
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woogoob
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jan 01, 2009
Posts: 25
From:
| Posted: 2009-12-28 14:16
Hi Maxx,
How do the analog inputs and the multichannel inputs on the new 5500ES or the 6400ES compare with our old DB930?
Gary
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2010-01-02 16:37
Gary- The Multichannel inputs on the new 5500ES and 6400ES are most likely also Analog Direct, but their power supplies only use 8k mf caps which are about 1/2 the size of the Nichicon KG power supply caps in the DB 930 and if you want to run both the Stereo and Multichannel Analog signals from your fine Oppo Digital front end Analog Direct through the same Receiver then the DA777ES would be well worth your consideration.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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woogoob
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jan 01, 2009
Posts: 25
From:
| Posted: 2010-01-04 12:51
Maxx,
On page 29 of the DB930 manual, it states the following:
"When you want to listen to audio source without any digital processing
Do the following to bypass the sound field, equalization, and bass booster circuits.
1: Press Bass Boost to turn off the BASS BOOST indicator.
2: Press EQUALIZER to turn off the EQUALIZER indicator.
3: Press 2CH.
The result will be a sound that is highly faithful to the program source.
Maxx, is this as faithful and pristine as the Multi-Channel inputs? Does this mean there is no A/D conversion???
I cannot test this until my BDP83 comes back from Oppo.
If the above is true, that would be sweet! No more looking for one that has Analog Direct!
Can you do a test on your system?
Gary
[ This message was edited by: woogoob on 2010-01-04 18:05 ]
[ This message was edited by: woogoob on 2010-01-04 18:18 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2010-01-04 19:09
Gary- I would love to say yes, but I highly suspect that in this case only the Digitally based Bass Boost and Equalizer functions would be bypasses and not the original A/D signal conversion going into the Preamp section from the Stereo Analog inputs and the subsequent D/A signal conversion going out to the Receiver's Amps.
I would be very interested in hearing your listening impressions using your Oppo Digital front end. I was only able to clearly and distinctly hear the difference between using the Stereo inputs and the Multichannel in when using my modified Theta DAC being fed an ultra low jitter LPCM signal from a pair of I2S Bus interfaced (5ps jitter) Audio Alchemy Digital Processors using a pair of Transparent Ultra electrical resonance tuned Analog interconnects to the DB930.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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woogoob
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jan 01, 2009
Posts: 25
From:
| Posted: 2010-01-04 23:05
I found the Service Manual online if anyone is interested.
I could not tell if there is an AD conversion for the CD input.
http://www.promelec.ru/UPLOAD/xml/scheme/STR-DB830_X.pdf
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2010-01-05 16:51
Gary- As I'm sure you've noticed none of the Preamp functions can be accessed when using the Multichannel inputs because they completely bypass the A/D conversion needed for the DB930's Digital Preamp section. If Analog Stereo signals are able to access the Preamp section at all they must also be able to have access to A/D conversion at some point although it could be possible that if no Digital Preamp functions are invoked that the Stereo Analog signal could remain in the Analog Domain although my own listening tests using very well recorded and extremely well mastered Nippon Columbia CDs from the early 1980's which are abundantly rich in exquisite detail revealed that even with all of the DB930's Preamp functions defeated on the Stereo Analog inputs the true Analog Bypass of the Multichannel inputs did much better justice to the superb Harmonic Structure and ultra fine detailing of these now rare recordings.
Like Duke Ellington once said "If it sounds good, then it is good". If I play any other than my best recordings it is very hard to differentiate between the Stereo Analog inputs and the Multichannel inputs at all. Up grading the signal path with improved quality interconnects or a pure Analog signal path will benefit sound quality proportional to the quality of the Music, recording and mastering of the source material being played.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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AaronB
Sonyphile
Joined: Nov 26, 2002
Posts: 622
From: Ottawa, Canada
| Posted: 2010-01-06 09:42
Indeed, if you disabled EQ and bass boost and select the 2-ch input then the A/D and D/A are bypassed.
The result is similar to using the "analog direct" on later (mostly ES series) receivers.
There is one exception though, on (most of) the ES series receivers, the CD/SACD input is treated in a special way. When using analog direct with this input (and only with this input), a relay is used to bypass the entire analog front-end, effectively connecting the input to the volume control section directly. The result is the most direct signal path possible, without any extra components, such as the digitally controlled analog switch IC's normally used to choose the input signal. On the DB930, this path isn't there, so the signal will go through the input-select analog switch, then to another analog switch (which chooses between the D/A converter output, the Multi-channel input, and the "analog direct" signal) before reaching the volume control section. Actually the most direct signal path on the DB930 is using the multi-channel inputs. You have the service manual so take a look at the block diagram of the Main section, and you will see that the multi-channel inputs go through the least amount of circuitry.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2010-01-06 16:22
AaronB- Thanks for your detailed esplanation. How is your rebuilt to the hilt DB930 these days?
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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AaronB
Sonyphile
Joined: Nov 26, 2002
Posts: 622
From: Ottawa, Canada
| Posted: 2010-01-07 15:23
It still works great, but doesn't get much use any more. I use my 4ES in the living room now, and with the new 5400ES waiting to be installed in my (still being built) home theatre, I don't think the 930 will see much use, except maybe as an auxiliary amp to power some additional speakers (will do a 9.2 speaker setup in the HT).
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2010-01-09 02:12
I took my DB 930 over to my Audio Tech's place for its 10th year anniversary checkup this last summer and now I continue to listen often with it hooked up to my Carver TX 11 Tuner to one of the only 6 remaining privately owned Classical Music Radio Stations in the United States which broadcasts at a noble 8 KW and it sounds supurb obtaining its signal through a .99999. fine silver dual conductor wire from the ultra low noise multipath free Comcast Cable and connected through a pure Analog signal path carried by a pair of Modman Andy Bartha's cryogenically treated copper interconnects. Right now KQAC is playing Beethoven's OP 130 for string quartet which I have heard many times, but this is the first time I've heard the Cypress String Quartet's rendering and the Sony DB 930 renders it wonderfully!
~Maxx~
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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woogoob
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jan 01, 2009
Posts: 25
From:
| Posted: 2010-01-11 13:55
Thanks AaronB and Maxx for the info.
I received my upgraded Oppo BDP-83SE last week and have had limited time testing (attribute this to my 5yr old son) 2-channel audio, comparing the units multichannel outs and the dedicated 2-channel outs and the DB930 multichannel inputs and DVD inputs.
The dedicated 2-Channel outs of the Oppo are supposed to be better than the L/R of the multichannel outs and from my listening i have to agree. And I also have to agree with you Maxx, the clarity and airyness of the music I heard via the multichannel inputs isn't there in the 2-channel inputs of the DB930. AaronB, I disabled EQ and the bass boost and selected the 2-ch input and the results just weren't as good as the multichannel inputs.
I've been temporarily switching cables when viewing movies and listening to music, but I guess I will need to replace my DB930. I've been looking for a STR-DA5ES, but I see a STR-DA3ES for sale which has two sets of multichannel inputs. What do you think guys? I don't use the mains of the receiver anyways, since I send the mains and center to a Carver Grand Cinema 5 Channel amp. Is the STR-DA3ES anygood? It's the same as the STR-DA5ES just lower power right? Also what were the main changes between the 2001 STR-DA3ES/5ES and the 2002 STR-DA4ES/7ES?
[ This message was edited by: woogoob on 2010-01-11 15:45 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2010-01-11 16:55
Gary- A number of years ago I also reached the point where the capabilities of my Digital front end became greater than even the Multichannel Analog Direct inputs of the DB 930 were able to render faithfully. Although I am enjoying listening to the DB 930 with my Carver TX-11 Tuner as I type this the ultimate companion I found for my Hi Resolution Digital front end was in a Pure Analog Counterpoint SA 1000 Preamp with a ruler flat amplification curve accomplished with a vintage 1964 Amperex 7308 PQ White Label Dual Triode Tube made to US Military spec with 1% matching tolerance and FET followers. I later added a Vans Evers Power Cord terminated with a Gold Plated Pure Copper Furutech FI-11 AC Plug and a set of ModWright Pure Copper RCA i/o Sockets that increased this Hybrid Preamp's sonic capabilities by yet another order of magnitude...
It is Hybrid Tube Preamps like this that in many instances have proven to be the ultimate complement for the owners of fine FET Power Amps by bringing the very best characteristics of both Vacuum Tube and FET amplification into the signal path by creating a flat amplification curve from their opposing and yet complementary amplification characteristics when used in the same gain stage. It is no mistake that the locally built and very well reviewed ModWright LS36.5 Linestage Preamp has a Hybrid Tube/FET architecture in fact that has been the secret to its worldwide success!
~Maxx~
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
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woogoob
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jan 01, 2009
Posts: 25
From:
| Posted: 2010-01-11 19:37
That sure looks sweet and I'm sure it sounds superb. ModWright even has an update for my Oppo Blu-ray player. Unless I win the lottery, this preamp is out of my league! But thanks for opening my eyes, Maxx.
Gary
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2010-01-12 01:48
Gary- I'm sure that Dan's full $1,220 Oppo BDP 83 Mod sounds great, but what I was actually suggesting is pairing your existing Oppo Player with a Pure Analog Hybrid Preamp like the one Dan used to launch ModWright instruments when he offered his very first 2 piece prototype for us to audition and evaluate years ago. A used Counterpoint or Audio Research Hybrid Tube/FET Preamp in minty condition can be found on Audiogon for just a few $100 and with a few inexpensive upgrades could improve the sound quality of the overall Stereo playback using your Oppo Player by several orders of magnitude especially with the advantage you have in your fine Carver Power Amp.
~Maxx~
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
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AaronB
Sonyphile
Joined: Nov 26, 2002
Posts: 622
From: Ottawa, Canada
| Posted: 2010-01-12 11:44
On 2010-01-11 13:55, woogoob wrote:
...
I've been temporarily switching cables when viewing movies and listening to music, but I guess I will need to replace my DB930. I've been looking for a STR-DA5ES, but I see a STR-DA3ES for sale which has two sets of multichannel inputs. What do you think guys? I don't use the mains of the receiver anyways, since I send the mains and center to a Carver Grand Cinema 5 Channel amp. Is the STR-DA3ES anygood? It's the same as the STR-DA5ES just lower power right? Also what were the main changes between the 2001 STR-DA3ES/5ES and the 2002 STR-DA4ES/7ES?
The electrical design and mechanical build of all four are very similar. The differences are in some features, and in some cases, quality of components. All four have much beefier power supplies and heatsinks than you will find in any current Sony (or other brand?) receiver, and will crank out a lot of clean power continuously without issues. (my new 5400ES by comparison, has half the heatsink area for the amps... but adds temperature sensors to turn off the receiver if it gets hot. Great). All have basic Dolby Digital and dts, and can handle extended surround (6.1) soundtracks.
The 5ES had Dolby PL II and dts NEO:6. The 3ES has only old school Dolby PL for surround decoding of 2 channel sources. The 5ES has decoding for DD-EX and dts-ES which follows Dolby or dts specifications, but the 3ES has a Sony proprietary decoder (basically identical but no royalties to pay). The remotes are different; 2-way for the 5ES and basic for the 3ES. Other than that they are very similar. Both can operate as a 7.1 channel pre-amp, and have 6 channel amplifiers built in. If you use a 7 channel setup, then you need a 2-channel amp for the two surround-back speakers. If you use a 6 channel setup, then the built in amps are sufficient.
The 4ES and 7ES are very similar in every way to the 5ES, but have 7 channel amplifiers. To save money, Sony did away with the premium Nichicon "Gold Tune" power supply capacitors in favor of some generic ones. The Nichicon "Muse Fine Gold" series are still used through the signal chain however. The 7ES remote is a fancy 2-way touchscreen, the 4ES has a more basic one-way. The 4ES and 7ES add a RS-232 port with control capability and IR in/out and 12 volt triggers that the 3/5ES didn't have. The 4ES and 7ES are truly identical in every way except for the 3rd zone audio output on the 7ES, and the remote. Everything else is identical, both electrically and in terms of features. The 7ES is widely considered not worthy of the "7" series name, definitely not in the same league as the STR-DA777ES which preceeded it, or the STR-DA7100ES which followed.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2010-12-18 02:24
Finally, After 11 Years!
Ever since the DB 930 has been using AC power from the Furutech GTX Pure Copper Outlet I have been waiting to see what it would sound like hooked up to my HP Elite computer with the Digital bitstream being transmitted through the Dayton GOC Glass Toslink and today I finally found out...
I had heard some stories that the new key-less Optical termination that the Dayton GOC Glass Toslink uses did not work with the modern 'door' type Optical inputs which my computer has, but it hooked right up no problem and the Music began to flow out of the DB 930 in a way that sounded much better than it ever had in 11 years!
I have not had a chance to directly compare the $35.05/m Dayton GOC Glass Toslink with the $350/m Audioquest Optilink 4 that I've been using for over 8 years in my Reference Audio System, but in addition to the fact that they both have 65 strand Fused Silica Glass conductors I certainly know what the Optilink 4 sounds like and what I am now hearing from the DB 930's Digital Board with its proliferation of Nichicon Fine Gold capacitors the sonic characteristics of the 10X more expensive Audioquest Optilink 4 Glass Toslink which are transparency, crystal clarity and the extreme attention to low level fine detail that those characteristics allow are now present in the playback that I am now hearing from the DB 930.
At some point hopefully in the near future I will do direct listening comparison tests, but currently I lack a sufficiently grounded Musical Reference because all of my Audio equipment has undergone such a hyper-radical sonic escalation since installing the Furutech GTX Pure Copper Outlet with the sound quality of both the Reference Audio System and the DB 930 having undergone improvements on an order of magnitude that far surpasses any other upgrade or set of upgrades that I have done over the last 30 years and my ears have become completely overwhelmed by all of my sonic dreams having manifest themselves within the last month.
~Maxx~
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2010-12-20 00:31 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2010-12-15 18:06
On 2002-08-29 13:21, Maxxwire wrote:
I have been using the Sony STR DB930 everyday for over three years without any sign of trouble.
Compared with the subsequent versions in the DB series, the 930 will eat them alive! According to the Home Cinema Choice Benchtests the DB930 puts out 93.2 Watts per channel from 20-20K hz. @ .013 THD..
It has been a long time since that first post of mine here at Agoraquest, but the time has now come and the sonic performance of my DB 930 has finally been unleashed...
My DB 930's Sonic Revolution
I have had my Sony STR DB 930 using AC power from the world's first Pure Copper Outlet the Furutech GTX-D for 3 weeks now and its sound quality has been raised by an order of magnitude to where it now sounds incredibly better than it ever did before the Furutech GTX-D Outlet was installed!!!
The DB 930 had been upgraded to a Furutech FI-11(G) Pure Copper Bladed AC plug on its OEM power cord quite some time ago, but there wasn't a significant improvement until it was plugged it into AC power from the Pure Copper Outlet and then the DB 930 sprang to life in a completely new way that now sounds better in all aspects than any High End Audio gear that I have ever auditioned that was not using AC power from the world's first Pure Copper Outlet!
In the 30 years since I got my Sony STR V-55 I have modified this Audio System in over 1,000 ways with each upgrade having its several effects, but this Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet is proving to be the upgrade of all upgrades that unleashes the ultimate sonic potential of every piece of Audio gear that derives its AC power from this Pure Copper Outlet. I don't make this statement casually as I lived just a few blocks from the Audio Shop where over the last 10 years I've had the opportunity to audition most every major make of High End Audio equipment with exotic wiring and Reference Grade power cords and line conditioning and it is upon these 100's of listening experiences that I base my statement that nothing I heard in any of those sessions sounds better than my DB 930 does now with power from the Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet.
Upgrading my DB 930's Sonic Revolution
Currently the DB 930 is connected to my HP HPE Win 7 x64 core i7 930 8 GB DDR3 RAM desktop's sound card with a pair of excellent sounding custom made Andy Bartha cryo-Copper Analog interconnects to its Pure Analog Multichannel Inputs, but I have a 6' Dayton GOC Glass Toslink on the way from Parts Express which has the same 65 strand Fused Silica Glass conductor as the $450 Audioquest Optilink 5 and I am hoping to be able to bump up the sound quality of my DB 930 a few more notches with it running on its new source of Pure Copper Power. I'll keep you posted...
~Maxx~
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2010-12-20 03:47
Well I just couldn't wait to find out how the Dayton GOC Glass Toslink which sounds so great connecting the computer's sound card to the DB 930 would sound with the I2S Bus interfaced Digital processors in the Reference Audio System which have 800% less jitter than iLink.
After playing a few extremely detailed and hopelessly complicated pieces of Music on the Reference Audio System using the Dayton GOC Glass Toslink it seemed to do quite well at passing this extraordinarily revealing Music which was Mastered by Nippon Columbia using their 20 bit Master Sonic technology which according to a conversation I had with Mastering Engineer Steve Hoffman he described Nippon Columbia's work to me as ultra detailed.
Next I played the same pieces of Music using the Audioquest Optilink 4 which I've had in the Reference Audio Syatem for over 8 years and it didn't take long before the difference between these 2 Glass Toslinks became crystal clear. With the DB 930 the Dayton GOC Glass Toslink does nothing less than a stellar job at producing the best sounding Music I have ever heard from that Receiver over the last 11 years and it also does a great job when used in the Vacuum Tube Reference Audio System, but its just not quite the sonic match for what Audioquest refers to as the "Extreme Performance" of the Optilink 4.
In a numerical based comparison I would say that the Dayton GOC Glass Toslink is able to pass about 90% of what the Optilink 4 is capable of, but how many 5 picosecond jitter Digital front ends with .99999 fine silver interconnects and .99999 silver power cords for their stand alone power supplies are there out there?
This is why I am so satisfied with using the Dayton GOC Glass Toslink with my Sony DB 930 Receiver because it is an excellent quality Digital Optical interconnect for receiving a Digital Optical bitstream from the computer's sound card and it offers 90% of the performance of the $350 Audioquest Optilink 4 Glass Toslink at only 10% of the cost.
~Maxx~
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2011-01-01 15:31 ]
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annle
Sony Fan
Joined: Dec 22, 2010
Posts: 3
From: Nanjing
 | Posted: 2010-12-23 02:16
Thanks for the excellent investigative work! I'll pass the information along to my friend.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2010-12-23 03:49
annle- Thank you so much for taking interest in my listening comparisons of these 2 Glass Toslink cables. I have been using the Dayton GOC Glass Toslink for a week now and I am becoming more and more and more convinced that it is the perfect Glass Toslink to interface my computer's sound card and my Sony Receiver in that the Receiver now sounds ever so much better than when it was using the Analog interface with Audiophile grade interconnects and this fine Glass Toslink is making a very sizable contribution to that welcomed improvement with a level of sound quality that is much better than I have ever heard from my Sony DB 930 in the decade that I have owned it.
~Maxx~
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
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ES_RevengeII
Sony Addict
Joined: Apr 26, 2010
Posts: 181
From: Canada
 | Posted: 2010-12-29 10:54
I thought the DB940 was nearly identical to the DB930 with the exception of what was supposed to be higher SQ on the 940 due to extended FR and the analog direct mode.
I think I asked this on another thread recanetly but don't think anyone replied... What were the real/internal differences from the 930 to the 940?
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2010-12-28 02:07
The Sweet Sound of Simplicity
My DB 930's new Salamander Archetype 2 equipment stand arrived a few days ago to facilitate this all new minimalist setup (edited 1-18-2011)...
- Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet
- Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filter with Furutech FI-25 UPOCC Copper AC Plug
- Tice Micro Block Line Conditioner with Furutech FI-25 UPOCC Copper AC Plug
- Sony DB 930 Receiver with Furutech FI-25 UPOCC Copper AC Plug
- 12 AWG stranded Copper 'no frills' speaker cables
- Dayton GOC Glass Toslink interfaced with the HP HPE 270f computer's sound card
- Resonance Tuning is accomplished with Audioquest Sorbothane decoupling on the Brick Wall Filter and 2 sets of 3 Black Diamond Racing Pyramid Cones each for Resonance Tuning on the the Tice LC and DB 930.
This ultra simple setup is providing the absolute best quality sound that I have ever heard from the DB 930 over the last 11 years courtesy of the Pure Copper Outlet, Pure Copper UPOCC Single Crystal AC plugs and effective Resonance Tuning on this simple two shelf equipment stand and the DB 930 sounded as good as Stereophile Magazine Class A Recommended equipment as far back as 8 years ago, but the DB 930 has completely transcended that level of sound quality and has become remarkably more transparent and truly authentic sounding in this simple 24/96 setup!
~Maxx~
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-04 19:14 ]
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Welwynnick
Sonyphile
Joined: Oct 21, 2005
Posts: 536
From: Welwyn, Herts, UK
| Posted: 2010-12-28 14:08
I have to say that I'm surprised at the continuing interest in the STR-DB930. I still have an STR-DB940, and if I said what I really thought about it, I suspect that I would be ostracised from Agoraquest. It all sounds like throwing good money after bad, to me.
Sorry, Nick
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2010-12-28 16:06
Nick- Its good to hear from you. You are quite correct about the build quality of the year 2000 model Sony STR DB 940 and it would be impossible for me to ever dispute your opinion about its degraded build quality because I have been expressing the same opinion regarding the DB 940's build quality ever since the beginnings of this thread over 8 years ago.
After Sony launched their new DB product line of Receivers in 1999 with the 'loss leader' build quality of the DB 930 which has a pair of Genuine Nichicon Gold Tune power supply reservoir capacitors, a full complement of Genuine Nichicon Fine Gold capacitors and an ALPS audiophile grade attenuator to name just a few of the finer points of the DB 930's excellent build quality but the new DB line of Receivers was immediately downgraded the very next year after the DB 930 gained the stellar reputation that Sony knew it would with its excellent build quality and stellar sonic performance leading the way.
The DB 930 is a very unique Receiver in that Sony gave it a build quality that not only none of the Receivers in the DB line which followed it had, but even the Sony ES class of Receivers only received either generic substitutions or Sony rebranded substitutions for the DB 930's genuine Nichicon power supply reservoir capacitors. This is a photo that Member SPCOOLIN took of one of his 3 Sony DA5ES Receivers...
Sony really went all out when they launched their DB line of Receivers at the turn of the century with the DB 930 and accounts of it 'blowing the doors off of the ES Receivers' of the day in showrooms began to show up on the internet making the Sony DB 930 Thread on AudioReview the most posted to of any Sony Receiver in the site's history by a wide margin.
What has really brought my DB 930 to life though is running it with AC power provided by the world's first Pure Copper Outlet the Furutech GTX-D...
I've been continually building in an effort to improve the sound quality of my Audio System for over 30 years and I've made 100's and 100's of significant improvements along the way, but nothing has so radically improved the performance and sound quality of all of my Audio equipment as this Pure Copper Outlet.
A few years ago in A/B listening comparison tests done with Transparent Audio Ultra Analog interconnects my DB 930 was easily able to equal the sound quality of the Stereophile Magazine Class A Recommended $1,500 Creek 5350SE Integrated Amp which at the time held a coveted place on the very exclusive Stereophile Class A Integrated Amp listing which is considered a top world class rating by many Audiophiles, but now with AC power from the Furutech Pure Copper Outlet the DB 930's sound quality is entirely out of the Creek's league in that the Creek simply could not produce that kind of sound quality without the extreme advantage of using the world's first source of Pure Copper Power.
~Maxx~
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2010-12-28 22:44 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2010-12-29 15:56
ES_RevengeII- Questions about the real/internal differences between the DB 930 and the DB 940 arose on the very first page of this thread immediately after my very first post here on Agoraquest back in August of 2002. Over the last 8 years I have done my best to provide a full disclosure of the build quality of the DB 930 including an extensive set of pictures of its circuitry, listening impressions as well as a listening comparison between my 1999 DB 930 and a Class A rated Integrated Amp so I feel that I have done my part to present the in depth real/internal information about the DB 930 while during those same 8 years no DB 940 owner has ever come forth with any of the real/internal information about the DB 940 that you are interested in and posted it to this thread or any other thread on this site that I am aware of.Surely some satisfied owner would have stood up for the DB 940 by now over all these years. Most of what we have left are dubious press releases from Sony which were written by their PR Department to spin the DB 940 into looking good on paper and since I do not own a DB 940 I have no access to the level of real/internal parts and circuit inspection level information that I have been able to provide about the DB 930 on the 14 pages of this dedicated thread and which can be found as early as the very first page of a Google Images search for the DB 930.
Well, so much for turn of the century 1999-2000 Sony Receiver history and on to the upgrades of the present. The sound quality and performance of my DB 930 is hopefully about to increase in a very dramatic way by introducing State of the Art Ultra Pure Zero Crystal Copper AC Plugs throughout its simplified Power Delivery Network all running off of AC power from the world's first Pure Copper Outlet. I invite you to stay tuned to this thread to witness what can be done with the sonics of an 11 year old Sony Receiver in its super simple set up as I take the quality of its AC power delivery to the next level in early 2011.
As it is set up now the DB 930 already sounds better than what I've heard from the likes of Audio Research, McIntosh, Pass, Threshold, Krell and other Audiophile Grade gear in auditions down at my friend's Audio Shop over the last decade with the DB 930's advantages of being in a room with better acoustical treatments, more through Resonance Tuning, its Pure Copper Power Delivery System which is also Resonance Tuned and most of all the huge advantage of getting its AC power from the world's first Pure Copper Outlet being in its favor sonic favor.
That said this will be a relatively inexpensive experiment to prove out the benefits of using all UPOCC Copper Zero Crystal Copper AC Plugs in the Power Delivery Network which will help me to evaluate the prospect of implementing the same upgrades in the Vacuum Tube Reference Audio System which will be a significantly more elaborate upgrade than the one I am implementing on a much smaller scale with the DB 930. Over the decades I've often wondered what I would be doing after 30 years of having this Audio System and it looks as though I've found out.
I've gotten very good results from the Furutech FI-25 UPOCC Zero Crystal Copper Plug using it both with both my Tube/FET Preamp and Vacuum Tube Power Amp to interface with their respective Reference Quality Programmable Line Conditioners and I have the opportunity with the DB 930 to retrofit its entire simplified Power Delivery Network with these Ultra Pure Ohno Continuous Cast Coper Plugs and use the Furutech FI-11 Pure Copper Plugs that are replaced on other equipment one of which will go onto the Synergistic Research Alpha AC/Coupler power cord that I am rebuilding.
The audio signal that exits from every component used to be AC from your wall. Anything that gets into the audio circuit from the AC power will be audible in the audio signal that is output from the circuit.
From: 'The AC Power Principals'
Doug Blackburn of Soundstage
~Maxx~
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2010-12-29 18:45 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-01-08 02:25
I was just thinking about when I bought my first piece of Sony Audio equipment while in Kobe Japan back in 1974. I can clearly remember seeing all of the other brands along side Sony, but Sony always had the most tricked out gear! When I came home from my 5 year long stay in Asia teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) I was fortunate to be able to buy 1 of only 6 Sony STR V-55 Receivers allocated to our entire metropolitan area and I was off on my Sony Audio Adventure back here in the United States!
Now, 37 years later I find myself anxiously waiting for the new Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filter with its wide band 5 Khz - 300 Mhz RFI filtering and the set of 3 Furutech FI-25 UPOCC Copper Plugs that will hopefully take my 12 year old Sony DB 930 Receiver to the next level of fidelity by upgrading its Power Delivery Network. I'll let you know all of the details after they arrive on 1/11/11
~Maxx~
Edit...
I was just listening to some Locatelli recordings played by my Win 7 x64 computer in 24 bit 96k Digital through the Dayton GOC Glass Toslink to my Sony DB 930 running on Pure Copper Power and after owning this Receiver for so many years I was thinking about how I still can hardly believe how outrageously good it sounds now when using the Furutech Pure Copper Outlet I suddenly realized that...
It wasn't that the DB 930 had undergone a sudden and instantaneous improvement in its playback quality, but quite to the contrary this is how the DB 930 should have always sounded continuously since 1999!!!
...and it has been just recently that the degrading distortions of the worst weak link ever...the standard wall outlet...were removed from the Power Delivery System and has finally allowed the DB 930 to sound this outrageously good after almost 12 years having its true sound quality suppressed and I am saddened that I can not get all those years of compromised performance back.
The Furutech GTX Pure Copper Outlet added nothing that improved the the performance of the DB 930, but it did remove several layers of grunge and distortion inducing artifacts that the worst weak link ever...the standard wall outlet...had been piling on in very generous amounts all these years covering up and ruining the true sound of this Receiver and every piece of Audio equipment using power from it!
 Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2011-03-06 23:15 ]
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jalex
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jan 10, 2011
Posts: 25
From: Portland, or
| Posted: 2011-01-10 13:50
Maxxwire,
I have found some lower quality internal images of the db940. The best one seems to be the underside of the main board:
http://www.badcaps.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10093&d=1242410420
I have just purchased a DB940. I also own two db930s. I will post better quality images when I get the receiver in a week or so.
Jalex,
PDX, OR
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-01-10 14:57
Jacob- Welcome to Agoraquest! Its always good to have another Portlander posting here on the Forum! In 1999 my DB 930 came from Northwest Sony Only at 16th and NW Glisan just west of the the Glisan/I-405 overpass.
Its great that you will be able to provide some high quality pictures of the DB 940 Receiver. As I said earlier I have been seeking access to such pictures of the build quality of the DB 940 for the last 10 years.
For the sake of simplicity and so that others might easily find your pictures of the DB 940 both now and in the future could you please post them in a  with 'DB 940 Pictures' somewhere in the title so that the search engines will pick it up and they will be easily found by all those seeking these rare pictures. Many times a new posting like this at Agoraquest will be found almost immediately on the Google search engine.
~Maxx~
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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jalex
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jan 10, 2011
Posts: 25
From: Portland, or
| Posted: 2011-01-10 16:16
Maxx-I will do as you suggested with the DB940 images when I get it. Hopefully it arrives in one piece.
Though I live in SE PDX I know the Sony Only store you are referring to!
Jalex
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-01-10 17:24
Jalex- I look forward to seeing your DB 940 Thread.
~Maxx~
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2011-01-11 14:56 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-01-11 22:00
1/11/11- The DB 930 Simple Setup's trio of Furutech FI-25 M (G) UPOCC Plugs have arrived from VH Audio. I am first going to upgrade the ac plug on the DB 930 then the Tice Line Conditioner followed by the Brick Wall Filter for a Single Crystal Copper triple play upgrade.
~Maxx~
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[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-04 19:05 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-01-13 02:35
The Ohno Continuous Casting Process
As for conducting materials, normal, high purity copper has about 1500 grains in each foot (5000/m). The signal must cross the junctions between these grains 1500 times in order to travel through one foot of cable. These grain boundaries cause the same type of irritating distortion as current crossing from strand to strand.
The first grade above normal high purity copper is called Oxygen-Free High-Conductivity (OFHC) copper. In fact, this copper is not Oxygen-Free, it should more properly be called Oxygen-Reduced. OFHC is cast and drawn in a way that minimizes the oxygen content in the copper: approximately 40 PPM (parts per million) for OFHC compared to 235 PPM for normal copper. This drastically reduces the formation of copper oxides within the copper, substantially reducing the distortion caused by the grain boundaries. Additional improvement can be attributed to OFHC copper having longer grains (about 400 per foot), further reducing distortion. The sound of an OFHC copper cable is smoother, cleaner, and more dynamic than the same design made with standard high purity copper.
Not all OFHC is the same. If the poorest copper were given a value of one, and the best was a ten, then OFHC ranges from two to four-it is actually a range rather than a single performance level.
The next higher grade is an elongated grain copper sometimes called "linear-crystal" (LC-OFC) or "mono-crystal". These coppers have been carefully drawn in a process that results in only about 70 grains per foot. Cables using LC-OFC have an obvious audible advantage over cables using the same designs with OFHC.
In 1986 the Ohno Continuous Casting (OCC) process was introduced. The world patent "UP-OCC" (Ultra Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting Process) was developed by professor Ohno of Chiba Institute of Technology in Japan. This technology has been applied to the manufacturing of single crystallized copper with the process of heated mold continuous casting. The resulting product are small rods of OCC pure copper, from which the wire can be drawn and which can have Copper grains of over 700 ft length.
Because of its characteristics of single crystal, unidirectional, free of impurity, flexible fatigue-resistance, corrosive-resistance, low electric resistance, none-crystal boundaries, rapid transmissibility, perfect in structure, and easy to process, all make it an ideal material for making rapid transmission lines. From inner hook up wires to interconnect cables, they can be widely applied to Hi-Tech products such as Hi-Fi stereo system, high resolution TV.
A couple of years later the "nines" race began. This refers to how many times the number "9" can be repeated when specifying a metal's purity. The prime contaminants in very high purity (99.997% pure, four nines) copper are silver, iron and sulfur, along with smaller amounts of antimony, aluminum and arsenic. The purity of OCC Copper can reach up to 99.9999% and even higher
But with OFHC and OCC, the nomenclature "six nines" or "eight nines" has almost no meaning. All else being equal, higher purity is a straight forward benefit. However, grain structure, softness and surface finish can each make more difference than a "nine" or two. Then there is the matter of measurable purity. Due to contamination caused by the measuring process, there is a serious question as to whether any metal can be verified as having greater than six nines purity. Also, since "nines" became a selling point, some quite absurd and dubious claims have been made. Let the ears beware.
*********
~Maxx~
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-01-13 17:36
The Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filter will be arriving later today and its power cord will immediately be re-terminated with a Furutech FI-25 UPOCC Copper plug and so before things get any more complicated the when the Tice Micro Block Line Conditioner will connect to it with its Furutech FI-25 UPOCC Copper plug and its associated equipment including the Sony DB 930 which now has its Furutech FI-25 UPOCC Copper plug and the HP HPE Intel core i7 930 Win 7 x64 Computer which will run directly off of the Brick Wall Filter with its Furutech FI-11 Pure Copper AC and IEC plugs on its Synergistic Research Alpha A/C Coupler with 12 AWG Silver Clad conductors and I wanted to make a few listening notes here for future reference about the effects that on the sound that I am presently hearing from the DB 930 with the current modifications to the AC Power Delivery System.
After I first re-terminated the power cord on the DB 930 with a Furutech FI-25 UPOCC Copper plug I noticed a refinement to the Music with a signature sweetness that the FI-25 always seems to impart. There was also an increase in detail retrieval.
Once I got the Synergistic Research Alpha A/C Coupler re-terminated and hooked between and the Tice Line Conditioner the computer which I use as a Digital front end for the DB 930 with a Dayton GOC Glass Toslink as a Digital Optical interface everything radically changed!
Having a power cord with Silver Clad conductors and Pure Copper plugs raised the abilities of the computer to deliver high quality Digital Audio over Glass Toslink to a whole new and highly detailed level. I am used to listening my Reference Recordings with my Reference Vacuum Tube Audio System with its IS Bus Digital front end and the Musical rendering that I am now hearing from the Computer-DB 930 since the Computer got its new power cord with Pure Copper plugs is startlingly more detailed than before and more reminiscent of the Reference System quality playback than it has ever been!
The DB 930 is now capable of the kind of feather light ultra fine gossamer-like low level detail rendering that it has never been capable of before under the circumstances that it was being run and now as it approaches 12 years of age it finally has the AC Delivery System and Resonance Tuning to sound like it always could have. Sadly, most Audio equipment is till operating under the same restrictive circumstances that the DB 930 did for all those years.
I'm trying to do these listening notes in increments so it can known what contribution each phase of the upgrade made. So far the Computer's new power cord has let the most pleasing attributes be revealed in a most spectacular way that I have never heard in any of the 100's of Audiophile Grade Equipment auditions I have participated in.
When the Brick Wall Filter comes later today it will re-terminated with a Furutech FI-25 UPOCC Copper plug and the Computer's Alpha-Furu A/C Coupler will be taken from the power strip it now runs on and plugged directly into the Brick Wall filter. I've had very good success with moving equipment closer to the source of AC Power before and I can't wait to see what this move will do for the performance of the Computer as the DB 930's Digital front end. The video coming from the Computer to my 32" Bravia is already much sharper and with denser colors which are more true to life than I've ever seen from the Bravia over the last 2 1/2 years and I can't wait to see what happens when the 8' Custom Power Cord Company power cord and the power strip are no longer in the AC Power path of the Computer.
~Maxx~
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[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-04 19:07 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-01-15 17:55
This is the new Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filter which as you can see is now freshly terminated with a Furutech FI-25 M(G) UPOCC Copper ac plug which is plugged directly into the Furutech GTX-D Duplex Pure Copper Outlet and serves the DB 930 Receiver.
The Brick Wall not only provides great protection, but its EMI/RFI Filtering down to 5 kHz has a very beneficial impact on sound quality.
The DB 930 now has a series of 3 single crystal UPOCC Copper plugs between it and the Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet and it is providing the greatest improvement in sound quality that I have ever heard in over 10 years of owning the DB 930.
This $600 MSRP 1999 Sony Receiver is now capable of greater resolution and excruciatingly fine detail with generous quantities air around the instruments and lingering decay artifacts than I have heard from $100,000 Reference gear which was using 28% IACS brass bladed plugs. Over the last 4 years of hearing this happen time and again has led to the conclusion that having high quality Pure Copper and UPOCC Copper in the AC Power Delivery System can enable a humble Sony Receiver to surpass the sound quality of Reference Audio gear at 167X its pricepoint which gives the performance/cost ratio of the Pure Copper Outlet and Plugs that made this possible a very high rating in the bang for the buck category!
~Maxx~
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[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2011-01-17 15:30 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-01-16 16:15
I was listening to the DB 930 this morning and noting how much its sound quality has improved since it has been retrofitted with the 3 Furutech FI-25 UPOCC single crystal ac plugs in its Power Delivery System and i went back to my listening notes from September of 2007 when I installed the first 2 FI-25 UPOCC ac plugs on my Preamp and Power Amp and I was reminded that there are many more improvements to look forward to as these new Furutech FI-25 UPOCC ac plugs break in over the next few weeks. I invite you to stay tuned for all of the details.
On 2007-09-23 03:12, Maxxwire wrote:
80 Hour Update
9-26-07
I've broken in quite a number of the Pure Copper Furutech Plugs, but these are the first PC OCC (Pure Copper (by) Ohno Continuous Casting) Plugs that I have installed in my Audio System and they are behaving in a radically different manner.
I found the Pure Copper Plugs always used to break in quite quickly in the beginning and then the the sonic improvements tapered off.
These FI-25M (G) UP OCC Plugs broke in steadily at first, but starting at about the 72 hour mark they just blossomed into a totally improved presentation. It was as though I was now listening to a totally improved version of the Plug that I had been listening to previously!
After the Plug blossomed the noisefoor dropped significantly and the Music took on a new and welcomed liquid crystal clarity along with a proliferation of new detail that was being revealed for the very first time as I was now hearing very clean and amazingly clear fresh details coming from in and among the already existing highly detailed presentation of the Music.
~Maxx~
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-01-17 16:00
This is how the Sony STR DB 930 looks these days rigidly coupled to the top shelf of its Salamander Archetype 2 stand with BDR Carbon Fiber Cones and its Tice Line Conditioner rigidly coupled to the lower shelf on its own set of BDR Cones and the Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filter atop it supplying broadband filtered AC power both to the Line Conditioner for the DB 930, Bravia Video monitor and Headphone Amp and also directly to the HP HPE Win 7 x64 Intel Core i7 930 Computer through its custom terminated Synergistic Research Alpha-Furu A/C Coupler.
~Maxx~
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[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-04 19:08 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-01-24 16:23
The 3 new Furutech FI-25 UPOCC Single Crystal Copper AC Plugs in the DB 930's Power Delivery Network are doing wonders as it continuously improves in sound quality. In my Audio System the radical improvements in the DB 930's performance over the last 10 weeks demonstrate in the very simplest terms the potential for improvement that the Pure Copper Outlet and Pure Copper plugs can have on a simple Receiver like this along with the basic Resonance Tuning that the Archetype 2 stand and BDR Cones have furnished.
I never imagined that I could get so much of an improvement out of my 12 year old DB 930 Receiver without having to do any internal Mods. No parts upgrades or solder slinging just some very basic Resonance Tuning and a Pure Copper AC Power Delivery Network is all it took to actuate this 'new and improved sound quality' that had been there all along!
~Maxx~
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mykyll2727
Sony Pro
Joined: Apr 30, 2004
Posts: 4171
From: Las Vegas
 | Posted: 2011-01-25 12:42
Maxx_This just further supports something we've known for some time. One doesn't have to spend alot of money or have internal mods done to their equipment to achieve dramatic improvements. All one needs is the desire and to spend some time.
Case in point last year I was at a party at a guy's house who had a very expensive system that consisted of some extraordinarily beautiful MBL components in a beautiful enclosed wooden cabinet and a $20k pair of KEF speakers. My system sounded soooo much better even with my "budget" Sony speakers. He had no power conditioning or given any thought to room acoustics. He had placed his speakers (he admitted he bought them 2nd hand) himself and their placement was based on convienence and how they looked in the room. He was such an arrogant guy and was so into bragging about what a great system he had that I didn't bother to tell him how far from the "world class" sound he claimed he had that he actually was or offer any suggestions on how he could improve it. After all he's the one who has to live with it. And since he's such a jerk I felt he deserved it._mykl
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-01-25 17:20
On 2011-01-25 12:42, mykyll2727 wrote:
Maxx_This just further supports something we've known for some time. One doesn't have to spend alot of money or have internal mods done to their equipment to achieve dramatic improvements. All one needs is the desire and to spend some time.
Yes, this is very true, but I learned from my friend who for decades has owned an Audio shop with everything from entry level to nosebleed expensive High End Audio Gear that there are different Realities that coexist within the World of Audio. One time I was hanging out at the Audio shop and a fellow brought in his mint condition late model McIntosh Power Amp and was asking my friend who is also an Audio Tech for his advise about some Mods he was planning on doing to it.
It was then that my friend told him something that completely shocked me to the core when he said in no uncertain terms "Do not even consider doing any kind of Modifications to this Amp because if you modify it it will destroy its resale value because the kind of people who buy this kind of Audio equipment want it absolutely Bone Stock".
I'd never heard the term 'Bone Stock' used before, but it was my introduction into the reality of High End Audio Gear ownership where people make large monetary investments in brand name Audio products that diminish in value if they are Modified in any way.
Another part of the reality in High End Audio equipment ownership is the attitude that "I paid so much for this equipment that no kind of augmentation such as Power Line Conditioning or Resonance Tuning will ever effect it because the designers have already taken all of those elements into consideration and incorporated adequate compensations in their original and fabulously expensive design".
As for myself I continue to happily enjoy the freedom to experiment with upgrading my Audio equipment in any way I please and that I find improves its sound quality and performance. There are a lot of trade-offs in this hobby and one of them is opting to own very expensive equipment that one dare not modify for fear of losing a sizable share of their monetary investment. I feel sorry for those who take this option because they will never know the unbounded joy I have known having been able to take a $600 Sony Receiver and successfully figure out ways to make it sound far better than any High End Gear I've ever heard...
After 12 years my Sony DB 930 Receiver certainly isn't worth much on the resale market, but the way its sounds running off of power from the Furutech Pure Copper Outlet makes it worth its weight in Pure 24k Gold!
~Maxx~
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[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-04 19:09 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-02-13 03:45
Furutech FI-28M (R)
Yesterday I re-terminated the DB 930's Copper conductor power cord with a Furutech FI-28M (R) Rhodium plated Pure Copper AC Plug and its effects were quite immediate. Rhodium plated AC Plugs are commonly described as 'detailed', but I found the kind of detail that this Rhodium plated AC Plug delivers to be much more natural and organic sounding than any of the many detail enhancing Pure Silver interconnect upgrades that I have done over the years.
This leads me to think that this unique kind of natural transparency and detail that the Furutech FI-28M (R) delivers can be credited to the fact that it is within the Audio equipment's AC power supply and then modulated and amplified into Music. Interconnects can indeed alter the quality and character of the Music, but since they operate with an already modulated signal and they are hapless to make the type of compensations that could bring about the kind of transparency and organic detail that can be achieved at the AC power level like this Rhodium plated Pure Copper AC Plug is capable of.
I'm very much looking forward to listening to the DB 930 as its new Furutech FI-28M (R) AC Plug breaks in over the coming weeks and months. I wanted to note that this 'DB 930 Thread' has now past the 50,000 view mark. Thank you all for your continued participation over the last 8+ years...
~Maxx~
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[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-04 19:11 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-02-13 17:20
I have a distinct advantage when listening to the DB 930 with its new Furutech FI-28 Rhodium plated Pure Copper Plug because upgrading the AC plug is the only Modification that has ever been made to this Receiver since it was new in 1999.
When comparing the sound quality of my bone stock original DB 930 which came with a nickel bladed molded plug on its power cord running off AC power coming from a standard $1.50 wall outlet with the same factory stock DB 930 with the same unmodified circuitry only with the Furutech FI-28M (R) Pure Copper Plug deriving its power from the world's first Pure Copper Outlet the words day and night difference or level of magnitude improvement completely fail at describing the magnitude of how much better the DB 930 sounds now with its improved quality source of AC power.
What this has shown me is how vitally important it is to not let poor quality AC outlets which were not designed for household use with the delivery of AC power to sensitive Audio and Video equipment in mind and the most basic nickel bladed molded AC plugs which the manufacturers provide at their very least expense rob my A/V equipment of the truly great performance that it has always been capable of as long as it has access to AC power that has not been savaged by a standard grade AC wall outlet and ravaged by the very low quality AC plug provided by a manufacturer only concerned with providing the very cheapest method of getting power to the equipment.
~Maxx~
 
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[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2011-02-13 18:05 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-02-19 18:10
The Synergistic Research Alpha A/C Coupler Silver Clad Conductor Power Cord with its new set of Furutech FI-25M (G) AC and IEC Plugs
The power cord on the DB 930's Digital front end which is my HP HPE 270f Win 7 x64 computer has received a double plug upgrade using the Furutech FI-25 UPOCC Copper AC plug that the DB 930 was previously using and a new FI-25 UPOCC Copper IEC plug from VH Audio. This upgrade was made more economical in that one of the plugs was passed down from a previous upgrade and left the Furutech FI-11M Pure Copper AC plug and a Furutech FI-11 Pure Copper IEC plug that it was previously using free to re-terminate both ends of yet another AC power cord at no additional cost!
As far as the sonic contribution of the new Alpha-Furu power cord goes I was able to listen to the DB 930 with its new Furutech FI-28M Rhodium plated plug before and then again after the New Alpha-Furu power cord with its new UPOCC Copper plugs was powering the computer which was delivering 24/96 LPCM over the Dayton GOC Glass Toslink to the DB 930 and the combination had all of the amazingly increased detail that the FI-28M has provided plus the enticing sweetness and incredibly vibrant tonal qualities that the FI-25 UPOCC Copper plugs bring to the sound of this otherwise completely factory stock Sony Receiver which all started with installing the Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet.
~Maxx~
 Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-02-23 17:00
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-02-23 15:51
The Sony DB 930 has had the Furutech FI-28M (R) Rhodium plated Pure Copper AC plug terminating its power cord for about 10 days now and I couldn't be more pleased with the effects that it is having on the sound of this otherwise completely factory stock Receiver.
As I noted early on after installing the Furutech FI-28M the plentiful amounts of detail that this Rhodium plated AC Plug delivers are very natural and organic sounding. After I left the DB 930 powered on for the first week with this brand new Rhodium plated AC plug I noticed that in addition to the plentiful amounts of micro detail that it allowed through there were huge new manifestations of macro detailing that I had never been able to enjoy hearing before. An example of this phenomenon would be during a Cello solo when every single wind on the strings could be heard and felt as the bow passed over them. In the past I could hear and appreciate the sound of the notes that were being played on the Cello, but this Rhodium plated AC plug is now allowing every intimate detail to be heard in a way that only the Cello player is privy to.
So far the Furutech FI-28M (R) has made a very impressive showing when used to terminate the power cord of my completely factory stock 1999 Sony DB 930 which indicates to me that it could probably make an equal or even better showing on other kinds of Receivers giving them the kind of sonic attributes which are able to embarrass the sonics of "High End' gear because having access to Pure Copper Power is the great leveler in Audio playback.
~Maxx~
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-02-24 02:00
In a couple of weeks I will be getting another Furutech FI-28M (R) Pure Copper Rhodium plated AC Plug for the Sony DB 930's AC power Delivery Network and it will be used to re-terminate the power cord on the Tice Line Conditioner which provides power for both the DB 930 Receiver and the Sony Bravia Monitor in order to find out whether or not the kind of magnificently positive effects of using the Furutech FI-28M Pure Copper Rhodium plated AC plug that the DB 930 has evidenced can be shared through the Line Conditioner and passed on to the associated A/V equipment or not.
In the event that there is no evidence of a positive pass-thru effect I will use the Furutech FI-28M in the Reference System where I have decided to upgrade the power cords of the DAC, Tube-FET Preamp and Tube Power Amp with these Rhodium plated plugs and re-purpose the Furutech FI-25 UPOCC Copper Plugs these pieces are now using on the 2 main LAT AC-2 Silverfuse power cords that supply AC power to the Vans Evers Reference Line Conditioners from the Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filter providing what will hopefully turn out to be significant AC Power Delivery Network upgrades throughout the Reference Audio System.
~Maxx~
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
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[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-02-25 03:00
It was just 2 weeks ago that I upgraded the power cord on my otherwise completely factory stock Sony STR DB 930 Receiver from a Furutech FI-25M (G) Gold plated UPOCC Copper AC plug to a Furutech FI-28 Rhodium plated Pure Copper plug and I have been completely shocked at the amount of improvement I am hearing with regards to sound quality.
The Furutech FI-28 Rhodium plated Pure Copper plug offered an immediate and noticeable improvement right from the start and after a week it brought improvements in macro and micro detailing that were already worth the cost of the plug.
Now after 2 weeks of being on the DB 930's OEM power cord the the Furutech FI-28 has taken the sound quality of this simple Sony Receiver to new heights that I have not only never heard before even when auditioning megabuck High End Audio equipment, but I am hearing my favorite Nippon Columbia recordings in a clarity and crispness with macro detailing across the entire soundstage within a harmonic structure that is far more thrillingly authentic, vibrant and alive than any Musical concert I have ever attended.
I never in my wildest dreams ever thought that my Sony DB 930 Receiver could ever sound this much better than any and all of the 100's of pieces of top name Reference Quality Audio gear that I have personally auditioned over the last 10 years, but the Furutech FI-28 Rhodium plated Pure Copper plug along with the Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet from which its AC power originates have made this possible and I am quite confident that this Plug and Outlet are able to provide these same kinds of phenomenal sonic improvements with other Audio gear as well.
~Maxx~
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-04 18:57 ]
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Overlord1317
Sony Fan
Joined: Feb 28, 2011
Posts: 2
From: California
| Posted: 2011-02-28 19:07
It is with a sad heart that I write this post, although after perusing all sixteen pages (spanning some eleven or so years!!!!!) I suppose I could have found no better place to post this message.
After rejiggering optical inputs/outputs and figuring out ways to send audio signals to my beloved STR DB 830 whilst simultaneously sending video feeds directly to the t.v., I have finally reached the point where I can no longer tolerate the myriad delays and sound compromises required to get everything working properly. I will, after some twelve years, be purchasing a new, HDMI capable, receiver.
Considering that I've gone through six different televisions (CRT, larger CRT, rear projection, LCD, larger LCD, plasma), I don't want to think about how many computers, and at least twelve or so speakers spaced out over the years, but have never swapped out my 830 in all that time, you can only imagine how much I've treasured this particular piece of equipment.
I can still remember demo'ing it at a Best Buy with a fairly dedicated associate and both of us commenting that it not only sounded better than similar receivers, but it sounded better than far more expensive models (including one of the ES line that was on display). Even though I hauled my own speakers to test new receivers on a couple of occasions, I never found a two channel receiver I liked more within a price range I was actually willing to pay. I'm really not sure what the db 830 pushes in 5.1 mode, but with two channels I found it pretty beastly, but more importantly without a hint of distortion.
It also more than held its own with home movies (dolby digital was fine for me for a very long time), and never gave me a lick of quality control issues. I've had two secondary receivers crap out on me within three years of purchase. No such problems here. And to think, I remember being seriously concerned when the volume light stopped working within the first sixty days. I was lazy, and figured I'd wait to see if anything else went wrong. You can be assured that I read the replacement LED posts in this thread with great amusement.
I am extremely hard-hearted when it comes to appliances. I throw them out, upgrade, forget about them at a moment's notice. This is the only purchase I can remember fondly. To register on-line to make a post about it speaks volumes (pardon the pun).
I can't bring myself to *gasp* throw it away, nor do I feel like selling it for the 50 or so bucks I'd get. It now sits proudly with a pair of NHT Super Ones I dug out of storage (they seemed fitting) on the top of a bookshelf in my office. I'll use it maybe once a month, so basically it's now on display ... kind of like a museum piece.
Now to begin my search to find another receiver I'll love this much. I don't think it's going to happen.
[ This message was edited by: Overlord1317 on 2011-02-28 19:11 ]
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parney
Sonyphile
Joined: Jul 23, 2003
Posts: 523
From:
| Posted: 2011-02-28 19:24
Happy hunting let us know what you find for a replacement glad you got so much enjoyment out of your Sony.
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Overlord1317
Sony Fan
Joined: Feb 28, 2011
Posts: 2
From: California
| Posted: 2011-02-28 22:49
Oddly enough, I DID consider using it as an amplifier for the front three channel ... or at least the front two (by utilizing the 5.1 pre-inputs). The problem was I wasn't sure if I by doing that would allow me to utilize one volume control. I'm not interested in manually adjusting the volume/gain on two receivers at once. Using it as a straight "amplifier" also isn't going to let me use 7.2 channels.
I'm also not sure that I'd be seeing that much of an uptick in performance. I'm looking at networking receivers from the Denon, Pioneer, and Onkyo line-ups at the moment, and it seems like if (if I spend enough .... *sigh*) the amps and wattage look to be there. What did the 830 push out all 5.1 channels anyway? I mean, looking at the amp/wattage, it looks like the db 830 was an incredibly efficient and preposterously clear sounding 250ish watt transformer, but a lot of the models I'm looking at dwarf that type of power consumption.
In any event, just getting started on looking. The Onkyo 5008 seems to have it all, but out of budget.
[ This message was edited by: Overlord1317 on 2011-02-28 22:52 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-03-02 21:37
On 2011-02-28 22:49, Overlord1317 wrote:
Using it as a straight "amplifier" also isn't going to let me use 7.2 channels. I'm also not sure that I'd be seeing that much of an uptick in performance. I'm looking at networking receivers.
First I wanted to thank you for taking the time to register at Agoraquest and tell us about the current situation with your Sony DB 830 Receiver and you are right that as fine sounding as it is it just will not produce 7.2 channels of Audio.
There was a time when the sonic talents my DB 930 also went underused until I decided to connect it to my Win 7 x64 computer with Dayton GOC Glass Toslink for 24/96 Stereo Audio. I don't know if an application like this would interest you, but I spend a considerable amount of time at the computer each day and having the superb sound of the DB 930 rendering high quality recorded Music from the computer or internet radio greatly enriches the experience especially since I installed the Furutech Pure Copper Outlet and re-terminated the power cord of the DB 930 with a Furutech FI-28M (R) Pure Copper Rhodium plated AC plug. I've had this Receiver for over 11 years and I never even came close to knowing how good it could sound until I hooked it up to Pure Copper Power.
On 2011-02-28 19:07, Overlord1317 wrote:
(I) never swapped out my 830 in all that time, you can only imagine how much I've treasured this particular piece of equipment. I never found a two channel receiver I liked more within a price range I was actually willing to pay. I'm really not sure what the db 830 pushes in 5.1 mode, but with two channels I found it pretty beastly, but more importantly without a hint of distortion.
It now sits proudly with a pair of NHT Super Ones I dug out of storage (they seemed fitting) on the top of a bookshelf in my office. I'll use it maybe once a month, so basically it's now on display ... kind of like a museum piece.
I do not know what future you are planning for your DB 830, but this sounds very much like the situation that my DB 930 was in after I moved last year, but I got a 2 shelf stand for it and at first I had it hooked up to the computer with a $500 pair of Analog interconnects with mediocre results, but then the Glass Toslink came along to take advantage of the Receiver's excellent Digital circuitry and over the next 3 months along with the other Power Delivery improvements that were made the DB 930 was transformed into the best sounding piece of Audio equipment my ears have ever heard largely due to the simplicity of the setup.
All I'm saying is that these 1999 Sony Receivers with their excellent build quality can have an astonishingly useful life in retirement and going by how much you have enjoyed your DB 830 over all of these years I'm sure that you will find a new use for it that befits its high qualifications.
The Sony STR DB830 of the QS Series Receivers that Sony first began the all new DB Receiver line with in Europe back in 1999.
~Maxx~
 Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-04 19:01 ]
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scott1019
Sonyphile
Joined: Aug 07, 2010
Posts: 543
From: USA>>Ohio
| Posted: 2011-02-28 21:53
There's no reason why you can't get a newer receiver to decode the newer audio codecs and accept HDMI and also continue to use your DB830. Many of us here at agoraquest have been purchasing newer receivers to use as processors and using earlier Sony receivers as amplifiers. You will find that the build quality has gone wayy downhill since your DB830 was sold and I doubt you would be happy with ANY purchase unless you go the route of separates. I experienced this with the purchase of a 3300ES, which was still much better than whats out there now.
If you think its tricky getting optical audio to work, wait till you find out how tricky it is with HDMi, there are syncing issues, video up-convert issues from 480i sources, -10 Db LFE from LPCM sources such as the PS3 etc. There's a myriad of reasons NOT to go to HDMi.
Personally I would go with a universal player like an Oppo that has analog outs and continue to enjoy your DB830. It will decode all of these new formats for you without the need for getting anything. And they make HDMi selectors if you are using multiple connections. Remember ONLY Blu-Ray is capable of utilizing DolbyHD and DTS-HD..
After dealing with HDMi it makes me cherish the days when DVI and i.Link were the standard.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-03-13 17:00
Over the last 3 weeks during which the DB 930 has had its power cord terminated with the Furutech FI-28M (R) Rhodium plated Pure Copper AC plug it has demonstrated such a remarkable improvement in sound quality in terms of micro and macro detailing with a Harmonic Structure that is much more vibrant and alive compared to what my 40X as expensive Vacuum Tube separates with their ultra low jitter IS Bus Digital front end, much better quality line conditioning, and $600 set of Old Stock Vacuum Tubes can now produce with its current set of AC Plugs that I have decided to proceed by upgrading all of the other individual AC Power Delivery access points of the Computer, the Monitor and throughout the Reference Audio System all based on the amazing performance gains that the DB 930 has shown over the last 3 weeks while using the Furutech FI-28M (R) Rhodium plated Pure Copper AC Plug.
I never even considered that my Sony DB 930 Receiver could sound as good as the Vacuum Tube Reference Audio System let alone better, but with the availability of the Furutech GTX Pure Copper Outlet and the FI-28 Rhodium plated AC Plugs the DB 930 has done that which was previously impossible and become my preferred listening choice over the Vacuum Tube Reference Audio System.
I made this decision based on the sonic improvements that the DB 930 demonstrated over the last 3 weeks while using the one and only Pure Copper Rhodium plated AC plug in the entire Audio System in conjunction with a selection of principals set forth by Calin Gabriel of Shunyata Research regarding the important role power cords I felt applied in this case...
-Components sit between hot and neutral electrical legs that oscillate back and forth at a 50 to 60 Hz line frequency; consequently, electricity is delivered to audio components in a series of pulses rather than in a constant stream.
-Power cords are effectively part of the primary transformer winding.
-Power cords aren't the last but the first six feet that a component sees.
I will be testing this "AC Power Endpoint Theory" out more fully when some additional Furutech FI-28M and IEC Rhodium plated Pure Copper AC Plugs arrive from VH Audio this next week and I will make sure keep all of you informed as to how the HP Desktop Computer and Bravia Monitor which comprise the rest of the DB930's mini A/V System react to their respective Rhodium Revivals and whether or not the Vacuum Tube Audio System will be able to make a sonic comeback as it receives Rhodium plated Pure Copper Plug therapy...
~Maxx~
  Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-06 06:55 ]
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scott1019
Sonyphile
Joined: Aug 07, 2010
Posts: 543
From: USA>>Ohio
| Posted: 2011-03-15 23:29
Upgrading to a 14 AWG power cable with hospital grade plug and outlets has made a considerable difference in sound quality.
I am trying to figure out how best to utilize this receiver in my "legacy" system. I am fully utilizing the superb D/A converter with a Glass-toslink for standard CDs.
The A/D/A conversion of the other analog inputs makes it difficult for me to use this as a pre-amp. I am using my HH Scott 130 for all my analog sources sent to the R/L of the multi-channel ins of this receiver and basically using it as a power amp. I like having a remote for the power amp.
Haven't yet tried the phono section, but it doesn't appear to be on par with the build of the rest of the receiver.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-03-16 03:00
Yes, the DB 930 does respond very well to AC Plug and Outlet upgrades! Back in 2006 I upgraded my DB 930's power cord (which I plan on upgrading to UPOCC Copper) with a Leviton Hospital Grade plug and Leviton Hospital Grade outlet to use and it provided the first very noticeable improvement in sound quality from an AC Power delivery upgrade for my DB 930.
Not long after that very positive experience the DB 930 inherited a Furutech FI-11 Pure Copper AC Plug when the LAT AC-2 Silverfuse power cord on the Conrad-Johnson Power Amp was upgraded to a Furutech FI-25 UPOCC Copper Plug. The result was an even larger improvement in sound quality than there was from upgrading to the Hospital Grade Plug as a result of the DB 930 having its new Pure Copper AC Plug, but not all of the true sonic ramifications of using the Pure Copper Plug were manifest until the DB 930 had access to an equally capable Outlet.
I will never forget the day that I first plugged the DB 930 into the world's first Pure Copper Outlet...
On 2010-12-15 18:06, Maxxwire wrote:
My DB 930's Sonic Revolution
I have had my Sony STR DB 930 using AC power from the world's first Pure Copper Outlet the Furutech GTX-D for 3 weeks now and its sound quality has been raised by an order of magnitude to where it now sounds incredibly better than it ever did before the Furutech GTX-D Outlet was installed!!!
The DB 930 had been upgraded to a Furutech FI-11(G) Pure Copper Bladed AC plug on its OEM power cord quite some time ago, but there wasn't a significant improvement until it was plugged it into AC power from the Pure Copper Outlet and then the DB 930 sprang to life in a completely new way that now sounds better in all aspects than any High End Audio gear that I have ever auditioned that was not using AC power from the world's first Pure Copper Outlet!
I had owned the DB 930 for almost 11 years when its sonic awakening occurred that day and I was completely shocked to hear it instantaneously sound better than any of the 100's of pieces of very expensive High End gear that I had auditioned at my friend's Audio Shop as a result of using the Furutech GTX Pure Copper Outlet.
The DB 930's positive response to Plug and Outlet upgrades did not end there though in that a subsequent upgrade to the Furutech FI-25M (G) UPOCC Copper Plug brought an even even higher level of sound quality which very nearly equaled the sound quality of my Reference Vacuum Tube Audio System that also uses the Pure Copper Outlet, but the DB 930 was finally able to surpass the sound quality of the 40X more expensive Reference Audio System after its power cord was upgraded to the Furutech FI-28M (R) Rhodium plated Pure Copper Plug which had far and away the most positive effect of any of the DB 930's 4 AC Plug upgrades and giving this 12 year old Sony Receiver the ability to produce the most amazingly authentic and genuinely live sounding Music that I have ever heard come from any Audio equipment and this is all owed to Pure Copper Rhodium plated Plug and Pure Copper Outlet that the DB 930 is now using!
~Maxx~
The Sony DB 930... The Legend Continues
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-04 19:03 ]
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scott1019
Sonyphile
Joined: Aug 07, 2010
Posts: 543
From: USA>>Ohio
| Posted: 2011-03-16 08:20
Only the Multi-channel input bypasses the A/D/A conversion correct?
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-03-16 16:00
Yes, on the DB 930 the only Analog inputs that bypass all Preamp processing which includes A/D-D/A conversions are the Multichannel inputs which then sends the Analog signal through the DB 930's audiophile quality ALPS Volume attenuator which has a coupling cap for each of the DB 930'S 6 discreet channel amps...
I've done A/B listening tests between using the standard Stereo Analog inputs which go through the Preamp and automatically undergo A/D-D/A conversion and using the 'Analog Direct' Multichannel inputs which allow the Audio signal to remain in the Analog domain going only through the DB 930's ALPS Volume Attenuator and the result was that using the Multichannel inputs the Music sounded much more organic with a wealth of micro-detailing that is simply lost when using the standard Stereo Analog inputs.
~Maxx~
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-03-19 18:00
Last week I had a bit of misfortune concerning my HP Elite Win 7 desktop which was providing Digital Optical Audio to the DB 930 over Dayton GOC Glass Toslink and it will be going into the shop to have a new 120 GB SSD drive installed.
For the last few days I have been using my HP Vista laptop to supply Analog Audio output to the DB 930's 'Analog Direct' Stereo Front Channel Multichannel inputs because its sound card has no Digital Optical output. The setup requires 3 meters of Analog interconnects for which I am using some Transparent Music Link 200's which are not the last word in fidelity by any means.
Nevertheless the Furutech FI-28 Rhoduim plated Pure Copper AC Plug which the DB 930 is now using on its power cord continues to break in providing such remarkable and noticeable improvements in sound quality that the Music playback that I am now hearing has gone from sounding quite veiled under these many disadvantages to now sounding very comparable to the quality that I was hearing with the Digital Optical input over Glass Toslink. To me this is very encouraging because I will once again be able to hear the full effects of the Furutech FI-28 breakin when the Win 7 desktop is available again next month and they promise to be spectacular!
~Maxx~
 Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2011-04-09 15:49 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-04-06 16:00
Its been almost 2 months now since the DB 930 has been using the Furutech FI-28M (R) Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug and I must say that running off of the Analog signal from my Vista laptop did not slow down the break in processes at all! The DB 930 now sounds as good as it ever did 3 weeks ago using the 24/96 Digital Audio signal over Glass Toslink from the Win 7 x64 desktop before its hard drive failed.
The Win 7 x64 desktop should be up and running again next week with its new 120 GB 25nm Intel SSD 320 replacement drive and Furutech FI-28M (R) upgraded Synergistic Research power cord and I can't wait to see how the DB 930 sounds then...
~Maxx~
 Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2011-04-18 18:20 ]
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Jax3822
Sony Fan
Joined: Apr 07, 2011
Posts: 2
From: Philadelphia, PA USA
| Posted: 2011-04-08 18:07
Maxx,
I was leaning away from the 555es. Thanks for your input. I really like my Db830.
I am watching a Strg8es on ebay right now. 120 wpc, no digital inputs though.
There is also a str-v333es local pick up on ebay. It draws more power than the db930, but outputs about the same. I am not concerned about surround. This is for a stereo only rig.
Thanks
Jim
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Jax3822
Sony Fan
Joined: Apr 07, 2011
Posts: 2
From: Philadelphia, PA USA
| Posted: 2011-04-07 15:41
Hi,
New here, but not new to Sony. I recently picked up a DB-830 and am very pleased with it. I am eyeing up a Db-930 or a Ta-555es and am curious to see which is more preferred here. I am currently using a Yamaha dsp-a1, former flagship piece from Yamaha. I may be able to swing both pieces.
I have had a str-da3es and while I wanted to love it, I wasnt thrilled with its stereo performance compared to the Jvc rxv-911 I was using at the time.
I picked up the db-830 for $40 dollars at a local trading post, and it looks brand new, the only problem is that the dial light is out. I knew nothing about it, except it looked a lot like a Sony es receiver. I did some research and ran up and snapped it up. The first thing I did was take the cover off and was suprised to see the quality Nichon gold caps, Sony and Toshipa chips, sony circuit boards, and heavy gauge speaker wire going to the terminals and knew right away I hit a home run.
So needless to say, I curious if I should reach out to grab the DB-930 or the TA-555es integrated, to try to swap with the DSp-A1? I use the digital inputs and love a remote as well, even though I could live without both. If anyone has experience with both or all three, I would love to hear from you.
Ps. I am using them with a pair of German made Auris towers, and occasionally a pair of Sony ss-k70ed's.
Thanks.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-04-08 02:00
On 2011-04-07 15:41, Jax3822 wrote:
Curious if I should reach out to grab the DB-930 or the TA-555es integrated.
Jax3822- Welcome to Agoraquest! As far as the choice between the DB 930 and DA555ES goes it was widely reported as far back as 1999 when these 2 Sony Receivers were released that the DB 930 was blowing the DA555ES off the display racks in Sony dealer's showrooms across the country!
Here are some pictures and opinions which were posted here by Jalex who owns both the DB 930 and the DA555ES...
On 2011-01-18 01:47, jalex wrote:
For comparison I opened up my da555es to see what it had:
da555es has the same capacity gold tunes as the db940 and db930, and the transformers all seem to be of similar dimensions, though the da555es might be a bit larger.
the da555es has ALPS volume, and elna red caps on the pre-amp board.
On the da555es main board the left two caps are fine gold (the only two in the entire da555es), and pretty much the rest of the caps are brown-colored.
An overhead shot of the da555es internals. The db930 is clearly more robust.
-Jalex
These are some pictures that I took of my own DB930's excellent quality Digital board with its full compliment of Nichicon Fine Gold capacitors...
This is the DB 930's Audiophile grade ALPS Attenuator with a coupling cap for each channel of amplification...
Not even the venerable Sony DA5ES which many claim to be the finest Sony Receiver ever built has this kind of high quality ALPS volume attenuator as can be seen in the Jalex photo below...
The DB 930 clearly has a better build quality than the DA555ES, and by taking advantage of this by using a high quality Glass Toslink Digital Optical cable and enhancing the DB 930's access to AC Power with a high quality Pure Copper AC Plug will bring out its very best performance which for me has provided the absolute best quality sound I've ever heard from any Receiver.
~Maxx~
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-04-08 02:00
The Furutech FI-28M(R) Pure Copper Rhodium Plated AC Plug along with the Furutech Pure Copper Outlet have given Wings to the performance and sound quality of my Sony DB 930 that it might soar higher than any of the 100's of pieces of High End Audio Gear that I have auditioned over the last decade making this a Giant Killer of an AC Power Delivery combination...
~Maxx~
Note: On Monday 3-21-2011 this DB 930 Thread had its busiest single day ever with 1,156 views...
  Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-04-09 02:30
A friend of mine used to have a Sony STR G8ES Receiver and I thought it sounded rather lackluster. The STR V333ES was the next model down from the V555ES in Sony's 2000 model lineup which I saw run so hot when it was new on display at the local Sony Only store that one of the salesman placed a piece of white paper on top of it while it was running and a few minutes later showed me the same piece of paper where the V555ES had burned the pattern of its vents into a matching dark brown pattern the paper.
Its up to you whether you want to buy these other Sony Receivers off of eBay, but it sounds to me like you've already got a great Stereo only rig in your Sony DB 830 Receiver with its genuine Nichicon Gold Tune power supply reservoir caps which in all likelihood neither of the 2 other Sony ES Receivers you are considering have...
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
... The Sony DB 930 Legend Continues
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2011-04-09 03:05 ]
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-06 06:47 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-04-16 16:00
After having been without the use of my HP Win 7 x64 desktop computer for 1 month to the day because its 1 TB HDD had failed it is now up and running with its new 25nm 120 GB Intel 320 Series SSD and along with it the 24/96 Digital Audio output over Glass Toslink Optical that the sound quality of the DB 930 benefits from so much is back at last. The DB 930 is already sounding much better again and I have a pair of Furutech FI-28 AC and IEC plugs to upgrade the computer's power cord with, but I will be waiting until the sound of the DB 930 is fully stabilized and back to its original reference levels.
~Maxx~
Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-04-21 21:15
After waiting 5 days for the sound quality of the DB 930 and the desktop computer to stabilize I have now retrofitted the computer's Synergistic Research Alpha power cord with a Furutech FI-28 Pure Copper Rhodium plated IEC and AC plug. Due to the fact that the Furutech FI-28 AC Plug on the DB 930's power cord has already had 3 months of break in time I have already begun to hear the most immediate sonic benefits of this computer power cord upgrade and I can't wait to find out just how extensively the improvements will manifest themselves over the next few weeks and months.
~Maxx~
 Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-04-27 21:35
After completing 5 months of upgrading the Outlet to Furutech Pure Copper and the AC and IEC Plugs to Furutech Pure Copper Gold and Rhodium Plated for the Sony DB 930, HP Elite Desktop and its Bravia Monitor I was finally in the position that many times in the past I wished I had been in since I began to discover how vital and potent AC Plug and Outlet upgrades can be over the last 4 years ago.
For the first time I had the opportunity to listen to what initiating Resonance Tuning, Acoustic Treatments and Speaker Cable upgrades sounded like in an Audio System that has already had its AC Power Delivery System upgraded instead of making these improvements in an environment that was suffering the myriad of sonic degradations using a Power Delivery Network of compromised quality as I traditionally had up to this time. So let me introduce you to the new and improved hyper-tweaked Power Delivery System of the...
First I upgraded the AC Plug on the DB 930's new dedicated Brick Wall Surge Protector which interfaces directly with the Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet with a Furutech FI-25M Gold Plated UPOCC AC Plug...
I decided that it was finally time to introduce the very finest and most highly credentialed Power Cord I own which is the First Impression Music (FIM) power cord with its Solid Core Pure Copper Conductors which are terminated with Ohno Continuous Cast (OCC) Ultra Pure Rhodium Plated Copper Plugs..
This is an excerpt from a First Impression Music power cord review...
This power cable is unbelievable. When you pick it up, it just retains its shape! You almost need tools in order to bend it. Well, not really, but you catch my drift. It really is an extremely stiff cable that has to be bent in shape before connecting. It uses 9 2.5mm solid core conductors and that doesn't go unnoticed! Not too surprisingly, the cable sounds the way it feels: very controlled and very dynamic. It is easily the most lively power cable that I've come across, even beating the Transparent Powerlink XL in that respect. Detail and focus are excellent all round. The bass is meaty, the mids are dynamic and very "live" and even if you'd expect this, the high frequencies aren't coarse or brittle at all.
The picture below shows what the FIM Power Cord and Brick Wall Filter look like together in application serving the DB 930's New Reference Grade Line Conditioner...
Next I brought in the Mike VansEvers Model 12 Reference Line Conditioner with its unique Transient Impedance Programmability for the DB 930 to run directly off of with its Furutech FI-28M (R) Pure Copper Rhodium Plated AC Plug...
In the almost 12 years that I have had the Sony STR DB 930 Receiver and even over the last 5 months of premium quality Outlet and AC Plug upgrades I had absolutely no idea that it could ever turn out sounding like this! Because of its newly enhanced AC Power Delivery System the DB 930EE is now an absolute joy to listen to because each note is so tight and fully formed. Although my favorite Music sounds so much better than it ever has before more fascinatingly pieces of Music that I don't normally care to listen to have now been transformed into much more appealing pieces of Music with a PRAT that was completely missing before which is everything I had hoped for and so much more from the DB 930EE.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
... The Sony DB 930 Legend Continues
 
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-06 06:49 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-05-01 15:30
Eight years ago when I got my VansEvers Model 12 Reference line conditioner I came across its 1997 Soundstage Review written by Doug Blackburn and this excerpt from that review eventually became The AC Power Principals...
Written by:
"The Noisy Audiophile"
Doug Blackburn
August 1997
Power Draw
*******************
One of the under-appreciated and under-reported factors is current. Amplifiers need power to operate. Power is volts x amps (current). We hear a lot about voltage and equipment performance but not much about current and equipment performance. Components do not make steady demands on current.
Equipment uses current in pulses that are measurable. This happens because current is drawn by components only when the voltage of the AC power is higher than the voltage in the component's power supply filter capacitors.
{This is an intentionally simplified statement, tube amps can have 200+ volt power supplies and they still draw current even though line voltage peaks are under 180V. But most power supplies are 75 volts or less.}
Source components with relatively low voltage power supplies (usually 25 volts or less) will tend to have broader current pulses with lower peaks.
Larger components with higher voltage power supplies, like amplifiers, will have current pulses that are shorter in duration, and higher in magnitude (amps).
This is because amplifiers have to get all their power during the small portion of the AC waveform that is higher in voltage than the power supply in the amplifier. The current pulses vary in frequency and peak depending on the frequencies and volume level of the music being played.
These current demands may well be the reason that it is not too unusual for mid-priced PLCs ($300 - $600) to sound like they are limiting amplifier performance instead of making them sound better.
*********************
AC Power IS the Signal!...
*********************
If you are still skeptical it may be because of this emerging 'audio truth': AC power is so important because it becomes the audio signal. AC is not just used to run a component.
The audio signal that exits from every component used to be AC from your wall. Anything that gets into the audio circuit from the AC power will be audible in the audio signal that is output from the circuit.
The audio signal coming out of a CD player used to be AC in your house wiring. That signal goes to a preamp. The preamp uses that CD player signal to create a brand new signal using the input from the CD player as a scale model for the new larger signal leaving the preamp.
The original signal from the CD player disappears inside the preamp. What exits the preamp is a brand new signal that used to be AC in the wiring of your house.
Same goes for amplifiers. None of them actually make the input signal larger. They all use AC power from the wall, turn it into DC then modulate the DC with the relatively tiny input signal.
So the preamp's output more or less disappears inside the amp. What comes out of the amp is a brand new signal with a lot more power in it. The signal from the preamp was used as the model for the new bigger signal.
Is it becoming clear why AC power quality and quantity is one of the most important factors in achieving good high-end system performance?
*********************
It has taken me this long to be able comprehend and apply enough of the concepts contained in The AC Power Principals to get the amazing results I have gotten lately from the humble Sony DB 930 and I just wanted to make it clear that its not me nor the DB 930 that deserves the credit for the evolution of the absolutely spectacular sonic performance that the $600 1999 Model DB 930 is now capable of, but rather the ever progressive application of the 14 year old AC Power Principals by way of the world's first Pure Copper Outlet in combination with Furutech's simply amazing FI-28M (R) Pure Copper Rhodium Plated AC and IEC Plugs along with a vigorously efficient path for the AC Power and of course the VansEvers line conditioner that Doug Blackburn so heartily recommended back in 1997.
~Maxx~
PS- This DB 930 Thread Passed the 70,000 view mark today...
. Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2011-05-03 03:00 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-05-07 17:07
Its been 2 weeks now since my Sony DB 930 EE Receiver first tapped into a much fuller set of benefits from the now 6 month old Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet. As I discovered with the AC Power to the Video Monitor the quality of path that the AC Power takes is very important and influential. Even the benefits derived from the highest quality set of AC Plugs can easily be mitigated by using lower quality wiring.
I've been able to listen to the DB 930 EE every day over the last couple of weeks and I am continually amazed by its ability to render the exact and very easily distinguishable harmonic structure that each instrument creates without the mixing and muddling that occurred when its supply of AC Power was less efficiently delivered to it. Every piece of Music that I have listened to whether from my own collection of expertly Mastered Discs which I have WAV copies of on my computer to the many different Stations which I have set up on Pandora Internet Radio which my computer processes into 24/96 LPCM to send to the DB 930 EE via high bandwidth Glass Toslink.
I have been listening to most of this Music for many years and I am familiar with how it has sounded through the many stages of AC Power Delivery that the DB 930 EE has been through over the last decade including a Mon$ter 2000 power filter back in the year 2000 which gives me a vivid memory of all the many stages its AC Power Delivery Network has gone through and a very deep appreciation for the great success that its current AC Power Delivery Network is enjoying courtesy of the Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet, The Furutech FI-25M Pure Copper AC Plugs and the Furutech FI-28M (R) Rhodium Plated AC & IEC Plugs.
Much of the credit for the instantaneous level of magnitude improvement in the sonics of the the DB 930 EE 2 weeks ago also go to the 9 solid Copper conductor 5 AWG FIM Power Cord with its OCC Pure Copper Rhodium Plated Plugs which now provides a super highway of electrical conductivity from the Brick Wall Series Surge Filter to the VansEvers Model 12 Reference Line Conditioner which the DB 930 EE now gets its AC Power from...
Although First Impressions Music went out of the Power Cable making business nearly a decade ago you can still find them with their extra heavy duty multiple gauge, solid-core Pure Copper conductors for different frequency ranges which have Rhodium Plated OCC plugs still available on the used cable market with the bonus being that they could even be broken in by now. The picture above is of my used FIM Power Cord taken on that day in December, 2006 that I brought it home from the Audio Shop after paying only$200 for it. For almost 5 years it did an excellent job of providing AC Power 9 of the 10 pieces of equipment in what was then my Reference Audio System through a PS Audio Extension Link and did it better than any of its many predecessors including the venerable LAT AC-2 Silverfuse power cord. I bring this up because I frequently see one of these extra heavy duty FIM power cords for sale and they usually sell for about 1/4 of their original MSRP plus I don't know of a better power cord in the price range that these sell for on the used market.
Audio equipment comes and goes, but high quality wiring is forever, especially a great Power Cord.
~Maxx~
......  Explore The New Sony MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-05-18 15:58
Today its been 6 months since I first installed the Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet and thanks to its very simple setup the DB 930 has been able to take optimal advantage of its ability to deliver excellent quality AC Power.
There were 3 distinct stages of development in interfacing the DB 930 with the world's first Pure Copper Outlet.
1) Initially the DB 930 and its Furutech FI-11 Pure Copper AC Plug were receiving AC Power from a VansEvers power strip at the end of an 8' CPCC power cord which was plugged into the Tice Line Conditioner.
2) When I removed the DB 930 from the power strip an its power cord and plugged the DB 930 directly into the Tice line Conditioner there was an immediate improvement in sound quality due to the length of the AC Power Delivery path being shortened and lowering the number of power connectors by 1 outlet, 1 IEC Socket and an IEC Plug.
3) Taking into account how radical of an improvement the DB 930 demonstrated from simply shortening the AC Power Delivery Path I then completely rebuilt it using the best Reference quality power cord and Line Conditioner which I had been using my Vacuum Tube Reference System for from 4 to 8 years respectively and the sound quality of the DB 930 soared to heights that I've never heard anything even close to before from any of the 100's of pieces of Audiophile gear that I've heard regardless of pricepoint.
Out of its 12 year history this has definitely been the very best 6 month period for the DB 930 and all it took was competent AC Power Delivery to unlock its amazing sonic potential beginning with the World's First Pure Copper Outlet...
~Maxx~
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-04 18:52 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-05-18 16:10
When I began the project of upgrading the AC Power Delivery Network of my Sony DB 930 I purposely left the Receiver stock with its original Tice Line Conditioning and its Dayton GOC Glass Toslink connection to the computer with no other modifications except the Furutech FI-28M (R) AC Plug so that I could accurately assess how much of a contribution the Furutech Plug was making to the sound quality and performance of the Receiver.
Once I had a clear understanding of how the Furutech FI-28M with its Rhodium Plated Pure Copper Blades was able to take the sound quality of the factory stock DB 930 to a much higher plane of lifelike playback I began to Reference it using the much higher quality AC wiring and Reference Line Conditioning that I had been originally using on my Vacuum Tube Audio System before the unmodified 1999 DB 930 exceeded its sound quality even while using a much lower quality Power Delivery Network and a Glass Toslink that had been tested and proven to have less resolution than the Reference quality 1 meter Glass Toslink that the Vacuum Tube Audio System had been using for almost 9 years.
The last step in giving the DB 930 every advantage that the Vacuum Tube Reference Audio System had been enjoying for almost a decade was to find some way for the DB 930 to be able to use the Medical Grade 30 Mhz bandwidth of the Audioquest Optilink 4 Fused Silica Glass Toslink to connect it to the computer's sound card.
There was certainly nothing wrong with sound of the DB 930 while using the 2 meter Dayton GOC Glass Toslink during the last 5 months, but in order to truly and accurately compare the sound quality of the DB 930 with that of the $25,000 Vacuum Tube Audio System that I built over the last 11 years I needed to figure out a way of using this extraordinarily fine sounding 1 meter Glass Toslink where the positioning of the desktop and DB 930 require a minimum of a 1.5 meter long Digital Optical interconnect.
Over the last 5 months I had considered moving the desktop and 32" Bravia monitor across 6" closer to the DB 930, but that was too impractical. I also considered buying a 2 meter Fused Silica Glass Conductor Optical Toslink replacement, but the $640 price tag was just out of the question. In the end hanging out here at Agoraquest and seeing how so many other Members solved their setup problems for so many years really paid off because one night it came to me that all I had to do was to rotate the DB 930 90 degrees to the left and it placed its 24/96 Digital Optical input about 12" closer to the computer and I am now able to use the Audioquest Optilink 4 with the DB 930 for the first time in the almost 9 years that I've had it.
I remember the day that I got the Audioquest Optilink 4 very clearly because when I used it to replace the Mon$ter 200 Lightspeed Toslink that I had been using it immediately brought out a level of micro and macro detailing that I was unaware existed before while at the same time made the Music sound richer and full of life.
There isn't nearly this much of an audible difference between the Dayton GOC and Audioquest Optilink 4 Glass Toslinks, but with the Reference AC Power Delivery Network that the DB 930 now has access to it has proven itself able to sound incredibly better than the highly modified Vacuum Tube Audio System outfitted with 1960's vintage Vacuum Tubes that had been using these Reference Grade assets.
Does this mean that the DB 930 is a better piece of equipment? No, the Conrad-Johnson Tube Power Amp and Counterpoint Hybrid Tube/FET Preamp have a much better build quality than the Sony DB 930 and what this has proved to me that Set-up is King and the equipment that has access to the superior quality AC Power can sound better than the super expensive gear as the humble $600 1999 Sony DB 930 has shown us time and again...
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
... The Sony DB 930 Legend Continues
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-06 06:51 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-05-25 02:05
The DB 930 EE has benefited greatly from the advantages of using the 30 Mhz bandwidth Audioquest Optilink 4 Fused Silica Glass Conductor Optical Toslink over the last week in terms of the improved clarity with which it is able to render the Music and by allowing the DB 930 EE to portray the Harmonic Structure of the Music in a way that is much more authentic than it is able to with the much lower bandwidth Glass Toslink.
This is how Jon Risch explains the importance of having at least 30 Mhz of Digital cable bandwidth...
"The digital audio signal is transmitted at about a 3 MHz fundamental rate, with harmonics up to at least ten times that frequency, in order to achieve a nice square wave shape."
I wasn't too sure how the DB 930 EE would perform using the Audioquest Optilink 4 since this is the first time that it has been paired with it in the nearly 9 years that I have owned the 30 Mhz bandwidth Fused Silica Glass Optical cable, but I am absolutely thrilled with the improvement over the Dayton GOC 65 strand Glass Toslink that the DB 930 EE had been using over the last 5 months even though it already sounded stellar using the Dayton GOC which unfortunately is no longer available.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
... The Sony DB 930 Legend Continues
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-06 06:52 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-06-05 04:00
The DB 930 EE continues to sound better and better as I gradually get my ears around all of the many sonic benefits that using the 30 Mhz bandwidth Fused Silica Glass Audioquest Optilink 4 Toslink have to offer for example a new found ultra clean crystal sharp clarity to the Music along with an extended harmonic structure that brings out the feeling that you are listening to the Music during the original recording session.
The benefits of using the high quality 30 Mhz bandwidth Fused Silica Glass Toslink are compounded by the great build quality that Sony gave the DB 930 including a full compliment of Nichicon Fine Gold capacitors making the 24/96 Digital Audio from the computer's sound card sound great.
~Maxx~
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-06-12 02:00
Finally after over 11 years of upgrades the DB 930 EE is scheduled for a power cord upgrade! I would have done this earlier, but I didn't want to skew the results of the many Power Delivery Network Upgrades that have been done between the Furutech Pure Copper Outlet and the DB 930 EE's OEM power cord which is currently terminated with a Furutech FI-28M Rhodium Plated AC Plug.
Hopefully I will be able to get the DB 930 EE's new Ohno Continuous Cast (OCC) Single Crystal Copper power cord installed this next week, but until then the new power cord appears in the photo below amongst several others and perhaps you can guess which one it is...
~Maxx~
Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet...
The Origin of Pure AC Transmission
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-06-22 03:59
As indicated by the blue arrows the DB 930 EE's has a new Furutech FP Alpha 3 OCC Single Crystal Copper Power Cord! This has proven to be the toughest break-in of any of the 10 power cords which I have built, but the sonic rewards so far have been more than worth the wait indicating the prospect of an extended break in period between the 12 AWG Single Crystal Copper conductors and their hard PE dielectric which has produced unprecedented improvements in the DB 930 EE's sound quality in just the last week!
~Maxx~
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-06-22 04:00
Although doing this intense set of AC Power Delivery Network Upgrades over the last 7 months has brought unprecedented sonic improvements for the DB 930 it has come at a very high cost over and above the cost of the Pure Copper Plugs, Outlet and Wiring in that my $25,000 Vacuum Tube Reference Audio System which I spent several $1,000's on each year on over the last 9 years now sits idle and unlisted to ever since the $600 Sony DB 930 began to sound much better than it did after it got its Furutech FI-28M (R) Rhodium Plated Plug.
The original plan was to experiment with using these highly capable Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plugs within the DB 930's much simpler AC Power Delivery path and then outfit the Vacuum Tube Reference Audio System with them, but the simplicity of the DB 930's integrated design proved to be the very reason that these upgrades worked so amazingly well and the very complicated Vacuum Tube Reference Audio System which requires 12 power cords (6 in the IS Bus Digital front end alone!) was unable to respond equally as well to the same AC Power Delivery upgrades.
This experience which has transpired over the last 9 years has left me regretting that I did not have a much deeper respect for the simply amazing sonic transformation that the AC Power Principals are capable of bringing to a simple Receiver like my $600 Sony DB 930 to improve its sound quality so much that it has become my new Reference Audio System in favor of my 40X more expensive Audio Gear that now sits idle.
~Maxx~
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-06 06:55 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-06-22 06:00
I've delayed upgrading the power cord on the DB 930 because I did not want to influence the many AC Power Delivery upgrades which started with the Furutech Pure Copper Outlet last November and from what I've heard over the last week since the DB 930's power supply was upgraded to a Furutech FP Alpha 3 OCC Single Crystal Copper power cord I am now sure that was the right decision.
This is the OEM power cord from the 1999 DB 930 with its easy clip connector for quicker assembly times at the Sony manufacturing plant, but as I found by comparison out it does no favors for the sound quality of the Receiver.
After the circuit board was removed the holes for the power supply cord were enlarged to accommodate the new 12 AWG Single Crystal Copper power cord and then soldered from the bottom of the board.
This is the top side of the board showing the 12 AWG OCC power cord that has replaced the very inefficient 18 AWG OEM power cord and its clip connection. Speaking of efficiency my Audio Tech said that over his 35 years building and repairing Audiophile equipment most of the power cords he measured had a resistance of .05 ohms, and he was totally shocked when he measured the Furutech FP Alpha 3 OCC power cord at less than 1/2 as much resistance at .02 ohms due to its Hot Mold Continuous Cast Single Crystal Copper conductors which give it much lower resistance than wires which have a much larger number of grain boundaries...
I've wanted to try one of these OCC Single Crystal Copper power cords for a long time and I'm glad I finally did because it brings an absolutely spectacular improvement to the DB 930 which is far and away the best quality sound I have ever heard from any Audio gear up to and including the $35,000 Wavestream Monoblocks driving a $12,000 pair of Dali speakers or the $60,000 Flagship B&W Nautilus speakers paired with the very latest design in amplification provided by the legendary John Curl.
The DB 930 has had the Furutech FP Alpha 3 OCC Single Crystal power cord for just over a week now and the of all the power cords I've broken in even the .9999 Fine Silver power cords with Teflon dielectric broke in faster. That said, the Alpha 3 showed remarkable improvement on the 3rd day and at the end of the first week I was hearing the DB 930 reproduce a kind of Music that the English language strains to adequately describe in that the Harmonic Structure of the Music is no longer just well fleshed out, but rather since the DB 930 has been using the Alpha 3 it now seems to have created an added dimension where the Attack Transients no longer move linearly but rather create a holographic presence in the soundstage.
The Furutech FP Alpha 3 Single Crystal power cord has the DB 930 reproducing Music in a much more authentic and absolutely realistic way than I have ever heard before. The best part is that as the Alpha 3 power cord breaks in I'm looking forward to hearing even more of the purity that this Single Crystal Copper power cord is capable of.
~Maxx~
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-06-30 02:45
This low quality OEM AC Power Clip compromises the ability of the power cord to deliver high quality AC Power to the Receiver which qualifies it as a very weak link strategically placedat the gateway of the equipment's power supply which has the ability to compromise the performance of the entire Receiver just as this one had for 12 years before I removed it from the power supply of my DB 930 Receiver.
Replacing one of these AC Power Clips on any Receiver by using a power cord straight-wired into the power supply as seen in the previous post would definitely be an improvement and would bring improvements in performance and sound quality commensurate with the efficiency level of the new power cord's Copper conductors...
~Maxx~
.... Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-07-04 03:00
I have been wanting to describe to you all in great detail how the Sound Quality of the DB 930 has been improving, but the new Furutech OCC Single Crystal Copper power cord with its solid PE dielectric is still breaking in with noticeable improvements each day so I have decided to delay giving you a full account of how one of these fine Furutech power cords improves Sound Quality until it has had more time to break in.
That said, the DB 930 Thread had its most recent 1,000+ view day during a 24 hour period from July 1st to 2nd with 1074 views...
~Maxx~
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2011-07-04 08:45 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-07-14 20:00
On 2002-08-29 13:21, Maxxwire wrote:
I have been using the Sony STR DB930 everyday for over three years without any sign of trouble. According to the Home Cinema Choice Benchtests the DB930 puts out 93.2 Watts per channel from 20-20K hz. @ .013 THD..
My DB 930 as shown in above has come a long ways since that first post of mine here at Agoraquest. I've had the DB 930 for almost 12 years now and although I spent a ton of money on a Reference Quality Vacuum Tube Audio System with the best of everything I could afford including 2 pairs of $1,100 electrical Resonance Tuned Analog interconnects and a $10,000 Digital front end completely wired in .99999 Fine Silver interconnects and power supply umbilicals.
The DB 930 with its current AC wiring configuration and 30Mhz bandwidth Fused Silica Glass Toslink Optical connection with my Win 7 x64 computer's sound card now sounds far better than the Vacuum Tube Rig ever did not because it has a better build quality because it doesn't, but rather because the DB 930 is set up so that 1 excellent quality supply of AC Power is able to simultaneously power the DB 930's Digital section, Preamp and Amplification whereas the 9 piece Vacuum Tube separates require 12 power cords which means that although it has a much better build quality it can't deliver the same sound quality that the $600 Sony DB 930 can because of its much more simple setup in yet another example of the potent influence of the AC Power Principals.
~Maxx~
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-05-30 11:45 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-07-23 23:00
On 2006-12-19 16:42, Maxxwire wrote:
This is a documentation of how the AC Power Principals of DOUG BLACKBURN and JON RISCH have proven themselves true and highly effective as applied in my Audio system.
The purpose of this post is to once again properly acknowledge all of the decades of exceptional work done by John Blackburn, Jon Risch and Mike VansEvers whose theories first inspired me to start applying the AC Power Principals to my Audio equipment which a total of 11 years later has turned out to be successful beyond my wildest aspiration in to turning my $600 1999 Sony DB 930 Receiver into such an amazing performer that it now sounds worlds better than my $25,000 Vacuum Tube Separates and their i2s Bus Digital front end not to mention every other of the 100's of pieces of Audiophile gear I've auditioned.
~Maxx~
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-05-30 11:45 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-07-23 03:00
I have been wanting to use the typical set of Audiophile sonic descriptors to describe the amazing new sound quality of the DB 930 since upgrading its access to AC Power with the Furutech FP Alpha 3 OCC Single Crystal Copper power cord and its Furutech FI-28(M) Rhodium Plated Pure Copper bladed AC Plug.
Although there has been enough break in to do be able to evaluate the current state of the DB 930's sound quality the Audiophile nomenclature which I have relied upon in 100's of posts here at Agoraquest since 2002 to describe the many different kinds of upgrades which I have done on my Audio equipment which has always proved sufficient and totally accurate in describing any of the upgrades I've done in the past has now itself been rendered colored and woefully insufficient to describe the manner in which the DB 930 is now playing back Music after this most recent AC Power Delivery Upgrade.
In order to more fully understand how important and influential the quality of a piece of Audio equipment's power cord and AC Plug are let's review 3 of Shunyata Research founder Caelin Gabriel's Power Points...
Point 1. Components sit between hot and neutral electrical legs that oscillate back and forth at a 50 to 60 Hz line frequency; consequently, electricity is delivered to audio components in a series of pulses rather than in a constant stream.
Point 2. Power cords aren't the last but the first six feet that a component sees.
Point 5. Power cords are effectively part of the primary transformer winding.
As described the power cord is literally a part of the power supply and sits between the hot and neutral legs of the AC power and therefore has the greatest influence of any component in the AC Power Delivery Network. According to my Audio Tech the DB 930's new Single Crystal Copper power cord has <1/2 the nominal resistance of most power cords he has measured and what this has meant for the DB 930 is such a phenomenal increase in the quickness and fluidity in AC Power Delivery that it now renders the Music in such an absolutely fluid and palpable manner that the classic Audiophile descriptors no longer have the ability to accurately portray the way in which the DB 930 is now capable of rendering the Music as they did just 6 months ago before this most recent series of AC Power Delivery upgrades.
I have been trying to come up with an analogy involving the enhancement of the source of power which might be able to demonstrate the kind of sudden and shockingly overwhelming improvement in the performance that the DB 930 has undergone and when I read that adding an NOS (Nitrous Oxide System) Kit to the appropriate car it will immediately add about 200 bhp to what the car already had which is quite congruent to the radical improvements in sound quality that the DB 930 has undergone by altering the nature of its source of power through Network Power Delivery Upgrades...
NOS...No Obfuscated Sound
Applying this series of upgrades and hearing the results in the DB 930 over the last 6 months along with the employing the Furutech GTX Pure Copper Outlet has left me with the impression that not only the 1999 Sony DB 930 which is a non-ES Receiver but any of many Sony ES Receivers which also have a great build quality will also be able to benefit greatly from these kinds of AC Power Delivery Upgrades.
I started off by doing what turned out to be a a pleasantly audible upgrade of the OEM power cord on the $600 DB 930 with an $6 Leviton Hospital Grade AC Plug almost 5 years ago an now my $25,000 Vacuum Tube Separates Audio System with its completely .99999 solid silver wired i2s Bus Digital front end which has 800% less measured jitter than iLink now gets completely blown out of the sonic waters by this simple DB 930 Receiver because the much higher quality Separates' AC Power Delivery Network is far too complicated to derive the stellar benefits that the DB 930 with its single power cord has access to.
Its been just as simple as I have outlined with no expensive and complicated internal parts Mods to get my 12 year old non-ES Sony Receiver to sound far better than any of the very expensive pieces of Audiophile Grade gear that I've auditioned and I don't know why the same shouldn't be true be for other well built Sony Receivers also as these AC Power Delivery Upgrades are applied...
From small beginnings great improvements come...
~Maxx~
........All AC Power Delivery Mods Inspired By....
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-07-27 02:49
For the nearly 12 years that I have owned my 1999 Sony DB 930 I have known that even though it was a great Receiver in order to eventually fully and completely realize all of its many outstanding sonic benefits I needed to have a very accurate idea of how it compared to other Audio gear in the range of performance that I was seeking for it. I've always thought that a Class A Reference quality listening comparison is worth a dozen comparisons with lesser quality Audio gear and so I chose to do a comprehensive A/B listening comparison of the DB 930 along side the Stereophile Magazine Class A Recommended Creek 5350SE integrated which comes very highly respected in the Audiophile community using my $10,000 i2s Bus Digital front end and a pair of Transparent Audio Ultra Analog interconnects.
On 2004-12-04 13:38, Maxxwire wrote:
I have owned the DB 930 for the last 5 years and it is one great Receiver! I did an A/B listening test between it and a Stereophile Magazine Class A recommended 90 wpc Creek 5350SE integrated amp and the DB 930 was its performance equal with the exception of the retrieval of ultra fine detail in which the Creek had the upper hand.
_Maxx
I have always tried to be very honest when it comes to the performance of the factory stock DB 930. I could left out the statement "with the exception of the retrieval of ultra fine detail" and made the DB 930 equal in sound quality to the Class A Recommended Creek 5350, but that would have been less than honest and would not have motivated me to do the modifications that I have in the 7 years since that statement.
From the beginning of this thread I have steadfastly refused to 'Gild the Lily' and as the definition of that term states "to give an often deceptively attractive or improved appearance to" the sound quality and performance of my factory stock DB 930 Receiver.
Were I to have taken the 'Gild the Lily' approach to evaluating the DB 930's performance over the almost 12 years that I have owned it making claims as though it was the best Receiver Sony has ever made I never would have sought the Modifications that eventually would take the DB 930's sound quality and performance far above any Audiophile gear I have ever auditioned including the Stereophile Class A Recommended Creek 5350SE which finally after 7 years no longer sounds better than the $600 DB 930 because it revealed the DB 930's sonic shortcomings and precisely where it needed improvement.
My method for improving the performance of my 1999 Sony DB 930 Receiver has always been to seek out a truthful and rigorously honest listening comparison with Class A rated Audiophile gear in order to find out where the DB 930 was lacking so that it could be improved in such a way as to take its sound quality up into Class A and not to 'Gild the Lily" by making listening comparisons with a large group of Receivers which are hapless to significantly challenge the performance of the DB 930...
~Maxx~
.....The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-05-30 11:47 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-07-28 05:35
From the very beginning I never saw fit to have my DB 930 internally Modded as I had done to my Vacuum Tube Power Amp which had been extensively Modded even having its point-point wiring redone with Pure Copper wire and the Tube/FET Preamp and DAC which had their RCA i/o's upgraded to the same ModWright Pure Copper RCA Sockets that are used in ModWright Industries Audio gear.
About five years ago the DB 930 was one of the first pieces in my Audio System to have its OEM power cord upgraded to a Furutech F-11 AC Plug with Pure Copper Gold Plated Blades and while it did sound incrementally better than it had with its Leviton 8215-C Hospital Grade Plug I knew that the DB 930 could sound much better with the right AC Plug on its power cord.
It wasn't until 2010 just after I had gotten my new HPE Elite computer that the DB 930 began its challenge of a lifetime an assignment that would demand the development of its full sonic potential. Inititially the DB 930 was using the Analog signal from the computer and a pair of Modman Andy Barthas cryogenically treated $500 Analog interconnects, but its sound quality with this setup was not at all impressive.
Surprisingly enough from that point it took 2 upgrades to get the DB 930 sounding better than my $25,000 i2s Bus Vacuum Tube Reference System. First got a ~10 Mhz Dayton GOC Glass Toslink to interface the computer and the DB 930's Digital processing and a Furutech FI-28 AC Plug with Rhodium Plated Pure Copper Blades.
Over the last 9 years I had become accustomed to the High Resolution sound of the 5 wire 5 picosecond jitter i2s Bus Digital interface in my Reference Audio System and when I heard the DB 930 playing back Digital Audio over Glass Toslink from the computer I was very pleased to know that it sounded even better than the i2s Bus processing in what was up until now known as the 'Reference System'.
This sonic victory for Glass Toslink went hand in hand with finding the best sounding AC Plug yet for the DB 930. Even with its stock power cord still in place upgrading it to the Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug took the sound quality of the otherwise completely stock DB 930 up into a range that for the very first time sounded much better than my $25,000 now former Reference Audio System even though it was still using inferior Line Conditioning.
This achievement required a completely factory stock $600 Sony DB 930 upgraded with a $100 Furutech FI-28 AC Plug using a $55 Glass Toslink to interface with my Win 7 x64 computer. This has been such great news for me because I can now share this great sonic success that cost only $155 over the original price of a DB 930 instead of my traditional Audio System that cost a total of $25,000 which now sounds significantly worse than the slightly upgraded DB 930.
Since these upgrades were implemented I have taken the sound of the DB 930 to much higher levels by upgrading its AC Power Delivery System and finally upgrading its power cord, but I wanted to give you a detailed description of the how the DB 930 was very simply and comparatively inexpensively upgraded to sound so much better than a traditional Audiophile Grade System with a $10,000 ultra low jitter i2s Bus Digital front end.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
.....The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-05-30 11:49 ]
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mykyll2727
Sony Pro
Joined: Apr 30, 2004
Posts: 4171
From: Las Vegas
| Posted: 2011-07-28 06:44
Maxx_It's indeed impressive that your computer/930 system can outperform your very expensive digital front end. Your present setup's price to performance ratio is way out there. It's what I'm looking to do with my own system. With the exception that I'm looking to have farmore up to date processing than I presently have._mykl
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-07-30 23:00
Yes, just as it is currently using the S/PDIF Digital Audio over Glass Toslink directly from the computer the Digital Processing in the integrated DB 930 is able to sound much better than the 6 piece $10,000 i2s Bus Digital front end in my traditional Vacuum Tube Audio System ever was able to. Although the rigorous application of the AC Power Principals in the simplest and most effective manner has been chiefly responsible for the previously unimaginable Sonic Feat of a $600 Sony Receiver being able to sound so much better than a $25,000 Vacuum Tube Separates Audio System with a 5 picosecond jitter i2s Bus Digital front end the DB 930 also has the advantage of using Digital Audio from the computer instead of a much higher jitter Conventional Digital Transport.
I originally decided on getting the i2s Bus Digital Processing a decade ago because I was using a Sony CX300 for a Transport which had 1,000 picoseconds (1 ns) of jitter and it had such a negative impact on sound quality that it made the Music sound muddy and the 5 picosecond jitter i2s Bus Digital processing cleared it right up!
Currently the DB 930 sounds so much better than the i2s Bus Digital Processing ever had that at first I was very reluctant to add any USB-S/PDIF Digital Processing to the already great sounding Digital Audio that it receives from the computer, but the other day I saw a Stereophile Magazine Review of an i2s Bus based USB-S/PDIF Digital Processor which is somewhat similar to the $10,000 one I use in the Vacuum Tube System only this one only costs $169!
The Musical Fidelity V-link is made by the same company that makes the great sounding X-Cans Dual Triode Vacuum Tube Headphone Amp that I have used every day for almost 10 years and hopefully the V-link will have the same kind of fine build quality and excellent price/performance.
This is how John Atkison explains the operation of the Musical Fidelity V-Link USB-S/PDIF converter in his April 25 Stereophile Magazine Review...
The USB datastream is fed to a Texas Instruments TAS1020B receiver chip, which converts the audio data to two-channel i2S format. The TAS1020B includes an embedded microprocessor; the firmware that allows it to operate in asynchronous mode is stored in a socketed eight-pin chip. The i2S output from the TAS1020B is fed to a Burr-Brown DIT4096 chip, which converts the data to S/PDIF and can operate at sample rates up to 96kHz. A single crystal on the board is used as a high-precision, single-frequency oscillator to drive the TAS1020B processor clock and its internal frequency synthesizer; the latter generates both the 44.1 and 48kHz word-clock frequencies and their multiples.
It found it odd to be implementing i2s based USB-S/PDIF processing when the DB 930 already sounds so incredibly good without it, but as John Atkinson remarked "$169 is still one heck of a low price for something that offers the potential for true high-end sound quality from a computer."
Most of all I am interested to know if the DB 930 will sound any better when using the Vlink than it does now in that I currently can not hear any of the traditional evidences of jitter and this will provide me with an inexpensive way to learn more about the quality of the computer sound card's S/PDIF Datastream that the DB 930 is currently using.
~Maxx~
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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mykyll2727
Sony Pro
Joined: Apr 30, 2004
Posts: 4171
From: Las Vegas
| Posted: 2011-07-31 08:04
Maxx_I'm quite familiar with Music Fidelity amps and their (at the least former philosophy as there are no more SuperChargers) philosophy with regard to amp power but I was unfamiliar with the V series until you pointed it out. I'm very interested in knowing what your results are._mykl
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-08-01 07:00
I am really looking forward to the arrival of the Musical Fidelity V-Link because not only does this Asynchronous 24/96 USB to S/PDIF converter provide an ultra low jitter Bitstream for the Digital processing in my DB 930, but its $169 pricetag is a small fraction of what my i2s Bus Digital front end cost where the processors alone cost $1,500 and $1,800 each.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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mykyll2727
Sony Pro
Joined: Apr 30, 2004
Posts: 4171
From: Las Vegas
| Posted: 2011-08-01 08:47
Maxx_The price is outstanding and Musical Fidelity has a sterling reputation. I'm thinking it may very well be an outstanding product._mykl
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woogoob
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Jan 01, 2009
Posts: 25
From:
| Posted: 2011-08-01 23:04
Of all the years I've owned my DB930, I have never hooked up a subwoofer to it until now. I have an Oppo BD83SE hooked up via multi-channel analog and also via digital coaxial. The problem I'm having is that I don't have any subwoofer output when in 5.1 Mode, but I do have subwoofer output via the digital coax cable. I have my fronts and centers set to large, and my rears set to small and the subwoofer is turned on in the Sony and the Oppo.
Am I supposed to hear anything from the sub in 5.1 mode?
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-08-01 23:12
woogoob- I always used to run my DB 930 through the Analog Direct Multichannel inputs and since the DB 930 will only send out the same signals it receives so if the Oppo is indeed sending a signal over the Analog interconnect with the Subwoofer assignment to the DB 930 you should be able to hear the Subwoofer in 5.1.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
.....The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-05-30 11:51 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-08-02 05:50
I was going over the recent Stats for the DB 930 Thread to see how much interest the Thread has still been able to maintain after what will be a total of 9 years by the end of this month of continual contributions concerning this very well built 1999 Sony Receiver and I thought that I would share them with you. There were a total of 7,240 views which is an average of 233 views per day for the month of July.
I owe Claudio and this DB 930 Thread a huge debt of gratitude because it drew me in to register and make my very first post at Agoraquest.
~Maxx~
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-05-30 11:35 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-08-07 18:00
On 2011-08-07 11:22, Dave400 wrote:
http://www.partmaster.co.uk/cgi-bin/product.pl?PID=1398796&query=1-225-445-12
ps, is the above part number the complete assembled volume pcb assembly or just the rotary control with led and motor?
Dave
Dave400- Welcome to Agoraquest! I went to the link that you posted and as you say its very hard to tell exactly which part they are selling although for that much money it very well could be the entire volume PCB assembly. Here is a picture of the audiophile grade ALPS volume attenuator that includes its model number clearly shown...
You will probably need to contact the parts company to find out just exactly which part they are selling. My first thought was that for 63 Pounds it just might be the entire pcb assembly which would be great because the DB 930 is the only Sony Receiver that I have seen with this excellent sounding ALPS volume attenuator which sets it apart even from the Sony ES Receivers.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-08-07 00:30
In an effort to help the Modified DB 930 to be able to sound its very best I have decided to upgrade the its Digital Optical source from that of the Realtek sound card in the HP Elite desktop to the the Asynchronous 24/96 Digital Optical bitstream from the Musical Fidelity V-Link which is now in transit and will arrive this next week.
I have used an ultra low jitter i2s Bus Digital front end since 2001 and I used the DB 930 to choose both its Analog and Digital wiring so the DB 930 is no stranger to low jitter Digital signals. At the present the DB 930 sounds absolutely great with its current Digital source nevertheless I decided to give the V-Link Asynchronous USB-S/PDIF Converter a try to see if it might bring some sonic improvement even though the recently Modified DB 930 currently sounds much better than the Vacuum Tube separates which use the i2s Bus Digital front end.
John Atkinson of Stereophile Magazine said this of the V-Link "Inside, a multilayer printed circuit board runs the full length and width of the enclosure. A three-pin voltage-regulator chip supplies 3.3V to the circuitry. The USB datastream is fed to a Texas Instruments TAS1020B receiver chip, which converts the audio data to two-channel i2s format. The TAS1020B includes an embedded microprocessor; the firmware that allows it to operate in asynchronous mode is stored in a socketed eight-pin chip. The i2s output from the TAS1020B is fed to a Burr-Brown DIT4096 chip, which converts the data to S/PDIF and can operate at sample rates up to 96kHz. A single crystal on the board is used as a high-precision, single-frequency oscillator to drive the TAS1020B processor clock and its internal frequency synthesizer; the latter generates both the 44.1 and 48kHz word-clock frequencies and their multiples."
This will be the first time that I will be using a USB cable with A and B terminations in my Audio System and there are 2 schools of thought when it comes to how much of an effect USB cables make. Some say that because the USB cables carry a Digital bitstream which has no jitter all USB cables will perform equally while others say that they can hear sonic improvements when using USB cables that have an enhanced build quality.
Since this is the first new Digital interface that I have begun using in a decade I decided to do what I did when I first adopted i2s and start out using an inexpensive Copper conductor USB cable to interface the Win 7 x64 HP Elite desktop and the V-Link. After considering several different USB cables I decided to start testing the interface with a 1.5 meter length of Audioquest's rock bottom of the line entry level Forest USB cable...
Actually I was quite surprised at how much you can get from Audioquest for $35 these days in the way of a USB cable. So I will be using the AQ Forest USB cable for the initial stage of testing the new V-Link. Fortunately the DB 930 is sounding at least 10 times better now than it did when it was bone stock back in 2001 testing i2s cables although it was the DB 930 that I used to pick out the Transparent Audio electrically resonance tuned Analog interconnects that my Theta DAC, Counterpoint Tube/FET Preamp and Conrad-Johnson Vacuum Tube Power Amp are still using.
~Maxx~
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Dave400
Sony Fan
Joined: Aug 07, 2011
Posts: 1
From: UK
| Posted: 2011-08-07 11:22
Afternoon,
Found this thread after searching for info on replacing the led in the volume control on my db930 purchased 5 years ago (2nd hand at the time) served me very well and having found a copy of Roger Nordins instructions http://web.archive.org/web/20060211075746/http://atb.dyndns.org/sony930/index.htm followed to the letter and although I have a nice new led successfully installed, I did manage to cock up the stage where the volume spindle is separated in order to release the led holder.
Currently all is reassembled, volume can be adjusted via remote okish, adjusting by hand is a delicate procedure as if I don't put enough pressure on the control it just spins round on it's own accord. Is this element available as a standalone component or should I attempt some sort of repair with jb-weld or something similar?
http://www.partmaster.co.uk/cgi-bin/product.pl?PID=1398796&query=1-225-445-12
ps, is the above part number the complete assembled volume pcb assembly or just the rotary control with led and motor?
Any help appreciated
Dave
[ This message was edited by: Dave400 on 2011-08-07 11:24 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-08-12 05:00
I have some very good news concerning the V-Link Asynchronous USB-S/PDIF converter in that I will be receiving a Reference Grade USB Cable within the next few days and I will be able to begin testing to see if it offers any more resolution than the OEM USB cable that I am using now which already sounds great. Many people contend that all USB cables sound alike when used with an Asynchrounous converter and I will soon be doing testing to find out whether that is true or not within my computer based Audio System.
~Maxx~
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-08-12 23:15
-mykl- I haven't so looked forward to auditioning a new Digital interface with a Reference quality interconnect since I first heard the Revelations Audio Labs Prophesy Cryo Silver Reference i2s Bus cable that I got from Dan Wright back in 2004!
The Reference USB cable that I am getting is 1.25 meters long and I made sure that it did not exceed the 3 meter maximum recommended length for USB cables in a USB-based Music System.
This is from Ayre Audio... "Perhaps the one weakness of USB is that the maximum cable length is somewhat limited, typically 3 meters (~10') to 5 meters (~16'). We have found that one of the most common problems encountered when setting up a USB-based music system is the cable itself. Regardless of any claims from the cable manufacturer, we have found that performance can degrade when exceeding 3 meters. Ayre cannot guarantee the operation or performance of any system utilizing a USB cable longer than 3 meters."
~Maxx~
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2011-08-13 03:35 ]
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mykyll2727
Sony Pro
Joined: Apr 30, 2004
Posts: 4171
From: Las Vegas
| Posted: 2011-08-12 18:34
I'm eagerly looking forward to your results._mykl
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mykyll2727
Sony Pro
Joined: Apr 30, 2004
Posts: 4171
From: Las Vegas
| Posted: 2011-08-12 23:22
Well I've got my fingers crossed that a budget cable will work just as well as a boutique one. Along with the expenditure of time and money in finding the right cable there's also for me the fact that I won't have to be so concerned about the proximity of the computer to my system. It'll make things so much easier. One of my main objectives for "going computer"._mykl
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-08-16 17:01
I have throughly auditioned both the OEM USB cables as well as the Revelation Audio Labs 'Prophecy' CryoSilver Reference Dual Conduit USB 2.0 Digital Link Cable seen in the photo above along with the Musical Fidelity V-Link Asynchronous 24/96 USB-S/PDIF Converter and I have come to some rather unexpected conclusions about their respective capabilities and sound qualities.
When I first listened to the Revelation Audio Labs 'Prophecy' CryoSilver Reference Dual Conduit USB Cable right out of the box I noticed that the core elements of the Musical presentation were identical to those of the OEM USB cable that I had been listening to every day and sounded so much better than using the computer's sound card.
Since I have spent more time listening to the Revelation Audio Labs 'Prophecy' CryoSilver Reference Dual Conduit USB Cable I have noticed that since it has now begun its 250 hour break in it is starting to open up and reveal the true advantages of its build quality and unique design. Now as I listen to the V-Link I sense that I am actually and very really within a virtual representation of the original recording venue and from the subtle sonic information I can quite literally sense the exact dimensions of the original recording venue because the unique design and excellent quality materials of the Revelation Audio Labs 'Prophecy' CryoSilver Reference Dual Conduit USB Cable with its discreet Signal and USB Power cables is allowing these delicate and easily disturbed ambiance cues to pass unhindered as the bitstream travels from the computer. In all these years I have never before heard heard a Digital front end that was able to successfully pass such fragile sonic information such is the amazing capability of the $169 Musical Fidelity V-Link Asynchronous 24/96 USB-S/PDIF Converter
I also auditioned the Audioquest Forest USB cable with the V-Link and now I understand why the general consensus is that all USB cables sound the same because the $35 cable didn't sound any different than the ultra low quality OEM USB cable did.
I was very fortunate to have upgraded the DB 930's AC Power Delivery System prior to getting the V-Link because had I not done so most of the subtle improvements that the Revelation Audio Labs 'Prophecy' CryoSilver Reference Dual Conduit USB Cable has revealed were sure to have gone unnoticed.
This is why my general recommendation that those who are seeking a substantial upgrade in sound quality from using their computer's sound card as a source of Digital audio to use a standard USB cable with the V-Link. When I did this I immediately noticed improvements in sound quality that I was unable to achieve with the $7,700 i2s Bus Digital front end in my Vacuum Tube Audio System even while using a very low quality OEM USB cable to connect the computer to the V-Link.
For those who are seeking elusive and esoteric 3 Dimentional Music playback which creates a virtual representation of the original recording session along with a breathtakingly transparent rendering of the Music in your carefully treated listening room with a High Resolution Audio System that is capable of resolving this ultra detailed high resolution Digital Audio and has access to an upgraded AC Power Delivery System to make this all possible then the Revelation Audio Labs 'Prophecy' CryoSilver Reference Dual Conduit USB Cable and the Musical Fidelity V-Link along with a high Bandwidth Fused Silica Glass Toslink will take you there...
~Maxx~
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-08-29 17:39
On 2002-08-29 13:21, Maxxwire wrote:
I have been using the Sony STR DB930 everyday for over three years without any sign of trouble. According to the Home Cinema Choice Benchtests the DB930 puts out 93.2 Watts per channel from 20-20K hz. @ .013 THD.
If you're interested in bells and whistles by all means get the latest iteration of the DB or ES series, but if you're interested in large portions of clean crystal clear power then go "Retro '99" and pick up a Sony DB 930!
This is an excerpt from the very first post I made here at Agoraquest on the first page of this thread 9 years ago today. At the time my DB 930 was using the $10,000 5 picosecond jitter i2s Bus Digital front end and it sounded much better than when I got it, but I thought I could do better and I decided to go with Vacuum Tube separates instead. So I sold my Rega P3 Turntable and bought a Conrad-Johnson Tube Preamp and an AMC Hybrid Tube Amp which over the next 3 years led to a much great sounding combination in a Counterpoint SA-1000 Tube/FET Preamp and Conrad-Johnson MV-52 Tube Power Amp both which were modified and outfitted with top quality Old Stock Vacuum Tubes.
As I kept pouring more and more money into the Vacuum Tube 'Reference' System the Sony DB 930 was doing light duty in the AV System until late last year when I started experimenting with Furutech's new GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet and then FI-28 AC Plug with Pure Copper Rhodium Plated Blades which turned out to be the beginning of the DB 930's long awaited sonic comeback from semi-retirement.
After having owned the DB 930 for over a decade at long last I finally discovered that although it was a very good sounding Receiver from the very start that with no other Modifications than a Furutech FP Alpha 3 OCC Copper Single Crystal power cord and the Furutech FI-28 AC Plug using Reference quality AC Power from the VansEvers Model 12 line conditioner and its FIM Power Cord trhe DB 930 was able to effortlessly achieve an order of magnitude improvement in sound quality and far surpass the highest level of sound quality that that the $25,000 Vacuum Tube Separates Audio System had ever been able to achieve in the 9 years that I poured money hand over fist into it.
The improvements in the quality of the DB 930's supply of AC Power pictured above not only provided, but far exceeded the level of improvement in sound quality that I had been seeking when I began my $25,000 diversion into 'audiophile' grade equipment 9 years ago.
Earlier this month I provided the DB 930 with a Musical Fidelity V-Link Asynchronous USB-S/PDIF Converter so that it is now able to Digitally instruct the computer to give it data using Musical Fidelity’s unique proprietary asynchronous digital control system feedback technology software.
By taking advantage of the latest technological advances in both Metallurgy and Asynchronous Digital Audio the DB 930 has been able to finally be able to manifest the very highest levels of its true sonic character and become the truly excellent sonic performer that Sony originally built it to be back in 1999.
~Maxx~
.....The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-05-30 11:35 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-08-28 00:27
Lately I have learned a much deeper appreciation for the AC Power Principals and how they have been applied to the DB 930 through the excellent performance of its new Digital front end the V-Link.
This week was the end of the Revelation Audio Labs 'Prophecy' CryoSilver Reference Dual Conduit USB 2.0 Digital Link Cable's 250 hour break-in period over which showed a more dramatic sonic improvement than any Digital cable I've ever broken in before including the Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver™ Reference i2s Digital Link cable that I got 7 years ago from Dan Wright for my i2s Bus Digital front end.
The latest improvements to the DB 930's new Asynchronous Digital front end has come from Resonance Tuning by way of a pair of Audioquest Sorbothane feet which have multiplied the amount of detail in the DB 930's presentation of the Music as well as tightening up the integrity of the entire harmonic structure.
I have never enjoyed listening to Music more than with the great build quality of the DB 930 combined with the Asynchronous bitstream of the USB cable and Resonance Tuning enhanced Musical Fidelity V-Link and the fact that it cost a small fraction of what my traditional Audio System makes it all the better.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-05-30 11:39 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-10-07 04:20
The VansEvers Model 12 Reference individuated Line Conditioner with its Hi-frequency contouring capability and large value 35µF Spearinol oil capacitor has made a tremendous contribution to the improvement of the DB 930 that I heard as an order of magnitude improvement in sound quality immediately after the DB 930 was plugged into it for the very first time.
~Maxx~
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-10-07 04:21
One of the benefits of having owned a piece of Audio gear for a long time is that you know exactly how much use it has seen and you can estimate about how many years of the great performance that is currently exhibiting it may have left.
I put my DB 930 on hiatus back in 2002 in favor of building a Vacuum Tube Audio System which lasted for the 9 years that it took me to learn what upgrades the DB 930 needed to surpass its sound quality in a very dramatic way. Except for the year that it did light duty running Stereo Sound for TV viewing at which point I got my Musical Fidelity Vacuum Tube Headphone Amp which forced the DB 930 into full retirement with no Audio duties whatsoever.
After the DB 930 received its one and only upgrade which was its Furutech FP Alpha OCC Single Crystal Copper power cord I calculated that since up until that point it only had accumulated between 4 and 5 years of use from its fine set of Nichicon Gold Tune and Fine Gold electrolytic capacitors which still could have as much as 15 of their estimated 20 years of good quality use left.
This was the reasoning that I used in making the decision to leave the DB 930 on 24/7 because I've noticed that its new OCC Single Crystal Copper power cord with its Hard Polyethylene dielectric was breaking in much slower than any of the other power cords I had broken in including the ones with .99999 fine silver conductors in Teflon dielectric.
I was hoping that over time this constant AC Power draw will enable the Furutech Alpha 3 Single Crystal Copper power cord to break-in somewhat quicker and during the first 2 months of leaving the DB 930 continually powered on it did continue to show remarkable improvement in sound quality in a very noticeable way with only this one power cord upgrade to credit for the sonic improvements.
Now that specified the 250 hour break-in period of the .99999 Fine Silver conductors of the V-Link's new Revelation Audio Labs 'Prophecy' CryoSilver Reference Dual Conduit USB 2.0 Digital Link Cable came to an end a few weeks ago I am going to continue listening for additional sonic improvements which can be attributed to the DB 930's new power cord with its Single Crystal Copper conductors and Polyethylene dielectric progresses through their extended break-in period.
~Maxx~
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-10-07 04:22
At the end of the Revelation Audio Labs 'Prophecy' CryoSilver Reference Dual Conduit USB 2.0 Digital Link Cable's recommended 250 hour break in period I had this to report:
On 2011-08-21 15:15, Maxxwire wrote:
Since the V-Link has been using the Revelation Audio Labs 'Prophecy' CryoSilver Reference Dual Conduit USB 2.0 Digital Link Cable this Music it has opened up like never before in a way which fleshes out the the Harmonic Structure and envelops the listener in the Music while decay ambients reconstruct the original recording venue in my Auralex Pyramid Studiofoam treated listening room.
Since then I have been running a Digital Music signal through the RAL Dual Conduit USB cable's fine Silver Data cable and fine Silver Power cable for about 16 hours each day and as I noted in last week's post the sonic improvements have taken on the characteristics of a free standing Binaural Hologram over this extended break-in period.
Up until recently I had done my listening evaluations with the DB 930 and its upgraded AC Power Delivery using my very best reference quality CD's and so I decided to bring out some of the Music that I do not listen to as often to see how the V-Link and it's .99999 Silver RAL 'Prophesy' Dual Conduit USB cable would do and I was very pleased to hear this 'second string' Music being presented in a way that sounded not only much better than I had ever heard it before but now with the enveloping harmonic structure and palpable embrace of the Music.
I wanted to point out that one of the main reasons that this RAL .99999 Silver Dual Conduit USB cable shows so much improvement when used to supply the DB 930 with 24/96 Digital Music is because in addition to having discreet conductors which eliminates cross contamination both the Data and Power cable have a .99999 fine Silver conductor. There are basically 3 types of conductors that are used for Digital Music and Power transmission and many times as in i2s Bus I started with the OEM Copper wire and then upgraded to Silver Clad Copper which was a noticeable improvement and then finally upgraded to a .99999 Solid Fine Silver conductor cable which was by far the superior sounding Digital cable.
I also had the same experience with Power Umbilicals in that the .99999 Solid Fine Silver cable always allowed the Digital processor to sound its best and likewise the Revelation Audio Labs 'Prophecy' CryoSilver Reference Dual Conduit USB 2.0 Digital Link Cable brings these improvements in both Digital Music transmission and USB Power delivery to the V-Link which brings out a very high level of sound quality in the DB 930 the Musical components of which I once thought were strictly within the sonic domain of vintage Vacuum Tubes, but as it turns out the DB 930 is now able to create in an even more authentic and extremely realistic way.
Brad who is the founder of Revelation Audio Labs has published my review of the Revelation Audio Labs 'Prophecy' CryoSilver Reference Dual Conduit USB 2.0 Digital Link Cable which was culled from an email I sent to him not long after I started using it with the V-Link and Sony DB 930 and its located at the top of the Revelation Audio Labs Reviews/Testimonials Page.
~Maxx~
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-10-07 04:23
During the month of September 2011 the 'DB 930 Thread' had its busiest month ever with 8369 views which averages out to 279 views per day during the first month of its 10th year bringing it ever closer to the 100,000 view point.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-10-07 05:06
Last May when I was doing preliminary research on the feasibility of using the Furutech FP Alpha 3 Single Crystal Copper power cord as an upgrade for the DB 930's OEM power cord I came across an article in Canada HI-Fi entitled the 'Furutech DIY Power Cable Project' in which they made a DIY Furutech power cable with the same Furutech FP Alpha 3 bulk power cable and FI-28 Rhoduim Plated Pure Copper AC Plugs that I built the DB 930's new power cord from.
I paid special attention to this article because the author not only built the same Furutech Single Crystal Copper power cord, but he also included listening impressions of how his $4,000 Classé Audio CA-2100 amplifiersounded after the Furutech Alpha 3 power cord upgrade...
"Once the cable was burnt in, the improvements were even more evident. I later used the Furutech power cable with my Classé Audio CA-2100 amplifier and found that the improvements in the noise level and low frequencies were almost identical, if not more noticeable with this higher-end amplifier. As with any audio upgrade, your experience will be influenced by the audio components that are in your particular music system."
When I first read this review I had not yet Modded the DB 930 so I had nothing to compare these results to, but when I revisited the Canada Hi-Fi article just recently I noticed that the author's $4,000 Classé Audio CA-2100 amplifierhad a much different set of benefits from this power cord upgrade than the DB 930 did from the same Furutech Alpha 3 power cord upgrade.
As the author of the article noted "As with any audio upgrade, your experience will be influenced by the audio components that are in your particular music system."
My very early reaction to the DB 930's Furutech Alpha 3 power cord from a June 22, 2011 post was as follows...
"The DB 930 has had the Furutech FP Alpha 3 OCC Single Crystal power cord for just over a week now and the of all the power cords I've broken in even the .9999 Fine Silver power cords with Teflon dielectric broke in faster. That said, the Alpha 3 showed remarkable improvement on the 3rd day and at the end of the first week I was hearing the DB 930 reproduce a kind of Music that the English language strains to adequately describe in that the Harmonic Structure of the Music is no longer just well fleshed out, but rather since the DB 930 has been using the Alpha 3 it now seems to have created an added dimension where the Attack Transients no longer move linearly but rather create a holographic presence in the soundstage."
By August that 'holographic presence in the soundstage' that was present just a week after the DB 930's Furutech Alpha 3 power cord upgrade had matured into a sonic map of the original recording venue which is the DB 930's version of the low noise level associated with this power cord upgrade.
How could it possibly be that the $600 1999 model Sony DB 930 could derive such a shockingly greater and more complex set of sonic improvements than the $4,000 Classé Audio CA-2100 amplifier from the same Furutech Alpha 3 power cord upgrade?
My opinion on this matter goes back to last April when long before the Furutech Alpha 3 power cord upgrade the DB 930 did have the same Furutech FI-28 AC Plug that it uses now terminating its OEM power cord and that was precisely when the DB 930 first began to sound better than the $25,000 Vacuum Tube Reference Audio System for the first time in 9 years even though it was using inferior Line Conditioning at the time.
So how does the DB 930 manage to sound so much better than these much more expensive pieces of Audiophile gear? What possible advantage could this non-ES Sony Receiver have to be able to access such amazing sonic improvements from the same power cord upgrade as a $4,000 Classé Audio CA-2100 amplifier?
My theory is that when it comes to AC Power Delivery the simpler and more direct AC Power can be delivered to each component in the Audio system the better its performance will be. In this case the DB 930 is an integrated Receiver and when the Furutech Alpha 3 power cord delivers high quality VansEvers Line Conditioned power to its transformer it is then distributed to the Digital Processing, Preamp and Amplification circuitry simultaneously bringing the benefits of its high quality AC Power to all parts of the Receiver in the simplest fashion possible using just one high quality power cord.
In the article the Furutech Alpha 3 power cord was used on the just the Classé Audio CA-2100 power amp in the final listening evaluation and even though it did show substantial sonic benefits by comparison the DB 930 as a result of the same power cord upgrade was able to 'reproduce a kind of Music that the English language strains to adequately describe'.
About 9 years ago I retired the DB 930 Receiver and started using separate components in my Audio System and they did sound significantly better, but when I was finally able to upgrade the AC Power Delivery System with Pure Copper components starting with the world's first Pure Copper Outlet the Furutech GTX-D the whole paradigm shifted as the delivery of high quality AC Power took precedence and empowered the simple one stop AC Power distribution of the DB 930 to access the most potent of all upgrades and out perform Audiophile gear with much better build qualities at many times its pricepoint.
So far I have only done this high quality power cord upgrade on my DB 930, but I don't see why other competent all-in-one Receivers couldn't derive the same type of benefits from their simplified one stop power distribution although it does require a source of high quality AC Power and a means of equally high quality delivery. The common wisdom is that build quality is supreme when it comes to enhanced performance and sound quality, but over the last 10 months I have heard my humble Receiver prove in a very undeniable way that its AC Power Delivery upgrades were able to allow it to give an authentic Musical performance that the superior build quality of much more expensive Audio equipment are unable to render as the Canadian Hi-Fi article so aptly demonstrates.
~Maxx~
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2011-10-19 04:20 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-10-07 04:27
I went back through some of the postings that I have made over the last month and I found an interesting trend in the way that I have been describing the changes in the way that the DB 930 manifests the Music after all of its many AC Power Delivery Upgrades over the last year including its ascension to Asynchronous 24 bit 96 kHz Digital Stereo Audio capability and here are a few of those quotes taken from both the AC Plugs Thread and the DB 930 Thread...
On 2011-08-16 17:00, Maxxwire wrote:
I haven't had this set up very long and I certainly wasn't expecting it, but while I was working at the computer the other day I found myself not just listening to the Music, but it was as though the Music along with the original recording venue intact was being virtualized in the acoustically treated room which experience I am now referring to as my very first 3 Dimensional Music listening experience.
On 2011-08-16 17:01, Maxxwire wrote:
Now as I listen to the V-Link I sense that I am actually and very really within a virtual representation of the original recording venue and from the subtle sonic information I can quite literally sense the exact dimensions of the original recording venue.
Back in August after I had just gotten the V-Link Asynchronous 24/96 USB-S/PDIF Converter set up, Reference wired and Resonance Tuned I began using a different set of sonic descriptors in my posts to describe the DB 930's newly enhanced capabilities at Music playback such as "I can quite literally sense the exact dimensions of the original recording venue and the Music along with the original recording venue intact was being virtualized". As I attempted to describe how the DB 930 had become able to sonically outline the 3-dimensional space of the Music's original recording venue.
On 2011 9-15 17:40, Maxxwire wrote:
I noticed the same improvements and a whole host of additional sonic improvements that allow the DB 930 to now be able to not just Musically engage, but during listening sessions with the DB 930 it is now being able to envelop me within the Harmonic Structure of the Music.
The Unintended Sonic Consequences of the $600 DB930's new found 'quieter background' has allowed it to be able to accurately describe the parameters of the original recording venue (with) the new freedom of being able to present itself in such an authentic manner that it is now able to envelope the listener within th Harmonic Structure of the Music as I have never on any occasion heard expensive Audio gear be able to manifest during 100's of auditions over 10 years like this $600 Sony Receiver can now effortless do.
After one month during which time the V-Link's .99999 fine Silver RAL Dual Conduit USB cable had completed its initial 250 hour break-in I began describing the DB 930 in a much different way as 'now being able to envelop me within the Harmonic Structure of the Music.
Over these last 7 weeks of having the benefit of being able to control the Digital bitstream using its new access to Asynchronous 24/96 Digital Stereo Audio plus the great advantage of its many Pure Copper AC Power Delivery Upgrades the DB 930's sonic presentation has transformed from an initial 3-dimensional manifestation to that of being capable of manifesting 'The Whole Message' of 'Stereo' Music as a free standing Binaural Hologram which quite viscerally envelopes the listener within the harmonic structure to experience the palpable embrace the Music.
~Maxx~
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-10-19 04:49
Originally posted on 10-12-2011
I was hoping to catch a screenshot of the DB 930 Thread just as it reached the 100,000 view milestone, but it was getting so many views that I missed by a margin that would otherwise take an entire very good day to accumulate.
As you may know it was this DB 930 Thread that first brought me to Agoraquest back in August of 2002. At the time it had been sitting there for 6 days with no one having yet answered Keithant's question of "How many folks are still happy with their STR-DB930 reciever?" And so I answered and 9 years and 286 replies later the DB 930 Thread is flourishing as it never has before garnering a record 1,382 views within the last 24 hours...
A lot has been revealed about the 1999 Sony STR DB 930 on the 20 pages of this Thread over the last 9 years, but no one could have been more shocked than I was at my DB 930's amazing response to the application of  over this last year and how this 12 year old Sony Receiver is now capable of completely blowing away the sound quality of my $25,000 Conrad-Johnson Powered Vacuum Tube Audio System which has an absolutely superior build quality in every respect.
A few of many examples of the superior build quality of the Conrad-Johnson MV-52 Vacuum Tube Power Amp which uses rare and highly coveted 1960's vintage GE 6CA7 output Tubes and legendary Magnetek Ultra-Linear Output Transformers plus the Conrad-Johnson MV-52's power supply which does not use any Electrolytic capacitors, but rather a full complement of a Polypropylene capacitors. Neither are there any Electrolytic capacitors used in the signal path, but rather high quality Polystyrene capacitors.
I could go on for screen after screen describing how much better the build quality of the equipment in the Vacuum Tube Audio System which I spent 9 years lavishing every possible upgrade I could afford on, but the bottom line is how does all of this excellent build quality translate into sound quality when are applied and this is where the effectiveness of a superior build quality fails to deliver if the gear does not have a an extremely simple AC power Delivery Network.
My Vacuum Tube Audio Separates consist of 9 individuated pieces of i2s Bus interfaced Digital front end, a Tube/FET Hybrid Preamp which uses a rare 1964 White Label Amperex 7308 PQ Dual Triode Tube which I priced at $125 the other day and the Conrad-Johnson Vacuum Tube Power Amp with its own $700 complement of rare vintage 1960's Vacuum Tubes.
Even with its fine set of $400 Transparent Super and $500 Silverfuse power cords terminated with Furutech Pure Copper Bladed AC Plugs the AC Power delivery is critically hampered by having to use a power distribution center and even though it was made by PS Audio with 4 high quality Hubbel Phosphor Bronze duplex outlets and an extremely effective switchable EMI Filter to accompany their $5,000 Power Generators it falls so far short of the absolute efficiency of the DB 930 to deliver high quality AC Power directly to the Digital Board, Preamp and Amplification using its one single and highly efficient Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug terminated Single Crystal Copper power cord that any advantages in build quality that the 42X more expensive Audiophile Gear have become void in the shadow of the true senior arbiter of sound quality which is quality of the AC Power that becomes every note that we hear from our Audio Systems.
~Maxx~
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2011-10-19 16:20 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-10-28 05:00
The sound quality of the DB 930 has been substantially elevated this week by way of the V-Link Asynchronous 24/96 Converter with its new horizontal position on the desktop and its new set of BDR Cones which were 'borrowed' from the Townshend Seismic Sink which is the air bladder which the Tube-FET Preamp in the Vacuum Tube Audio System had been using.
I was wondering how such a profound improvement in the DB 930's sound quality could have resulted from such a seemingly small change in the V-Link's coupling to the desktop, but then it occurred to me that the V-Link is passing a 4.6 Mbps Digital bitstream which is more than 3X that of the 16/44.1 which the DB 930 had been using in the past which goes a long way toward explaining this current level of increased integrity in the harmonic structure of the Music as a result of improvements to the DB 930's High Resolution Digital source by way of the V-Link from the computer.
~Maxx~
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-11-07 03:00
I have been using this is Illuminations D-60 Digital Coax cable in my Vacuum Tube Audio System for many years and it has long had a notable reputation for its ultra detailed sound quality made possible by its .99999 Fine Silver conductor and 9 layers of RFI shielding.
For many years I wanted to directly compare this fine Digital Coax cable to the Audioquest Optilink 4 Fused Silica Glass Toslink, but I was unable to. With the introduction of the V-Link which has USB in from the computer and 24/96 S/PDIF output available simultaneously in both Optical and RCA I am now able to compare these two Digital cables simply by alternating the Digital Audio input on the DB 930's 24/96 DVD input and getting an instant comparison.
Since both of these Digital cables are known for their ruthless attention detail I listened to some of the most revealing Music that I have via the AIMP 3 player which uses a 32 bit floating point processor and is set to output a 24/96 bitstream which is controlled by the DB 930 by way of asynchronous chip embedded in one of the TI i2s chips in the V-Link.
I first listened to the Illuminations D-60 and it had all of the great sound qualities that I had become used to hearing from it twith the added benefit that the V-Link brings to S/PDIF. I've always liked the incredible detail that the D-60 has been able to render which has continually proven to be far superior to any other Digital Coax that I have used including the $200 XLO Digital Reference 4, $350 MIT Digital Reference, $500 Synergistic Research Digital Corridor and even the $600 Marigo Apparition Reference Mk 2.
Then for the first time in the 9 years that I have owned both of these Digital cables I switched the Digital input on the DB 930 to the 30 Mhz Bandwidth Audioquest Optilink 4 Fused Silica Glass Toslink and all of the subtle harmonic details which the D-60 had left out were now audible and filling the soundstage with the kind of life and vitality that a live performance could provide provided it hasn't been corrupted by the kind of poor venue acoustics which every live performance I've attended or given was beset with.
I had become used to listening only to the Optilink 4 Fused Silica Glass Toslink and directly comparing it to the excellent sounding Illuminations D-60 Digital Coax provided me with a fresh appreciation of the absolutely excellent job that the Optilink 4 does of providing the kind of sonic details in the form of micro detailing and ambient decay that so faithfully recreate the original Musical event that no other Digital cable I've heard so far is able to replicate as faithfully.
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2011-11-11 19:46 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-11-21 22:01
This picture of my HP Elite computer's two eSATA drives which was cropped from the Original Photo I took with my Sony H-9 camera shows the new Oyen MiniPro 120GB eSATA SSD that I am now using for Music storage for reasons which I will explain later in this post atop the LaCie 2TB eSATA Twin Drive RAID 0 HDD that I got last year as a storage drive.
I had been wanting to get one of these eSATA interface SSD drives for over a year, but they were simply too expensive. Fortunately the price dropped by 40% and I decided to take the opportunity to replace the aging Verbatim HDD that I've been using with Oyen MiniPro which is 4X as fast.
While I was waiting for the 120 GB eSATA SSD to arrive I did some research into what effect storing my ripped Digital Music on it might have and I found many indications that there may be some positive benefits like this quote I found from Darrell at Mach2 Music over on ComputerAudiophile.com...
"Upgrading your internal drive to an SSD provides noticeable sound improvement. There is strong consensus from those that have tested this. that the SSD makes a big difference.
Upgrading and external conventional music storage drive to SSD also provides noticeable sound improvement. There are those that will say it shouldn't/couldn't sound different, but again, there is strong consensus with those that have done A/B tests, that the SSD sounds better.
Whether to store internally vs. externally will get more debate. It can come down to how good your firewire cable is, and how you power the external hard drive. Playing music from the internal SSD can sound very good, but for example when I tested playing from the internal SSD vs. my battery powered external SSD, the external SSD was clearly the winner.
______________________
Darrell
Mach2 Music
Since I already have a 120 GB Intel 320 SSD installed in my computer I decided to do some listening comparisons using the rips of my finest Music. I copied some Music to the internal SSD on my computer and after hours of switching back and forth between the same Music stored on an external HDD and the SSD I failed to be able to discern any difference whatsoever with any Music that I compared.
This got me thinking as to why the Music I copied to the SSD sounded exactly like the same Music when played back from an HDD through the 24/96 V-Link Asynchronous USB-S/PDIF Converter and this information about the V-Link which was tested by John Atkinson of Stereophile Magazine which found it to be bit perfect proved to be just the information I needed to solve this mystery...
" To check that the V-Link was bit-transparent, I fed its S/PDIF output to an RME soundcard fitted to a second PC, and recorded the data using Adobe Audition. When I played that recording simultaneously with an inverted, bit-synchronized version of the original audio file, there was a perfect null with both 16- and 24-bit data. The bits output from the converter via S/PDIF were therefore the same bits sourced from the host computer via USB. When I used RME's DIGICheck utility to examine how many bits were active in the Musical Fidelity's S/PDIF output, the number of active bits followed how many had been set in the computer's Control Panel: 16 or 24, as appropriate."
 Enter Exact Audio Copy which is the free software that I decided to use to re-rip my Music which was originally done on my Vista Laptop using WMP which had no S/PDIF outputs that I could use with my Audio System and after reading about EAC and Accurate Rip I became more and more suspicious that the comparatively poor quality rips I had done on my Music back in 2008 could be responsible for the poor results I got with playback from my computer's SSD.
The Oyen MiniPro eSATA SSD arrived the day after I installed EAC and began to familiarize myself with how to best use it and I spent the next few days re-ripping my favorite CD's to the new eSATA SSD at the rate of 20-25 minutes each for a Secure WAV RIP. I had considered using FLAC, but the new 120 GB eSATA SSD has more than enough space for the approximately 20 GB that my most well recorded and expertly mastered Music takes stored in the uncompressed WAV format.
The next day I was able to sit back and enjoy the kind of fundamental improvements in playback quality that can only be derived from correcting the absolutely elemental matters of creation and storage at the Digital bitstream level can yield. Usually I try my best to describe the sonic differences I hear from improvements that have been made using the appropriate audiophile descriptors, but this set of sonic improvements that are a result of the improved creation and storage of Digital Music are so uniquely concentric to the very core of the Music and have such a primal and pervasive effect on the sonic performance of all aspects of the Audio equipment downstream that I found it uniquely appropriate to use only one singular and powerfully descriptive word to describe the absolutely fundamental differences that I am now hearing in the playback between both the WMP and EAC rips stored on the external HDD and the exact same Music stored on the new eSATA SSD and that word which I find best describes this most unique sounding improvement I've done so far is...
It was just 1 year ago that I first installed the Furutech GTX Pure Copper Outlet which was the beginning of the upgrade path that led to an order of magnitude improvement for the Sony DB 930 Receiver and then bypassing the use of the computer's compromised sound card with the V-Link 24/96 Asynchronous USB-S/PDIF Converter all of which comprised an entire one year series of upgrades with the full potential success of each upgrade depending on the one that preceded it which led from the beginning of all Audio playback at the AC Power's wall outlet all the way upstream to the final destination with the improved quality creation and storage of the Digital Music itself all of which has completely disproved for me what we've been told for decades about how it was absolutely impossible for an inexpensive integrated Receiver to ever sound as good as let alone this much better than far more expensive High End Audio separates.
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-12-05 05:55
Following the recent revelations in sound quality that were realized from Accu-ripping my Music to a high speed eSATA SDD I set out to see what improvements could be had by upgrading my Music Player software. Fortunately there was a new RC upgrade for my AIMP Player and I got a big surprise after I installed it in that it now featured a Windows Audio Session API (WASAPI) feature for the first time. After I implemented WASAPI there was a very clear improvement in the sound of Music playback, but there was a problem in that the AIMP 3 WASAPI application has a fixed 32 bit output and I wasn't long until Windows 7 sent me a message that it was aware of this and caused the WASAPI option to disappear from preferences where Direct Sound once again became the only option for playback.
In my search for a software player that could output 24 bit material to the V-Link without having an additional 8 bits which require truncating I came across the very highly regarded J. River Media Center which not only features WASPI, but a recently added mode especially designed to let "the audio subsystem pull data instead of pushing data to the system"which they call WASAPI-Event Style and it sounded perfectly suited to provide a direct link from the Player to the proprietary asynchronous digital control system feedback technology software of the V-Link which instructs the computer that it has priority on the computer resource allocation which provides a continuous high resolution data stream.
I had come across this J. River software which had its beginnings in 1998 several years ago and it was described by many Audiophiles as the best software Music Player that they had ever used, but at the time I was using my $10,000 optical based Digital front end and so I passed on it much the same way I postponed upgrading the molded plugs on all of my Audio equipment's power cords for so many years, but in both cases when I finally became ready to take advantage of the great improvements that these upgrades had to offer I already knew just what to do.
Upgrading from the Direct Sound mode that I had been using to J. River's WASAPI- Event Style brought a whole new level of Transparency to the Music in that there is now a direct communication between the Player and the V-Link. The acid test I used to prove that the bypass of all DSP, Volume and Balance functions was a reality I pulled up the Windows Sound GUI changed the DSP mode, altered the Balance and even turned the Volume completely down, but none of these functions had any effect on playback while using the WASAPI- Event Style mode as it provides a complete bypass!
That first night after installing and setting up J. Rivers Media Center I simply could not stop listening to the new crystal clear sound that the Music had since it now a direct path from the Player to the V-Link. This is a kind of improvement in sound quality that can only be implemented at the Digital signal level and it reminded me of when I did my listening comparisons between the multichannel Analog bypass and the standard inputs which undergo A/D-D/A conversion in the Preamp of my DB 930 Receiver. I could clearly hear the improvement that the Analog bypass made, but it now seems trivial in comparison to the amazing and transformational improvement in sound quality between the DirectSound and WASAPI- Event Style modes on my Win 7 x64 computer.
The 13 years of continual development is very apparent in this very capable Player and with every different function you can sense that over those years 1,000's of Audiophiles have put their input into this J. River software in that every facet from the playback modes to the GUI are granularly adjustable.
Back in 2003 I met a Mod Man named Andy Bartha out of Florida who's claim to fame was that he could modify a $400 Pioneer DVD Player and make it sound far superior to most of the expensive Audio Players of the day in fact I went into the local Audio Shop one day and there was a $5,000 Wadia 850 CD Player sitting on the counter and I learned that its former owner had bought one of Andy Bartha's Modded Players and it sounded so good that he no longer had need of the very highly rated Wadia.
In the conversation I had with Andy Bartha and his Tech they told me that they could Modify a inexpensive mass production DVD Player to such a degree that along with radically improving the overall quality of its Music playback it could at the same time make the unresolved mistakes on the Disc that the Mastering Engineers had not bothered to deal with very easily audible. They also told me that this was because the Mastering Engineers are quite aware that only professional playback equipment could pick it these ultra low level anomalies in the Music so they don't bother to go to the trouble of removing them.
Ever since that day in 2003 when I first I learned that this kind of ultra high definition playback was possible I have been trying to put together a set of upgrades that would be effective enough to achieve a sufficient level of transparency to produce what I have come to call 'The Bartha Effect' and 8 years later I have finally met with some success.
In 2011 the AC Power Delivery Upgrades to the DB 930 Receiver including a Single Crystal Copper power cord, the addition of the Asynchronous V-Link with its Dual Conduit USB cable and Fused Silica Glass Optical cable upgrades as well as 3 rounds of ever more effective Resonance Tuning, the EAC Accu-Ripping of my Music to an eSATA SSD and finally this last week establishing a direct WASAPI- Event Style Digital path from the 64/96 processing of the J.Rivers Player to the 24/96 Asynchronous V-Link and on to the $600 1999 Sony DB 930 Receiver which is now able not only render the Music in a much more transparent way than it ever has been able to before the detailed description of which will easily take up several screens in my next post, but it is at the same time able to resolve and audibly manifest the kind of ultra-ultra low level anomalies in the Music that Andy Bartha predicted would be possible to make audible through highly effective Modification of relatively inexpensive mass market Audio gear.
As soon as I can manage to wrap my ears around the full depth and breadth of this latest profound transformation in the quality of the Music playback in my Audio System I will make a full report, but for now this new transparency has made such a profound improvement in Music I've heard 1,000's of times that its like hearing it for the first time because what I was listening to just last week merely resembles the level of Musical truth I am hearing now for the first time. All of which has been made possible because my Audio System is now for the first time able to take advantage of both 64/96 processing and and a transparent computer output interface which completely bypass all other Digital processing in the computer by using the direct WASAPI-Event Style Output Mode.
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-12-11 18:55
When I first heard my Music after being Accu-Ripped to an SSD and played back using the exclusive WASAPI Event-Style Mode it had such an increased transparency that it sounded far better than I had ever before. In this post I want to share the even more improved sound of  which is accomplished by having the entire track copied directly into the Computer's RAM just before it is played in its entirety which avoids the the way in which conventional players continually add Music to a buffer as the Music is being played.
The other day I used Sysinternals Process Explorer to first capture the standard J.River MC playback from the computer's SSD and then the same piece of Music and the same Music being using ...
During Disk file playback from the SSD the Music is first put into a buffer which is in the computer's RAM, but in a different way than with . The most striking difference is that in normal playback mode a great amount of i/o activity is required to continually copy small amounts of Music into th its memory buffer as seen in the screenshot on the left while as the screenshot on the right shows with all of the i/o activity is finished and the entire track is in RAM before Music from that track even begins. It is the benefit of this quiet background allowed by lack of processor activity within the program that allows to bring out a level of sound quality in the Music that has been Accu-Ripped to the SSD that is simply not possible with all of the processor activity required to continually keep the buffer replenished under normal playback.
What led me to make these graphs is that there is an astoundingly larger improvement in sound quality between from RAM and the much less resolving normal buffered playback direct from the SSD than there was between the initial very noticeable and welcomed improvement between playback from SSD offered over playback from HDD which. My most appreciated benefit of using in direct WASAPI-Event Mode is that the Music I have which was formerly lesser played because it did not have first class performance and production qualities now sounds even better than my very best Nippon Columbia Mastered Disks did when they were played back in Direct Sound mode which does not bypass the Windows 7 mixers nor the multiple layers of the Windows operating system.
also certainly sounds worlds better than the disk player based $7,000 i2s Bus Digital Front end in my Vacuum Tube Audio System ever did. I honed my listening skills and first began to find out what my Music could truly sound like with amplification done inside the lowest coefficient of friction environment possible using a complete vacuum once I was fortunate enough to acquire a $500 set of rare old stock GE 6CA7 Output Tubes which took the Sound quality to unprecedented levels of refinement which was new and very exciting for me to listen to using a modern design Tube Amp with Polypropylene caps in its power supply and high quality Polystyrene caps used in the circuitry.
Every aspect of enhanced sound quality that I learned over a total of 9 years from using vintage Vacuum Tubes I brought with me when I began computer based Digital Audio which has since transformed my understanding of what truly authentic and organic sounding Music can be. A higher level of Musical refinement than I was ever previously aware of even with the advantage of having the finest vintage Vacuum Tubes that my Audio equipment could run and 100's of auditions with some of the finest Audiophile grade gear ever made to compare with it didn't become a reality until after playing my Music using in WASAPI Event-Style and exporting the exclusive bitstream over a fine silver Dual Conduit USB cable to an Asynchronous 24/96 V-Link USB-S/PDIF Converter and through a Fused Silica Glass Toslink to my Sony DB 930 Receiver which has resulted in the absolute best sound quality I have ever heard where entire parts within the Music which were obfuscated before are now presented clearly and articulately as they should be.
has brought the most dramatic improvements that I have heard yet from this latest round of Digital improvements with upgrades easily topping the very noticeable enhancements to playback quality that were a direct result having my Music stored on an SSD instead of an HDD.
Implementing is as simple as checking off the option in the J. River Media Player Options screen. Although I am a confirmed user of freeware I've been so impressed by the unique WASAPI Event-Style and options that for the first time in several years I have purchased a software license to be able to continue to run be able to run the J. River Media Center since its use has made sound quality of over 500X that amount of my Audio equipment un-listenable by comparison.
There is an alternative to J. River's software implemented in the form of a CD/DVD Transport that uses memory playback which has 64MB of on board memory, but it costs 60X as the J.River software solution which has access to up to 1GB of RAM on the computer.
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2011-12-25 03:00
A few representations the Principals and Parts which have enabled my 12 year old Sony DB 930 to use the Desktop Computer as a 24/96 Digital front end to reach heights of performance and sound quality that I could not have even wished for just one year ago.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-01-01 00:00
These John Sebastian's lyrics from his 1966 hit song have never had so much relevance to me as the during the decisions I faced after my Sony DB 930 Receiver responded in such an overwhelmingly positive way to the AC Power Delivery upgrades that it received in 2011. Late in 2002 I sidelined the DB 930 in favor of Vacuum Tube separates in an attempt to flesh out more resolution from the Audio System's new 5 ps jitter i2s Bus Digital front end. This plan worked progressively better and better for 8 years running as the Conrad-Johnson Vacuum Tube Power Amp and Counterpoint Tube-FET Preamp with their respective contingents of rare 40-50 year old high quality vintage Vacuum Tubes amplifying the the modified Theta DAC's rendering of the ultra low jitter .99999 fine silver i2s interfaced 24 bit capable Digital processors with their pure silver wired outboard 3 Amp power supplies in their $7,700 Digital front end which continually turned in an effortlessly more revealing sonic performance than the DB 930 could render for 8 continuous years...
When Furutech developed the world's first Pure Copper Outlet and released it in late 2010 both the Tube Separates and the DB 930 benefited from its ultra tight grip and much cleaner delivery of AC Power and the Vacuum Tube separates could still turn in a much better sounding Musical performance that was until I got a Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug to experiment and outfitted the OEM power cord of the DB 930 with one on order to see how feasible it might be to outfit the 9 power cords in the Vacuum Tube separates Reference Audio System with the Furutech FI-28 and that was when the whole sonic paradigm of my Audio Syatem began to shift very quickly in favor of the DB 930...
Despite the many advantages in wiring and Line Conditioning that the Vacuum Tube separates still had upgrading the OEM power cord of the DB 930 with the the Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug enabled the 1999 Sony non-ES Receiver to clearly surpass the sound quality of the Vacuum Tube separates! This left me wondering exactly how one plug upgrade could have made such a dramatic difference and brought the DB 930 back from 8 years of sonic inferiority to sounding so much better than the $25,000 Vacuum Tube separates.
It took me several months of continued experimentation with the DB 930 to finally be able to understand what advantage an Integrated Receiver like the DB 930 has over separates when it comes to high quality AC Power Delivery Upgrades. Once the DB 930 had demonstrated that it sounded better than the Vacuum Tube separates I decided to fully upgrade the DB 930's AC Power Delivery System by transferring the Reference quality FIM power cord and the Vans Evers Programmable Reference Quality Line Conditioner which has given the Vacuum Tube separates such a clear sonic advantage for almost a decade so I decided to give the $600 Sony Receiver all of the advantages that the Vacuum Tube separates had been accustomed to.
First I upgraded the AC Plug on the DB 930's new dedicated Brick Wall Surge Protector which interfaces directly with the Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet with a Furutech FI-25M Gold Plated UPOCC AC Plug...
Then I decided to connect the DB 930 to its MOV-less Series Mode Brick Wall Filter with the very finest and most highly credentialed Power Cord I own which is the First Impression Music (FIM) power cord with its 9 Solid Core Pure Copper Conductors which are terminated with Ohno Continuous Cast (OCC) Ultra Pure Rhodium Plated Copper Plugs..
This is an excerpt from a  power cord review...
This power cable is unbelievable. When you pick it up, it just retains its shape! You almost need tools in order to bend it. Well, not really, but you catch my drift. It really is an extremely stiff cable that has to be bent in shape before connecting. It uses 9 2.5mm solid core conductors and that doesn't go unnoticed! Not too surprisingly, the cable sounds the way it feels: very controlled and very dynamic. It is easily the most lively power cable that I've come across, even beating the Transparent Powerlink XL in that respect. Detail and focus are excellent all round. The bass is meaty, the mids are dynamic and very "live" and even if you'd expect this, the high frequencies aren't coarse or brittle at all.
The picture below shows what the FIM Power Cord and Brick Wall Filter look like together in application...
Next I brought in the Mike VansEvers Model 12 Reference Line Conditioner with its unique Transient Impedance Programmability for the DB 930 to run directly and discretely off of with its Furutech FI-28M (R) Pure Copper Rhodium Plated AC Plug terminating its Furutech Alpha 3 Ohno Continuous Cast Single Crystal Copper power cord...
In the 12 years that I have owned the Sony STR DB 930 Receiver I had absolutely no idea that it ever had the potential to turn out sounding like it does now at the end of 2011 equipped with the high quality wiring and Reference quality Line Conditioning that had once been reserved for use by the Vacuum Tube separates! Because of its newly enhanced AC Power Delivery System the DB 930 is now an absolute joy to listen to because the detail is amazing and each and every note is so fully and tight formed. Although my favorite Music sounds so much better than it ever has before more fascinatingly pieces of Music that I don't normally care to listen to that often have now been transformed into much more appealing pieces of Music with a PRAT that was missing before which is everything I had hoped for and so much more from the DB 930.
For the last 4 months of 2011 the DB 930 has been enabled to access 24/96 Digital Audio from my HP Elite computer via the Asynchronous Zero Jitter Musical Fidelity V-Link USB-S/PDIF Converter using the 30 MHz bandwidth Audioquest Optilink 4 Fused Silica Glass Toslink cable which I have been using since 2002 just after I joined here at Agoraquest. Subsequently I have been able to improve the sound quality of this new high resolution disk-less Digital front end by accu-ripping my Music to an eSATA SSD and playing the WAV files back directly without buffering from the computer's DDR3 Memory using the 64 bit JRiver Media Center in exclusive WASAPI-Event Style True Direct Mode.
So I have finally made up my mind that the DB 930's AC Power Delivery upgrades which have included the Pure Copper Outlet, Rhoduim Plated Pure Copper AC plug and Ohno Continuous Cast Single Crystal Copper Power Cord all from the 'Pure Transmission' folks at Furutech along with the 5 AWG FIM 9 Solid Copper Conductor Power Cord powering the dedicated VansEvers Model 12 Reference Line Conditioner have provided such a highly efficient level of single line AC Power Delivery to the integrated Digital processing, Preamplification and Amplification of the DB 930 Receiver that it has effectively ended any hope for the $25,000 Conrad-Johnson Powered Vacuum Tube Separates of ever having the opportunity of making a sonic comeback because recreating the same set of potentially equally beneficial upgrades for each of its 9 separate components by upgrading their power cords would not only cost far in excess of $10,000, but would still only offer the theoretical possibility that the separates' highly complicated 9 power cord system of AC Power delivery could possibly sound as good the sweet simplicity and already proven effectiveness of the DB 930 Integrated Receiver's already highly successful unitary power line AC Power Delivery Syatem...
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-06 06:43 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-01-13 05:00
On 2012-01-08 20:46, mhedges wrote:
Well it took longer than I had planned but I finally had my dedicated 20 amp circuit ran. Receptacle is of course a 20 amp Hospital Grade Leviton:
Mark
Although most of the AC Outlets that I used in my Audio System back then were Hospital Grade Outlets the first improved quality of the main primary wall AC Outlet upgrade I did was on a home run line that I used for my Audio equipment and I used a Furutech FP-15 the parts of which are made of high conductance phosphor bronze...
This upgrade from the original wall outlet along with the 12 AWG air dielectric Custom Power Cord Company brought a very noticeable improvement in the sound quality of my Audio equipment which back then was the Conrad-Johnson Vacuum Tube separates...
I always thought that the amount of sonic improvements from this AC Outlet upgrade were substantial and well worth the investment until I moved several years later and found myself dealing with a severely corroded poor quality 30 year old outlet that had a stranglehold on my entire Audio System making it sound harsh to the point of making my entire Audio System sour sounding and virtually unlistenable...
At the time I did not realize that this horrible harsh sounding setback which had undone so many years progress that I had made in improving the sound quality of my Audio equipment would lead me to a solution that otherwise I probably would never have not sought out had this emergency not arisen and that solution was the Furutech GTX-D which later I found out was not only the World's First Pure Copper Outlet, but Furutech had released it just 1 week earlier...
Its hard to have to admit, but if I had not found myself launched into a situation where a decade's worth of my time and monetary investment into my Audio System had suddenly been completely compromised by a $2.00 AC Outlet I most likely never would have sought out the ameliorative powers of this Pure Copper AC Outlet which have proven to be the foundation of the amazing improvements in sound quality that my Sony DB 930 has been able to achieve during this past year.
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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zeplin43
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Mar 25, 2012
Posts: 26
From: Coimbra Portugal
| Posted: 2012-08-08 02:47
Thks Maxxwire i wish it was me who did the upgrade but all i did was to take the STR930 to my good Tech friend,I waited a long time but this is how he works.Let me tell you that this guy is only 23 years old,but loves old gear.
I will post what my ears hear!! as soon as i get the time to hook it up.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-01-29 18:00
I've learned the hard way that it saves money in the long run to get the kind of quality plugs and outlets that will serve your Audio equipment and provide for it the level of sound quality and resolution that you expect of your Audio System. The Furutech FI-11 AC and IEC Plugs pictured above that I got back in June of 2007 today cost only 1/2 of what the FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper IEC's and AC Plugs do, and yet now in 2012 I have plenty of FI-11's just sitting in a drawer that got left behind doing upgrades over the last 5 years and I am using every single one FI-28 IEC and AC Rhodium Plated Pure Copper Plugs that I have.
I have had this same kind experience with Analog and Digital interconnects in that I end up incrementally upgrading through the product line hoping to find big savings in a lesser quality wire only to end up with a great quality wire and bag full of mid quality wires that I no longer use. It may seem counterintuitive to get the better quality IEC Plugs, AC Plugs and Outlets as a cost saving measure, but it saves money in the long run and I know of no other such comparatively small investment that is capable of bringing such amazing improvements to the sound quality of an Audio System enabling it to perform much better than Audio equipment many times its price-point.
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-02-17 05:00
One of the great 'Bang for the Buck' advantages of upgrading power cords to improve the sound quality of Audio equipment is that it is a DIY project that virtually anyone can do. The power cord shown above is a $200 TG Audio power cord made by Bob Crump. I was able to purchase this power cord on the used market for $20 and I was pleasantly surprised when I removed the terminations in order to upgrade its AC and IEC plugs and discovered its silver plated 8 X 18 AWG conductors instead of the more common 2 conductorAudio Asylum Power Cordwhich had made Bob Crump famous for designing...
When I decided to upgrade the Crump power cord to the next level beyond its stock plugs with a Furutech FI-11 Pure Copper Plug and a Furutech FI-11 Pure Copper IEC which only required buying the Furutech plugs for $40 ea, a wire stripping tool and a phillips screwdriver to accomplish the transformation.
I have seen $2,000 Power Cords made by a very reputable High End Audio company named Synergistic Research that offered terminations on their very expensive power cords that cost no more than $10ea. This is not the exception either in that most of the power cords in the $1,000-$1,500 range also come terminated with $10-$15 Brass bladed Hospital Grade AC Plugs.
By comparison my Crump-Furu DIY power cord project features 4 X 18 AWG silver plated conductors which combine to create conductors of 12AWG for each of the + and return poles which are now terminated with gold plated Pure Copper bladed AC and IEC plugs and cost a total of $100 for the finished and upgraded power cord. Obtaining high performance power cords to enhance and reveal the sound quality of your Audio equipment already has doesn't have to be about spending a lot of cash in fact much better quality power cords can be built for a small fraction of what the High End manufacturers are asking for their poorly terminated power cords.
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-02-17 08:15 ]
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mykyll2727
Sony Pro
Joined: Apr 30, 2004
Posts: 4171
From: Las Vegas
| Posted: 2012-02-17 17:01
Maxx_Excellent point! A whole lot of bang for your $100.00_mykl
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-03-17 05:00
Although I did choose to go 'all out' and use the Furutech Alpha 3 Single Crystal power cord for the DB 930 I did so because it is not only responsible for D/A Conversion, but it is also the Preamp and Power Amp all combined into one and I have indeed received a great return on my investment by way of an order of magnitude improvement in the sound quality and performance of the DB 930 Integrated Receiver.
There are also more economical methods of providing high performance power cords for your Audio Equipment and the Bob Crump TG Audio power cord shown above is an excellent example of a bargain power cord that can be upgraded to any selectable level of performance. This is an 8 18 AWG silver clad conductor power cord which has an equivalence of 12 AWG for the hot and return wires which originally cost $200. I was able to purchase it used (broken in) for only $20.
The great thing about getting a high quality power cord used and re-terminating it is that you have complete control over what plugs you use. I had originally used $40 ea Furutech FI-11 Pure Copper bladed plugs on this power cord and it worked much better than the Hospital Grade AC Plug and IEC that it came with and it used those plugs for quite a long time.
Eventually I decided to upgrade the Crump-Furu power cord with the Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper IEC and AC Plugs that are shown in the picture at the top of the page in order to enhance its performance for high resolution Audio applications.
I've gone through this process of buying used power cords at a dime in the dollar price and then re-terminate them with high quality plugs and each time I have been able to get far better quality than power cords that sell for $2,000 and are terminated with $9 Hospital Grade Plugs.
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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caulderwoodr
Sony Fan
Joined: Nov 18, 2002
Posts: 6
From: canada
| Posted: 2012-02-25 13:48
On 2009-09-22 01:53, rclarke1 wrote:
My 930 turns 10 years old this month as well!
Led on volume knob packed in about 6 years ago.
I had to resolder some dry joints on the relays about 5 years ago, a problem which manifestd itself by the rear speakers working intermittently.
By my reckoning that's about 25,000 hours of (almost) faultless service!
It's going to be with some regret that I'll be forced to change it for something more feature rich within the next year
If I look around my house, I can't see many other electrical items which I still expect to be using in 10 years time. 3 cheers for a great product!
Rob
Hello, I just found your post and if you are still on the forum- perhaps you can tell me how you re soldered the relays? It sounds like my current problem may be similar rear speakers are working sometimes - just started this week
any suggestions appreciated - otherwise 930 is still pretty darn good
robin
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-02-28 18:59
 
For years I found myself unable to clearly understand the materials and setup required to deliver AC Power to Audio equipment in a way that could elicit its very best performance and sound quality until I did finally did 2 things... First I put a Furutech Alpha 3 OCC Copper power cord with its Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug on my DB 930 and second I then plugged it into a the single outlet of its VansEvers Programmable Reference Line Conditioner and not only did it sound far better than anything I had heard from the DB 930 in 11 years, but eclipsed the sound quality of any of the great names in Audiophile equipment that I had so carefully auditioned at my friend's Audio Shop.
And after all of the time I had spent experimenting with different plugs on different power cords I finally found out what had been holding back the sound quality of not only my Audio gear, but very likely all the very expensive Audiophile Quality gear that I had been auditioning which all had poor quality terminations on their power cords connected to power strips that were using power from a generic wall outlet.
It has become very clear to me now that when it comes to delivering AC Power to Audio equipment that the purity of parts used and the simplicity of the application have been the key components in allowing my modestly priced Sony Receiver to become enabled to produce a quality of sound that Audiophile grade equipment scores of times its pricepoint have not been able to achieve in the many hundreds of auditions that I've done over the last decade.
 
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 19:08 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-04-20 05:00
Taking the time and going to the nominal expense of incrementally applying the AC Power Principals to the AC Power Delivery of my 1999 Sony DB 930 in order to allow it to perform at the solid gold levels that Sony originally designed it to has been the best singular investment I have ever made in my Audio System because it now sounds much better and out performs every piece of much more expensive 'Audiophile Gear' I own at a small fraction of the cost.
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-05-30 11:15 ]
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David_S
Sonyphile
Joined: Aug 03, 2004
Posts: 769
From: BC, Canada
 | Posted: 2012-05-03 22:52
On 2012-05-03 20:00, Maxxwire wrote:
...
As these 2 models are compared it is evident that Sony was trying to cut production costs over the time the DB 930 and DB790 (which became the DA2ES the next model year) were produced.
The gut shot of the DB790 looks like the receiver is a messy internal design compared to the gut shot of the DB930. The picture made me think the DB790 is an older receiver until I read your last sentence. The Sony user manual for the DB930 is dated 1990, the Sony user manual for the DB790 is dated 2003.
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TA- E77ES E80ES E1000ESD N77ES F555ES
RM- AV3000 AX1400 (2)AX4000
SDP-EP9ES, ST-S730ES
STR- DA4ES DA3100ES (2)DA5700ES (2)GX10ES
DVP- (3)NS999ES NS3100ES CX777ES
CDP-X303ES, CDP-M555ES
MDS-JA20ES, TC-K717ES, DTC-690
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zeplin43
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Mar 25, 2012
Posts: 26
From: Coimbra Portugal
| Posted: 2012-05-03 15:12
Read most of this thread and many a folk happy with this 930 Receiver.
I have the STR DB 790 how far away am i in sound quality from this STR930?
Reading around some opinions circulating the net Sony Receivers are disregarded when comparing to Yamaha and Denon is this real?
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-03 19:57
zeplin43- I think that it is quite easy to understand how Audio enthusiasts who post on non-Sony forums would favor the Audio equipment that they have a proclivity toward the sonic signature of and have already purchased and therefore tend to judge it better than other Audio equipment.
That is not where the ultimate sound quality comparison between different brands of Audio equipment ends though. A friend of mine used to have a Yamaha DSP A-1 Flagship Receiver which in the late 1990's was considered the absolute State of the Art in sound quality and cost nearly 10X as much as the Sony DB 930 Receiver which Sony released a year later.
In original sound quality comparisons between the Yamaha DSP A-1 and the Sony DB 930 the Flagship Yamaha Receiver was easily much better sounding than the very modestly priced $600 Flagship of Sony's new DB line of Receivers and it would take me over 10 years of experimentation to discover how to not only bridge the gap in sound quality between the $5,000 Flagship Receiver and the Sony DB 930, but that it had everything to do with the quality of the DB 930's AC Power Delivery...
After many intermediate attempts I finally had to start completely from scratch by replacing the the AC Wall Outlet, AC Plugs, Power Cords, Series Mode Surge Filtering/Protection, and Line Conditioning upgrades shown above that the DB 930 was using before. With sole access to this enhanced level of the AC Power Delivery which the DB 930 turns into the Musical signal that it sends to the speakers it now has the ability to create a level of Musical playback which sounds many times better than my friend's much more expensive and better built Flagship Yamaha Receiver of the same era ever could.
What I have discovered from auditioning 100's of pieces of High End Audio equipment brands from Argon to YBA is that when using unenhanced AC Power Delivery that the Audio equipment with the better build quality will sound better, but when enhanced AC Power Delivery is introduced the absolute importance of the quality of AC Power takes precedence making Sonic Giant Killers of the Audio equipment that uses it without the traditional for build quality or pricepoint!
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-05-30 11:25 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-03 20:00
On 2012-05-03 15:12, zeplin43 wrote:
Read most of this thread and many a folk happy with this 930 Receiver.
I have the STR DB 790 how far away am i in sound quality from this STR930?
As I said in my last post unless enhanced AC Power Delivery is being used the sound quality of Audio gear will be primarily determined by its build quality. I found very good photo of the circuitry of the DB790 so I will post that first and then a corresponding photo of my DB 930...
Sony DB790
Sony DB 930
Sony DB 930 Digital Board
Sony DB790 Power Supply and Reservoir Caps
 
Sony DB 930 Nichicon Gold Tune 15,000 uf Reservoir Caps
 
The DB 930's Volume Attenuator with 6 Nichicon Fine Gold Coupling Caps which I have never seen used in any other Sony Receiver.
As these 2 models are compared it is evident that Sony was trying to cut production costs over the time the DB 930 and DB790 (which became the DA2ES the next model year) were produced.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 19:19 ]
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jeromelang
Sony Devotee
Joined: Oct 30, 2003
Posts: 71
From: Marketing Executive
| Posted: 2012-05-04 00:16
On 2012-05-03 19:57, Maxxwire wrote:
In original sound quality comparisons between the Yamaha DSP A-1 and the Sony DB 930 the Flagship Yamaha Receiver was easily much better sounding than the very modestly priced $600 Flagship of Sony's new DB line of Receivers and it would take me over 10 years of experimentation to discover how to not only bridge the gap in sound quality between the $5,000 Flagship Receiver and the Sony DB 930, but that it had everything to do with the quality of the DB 930's AC Power
After many intermediate attempts I finally had to start completely from scratch by replacing the the AC Wall Outlet, AC Plugs, Power Cords, Series Mode Surge Filtering/Protection, and Line Conditioning upgrades shown above that the DB 930 was using before. With sole access to this enhanced level of the AC Power Delivery which the DB 930 turns into the Musical signal that it sends to the speakers it now has the ability to create a level of Musical playback which sounds many times better than my friend's much more expensive and better built Flagship Yamaha Receiver of the same era ever could.
!
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
If you apply the same amount of prodigious ac tinkering to the Yamaha DSP-A1, it may potentially sound better than how the DB930 currently sound in your system, no?
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Main System: Sources EMM LAB TSDX/DAC2X, SCD-1, SCD-XA9000ES, ELP Laser Turntable, Michel Gyro SE, SME V, Lyra Skala. Amplifiers Pass Lab Aleph Ono, Pass XP20, Pass X350. Speakers Sony SS-M9ED. Cables Straightwire Crescendo interconnects, double run speak
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-04 03:00
jeromelang- My entire journey of discovery regarding AC Power Delivery over the last 12 years has taught me that quite literally anything is possible in that you never know for sure what the outcome will be until you actually plug the gear in and listen to its reaction because short actual application the true nature of the outcome remains speculation. I do not have any other Audio equipment on hand to experiment with concerning their reaction to enhanced AC Power Delivery other than my Sony DB 930 and my $25,000 Conrad-Johnson powered Vacuum Tube Audio System...
When I first got the VansEvers Model 12 Reference Line Conditioners in 2003 and the 5 AWG First impression Music Power Cable in 2006 I used them in the AC Power Delivery of my Vacuum Tube separates system and it raised their sound quality to unprecedented heights. Just a year ago I decided to hook the DB 930 up to that same Pure Copper Wall Outlet and AC Power Delivery System and the DB 930's sound quality underwent the first true order of magnitude improvement that I have ever heard immediately after it began to have access to the improved quality of AC Power and for the very first time began sounding not just better, but many times better than the Conrad-Johnson Vacuum Tube Powered Audio System ever did using exactly the same AC Power Delivery System!
After hearing the new found sound quality of my humble $600 1999 Sony DB 930 Receiver completely blow away my $25,000 Conrad-Johnson powered Vacuum Tube separates Audio System which is outfitted with a set of the finest Old Stock Vacuum Tubes for an Ultralinear Tube Power Amp including a $500 Quad of GE 6CA7 Output Tubes and receiving its Audio signal from a Counterpoint Tube/FET Preamp with a coveted 1964 Amperex 7308 PQ White Label Dual Triode Tube and a flat amplification curve through a $1,100 pair of Transparent Audio Ultra Electrical Resonance Tuned Analog interconnects I gave up all of my preconceived conventional notions in speculating about what gear sounds better based on build quality or AC Power source because the fact that 12 years of my putting $1,000's and $1,000's into enhancing the build quality of my $25,000 Vacuum Tube Audio System which is 5X more expensive than the DSP A-1 and much better sounding as well nevertheless the humble Sony DB 930 using the same AC Power Delivery System puts its sound quality to shame by comparison proving to me that it is not wise to speculate on how Audio gear will sound using an enhanced AC Power Delivery System because it greatly enhances the performance and sound quality of some Audio gear as no other set of Modifications or Upgrades are able to and makes true Giant Killers out of others and there is no telling which until you plug it in and listen...
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-06 06:33 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-05 06:20
On 2012-05-03 22:52, David_S wrote:
The gut shot of the DB790 looks like the receiver is a messy internal design compared to the gut shot of the DB930. The picture made me think the DB790 is an older receiver until I read your last sentence. The Sony user manual for the DB930 is dated 1990, the Sony user manual for the DB790 is dated 2003.
Davis_S- I agree with your assessment of the internal design of the DB 790 and its 'not ready for prime time' appearance and it is surprising that this Receiver represents Sony's DB line 4 years after they first launched the DB line with the DB 930 which they had put a lot of thought into along with an incredible build quality which set the internet ablaze with talk of the new DB Line of Receivers. There was a huge buzz about the DB 930 back in 1999 which was evidenced by over 350 posts on Audio Review's DB 930 thread making it the most discussed Sony Receiver of all time on that website.
I had to do an extensive search to find a clearly readable copy of the front page of the DB 930's Owners Manual in which the date of issue is clearly legible and I finally came across a European version in which all of the 9's in the date of issue actually look like 9's and not 0's as they so often do in most of the poorly photographed copies that I came across. So, if the Agoraquest photo uploader does its usually very accurate job the DB 930's Owners Manual will show its original issue date as reading 1999...
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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zeplin43
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Mar 25, 2012
Posts: 26
From: Coimbra Portugal
| Posted: 2012-05-05 08:31
So my Str 790 is no where near the 930?
If i buy a 930 are they all the same in terms of construction and coponents or are there various versions?
How do they sound in stock without the ac upgrade?
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-05 09:15
zeplin43- Although I have noticed some slight variations between the North American version of the DB 930 and the DB 930QS as it was designated in Europe their build qualities are basically the same.
Before my DB 930 which I have owned for over 12 years was able to take advantage of the AC Power Delivery upgrades which it currently has I did a direct A/B listening comparison between my DB 930 and a $1,500 Stereophile Magazine Class A Recommended Creek 5350SE Integrated Amp about 10 years ago and the using the DB 930's Analog Direct Multichannel Stereo RCA inputs was able to perform equally as well as the Class A Creek in every aspect of performance and sound quality with the single exception that the Creek Integrated which was highly praised by the Audiophile press at the time for being a Giant Killer in its own right was able to achieve a level of inner detail retrieval that the factory stock $600 DB 930 could not achieve.
If you can find a DB 930 that is in good to excellent condition you should be able buy it for a very reasonable price considering that its initial release was in Europe in the spring of 1999. I can remember how we were eagerly awaiting the release of the DB 930 here in the United States and savoring every bit of news about the very first Sony DB Series Receiver that we were able to get from Europe until it was finally available here a few months later.
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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David_S
Sonyphile
Joined: Aug 03, 2004
Posts: 769
From: BC, Canada
| Posted: 2012-05-05 11:02
On 2012-05-05 06:20, Maxxwire wrote:
On 2012-05-03 22:52, David_S wrote:
The gut shot of the DB790 looks like the receiver is a messy internal design compared to the gut shot of the DB930. The picture made me think the DB790 is an older receiver until I read your last sentence. The Sony user manual for the DB930 is dated 1990, the Sony user manual for the DB790 is dated 2003.
Davis_S- I agree with your assessment of the internal design of the DB 790 and its 'not ready for prime time' appearance and it is surprising that this Receiver represents Sony's DB line 4 years after they first launched the DB line with the DB 930 which they had put a lot of thought into along with an incredible build quality which set the internet ablaze with talk of the new DB Line of Receivers. There was a huge buzz about the DB 930 back in 1999 which was evidenced by over 350 posts on Audio Review's DB 930 thread making it the most discussed Sony Receiver of all time on that website.
I had to do an extensive search to find a clearly readable copy of the front page of the DB 930's Owners Manual in which the date of issue is clearly legible and I finally came across a European version in which all of the 9's in the date of issue actually look like 9's and not 0's as they so often do in most of the poorly photographed copies that I came across. So, if the Agoraquest photo uploader does its usually very accurate job the DB 930's Owners Manual will show its original issue date as reading 1999...
Oops, I didn't re-read my typing carefully enough before posting. I should have entered 1999 for the DB930. I downloaded the DB930 manual from the Sony site. The DB790 manual is also at the Sony site. The DB790 & DA1000ES share the same manual.
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TA- E77ES E80ES E1000ESD N77ES F555ES
RM- AV3000 AX1400 (2)AX4000
SDP-EP9ES, ST-S730ES
STR- DA4ES DA3100ES (2)DA5700ES (2)GX10ES
DVP- (3)NS999ES NS3100ES CX777ES
CDP-X303ES, CDP-M555ES
MDS-JA20ES, TC-K717ES, DTC-690
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zeplin43
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Mar 25, 2012
Posts: 26
From: Coimbra Portugal
| Posted: 2012-05-05 12:39
Ok guys tks for inf. im on the hunt for a STR DB930.
i did buy my 790 for 80$ and it sounds very nice in 2.1 stereo which is the main use i give my rig, My passion is Vinyl.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-05 17:45
On 2012-05-05 11:02, David_S wrote:
The DB790 & DA1000ES share the same manual.
Thanks for sharing that with us because these 2 Sony Receivers also share the same service manual. I find this especially interesting since the DA1000ES was the only Analog Receiver in Sony's 2003 ES Class lineup.
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-05 19:00
 
On 2012-05-05 12:39, zeplin43 wrote:
Ok guys tks for inf. im on the hunt for a STR DB930. i did buy my 790 for 80$ and it sounds very nice in 2.1 stereo which is the main use i give my rig, My passion is Vinyl.
Back in 2002 the Analog front end I was using with my DB 930 was a Rega Planar 3 and from that very satisfactory listening experience I think that you will find that the DB 930 will do a very good job of Vinyl playback for you especially if you opt for a good Phono Preamp connected to the front channel Stereo Analog RCA inputs of its Multichannel Analog Bypass section using competent Analog interconnects.
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 18:53 ]
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jttar
Sony Master
Joined: Feb 28, 2003
Posts: 9160
From: Chicago,IL, USA
 | Posted: 2012-05-05 21:40
On 2012-05-05 19:00, Maxxwire wrote:
opt for a good Phono Preamp connected to the front channel Stereo Analog RCA inputs of its Multichannel Analog Bypass section using competent Analog interconnects.
Hello Maxx, For vinyl playback did you find using Multichannel and a preamp prefered over using Phono setting on the receiver and the analog cables going to the Phono in and no preamp? Joe
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-05 22:35
Joe aka BeastMaster-- Due to my inability to find Records that I felt were as well recorded, Mastered and produced as the excellent Nippon Columbia Digital Recordings which were so readily available for my i2s Bus Digital Front end and Theta DAC which I found myself pouring quite a bit of money into I did not have the Rega P3 all that long and I did not have sufficient opportunity nor motivation to take it to the next level of playback quality using a high quality Phono Preamp although as most Vinylphiles do I recommend using a standalone Phono Preamp with the Analog Direct Multichannel RCA inputs over the built in Phono setting on a Receiver like the DB 930 for those who have large record collections which they plan to play often.
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-05 23:00
I used my Sony DB 930 Receiver as I was building my i2s Bus Digital front end with a pair of Transparent Ultra Electrically Resonance Tuned Analog interconnects to connect the Theta DAC to the front channel Stereo RCA inputs of the DB 930's Analog Bypass Multichannel input section.
The DB 930 has always been very responsive to even the smallest changes and I used this capability to fine tune the Audio System for improved performance and better sound quality.
These days I use a Musical Fidelity V-Link Asynchronous USB-S/PDIF Converter to connect the DB 930 to High Resolution 24/96 Memory Playback Music from the J. River Media Center on my Win 7 x64 computer and the DB 930 continues to provide a very high level of sensitivity which has allowed me to take the V-Link through 4 successive stages of ever finer Resonance Tuning which has produced levels of sound quality that are much higher than the conventional Disc Player/Digital front end was ever able to.
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 18:58 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-20 06:57
On 2012-05-20 05:01, craigmclellan89 wrote:
I recently bought a DB830 to give to my parents.
You already have an advantage that I have never had and that is to have access to a DB 830 to open up and take pictures of as I did with my DB 930. The most meaningful answers to your questions about the possible similarities between the DB 830 and DB 930 can then be answered by comparing your pictures of the DB 830 to the pictures of the DB 930 circuitry which I have published liberally on this thread. Pictures are a great tool because through them I have noticed differences even between the North American DB 930 and European DB 930QS models.
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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zeplin43
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Mar 25, 2012
Posts: 26
From: Coimbra Portugal
| Posted: 2012-05-06 04:28
I have found a STR 930 for sale but it DOES NOT HAVE A REMOTE.
Can all the funtions be accesed without the remote on the Str930?
Is the STR790 remote by any chance compatible with the 930?
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-06 05:00
zeplin43- Its great news that you have located a DB 930 that is for sale. The DB 930 that you are considering buying is most likely the QS (Quality Standard) model that was released throughout Europe in 1999. I can and have been manually accessing all of the functions on my North American model DB 930 for over a decade so I am reasonably sure that you will be able to do the same with the DB 930QS.
I do not know if the DB 790's RM PP-412 remote will operate all of the functions on the DB 930, but some time researching on the internet may give you more information on the subject.
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-07 17:20
zeplin43- To find out more about what may have caused the "Protector" error and the possibilities of it being fixed you might want to check out Joe's 'Troubleshooting "Protector" Error on Receivers' post in the Agoraquest FAQ forum.
Whether or not to buy the Receiver and try to fix it is your decision, but Joe does sum up his post by saying "If after eliminating all of the speakers, wiring connections, and fuses the “Protector” error still exists there is a good possibility that one or more of the receivers transistor output channels are faulty" and in that case there are sure to be repair costs to be considered.
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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zeplin43
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Mar 25, 2012
Posts: 26
From: Coimbra Portugal
| Posted: 2012-05-06 18:01
Sorry all the questions but what about a Str 925 or a Str 940 any of these same quality build and componentes compared to the Str 930?
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jttar
Sony Master
Joined: Feb 28, 2003
Posts: 9160
From: Chicago,IL, USA
| Posted: 2012-05-06 22:11
On 2012-05-05 22:35, Maxxwire wrote:
Joe aka BeastMaster-- Due to my inability to find Records that I felt were as well recorded, Mastered and produced as the excellent Nippon Columbia Digital Recordings which were so readily available for my i2s Bus Digital Front end and Theta DAC which I found myself pouring quite a bit of money into I did not have the Rega P3 all that long and I did not have sufficient opportunity nor motivation to take it to the next level of playback quality using a high quality Phono Preamp although as most Vinylphiles do I recommend using a standalone Phono Preamp with the Analog Direct Multichannel RCA inputs over the built in Phono setting on a Receiver like the DB 930 for those who have large record collections which they plan to play often.
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
Thank you Maxx. As always I appreciate your input. It gives me something else to play with when I can scrape up some spare time to try Multichannel instead of Phono. I have to look for it but I know I have a Phono Preamp around here some place.
Joe
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-06 19:00
On 2012-05-06 18:01, zeplin43 wrote:
Sorry all the questions but what about a Str 925 or a Str 940 any of these same quality build and components compared to the Str 930?
I owned the DE 925 at the time I got my DB 930 and the DB 930 has a much better build quality with its Nichicon Gold Tune and Fine Gold capacitors throughout its circuitry.
This picture is of the Volume Attenuator of the DB 940 taken by Agoraquest Member and fellow Portlander Jalex.
With your primary intent being to play back your collection of Vinyl records in Pure Analog Direct Stereo with the Music signal never leaving the Analog Domain and bypassing all of the A/D-D/A conversions of the artificial DSP in the Preamp section the only thing between the Pure Analog input and the Receiver's Amps is the build quality of the Volume Attenuator. Compare the above picture of the DB 940's Volume Attenuator with that of the DB 930 with its 6 Nichicon Fine Gold coupling capacitors...
 
The bottom line here is that Sony deliberately overbuilt the DB 930 because it was to be the very first Receiver in their new DB Line of Receivers which they debuted in 1999 and the DB 930 was the star of the show! On the internet back in 1999 there were accounts of the DB 930 blowing the Sony ES models off of their racks and Home Theater Choice released specs showing that the DB 930 measured much more power output at lower THD which I mentioned in My Very First Post on Agoraquest in the second post on the first page of this thread back in 2002.
You are free to buy any of the Sony Receivers that you mentioned, but from one Stereo guy to another I just don't think you will be able to find a better Receiver from among the ones that you have mentioned than the DB 930 because the sound of nothing but the DB 930's excellent Audiophile Grade ALPS Volume Attenuator between your Turntable or Phono Preamp and the DB 930's Amps makes for some truly excellent listening.
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 19:04 ]
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zeplin43
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Mar 25, 2012
Posts: 26
From: Coimbra Portugal
| Posted: 2012-05-07 06:43
Hi Maxx still waiting for shipping quote lets see how that goes,anyway looking for other options as well!
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-10 05:20
On 2012-05-09 03:04, zeplin43 wrote:
Maxx Thks once again for your expert advice.
Zeplin
No problem. Please let us know how things turn out for your DB 930.
Its difficult to know how many actual hours of use these 1999 model Receivers have on them, but I know that my DB 930 was not used from 2003-2010 during my Audio System's Vacuum Tube equipment era. Hopefully your DB 930 will have many years of good performance left also.
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-07 05:01
zeplin43- Any news on getting a new Sony Receiver?
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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zeplin43
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Mar 25, 2012
Posts: 26
From: Coimbra Portugal
| Posted: 2012-05-07 10:11
Well i have found one (cheap)with the display showing PROTECTOR i have read here about this situation before
Since the Receiver is complete (box manual remote and looks like new) Do you guys think it worth the callenge of bringing it back to life.
Is this normaly a easy fix???
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-07 21:55
zeplin43- Which Receiver was it which had the the 'Protector' notification displayed?
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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zeplin43
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Mar 25, 2012
Posts: 26
From: Coimbra Portugal
| Posted: 2012-05-08 04:32
Hi Maxx its a Str DB 930
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-08 04:36
 
Even when using moderately effective Line Conditioning like the Tice Microblock which employs a 14 lb Isolation Transformer the Sony DB 930 Receiver is a great performer when its captured power cord is terminated with a Pure Copper Bladed AC Plug.
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 18:48 ]
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zeplin43
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Mar 25, 2012
Posts: 26
From: Coimbra Portugal
| Posted: 2012-05-08 05:02
On 2012-05-08 04:36, Maxxwire wrote:
Sony DB 930
-----------------
Yes Maxx thats correct the Sony Str DB930,the seller said it was working good until a few days ago and now goes into protective mode.
[ This message was edited by: zeplin43 on 2012-05-08 05:54 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-08 06:12
zeplin43- Do you know of an Audio equipment technician who could do an inspection of this Sony DB 930 that you are considering buying and assess the repair costs for you before you make a decision?
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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zeplin43
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Mar 25, 2012
Posts: 26
From: Coimbra Portugal
| Posted: 2012-05-08 09:03
Maxx i considered buying a non working receiver because i have a very good tech that is a good friend of mine,so laber will be cheap.
I have downloaded the service manual,
Parts seem to be available at a good price.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251048479777?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
But i will have to take the risk(or not) because i will not be able to inspect receiver before i buy it.
By the way what do you think about these IEC Connectors
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110817908858?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-08 17:50
zeplin43- Buying a currently non-working Receiver makes much more sense when you have a friend who is an Audio technician since it shouldn't be hard for him to assess whatever damage has occurred and repair it and give you some advise on the best parts to use for the repair.
As far as the Schuko plug and IEC that you linked to the IEC socket that would need to buy and have added to the DB 930 as well the IEC plug that you would need to purchase would both become unnecessary of you instead had your tech straightwire a good quality power cord directly into the power supply replacing the inefficient factory installed power cord clip in on the circuit board...
By soldering a good quality power cord into the power supply of the DB 930 all of the weak links and unnecessary parts are eliminated and the money saved from not having to buy an IEC Socket and Plug can be either saved or spent on an even better quality Schuko Plug for your DB 930's new highly efficient power cord...
As long as your Tech is inside the DB 930 doing repair work taking a few minutes to solder in a good quality power cord would take a lot less time than having to cut an opening into the back panel of the Receiver to install and secure an IEC socket plus the DB 930 will have improved access to its source of AC Power with a straightwired power cord.
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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zeplin43
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Mar 25, 2012
Posts: 26
From: Coimbra Portugal
| Posted: 2012-05-09 03:04
Maxx Thks once again for your expert advice.
Zeplin
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craigmclellan89
Sony Aficionado
Joined: Feb 12, 2009
Posts: 118
From: England, UK
| Posted: 2012-05-20 05:01
I recently bought a DB830 to give to my parents in order to take my VA555ES back from them. In all honest, I think I've made the wrong decision and next time I make a visit to my parents, I am going to swap back. I will tell them the reason for this is the fact it has an A/B switch (I have Bose speakers in my back garden and at the moment, it's a real chore hooking them up!)
Does the 830 have the same caps on the volume control, etc as the 930??
I recently bought a DB830 to give to my parents in order to take my VA555ES back from them. In all honest, I think I've made the wrong decision and next time I make a visit to my parents, I am going to swap back. I will tell them the reason for this is the fact it has an A/B switch (I have Bose speakers in my back garden and at the moment, it's a real chore hooking them up!)
Does the 830 have the same caps on the volume control, etc as the 930??
I have bluray but have used an HDMI receiver in my system and was underwhelmed, hence taking my VA555ES back! All I really do apart from listen to DD and DTS on movies is listen to a CD player via analogue inputs, I think the 830 if it has the same signal path as the 930 would be a better solution for me.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-20 22:02
zeplin43- I found my DB 930 a lot of fun to photograph and I got good results using a fixed light source and then another to spotlight the particular area of the DB 930's circuitry I was shooting.
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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zeplin43
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Mar 25, 2012
Posts: 26
From: Coimbra Portugal
| Posted: 2012-05-20 14:35
Well the hunt is over,i will post some pics of my new to me STR DB930 in black receiver.Planning on changing power cord as well.
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mykyll2727
Sony Pro
Joined: Apr 30, 2004
Posts: 4171
From: Las Vegas
| Posted: 2012-05-20 21:38
On 2012-05-20 14:35, zeplin43 wrote:
Well the hunt is over,i will post some pics of my new to me STR DB930 in black receiver.Planning on changing power cord as well.
Cool!! I'm, looking forward to your updates! Congrats on your new acquisition!!_mykl
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-31 06:01
A few days ago I came across a picture that I had taken in May of 2010 which was 6 months before I installed the Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet which took my entire Audio System in an entirely new and unexpected direction. It took me quite awhile to even remember which equipment was using the power cords that were plugged into the Leviton Hospital Grade Outlets of my custom built VansEvers power strip, but here it is...
The DB 930 was using a Hubbell clamshell AC plug with brass blades which came from the Transparent Super power cord that powers the Theta DAC which had been upgraded to a Furutech FI-11 Pure Copper Plug. The Monotor was using the original Bob Crump TG Audio power cord and the laptop computer had its OEM power cord and the VansEvers power strip connected to the Tice Micro Block with this CPCC 12 AWG power cord...
At the time I was satisfied with the performance of the equipment when its AC Power was being delivered as shown above, but the sound quality of the DB 930 left much to be desired compared to the Vacuum Tube Audio System which was using the pair of VansEvers Model 12 Reference Programmable Line Conditioners and LAT AC 2 Silverfuse power cords terminated with Furutech FI-25 UPOCC Plugs.
It took me a year from the time that picture was taken to find out that when my $600 1999 Sony DB 930 Receiver was using a FI-28 Pure Copper Plug to draw its AC Power from the VansEvers Analog Reference line conditioner that it sounded amazingly better than my $25,000 Vacuum Tube Audio System with its full complement of rare and expensive Old Stock Tubes which cost even more than the DB 930 it proved to me that its not the cost of the equipment that makes it sound great, but rather the way it is used with respect to the AC Power that it is powered by.
One of the things I did early on was to change the way I was using the DB 930 by plugging it directly into the Tice Micro Block which brought an immediate improvement in its sound quality demonstrating to me that the Direct Delivery of AC Power to the equipment instead of through a power strip radically improved the performance of the DB 930. Subsequently I found a direct source of power for the Monitor by plugging it also into the Tice Micro Block as well as upgrading the AC and IEC Plugs on its power cord which combined to result in much better picture quality.
By the time May 2012 rolled around I was using high quality power cords with Rhodium Plated Pure Copper Plugs plugs in concert with Reference Quality line conditioning and point to point AC Power Delivery to both my Audio and Video equipment and as a result they are able to perform far beyond their pricepoint!
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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zeplin43
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Mar 25, 2012
Posts: 26
From: Coimbra Portugal
| Posted: 2012-05-31 10:00
well shipping went ok and as promised here are pics of my DB930.
All funtions are showing on screen and volume light is working in excelent visual aspect "imHappy"Well worth the 64€ + 30€ for shipping that it cost.
i am not going to connect it yet because i want to substitute the STR DB790 and to many cables to change just to see if it works.
It is now going to my tech friend for the cable upgrade and check up.
regards
Zeplin
*******
I used the software that Claudio provided me with to very accurately compress while maintaining the size of the pictures you posted in order to save 4.48 MB on the server. ~Maxx~ Forum Moderator
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-05-31 19:00 ]
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mykyll2727
Sony Pro
Joined: Apr 30, 2004
Posts: 4171
From: Las Vegas
| Posted: 2012-05-31 17:45
Zeplin_Congrats on your "new" Sony!! Great pics! Thanks for sharing!_mykl
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-05-31 19:55
zeplin43- Thank you so much for the great pictures of your Sony DB 930QS that you posted on the last page! I have been hoping to be able to see detailed and comprehensive pictures of this Sony QS Model ever since 1999 when word of its amazing sound and build quality swept across America as we waited with great anticipation for the North American version to arrive on our shores. This fervent interest caused the DB 930 to become the most often posted about Sony Receiver ever in the history of the Audio Review website!
Its great to see that you were able to find such a fine example of Sony's original European version of the DB 930 and I'm looking forward to hearing about how it performs and sounds in your Audio System especially with the planned power cord upgrade! I have owned my DB 930 for over 12 years and I have yet to find any limits to the improvements in sound quality which can be realized from upgrades in the AC power Delivery System of this exceptionally fine Receiver which Sony intentionally built to extremely high standards in order to make it suitable to launch their all new DB Series line of Receivers in 1999!
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-06-01 01:55 ]
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zeplin43
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Mar 25, 2012
Posts: 26
From: Coimbra Portugal
| Posted: 2012-06-01 02:24
Thks guys i cant wait to here this receiver.
Max you surgested that by connecting the phono signal into the multichanel front gives the best sound in your opinion? but then i will only be able to hear in stereo correct?
I am using a yamaha 1020 amp that has a excelent phono section to connect my 2 main Turntables so that cable enters the multi channel? i am going to connect another TT to the phono entry of the DB930 because i use 3 TT and compare this as well.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-06-01 21:50
zeplin43- The only true direct Analog inputs on the DB 930 are the Multichannel inputs. I did some listening comparisons connecting my Theta DAC with my DB 930 using a pair of Transparent Ultra Analog interconnects and found that it did sound slightly better using the Multichannel inputs rather than the standard inputs which are subject to A/D-D/A conversion by the DB 930's Digital Preamp.
That said, it would probably be best for you do your own set of critical listening comparisons to subjectively determine how these different inputs on your new DB 930QS sound using your own gear and wiring and then set things up accordingly.
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-06-13 05:59
 
In my Vacuum Tube Audio System which I began building in 2002 the Conrad-Johnson MV-52 Tube Amp has its own dedicated power supply which sources filtered AC Power from the Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filter the rest of the Audio System's equipment which is comprised of a Counterpoint Tube/FET Preamp, Sony Digital Transport as well as the Audio Alchemy (Digital Transmission Interface) DTI 2, Audio Alchemy DTI Pro 32 and Theta Cobalt DAC in the i2s Bus Digital front end all must draw AC Power communally from the same Brick Wall Filter. In the beginning I was using a household grade 3 duplex power strip with an OEM power cord with a molded AC Plug to supply AC Power to the Tube/FET Preamp and i2s Digital front end and then in 2003 I was very fortunate to be able to buy an Audio grade power strip which Mike VansEvers had custom made using 3 Leviton Hospital Grade duplex outlets which was featured in my last post...
After a lot of experimentation I discovered that the sound quality of the Analog Tube/FET Preamp varied greatly when it used AC Power from different outlets in the power strip and it sounded best when it used the first duplex next to the power cord all by itself which left 2 duplex outlets for the other 4 power cords of the Sony Digital Player, The Sony Player which is used as a Digital Transport, the pair of stand alone 3 Amp linear power supplies which power the two i2s Digital processors and the Theta DAC were then plugged into the remaining 4 Hospital Grade outlets. This dramatic power strip upgrade brought a very welcomed improvement in sound quality and I used the VansEvers power strip for the next 4 years until 2007 when I was able to find a very rare AC Power Distribution Center which featured a much improved set of 4 Hubbell IG8200 high conductivity Phosphor Bronze duplex outlets which retailed for $54 each at the time...
When I first saw this piece at the Audio Shop in 2007 I could hardly believe that this high quality piece which had long been out of production and replaced by models with compromised conductivity 15% IACS nickel parts was available. I used it as a direct replacement for the VansEvers power strip I had been using and after the transition was complete I let the Vacuum Tube equipment warm up and I took my place in the listening position between the JBL AlNiCo speakers which have such great synergy with Vacuum Tube Amplification and began my listening evaluation of my Vacuum Tube Audio System as it used the much higher quality AC Power Distribution Center which every piece of equipment in the Audio System was simultaneously drawing power from with the exception of the Vacuum Tube power amp.
I was shocked to discover that there was absolutely no difference whatsoever in sound quality between the VansEvers power strip with its $7 Hospital Grade Outlets and the new AC Power Distribution Center with its much higher quality $54 Hubbell Phosphor Bronze Hospital Grade Outlets and the reason as to how this could possibly be eluded me for the next 4 years. .
In 2011 my humble Sony DB 930 which easily sounded much better than the Vacuum Tube Audio System when it was drawing its power unilaterally from the same Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet that the $25,000 Reference Audio System was led me to the realization that these multiple duplex outlet power strips and AC Power Distribution Centers are in and of themselves quite capable of presenting a bottleneck in the delivery of AC Power thus limiting the quality of the AC Power available to the Audio equipment while several pieces simultaneously draw power from the high quality 4 duplex communal AC Power Trough.
The Sony DB 930's superior performance and sound quality while using its singular line of AC Power Delivery originating directly from a single outlet source to power its Digital, Preamp and Power Amp sections finally revealed to me how back in 2007 how it was that my Vacuum Tube Audio System could sound exactly the same when using a power strip with $7 brass duplex outlets as when it was using a source with $54 high conductivity phosphor bronze duplex outlets in that each power strip presented an equally debilitating bottleneck for the several different pieces of Audio equipment simultaneously drawing AC Power from them.
I also noticed something else during these comparisons which pointed out yet another aspect of the disadvantage in using multiple duplex outlet power strips when I engaged the very effective EMI Filter in the 4 duplex AC Power Distribution Center which was designed of the Analog equipment to draw AC Power from and that was that the sound quality instantly improved by a very noticeable degree the instant its highly effective EMI Filter was engaged! This lead me to the conclusion that this very heavy EMI contamination is indeed one of the major factors which rendered these 2 power strips as equally poor sounding in the same Audio System without EMI Filtering. The fact remains that even my high quality EMI filtered AC Power Distribution Center has proven unable to provide the same kind of access to high quality performance enhancing AC Power that unilateral unshared delivery has.
What it comes down to is the good, better and best ways of keeping this EMI contamination from negatively effecting the sound of the Audio equipment that that is plugged into one of these power strips. There are some simple and inexpensive ways to cut down on the sonic effects of this EMI contamination when using a power strip and one of them is to never plug in Analog Audio equipment into the same duplex outlet that a Digital piece of gear is using and as I mentioned before the first duplex outlet nearest the IEC inlet most likely offers the best quality...
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 18:07 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-06-23 02:59
The delivery of high quality AC Power to our A/V equipment begins with providing the best quality Surge Protected and Line Conditioned AC Power that we can manage. My efforts in this area of AC Power Delivery began back in 2000 with auditioning Surge Protection and Line Conditioning equipment from various reputable manufacturers . This task was facilitated by the advantage of my being able to borrow any equipment I wanted to from my friend's Audio Shop which was just 5 blocks from where I lived at the time and try it out in my Audio System so that I could compare the performance of one manufacturer's design with another. As a result I got to listen to a wide variety of various kinds of equipment from Panamax, Audio Prism, Chang Lightspeed, Tice Audio and even the $800 Transparent Audio Ultra just to name a few, but none of them had the combination of excellent surge protection capabilities along with highly effective Power Line Conditioning that yielded a very welcomed and clearly audible positive influence on the sound of my Audio System that the least expensive piece that I auditioned had which was the $US215 Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filter...
 
The Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filter pictured above is dedicated to supplying series mode surge protected and multiple frequency filtered AC Power to my DB 930 makes a substantial and indispensable contribution to the overall sound quality of my Audio System and at the same time provides excellent fail proof surge protection which none of the other much more expensive equipment which I auditioned could provide.
The updated picture of the Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filter shows it as it currently supplies surge protected and Line Conditioned AC Power to the rest of the equipment such as the Desktop computer through its Furutech FI-28 terminated white Synergistic Research Alpha power cord as well as the Notebook Computer, IPS Monitor and other peripheral equipment through the Tice Audio Micro Block...
The original design of the Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filter came into being almost 20 years ago from an engineer who needed a surge protector to insulate mission critical pharmaceutical data acquisition systems from power line voltage transients and noise. When he tried to find a commercially available solution he found that almost all of the surge protectors available diverted surge current equally to the ground and the neutral wires and were based on sacrificial Metal Oxide Varistors often referred to as MOVs.
MOVs: Sacrificial By Design
"MOV's are the mainstay component of the surge protector industry. For certain electronic applications they are an excellent choice. For AC power line surge protectors they are not a good choice. MOV's function by creating a short circuit (usually to the neutral and the ground) when a preset voltage threshold is exceeded. Essentially they divert surge current away from what the surge protector is protecting. Unfortunately MOV's are sacrificial components. This means that the performance life of any surge protector utilizing this technology is finite. With every surge current diversion above a modest level a MOV comes closer to its inevitable end.
The Brick Series Mode Surge Protector is a massive inductor. This is not a sacrificial component. It will never fail. It will not degrade with use. In fact no component used in the construction of our surge protectors is sacrificial. A Brick Wall Surge Protector will never experience a surge related failure."
Here is a basic diagram of how the Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filter works to protect Audio, Video and Computer equipment followed by its amazing test specifications which include an unlimited applied surge pulse joule rating...
The outstanding performance of the Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filter which comes in both single and 4 duplex models does not end there because its dual filtering acts as a Power Line Conditioner by way of its wide bandwidth dual filtering characteristics...
From the very first moment I started running my entire A/V System with a Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filter back in 2007 I noticed that the Music I played immediately began to sound smoother more natural and and very relaxed. Back then I was running Vacuum Tube equipment, but this improvement in sound quality was also very noticeable when I began running my solid state Sony DB 930 Receiver from its dedicated Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filter which is now retrofitted with a Furutech FI-25 Pure Copper AC Plug that is plugged into the Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Duplex Outlet...
I've made a comprehensive range of improvements to my A/V System's AC Power Delivery System over the last 12 years, but at the very front and center of these improvements in AC Power Delivery are a pair of Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filters with Furutech FI-25 Pure Copper AC Plugs retrofitted on their power cords which are the very first equipment that the AC Power encounters as it leaves the Furutech Pure Copper Duplex Outlet and the beneficial wide band filtering that the Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filters provide establishes the initial continuity of the AC waveform that the rest of the equipment will turn into everything I see and hear from my A/V equipment making the Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filters such an integral part of the quality of the AC Power which my equipment uses that without their surge protection and highly effective Line Conditioning it would not only have inferior protection from power surges, but the sound quality would suffer so significantly that the excellent levels that I now enjoy would devolve into a sad state of mediocrity.
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 18:09 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-07-03 23:55
At the time I made my first post to this thread back in August of 2002 I was running both an Analog and a Digital front end in my Audio System. The Analog front end consisted of a Rega P-3 Turntable similar to the one pictured below only with with a Sumiko Blue Point Special Phono Cartridge on its an RB 300 Tonearm and a pair of Straightwire Virtuoso Gold Analog interconnects connecting it to my Sony DB 930 Receiver...
Back then the DB 930's was also using this $7,700 Audio Alchemy I2S Bus interfaced Digital front end which connected to the DB 930 with a pair of Transparent Ultra Electrical Resonance Tuned Analog interconnects by way of its Analog Direct Multichannel inputs...
After I sold the Rega P3 to be able to afford a Conrad Johnson Vacuum Tube Preamp and an AMC Hybrid Tube/FET Power Amp I concentrated my time and efforts into improving the sound quality of the I2S Bus Digital front end and a major part of those improvements was to upgrade the OEM 'wall wart' power supplies of its Theta Digital TLC Jitter reduction and Audio Alchemy Digital processors with the best outboard linear power supplies available which were the Theta Digital Outboard Power Supply for the Theta Time Linque Conditioner (TLC) with its excellent quality Mercury Magnetics transformer and Nichicon capacitors...
...and a pair of Audio Alchemy Power Station 2 linear power supplies one each for the for the Audio Alchemy DTI Pro and the DTI Pro 32...
These linear power supply upgrades had a far superior build quality to the wall wart power supplies that the $200 Theta TLC and Audio Alchemy processors which cost $1,500 and $1,800 respectively originally came with and although the Audio Alchemy Power Station 2 linear power supplies were each upgraded with a $300 Revelation Audio Labs .99999 silver conductor umbilical to connect to the DTI Pro processors did bring an improvement in sound quality it was rather unremarkable and quite trivial in comparison to many of the other improvements in the I2S Digital Front End including the upgrade from 6 MHz bandwidth standard plastic filament Toslink to the 30 MHz bandwidth Audioquest Optilink 4 Fused Silica Glass Toslink which made the Music sound amazingly more transparent which I brought to the I2S Digital Front End just a few weeks after I joined the Agoraquest community and I have continued to use ever since.
The reason that these very substantial upgrades of these linear power supplies which the Digital processors use were only moderately effective comes from the fact that there are great disadvantages in using a linear power supply in that the AC current is required to first pass through a transformer and then rectifier diodes, a voltage regulator followed by smoothing capacitors. This process is by no means perfect and there is usually a lot of noise generated by the rectifier diodes as well as the coupling of the magnetic fields generated into the internal components of the equipment combined with whatever noise that originally existed in the AC Power.
By Improving the quality of the AC Power Delivery in our A/V Systems we are able to reduce the amount of the detrimental effects caused by poor quality Outlets, AC Plugs and power cords and thereby improve the quality of the AC Power which the linear power supplies turn into the DC Power that our equipment modulates into the Audio and Video signals which become everything we hear and see from from our A/V equipment which is what the original AC Power Principals showed us.
After years of continuous effort to improve the quality of the AC Power Delivery to my Audio and Video equipment I have segued into using a new kind of much cleaner and more direct power delivery to my Computerized Digital Audio Equipment...
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-07-03 23:56
Recently I took advantage of the of a long awaited opportunity to take the power delivery to my Computerized Digital Transport off of the AC Power Grid and test the DC Power Principals of supplying stored pure DC power from a Li-ion Polymer Battery Pack which has a highly regulated voltage source which prevents its output from sagging like unregulated batteries do and directly power the Digital Audio equipment and thus skipping the entire inefficient and noisy AC to DC conversion process which conventional power delivery requires.
This is my new SOtM (Soul Of the Music) dX Asynchronous USB-S/PDIF Converter which features the XMOS XS1-L1 event driven microprocessor which I got from Andrew at Small Green Computer shown here as it is being powered by its own dedicated 50 Watt-hour Powerstream 3450D Li-ion Polymer Battery Pack which features a highly regulated voltage source so it doesn't suffer from power sag like conventional unregulated batteries do while it receives the Digital Musical Data from my Li-ion battery powered HP Notebook Computer which had previously been sitting idle for 2 years over the Revelation Audio Labs .99999 Silver conductor USB cable and then the SOtM dX reclocks the Data with one of its ultra low jitter clocks and sends the 24/88.2 or 24/96 S/PDIF Optical bitstream over the 30 Mhz bandwidth Audioquest Fused Silica Glass Toslink to the Sony DB 930 Receiver.
I had originally taken the 2008 model Vista Notebook Computer through radical service reductions using the Black Viper website guidelines that allow it to start and run using about 1/3 of the 1GB RAM Allocation that it originally required, but recently it has been set up for Digital Audio playback using Windows X Live's Fidelizer freeware by optimizing audio thread I/O priorities and the clock rate in the resource scheduler as well as optimizing process thread priorities and system clock resolution. All services non essential to Audio playback are stopped leaving a current total of 30 services running out of an original total of 87. This leaves the Vista Notebook good for little else other than Digital Audio playback, but it makes an outstanding improvement in sound quality using its recently installed ASIO drivers to directly operate the SOtM dX during Off Grid Digital Music playback.
I've experienced the amazing benefits that The AC Power Principals predict will occur when improvements in the AC Power Delivery System are made some of which have been on an order of magnitude as a result of installing the OCC Single Crystal Copper power cord and FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug on my Sony DB 930 Receiver and it is these improvements in AC Power Delivery which raised the impact of the Off Grid DC Direct powering of my new SOtM dX XMOS run USB-S/PDIF Converter to levels of tonal accuracy and realism that far surpass anything that I have ever heard from the finest Vinyl playback!
I have the ability to run both the computer and the SOtM dX on either AC converted power or about 4 hours worth of battery power from the computer and 11 hours worth of Pure DC Power from the SOtM dX's dedicated Powerstream Li-ion Polymer Battery and the instantaneous difference in sound quality using the exact same equipment first on AC converted power and then on DC Battery power is simply amazing!
The last time I heard Music playback as smooth and natural as when using Pure DC Power with both the computer and the XMOS run SOtM dX was listening to my Rega P3 Turntable playing the MFSL 1/2 speed mastered 180 gram Vinyl version of Steely Dan's 1977 Aja Album through a $750 pair of Straightwire Virtuoso Gold Analog interconnects. I've never forgotten the completely organic sound that MFSL Aja album had as played back through the same model of JBL AlNiCo monitors that the Music was originally mastered with. I've been trying for over 10 years to recapture that level of totally natural sounding Music playback with the I2S Digital front end used with both Vacuum Tube and Solid State amplification and it has eluded me until now.
I've had this Off Grid Digital Music Playback for almost a month now and finally after all of these years I realize that it was not the equipment that was keeping me from obtaining that very natural sounding playback, but rather the purity of the Power that the equipment was running on! When either the computer or the SOtM dX USB-S/PDIF Converter is running on AC converted power from the computer's switching power supply the sound quality instantly hardens up and becomes very harsh, but a return to Pure DC Power immediately brings back that natural sounding Music playback that makes all of the Music that I have been listening to sound as good or even better than the finest MFSL 1/2 speed mastered Vinyl that I have owned.
 
After years of upgrades I was in a position where there were a sufficient number of AC Power Delivery improvements in place enhancing the quality of the AC to DC converted power that the Digital processing, Preamp and Power Amplification of the DB 930 Receiver is using to be able to have a much improved perception of just how much of an amazing difference running the Vista Notebook and the SOtM dX USB-S/PDIF Converter on Directly Delivered Pure DC Power makes. Most people who start using Directly Delivered DC Battery Power comment about how the noise-floor drops and a darker background is created for the Music, but what I am now hearing constitutes a whole new paradigm of true to life sound quality which I attribute to the many years of AC Power Delivery improvements which were made to the Audio System prior to powering the computerized Digital Audio Transport Off Grid.
Besides enjoying this fantastic new level of sound quality the thing that I am most pleased with is that I have found a very important new use for my perfectly good HP Vista notebook computer which was retired to a briefcase for storage after I got my Win 7 x64 desktop computer 2 years ago. I am even more pleased that it is now working as a Digital Music Transport with my Sony DB 930 Receiver which had only been used for OTA FM Radio and TV Audio duties up until a year ago when the application of the AC Power Principals enhanced its performance so much that it replaced my $25,000 Vacuum Tube Audio Separates as my Reference Audio System. Now these two pieces of equipment which were previously swept aside for newer and what at the time seemed like more capable equipment are now working together to produce a level of Music playback that I had always hoped that I would one day be fortunate enough to find.
All this said my greatest joy in discovering how fantastic my computer based Digital Front End sounds running Off Grid on Pure DC Power is that after over 12 years of owning my Sony DB 930 I am getting an even better idea of just how great this $600 Sony Receiver can sound...
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 18:12 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-07-04 06:14
In the last couple of posts I brought up the subject of my Digital Audio front end equipment and its Li-Ion Polymer DC power supply only to share with you how great the 1999 DB 930 now sounds when using the computer as a Digital Transport. This mention of my Digital Audio equipment was meant to be strictly with regard to the amazing new sound of the DB 930 and not start a discussion about the Digital Audio equipment itself so as not to change the original subject of the Thread to any other than it has been since August 2002 which is the amazing 1999 Sony DB 930 Receiver.
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-07-10 02:27 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-07-18 03:53
 
Just over a year ago the DB 930 received its Furutech Alpha 3 OCC Single Crystal Copper power cord with Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug and VansEvers Model 12 Reference Single Outlet Programmable Line Conditioner which improved its performance and sound quality by an order of magnitude in a truly remarkable demonstration of The AC Power Principals in action.
Its been 2 weeks since my last post about the great new sound that my Sony DB 930 Receiver has now that its computer based Digital Transport is being powered Off Grid. Since the Li-Ion Polymer battery began supplying 12 volts of DC Power directly to the XMOS XS1-L1 event driven microprocessor based Asynchronous USB-S/PDIF Converter which re-clocks the Digital bitstream using that same that Pure DC Power instead of the much lower quality SMPS AC/DC converted 5v power over USB the sound quality that the DB 930 is capable of has soared to heights that I never imagined it could over the 12+ years that I have owned it.
What this latest application of the <strong>DC Power Principals[b/] is showing me is just how deep in potential the AC Power Delivery upgrades which the DB 930 received were capable of in that this is the third iteration of Digital Front End that has served the DB 930 Receiver and since the Single Crystal Copper power cord and VansEvers Line Conditioning upgrade and with every improvement in the Digital Transport the DB 930 reacts with an ever more spectacular improvement in sound quality which makes me wonder just how much more room for improvement there might be in the performance of this ever so humble $600 1999 Sony Receiver?
 Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 18:13 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-07-29 02:57
 
The other day I was thinking about the transition from using my Vacuum Tube Audio System with the Modified Conrad-Johnson MV-52 Tube power amp with its excellent quality Magnetek transformers, high quality Polypropylene Capacitors in the Power Supply and its $700 set of old stock '60's Vacuum Tubes which include a quad of rare GE 6CA7 output Tubes along with its Counterpoint Tube/FET Preamp to the decidedly solid state Sony DB 930 Receiver. These two Audio Systems have practically nothing in common with the exception of the AC Power Delivery System that they use.
If I count the purchase of the VansEvers Line Conditioners as as the early potential for Reference quality AC Power delivery in my Audio System then the beginnings of that Delivery System were in the spring of 2003. Through scores and scores of AC Plug, AC Outlet and power cord upgrades most of which I have described on this thread I always credited the Vacuum Tube Audio equipment which I was listening to at the time as being the source of the multitude of sonic improvements in the sound quality of the Music I was playing.
And then came my shock of the decade... One day about 8 years after I first started building this Reference Quality AC Power Delivery System I decided to experiment by plugging my Sony DB 930 Receiver into the same source of AC Power that the Vacuum Tube Audio System had been using for all of those years and I was stunned when I heard not only the same high quality Music with all of the same sonic improvements that I had heard from the Vacuum Tube Audio equipment in place Which I had spent nearly a decade developing, but the DB 930 with its dedicated single power cord delivery was instantly upstaging the sound quality of the Vacuum Tube gear by a generously wide margin!
How is it then that all those years of continuous improvements and upgrades in sound quality by way of improvements in the AC Power Delivery System that the Vacuum Tube Audio gear could have instantaneously and directly transferred all of those sonic attributes with the exception of its own unique sonic signature to the DB 930 Receiver? I have become convinced that those 100's of improvements and refinements in sonic attributes which had accrued over all those years of improving the AC Power Delivery System were not the property of the Vacuum Tube gear in the first place, but rather they are the property of whichever Audio gear is competent enough to avail itself of the benefits of using that enhanced AC Power Delivery System by turning the Reference Quality AC Power into a Reference Quality Music Signal and in this case it was the humble 1999 Sony DB 930 which continues to sound many times better than the Vacuum Tube Audio System which used the same AC Power Delivery System for 8 years previously.
"The audio signal that exits from every component used to be AC from your wall"...The AC Power Principals
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 18:15 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-08-05 02:59
From the AC Power Principals...
"If you are still skeptical it may be because of this emerging 'audio truth': AC power is so important because it becomes the audio signal. AC is not just used to run a component.
The audio signal coming out of a CD player used to be AC in your house wiring. That signal goes to a preamp. The preamp uses that CD player signal to create a brand new signal using the input from the CD player as a scale model for the new larger signal leaving the preamp.
Same goes for amplifiers. None of them actually make the input signal larger. They all use AC power from the wall, turn it into DC then modulate the DC with the relatively tiny input signal."
Since 2006 when I first began experimenting with the use of different quality AC Plugs and Outlets in my Audio System which first originates with the AC Outlet and AC Plug being used at the wall I found that the quality of the Audio signal coming from each component is directly dependent upon the quality of the AC Outlets AC and AC Plugs that the Audio equipment's power cord uses to deliver the AC current which it uses to convert into the DC current which it then in turn modulates into its Audio output signal.
After applying a series of various Hospital Grade and gold plated Copper AC Plugs was early in my 11th year of ownership of my Sony DB 930 when I first terminated its OEM power cord with a Furutech FI-28 Rhodium plated Pure Copper AC Plug and this is how I described the results of that plug upgrade...
"The Furutech FI-28 Rhodium plated Pure Copper plug offered an immediate and noticeable improvement right from the start and after a week it brought improvements in macro and micro detailing that were already worth the cost of the plug.
Now after 2 weeks of being on the DB 930's OEM power cord the the Furutech FI-28 has taken the sound quality of this simple Sony Receiver to new heights that I have not only never heard before even when auditioning megabuck High End Audio equipment, but I am hearing my favorite Nippon Columbia recordings in a clarity and crispness with macro detailing across the entire soundstage within a harmonic structure that is far more thrillingly authentic, vibrant and alive than any Musical concert I have ever attended."
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-08-08 03:55
On 2012-08-08 02:47, zeplin43 wrote:
I will post what my ears hear!! as soon as i get the time to hook it up.
zeplin43- Next time you see your Tech friend please tell him for me that the Moderator of the Amps and Receivers Forum at Agoraquest was very impressed with the absolutely excellent job he did on your DB 930!
The only modification I have ever had done to my DB 930 in the over 12 years that I have owned it has been to upgrade its power cord, the AC Plug and the AC Power Delivery System which it uses and so I'm really looking forward to hearing your listening impressions of your DB 930 with its new upgraded power cord.
 
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-09 06:02 ]
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zeplin43
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Mar 25, 2012
Posts: 26
From: Coimbra Portugal
| Posted: 2012-08-07 13:13
Well guys finaly here are some photos Of my STR 930 cable upgrade(i hope).
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mykyll2727
Sony Pro
Joined: Apr 30, 2004
Posts: 4171
From: Las Vegas
| Posted: 2012-08-07 15:44
Nice work! Thanks for sharing. I have some Oyaide plugs on a custom made power conditioner I own._mykl
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-08-07 17:30
zeplin43- WoW- You really went for it! What a great DIY job you did of straightwiring the new 2 conductor 10 AWG powercord into the power supply of your DB 930 Receiver. I particularly like the way that you made a new opening for the new 10 AWG power cord and secured it from the outside with a clamp screwed to the rear panel of the DB 930 which was a brilliant move. The new Schuko AC plug should be quite an upgrade over the OEM nickel bladed plug your DB 930 came with.
I'm hoping that once your new 10 AWG power cord and its Schuko AC plug are run in that you will share your impressions of the way your DB 930 sounds now compared with the way it did before you took the time to plan and apply this simple and effective DIY upgrade.
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2012-08-07 21:49 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-08-07 17:31
Reserved...
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-08-07 19:00
8-29-2012- This post which I am placing at the top of the 25th page of this 'DB 930 Thread' is in commemoration of the simply astounding progress that my DB 930 has shown over the 10 years since I made my very first post at Agoraquest to this thread on 8-29-2002 and with this post I hope to recount how much the performance and sound quality of my 1999 Sony DB 930 has improved over the last decade since the OP Keithant first asked the question 'How many folks are still happy with their STR-DB930 receiver?' in the first post of this thread. I hope that you will enjoy the post which reveals the reasons for the DB 930's unprecedented increase in sound quality as well as the post's surprise ending in that over this last decade this DB 930 project has taken on a life of its own and has turned out far better than I ever expected and in so doing has created great implications for the ultra high level of performance potential that all Sony ES Class Receivers have which share the fine build quality that Sony gave the DB 930 in 1999 when they launched the DB line of Sony Receivers!
Back in 2002 the DB 930 was using 24/96 Digital Audio from my Audio Alchemy i2s Bus Digital front end pictured below using an XLO Reference 4 litz wired coax cable which sounded worlds better than the original Digital Optical signal directly from the Sony CX300 Megachanger either from its Analog outputs or from its Digital Optical output over standard plastic filament Toslink. The DB 930 also had access to the Stereo Analog outputs of the Theta DAC over Transparent Ultra Electrically Resonance Tuned Analog interconnects to the Analog bypass Multichannel inputs of the DB 930.
I was able to compare the performance and sound quality of the DB 930 with the Stereophile Magazine Class A Recommended $1,500 Creek 5350SE Integrated Amp with both of them using the Theta DAC in the i2s Bus Digital front end and I was very pleased to discover that the $600 1999 Sony DB 930 was with just one exception able to perform equally on all levels with the almost 3X more expensive Class A rated Creek Integrated Amp which was a huge favorite among Audiophiles at the time. The only exception to the performance of the DB 930 being equal to the Creek 5350SE was a slight lack of clarity in its presentation of inner detail .
In those days I lived just 5 blocks from what most Audiophiles in the area still consider the best Audio Shop in town and because of its close proximity I hung out there often and I became very familiar with both the sound and build qualities of the 100's of brands High End gear that went through the Audio Shop each year. I also had the opportunity to have many one on one conversations with some of the many highly skilled Audio Techs and Audio equipment designers like Richard Kern then of Audiomod and Dan Wright of ModWright Industries who would drop by the Audio Shop from time to time to buy gear to voice their projects with or let us listen to their latest project. Although their projects differed wildly one from another in that some worked with Solid State equipment and others with Vacuum Tubes almost all of them had one thing in common and that was that their personal Audio Systems were decidedly thermionic and between frequently listening to the High End Vacuum Tube gear at the Audio Shop and discussing their preferences for using Vacuum Tube gear with these highly reputable Techs and Audio equipment designers I ended up selling the Rega P3 Turntable that I owned in late 2002 and bought my first Vacuum Tube separates which became the focus of my dedicated Stereo Audio System and as a result the the Solid State DB 930 was relegated to light duty which included TV sound until I got my Musical Fidelity Vacuum Tube Headphone Amp about a year later and at that time the DB 930 began to sit idle for the next 7 years.
During the next 8 years I worked on upgrading my Vacuum Tube separates to include an extremely linear sounding Counterpoint Tube/FET Preamp with a rare and highly coveted 1964 Amperex White Label 7308 PQ Dual Triode Tube and a Conrad-Johnson MV-52 Ultralinear Tube Power Amp with a $700 complement of 1960's old stock Vacuum Tubes which included a quad of rare GE 6CA7 Fat Boy output Tubes. The Conrad-Johnson MV-52 Power Amp had also had its original nickel plated Copper wiring removed and completely rewired with much higher quality OF Copper wiring which had been hand chosen by an Audio Trch friend of mine who at the time was working for Dan Wright as the lead Tech at ModWright Industries. All of the RCA Sockets in the entire Analog signal path had also been upgraded with the same Gold Plated Pure Copper RCA Sockets that my Audio Tech was installing on Dan Wright's High End Preamps at the time. This is what the final incarnation of the Vacuum Tube Reference System looked like 10 years after development was started...
 
During those 8 years that the DB 930 was in semi-retirement I honed my skills at Resonance Tuning which benefited every piece of Audio equipment which I applied it to and in some applications proved to be capable of rendering night and day improvements in sound quality. I also became aware that Audio equipment uses the AC Power that its power supply turns into DC power to modulate into a completely new signal inside the equipment which led to extensive upgrades in the AC Power Delivery System and one day in March of 2011 I decided to give the DB 930 with its OEM power cord which had been freshly terminated with a Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug another chance and when I plugged it into the Reference Quality Line Conditioner that the Vacuum Tube Power Amp had been using there was an immediate order of magnitude improvement in its sound quality! For the very first time the DB 930 sounded much better than my $25,000 Vacuum Tube Reference Audio System after 8 years of being relegated to obscurity the DB 930 was Back and in full effect!
 
This is how the AC Power Delivery for the Sony DB 930 Receiver is currently set up. The 1999 Sony DB 930 remains completely factory stock sitting Resonance Tuned with BDR Carbon Fiber Cones on top of its dedicated Salamander Archetype stand with the exception of its new Furutech FP Alpha 3 OCC Single Crystal Power Cord which is terminated with a Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug. The AC Power Delivery upgrades that the DB 930 has been provided with which have been developed over the last decade are the VansEvers Model 12 Reference Programmable Line Conditioner which the DB 930 plugs directly into and from there to towards the source of AC power at the wall is the 5 AWG 9 conductor First Impression Music power cord with Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC and IEC Plugs which connects to a Brick Wall Series Surge Protector which in turn uses a Furutech FI-25 Gold Plated Pure Copper AC Plug to access AC Power from the world's first Pure Copper AC Outlet the amazing Furutech GTX-D with its Carbon Fiber Faceplate.
The circa. 1997 Audio Alchemy dual i2s Bus interfaced Digital processors that the DB 930 and then the Vacuum Tube Audio System used from 2000 on were a unique application in the world of Digital Audio processing and had a measured 5 picoseconds of jitter at the i2s output and 35 picoseconds at the S/PDIF output. Even though the process of separating the S/PDIF Digital signal into its 5 respective elements which consist of the Data, the Master Clock, Word Clock, Bit Clock and Emphasis Flag using a TI i2s chip and transmitting them separately over the 5 wires of the i2s interconnect for reclocking produced these ultra low jitter measurements during the mid 1990's none of the prestigious High End Audio manufacturers ever adopted it because they did not want their ultra expensive Digital gear associated in any way with the budget brand Audio Alchemy who were selling their ultra low jitter i2s Bus Digital processors for a paltry $1,500 each which was a decimal point cheaper than the much more jitter prone High End Digital processing that many of the prestigious Audiophile brands were peddling at the time.
Although the Audio Alchemy Digital front end did an excellent job for both the DB 930 Receiver and then for the Vacuum Tube Audio System for the next 8 years I decided to start using the Digital Audio from the Realtek sound card of my HP Elite 270f desktop computer soon after I got it in the summer of 2010 and subsequently brought the DB 930 back to usefulness in my Audio System. Just 1 year later in August of 2011 I got a Musical Fidelity V-Link Asynchronous USB-S/PDIF Converter which uses a similar method of converting the S/PDIF signal to i2s and then recombining the Data and the 4 timing elements and sending it out after it has been freshly reclocked. Over the next few weeks I added a .999999 fine silver Revelation Audio Labs Dual Conduit USB Cable, the 30 MHz bandwidth Audioquest Optilink 4 Fused Silica Glass Toslink I bought a few weeks after I began posting at Agoraquest along with some very extensive Resonance Tuning for the external V-Link and this combination of improvements began providing much better sound quality than the sound card inside the electrically noisy desktop computer was able to.
The next step toward providing a Higher Resolution Digital Audio signal for the DB 930 was to get the V-Link away from the polluted computer USB power that it was using and running it with a clean source of external power. I decided that ultra pure Battery Power would be the best way to achieve this goal and so I bought a 50 AWH Powerstream Li-Poly Rechargeable Battery Pack to provide power for the USB power emancipated V-Link. Unfortunately USB-S/PDIF Converters like the V-Link must continue to have their the ground wire of their USB connection to the computer maintained otherwise the computer will not recognize the device and as a result will not load its drivers. I crafted a work around that would allow the V-Link to use the Li-Poly battery as an external source of clean power, but when I tested it I discovered that the additional USB connectors and copper wire used to accommodate the V-Link's use of external battery power were so degrading that the work around obfuscated any benefits that the V-Link was able to derive from upgrading to a cleaner source of external power.
This began my search for a USB-S/PDIF Converter that was not only designed to run natively using an external source of Ultra Pure Battery Power, but also had a high speed Optical Toslink output for my 30 MHz Bandwidth Audiouqest Optilink 4 Fused Silica Glass Toslink Cable which actually ended up making the search much simpler because about 75% of the 192 kHz capable USB Audio Class 2 USB-S/PDIF Converters do not have a Digital Optical Toslink output which offers 100% galvanic isolation and immunity to the sonically debilitating effects of common mode noise and EMI interference which can plague the use of Digital coax.
My research eventually led me to the USB-S/PDIF Converter which is made by SOtM (Soul Of the Music) which also produces the Audiophile Quality USB card which is used in more dedicated Music computers and Music servers than any other USB Bus. Even at first glance the build quality of the Asynchronous 24/192 capable SOtM dX HD USB-S/PDIF Converter was noticeably higher quality than that of the V-Link with its 400/500 MIPS 32 bit multi thread XMOS XS1-L1 processor, Elna Silmic 2 Silk fiber capacitors which are Elna's highest grade of Audio use electrolytic capacitor, PolyPhenylene Sulfide film Capacitors (PPS) Capacitors and Dual full size high quality oscillators one for 44.1kHz and its multiples and the another for 48kHz and its multiples up to 192kHz sampling frequency...
This is the point at which I decided to start using my HP Vista laptop as a Digital Transport and so I set it up for dedicated Digital Audio playback by using Windows X Live's Fidelizer freeware which optimizes Audio thread I/O priorities and the clock rate in the resource scheduler as well as optimizing process thread priorities and system clock resolution. All services non essential to Audio playback are stopped which leaves the Vista laptop good for little else but Lithium battery powered Digital Audio playback, but it makes an outstanding improvement in sound quality when using the laptop after it has been optimized for Digital Music playback. Originally I used the SOtM dX HD USB-S/PDIF Converter with the highly regulated Powerstream Li-Poly Powerpack as an external source of power which proved to sound better in every way than when using either the laptop's Switch Mode power supply or its on-board Lithium battery power over USB. Using the 64 bit processing of the J River Media Center with its excellent Memory Playback along with the 32 bit ASIO drivers for Asynchronous Music playback also gives this computer based Digital Music Transport an advantage over using a disk player or conventional Digital Music File playback software in that it is able to instantly move the entire Digital Music File into the computer's RAM and play it back from there without any additional i/o activity from the computer during playback...
The external Intelligent Lithium Battery that SOtM created for both the ultra quiet SOtM tX USB Card and the dX HD USB-S/PDIF Converter is called the mBPS-d2s and it is remarkably different than the other highly regulated battery power sources like the Powerstream MP-3450 in that it has not purposely not been equipped with a constant voltage regulation circuit to maintain a constant power. At SOtM they know that even a simple power regulation circuit causes noise. Inside of the dX-USB HD there is already significantly less the noise generation than any regulator chip and so it is more advantageous not to have this built in to the battery pack. Instead, at the power output of the mPBS-d2s Intellegent Battery there is a built in provision for sound tuning by way of a high-quality audio grade condenser which is designed to improve the audio properties of the dX HD rather add more noise from redundant power regulation.
The SOtM mBPS-d2s Intelligent Battery which is shown powering my dX HD USB-S/PDIF Converter in the picture below is referred to as 'intelligent' because it contains 2 Lithium batteries and it is programmed to start recharging which ever of the batteries that is being used as soon as the mBPS-d2s is turned off or use is switched to the other battery by the user. In the picture below the mBPS-d2s is shown charging the first Lithium battery (BP1) while the second Lithium battery (BP2) is powering the dX HD. The most amazing thing for me though is the absolutely transparent sound that this computerized Digital front end now has not just because of the custom designed Lithium Battery Power, but because SOtM in a true demonstration that these folks are 100% dedicated to the very highest fidelity of Computer Audio Music Playback and their crystal clear understanding of the supreme importance that Pure Power Delivery included an absolutely free directionally coded hand crafted 7N UPOCC Single Crystal Copper power cord with the mBPS-d2s which can be seen as the braided black power cord in the back connecting the dX HD USB-S/PDIF Converter to its external source of ultra clean power.
Equipped with OCC Single Crystal Copper power cords delivering high quality AC Power and DC Power to both the DB 930 and the Asynchronous XMOS Powered SOtm dX HD USB-S/PDIF Converter respectively their combined performance soared to a level the likes of which I had never heard before even from all of the 100's of pieces of High End Audiophile gear that I had heard over the last 12 years.
In a touch of Sonic Kismet the Audio Shop just happened to have the very best sounding set of High End gear I have ever heard there set up for audition and here are some pictures and information about each piece...
Audio Aero Capitole 24/192 CD Player ($6,200)- At the core of this Tube CD Player is a 32-bit SHARC DSP, which, by performing hundred millions of calculations per second, rebuilds a high precision 24/192 Hz signal, independent from the input clock, and keeping total dynamic range in all stages. Then, after a 1024 times up-sampling on demand, D/A conversion is performed at 6.144 MHz by a high performance 24 bit/192 kHz DAC.
This ($5,000+) custom made point-to-point hand wired Vacuum Tube Preamp with 2 X 5687 Tubes in the Line Output and 1 X 5AR4 Rectifier Tube in its stand alone Power Supply.
A pair of BAT VK-60 120 watt Monoblocks featuring exotic 6C33C output Tubes ($12,000/Pair)- From Balanced Audio Technologies..."The VK-60 offers the startlingly lifelike midrange of the best single-ended amplifiers while delivering the dynamic power and frequency extension associated with push-pull models. Its single-ended bridge design avoids the direct current that compromises output transformer performance in single-ended amplifiers and eliminates the crossover distortion inherent in push-pull designs. Without these debilitating artifacts, the VK-60 opens a magical window on the original performance--a direct emotional connection to the music."
 
The (Dunlavy) Duntech Sovereign 2001 ($15,000)- For many years these 6' 2", 7 driver, 275 lb each speakers were known as the most neutral and accurate speakers in the world and still said to sound better than many of today's $50,000 speakers.
What this all star Vacuum Tube powered Audio System with its 24/192 Player had to offer was a very Musical presentation and a rock solid imaging that easily bettered any of the 100's of pieces of High End gear of either Solid State or Tube design that I have ever heard in an audition including the $100,000 McIntosh Reference Audio System with its 1,200 watt MC 1200 Monoblocks. As fantastically good as the the Music from this Audio System sounded as I was listening to these amazing Reference Quality 6'2" tall speakers I noticed that the sound quality was quite veiled in comparison to the absolutely crystal clear presentation of Sony DB 930. The more I compared the sound quality of this Audiophile gear to that of the DB 930 the more I realized that it was more than simply a difference in clarity the difference was more correctly that the Musical presentation of the DB 930 was so much more alive with toe tapping Pace, Rhythm and thrillingly perfect Timing than that of this Audiophile Quality Vacuum Tube gear which was simply not nearly as exciting to listen to that it has caused me to change my definition of Transparency to include not only traditional Musical qualities such as tonal correctness and attention to detail to now include this absolutely lifelike quality of True to Life Transparency that the DB 930 and its Computerized Digital front end are capable of rendering with their OCC Single Crystal Copper power cords delivering their respective sources of high quality AC and DC Power.
As I discovered when I first plugged the DB 930 into the source of the Reference Quality AC Power that the Conrad-Johnson Vacuum Tube power Amp had been using resulting in an instantaneous order of magnitude improvement in sound quality which the AC Power Principals predict with absolute accuracy the DC Power Principals predict with for the SOtM dX HD with its UPOCC Single Crystal power cord which links it to the SOtM mBPS-d2s which is its source of Pure DC Power with equal acumen.
The secret to the Sony DB 930's current absolutely superb Musical performance lies not in a superior and elaborately expensive build quality as the Audio equipment manufacturers, their print and online advertising outlets and High End Audio equipment salesmen have greedily led us to believe is the way to attain this kind of absolutely jaw-dropingly realistic Musical performance and sound quality, but rather the well kept secret to breathtakingly realistic Music playback is in using high quality Pure Copper AC Plugs, Outlets and OCC Copper power cords that are used for high quality AC Power Delivery which have been downplayed for their comparatively low profit margin. The only modification the DB 930 has ever had which is its Furutech FI-28 terminated Single Crystal Copper power cord plus the added benefit of having a dedicated Lithium battery powered computer based Digital Music Transport and Digital processing that also uses Pure DC Power over a UPOCC Single Crystal Copper power cord.
That being said the most valuable take away that I have for you from this 10 year long experiment in upgrading the humble 1999 Sony DB 930 Receiver is that the ES grade build quality that Sony gave the now 13 year old DB 930 is perfectly capable of sounding incredibly better than terrifically more expensive High End Audio gear and I find no reason why the same ES grade build quality of so many different models of Sony ES Class Receivers could not achieve the same kind of stellar performance levels provided they have access to high quality well delivered AC Power which begins with a Pure Copper Wall Outlet.
So on this my 10th anniversary here at Agoraquest it is my pleasure to reveal the methodologies that it took that entire decade to discover and develop the sound quality of the DB 930 to an astoundingly high level that everyone in the Audiophile Forums told me was absolutely impossible that a Sony Receiver with an ES build quality like Sony gave the DB 930 can be enabled to sound far better than many times more expensive High End Audiophile gear and all it took was using high quality AC Power Delivery Upgrades and a battery powered computer based Digital front end.
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 07:03 ]
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 07:11 ]
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zeplin43
Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Mar 25, 2012
Posts: 26
From: Coimbra Portugal
| Posted: 2012-08-19 05:10
WoW "##"!"# Wow my ears are happy, there is much more depth in the bass section and the overall sound is more focused.
This receiver makes my DIY speakers sound wonderfull especially when i press the AFD and the stereo mode kicks in to hear my vinyl,much better overall.This is one mod that is really worth the trouble,in my case cost me 20$.
Another very positive surprise is the DB930 phono stage its great, beats my yamaha A1020 that has a very developed MM/MC phono stage with 6 positions.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-08-29 17:58
On 2012-08-19 05:10, zeplin43 wrote:
WoW "##"!"# Wow my ears are happy, there is much more depth in the bass section and the overall sound is more focused.
I see that you have discovered that the AC Power Cord and Plug upgrade really works!
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-09-16 03:09
 
I felt that I did not give enough credit to the influential role that the Resonance Tuning of the Sony DB 930 and its associated equipment in my last post so I wanted to take this opportunity to rectify that.
From the Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Wall Outlet which is dampened with its Carbon Fiber Faceplate, to the Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filter which is Resonance Tuned with a set of BDR Composite Carbon Fiber Cones, and the VansEvers Line Conditioner which is rigidly coupled to the equipment stand with a set of BDR Cones and the Sony DB 930 Receiver itself which is coupled to the top shelf of the equipment stand with a set of 3 BDR Cones and as well as the XMOS Digital Processor and its Battery Power Supply which each sit upon a set of 3 BDR Cones which couple them to the desktop.
Removing the Resonance Tuning from any one of these pieces of equipment would noticeably diminish the sound quality of the entire Audio System which why I thought that it was very important that I specifically mention the many beneficial contributions of Resonance Tuning to the sound quality of this Audio System.
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 07:05 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-09-28 03:01
It has been 18 months since my Sony DB 930 Receiver underwent its one and only upgrade which was the Furutech FP Alpha 3 OCC Single Crystal Copper Power Cord with its Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug. This has proved to be such a dramatic and dynamic upgrade that I am still testing out the new limits of Transparency that the DB 930 has been capable of ever since then.
When I began to use the Musical Fidelity V-Link 24/96 Asynchronous USB-S/PDIF Converter to interface my Win 7 Desktop with the DB 930 Receiver it provided a welcomed and very noticeable improvement to when the DB 930 was sourcing its USB Digital Audio Signal directly from the Win 7 computer's Realtek sound card.
After that I concentrated on upgrading the computer's software Music Player by comparing several different varieties of player as they rendered the same Digital Music File. I finally decided that the J.River Media Center with its many advanced features which include a Memory Playback Mode and the ability to use a wide variety of drivers would be the ideal software player to use. The ability of the DB 930 Receiver to be able to render the positive sonic attributes of Memory Playback Mode over standard playback as well as an upgrade to playback from an SSD was yet another demonstration of the new found Transparency that it now has since its Single Crystal Copper Power Cord Upgrade.
This last June when I upgraded the DB 930's Digital front end to using the SOtM dX Asynchronous USB-S/PDIF Converter and its ASIO 2.2 drivers with my Vista Laptop computer it instantly became a Dedicated Digital Music Transport in that it had no other duties than to provide Digital Music File playback to for the DB 930 Receiver. This brought about the opportunity to cut back services on the laptop in a radical way that would have never been possible without also having the Win 7 desktop which has about 3X the number of services as the laptop has running in order for it to be used for a wide variety of tasks including accessing the internet to compose this post.
About 4 years ago I used information from the Black Viper website to reduce the number of services running on the Vista laptop from an original 87 down to 48 which served very nicely to tame its resource usage and resulted in about 1/2 the amount of RAM allocation that the laptop so when I found Windows X Live's Fidelizer Softwarewhich in addition to optimizing Audio thread I/O priorities and the clock rate in the resource scheduler as well as optimizing process thread priorities and system clock resolution also stops all services non essential to Audio playback are stopped which leaves the Vista laptop I knew exactly what to do with it! Fidelizer is safe Software which reverses all of its effects upon restarting the computer can be operated in several user determined configurations of which I initially chose I the 'Customizable' configuration because I wanted to preserve the laptop's network access so that I could continue to use the laptop to access online streaming Music like Pandora One. There was a substantial improvement in sound quality from the DB 930 Receiver when the laptop was running with the Fidelizer and the reduced amount of services that it brought and I repeated using the laptop with 48 and then the new reduced number of 36 services after using Fidelizer in 'Customizable' mode and every time the laptop provided a much better sound quality when it was running the reduced level of services having eliminated 12 services which were not Audio related. To actually hear by demonstration that the DB 930 Receiver is Transparent enough to be able to clearly be able to differentiate between the number of services which were running in the laptop amazed me to no end!
I was very pleased with this new found level of playback which was far and away better than until I read this on the Window's X Live website regarding their most stringent service stopper mode which their description is...
"It will stop most bundled system services leaving only important ones for audio. Yes, it will stop network services and such too. You may not know but Windows Audio and DHCP share the same process in service host provider so disabling network can significantly improve sonic performance."
"Definition: DHCP allows a computer to join an IP-based network without having a pre-configured IP address. DHCP is a protocol that assigns unique IP addresses to devices, then releases and renews these addresses as devices leave and re-join the network."
This revelation about the true nature of the functioning of the Windows Audio Service is what finally broke me free of being willingly dependent on the IP based network that was still allowing the laptop to connect to the internet or have access to Streaming Audio. Since I still have access to Pandora One on my Win 7 desktop I checked out the sound quality through the the Asynchronous V-Link and the 192kbps Streaming Music still sounded fine so I proceeded to cut the laptop's services without any reservation about any overall functionality that would be sacrificed in doing so.
The Fidelizer has got to be one of the most amazing free pieces of Software that I have ever used in that with a simple click of the mouse in its most highest functioning mode was enabled slashing yet another 10 services taking the total amount of services that the laptop was running on down to 26!
The previous slashing of services offered amazing improvements in sound quality the likes of which I was never able to achieve outside computer Audio, but stopping the DCHP services which are bundled with the Windows Audio service in the same ServiceHost.exe process brought a level of sonic improvement the likes of which no other upgrade I've ever done in the last 30 years could replicate because it is implemented squarely at the most fundamental level of all in that it liberates the primary Windows Audio service!
I had never had access to functions that were this close to the production of Digital Music and the DB 930 Receiver once again revealed its new level of Transparency by reacting to the reduction from 36 to 26 computer services using this highest level of service reduction with a level of amazingly accurate detailing the likes of which I have never had the pleasure of hearing before in my Audio System. What I heard from the DB 930 was not more or enhanced detail, but rather a whole new paradigm of detail in its sound quality which was brought about by a whole new and unique method of intimately upgrading the Windows Audio Service in its Digital Music Transport.
There is much more to be revealed in this completely free and amazingly effective upgrade path which I will explain more about in my next post in which I will reveal the most astonishingly effective improvements of all which take the Dedicated Audio Laptop to an unprecedentedly low bare bones level of operation and the DB 930 Receiver to new heights of performance.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 17:22 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-10-07 03:00
We concluded the last post with the Fidelizer having reduced to 26 the number of services running in the Vista Laptop which is the Digital Music Transport for the DB 930 Receiver's Lithium Battery Powered SOtM dX HD XMOS USB-S/PDIF Converter. Once all of the Windows Audio conflicting Network services had been stopped and the Ethernet cable had been removed it immediately occurred to me that the Laptop's Security System which consisted of the Comodo Firewall Pro and its Defense+ Host Intrusion Prevention System component along with the Sandboxie Virtulization software that I ran my browsers in would no longer be needed.
After disabling the services of the Laptop's Security System there followed one of the most profound improvements in sound quality that I have ever heard which yielded sonic enhancements across the entire spectrum ranging from crystal clear focused top end to ultra tight, authoritative and much more highly detailed Bass with the most natural sounding and extended decay ambients the DB 930 Receiver has ever been able to produce in the 12+ years that I have owned it. The most absolutely shocking improvement though was that the previously complete but homogenized harmonic structure has now sprung into 3D with the sonic components individuating due to a generous amount of air now being created between the instruments.
I never dreamed that disabling the security system of a computer dedicated to Digital Music File playback which no longer had access to the LAN or the internet could bring such far reaching and significant improvements in sound quality although I once tracked the activity of the Laptop's hive and Comodo accounted for about 75% of the traffic so I can understand how stopping that much activity in the computer could provide for a much better environment inside the Laptop for Music playback because as we have seen time and again everything effects everything.
After disabling the services for the Laptop's security system, some proprietary HP services which were no longer needed and some misc. other no non-essential services the total number of services running on the Laptop eventually reached an all time low of 16 which I now refer to as the 'Suite 16' service reductions. Although I am definitely not recommending any other computer be run with this particular set of highly scaled back services I did want to share this screen capture of the 16 Basic Services that the Laptop now uses which has been in a progressive state of reduction since 2008 and long before the Fidelizer service cuts were applied the early set of Black Viper website cuts served to reduce the boot time by 45 seconds and cut the amount of RAM the Laptop was using as early as 3 years ago in half. This sparse level of services running in the Laptop has in turn taken the performance of the DB 930 Receiver to some absolutely shocking new levels in that it is now not only capable of amazingly better sounding Music playback, but it is now also capable of revealing sonic comparisons that I have long been trying without success to differentiate between.
The first example has to do with functions in the Digital Preamp section of the DB 930. Even though I have my HDTV connected to the DB 930 with Glass Toslink the HDTV's compromised sound quality still sounds better when some Digital equalization is used. Even though equalization is engaged on the Optical input used by the HDTV the 24/96 Optical Digital input of the DB 930 which the Laptop and its Digital processing are using displays that the EQ is 'not in use'. I have tried for a long time to determine whether or not the 24/96 Optical Digital input was being negatively effected when Digital equalization was being used by the HDTV on its Digital Optical input. After not being able to detect any difference I decided that the 'not in use' message meant just that.
With the Laptop and its new set of 'Suite 16' service reductions in place I listened to the 24/96 Digital Optical input both with equalization running and without it running and I was finally able to hear a substantial amount of sonic degradation when the equalization was on even though the 'not in use' message was still being displayed. Knowing this I now always turn off the Digital EQ after I'm done watching the HDTV. Just as in the computer the quality of the Music playback can be effected by completely unrelated services and processes running that have no direct effect on Music playback, but detecting these sometimes subtle influences requires the use of Music with a high level of resolution and detail to get to the real truth.
This next example involves the balance control in the DB 930 which is quite different than the Digital EQ in that it has a direct global effect on all inputs when engaged. Since the HDTV also sounds more correct with a small amount of balance applied I decided to run the same test just out of curiosity to find out if using the balance control degrades the sound quality of the DB 930 or not even though I do not engage the DB 930's balance function during any kind of playback except sometimes when using the HDTV. When I played back some 24/88.2 Music from the Laptop following the 'Suite 16' service reductions I was able to engage and then disengage the DB 930's balance control function and there was a very noticeable amount of degradation in the sound quality of the Music whenever the balance function was engaged. I then tested to see if using more balance would create more of an erosion in sound quality, but I found that regardless of the balance control setting the amount of sonic degradation remained constant.
Ever since the 'Suite 16' service reductions have in place I have been able to hear pieces of Music that I have listened to 100's of times each with a whole new level of crystal clear transparency and a remarkable new level of tonal correctness. For example I have EAC Accurips of a double CD set which was originally recommended to me by a Musician friend of mine a decade ago which has 18 tracks on each File. When I used to play these 2 Files there were about 5-6 tracks on each disc that I would listen to and skip over the rest. The other night I listened to the 18 tracks on the first File again I was amazed to discover that all but 2 of the tracks now sounded absolutely excellent since this latest set of upgrades which represents a 267% increase in the number of tracks that I genuinely enjoyed listening to in this File since the set 'Suite 16' service reductions which were absolutely free of charge!
The Music doesn't just sound better it now sounds right and by right I mean that the full extent of the Music composers intent is now for the first time being revealed in the Harmonic Structure of the Music instead of being audibly compromised by poor set up of the playback equipment. In my experience running the DB 930 with this total of 71 un-needed services which have been turned off or disabled in the Laptop PC which is being used as a Digital Transport now sounds so much better that it was as though I had been listening to my Music wearing a pair of ear muffs. So far every Music File that I have played since the completion of the 'Suite 16' service reductions has has resulted in the same impression that I am now listening to a much better sounding expertly re-Mastered version of the same Music and since this set of radical service reductions I have been discovering new favorite tracks from within my Music collection each and every day...
Computer Music File playback is both convenient and can sound excellent, but any computer comes with a large set of baggage in the form of the huge amount of services that are being run
on it to allow support of a myriad of functions besides Audio playback. Fidelizer PC Computer Audio Playback Optimizer will prioritize a Windows PC for dedicated Digital Audio playback as well as turning off non Audio related services leaving the operator to further reduce unneeded services at his discretion.
Through all of these comprehensive reductions to the running services in the Laptop the DB 930 with its Furutech FI-28 terminated Single Crystal Copper Power Cord did a very accurate and eloquent job of D/A converting and and amplifying all of these many esoteric upgrades in the Laptop which in turn helped the DB 930 to be able to evaluate its own on-board functions where it had not been able to before.
It has been a year and a half since the DB 930 began using its one and only upgrade which is its Furutech FI-28 terminated Single Crystal Copper Power Cord to access Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet sourced VansEvers Line Conditioned AC Power and ever since then I have spent the entire time upgrading its source of Digital Audio in order to bring it up to the High Resolution capabilities that the DB 930 already had.
The first thing I did was to bring in the Audioquest Optilink 4 30 MHz bandwidth Fused Silica Glass Toslink Cable to interface the DB 930 with the Win 7 desktop's Realtek sound card which improved the sound quality considerably. Next I upgraded to an external sound card in the Musical Fidelity V-Link Asynchronous USB-S/PDIF Converter which once it was properly Resonance Tuned provided a much less jittered and much better sounding source of Digital Audio for the DB 930. The V-Link sounded great and had a lot going for it, but unfortunately it was not designed to run on external Battery Power so I replaced it with a 400/500 MIPS XMOS powered 24/192 SOtM dX-HD USB-S/PDIF Converter and its SOtM mBPS d2s Intelligent Rechargeable Lithium Power Supply and just as the improved AC Power source and quality of delivery transformed the performance of the DB 930 so the Lithium Rechargeable Power Supply connected to the Digital processor using the SOtM supplied 7N UPOCC Single Crystal Copper power cord which is very similar to the quality of the UPOCC Single Crystal Copper power cord that the DB 930 uses brought the Digital processor to amazing new heights of playback Resolution which much more closely matched the true capabilities that the DB 930 has had for so long. Add to that the vastly improved sound quality of the lithium battery powered Laptop running on its recent 'Suite 16' service reductions and this Digital front end which was well over a year in the making is finally beginning to do the DB 930 Receiver some long awaited sonic justice and as a result the DB 930 is finally beginning to able to reveal the kind of High Resolution sound quality that it has been capable of since its Furutech FI-28 terminated UPOCC Single Crystal Copper power cord upgrade in the spring of 2011.
As I have mentioned before although the UPOCC Single Crystal Copper power cord modified Sony DB 930 is now capable of high resolution Music playback that is far superior to my $25,000 Conrad-Johnson Vacuum Tube Audio System and I do not believe that it is the only model of Sony Receiver that is potentially capable of this amazing level of playback quality, but rather that any of the many Sony ES Class Receivers which have a similar build quality to that of the Nichicon Gold Tune and Nichicon Fine Gold cap laden Sony STR DB 930 should be able to achieve excellent sonic results from a similar UPOCC Single Crystal Copper power cord upgrade, access to well delivered AC Power and the benefits of using a Fidelizer optimized computer based preferably battery powered Digital front end.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 17:35 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-10-12 05:05
The other day I was thinking about the basic fundamentals that allow the Sony DB 930 Receiver is able to sound so much better than the $12,000 pair of BAT Monoblocks I auditioned at the Audio Shop along with their $6,200 24/192 Player and $5,000+ Preamp a while back even though each of these Audiophile Quality pieces has a far superior power supply to the one in the DB 930.
What the DB 930 has that this very well designed Audio equipment does not have is a Spoon-Fed Power Supply which is provided using AC Power which comes through a very well designed path of high quality electrical conductors which starts at the Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper wall outlet...
The wall outlet alone can dramatically influence the quality of the AC Power which has the potential to make or break the sound quality of the entire Audio System. The AC Plugs and Power Cords which deliver the AC Power also have the ability to greatly influence the quality of the AC Power that is delivered which the Audio equipment uses not just to run on, but it uses that AC Power to make the DC Power which it uses to create Audio signal from...
The effectiveness that a high quality AC Power Delivery Network has is only as good as the quality of the AC Power that it delivers and the $300 VansEvers Power Line Conditioner which I paid $65 for that the DB 930 plugs directly into makes the final difference as it directly Spoon-Feeds the power supply of the Power Cord Modified Sony DB 930 with the Excellent Quality AC Power that it needs to produce the excellent sound quality which embarrasses the performance of the 24X more expensive and much better built Audiophile equipment.
 
It might seem to be a very complicated matter explaining how a $600 Sony Receiver could sound so much better than very expensive Audiophile gear made by some of the most reputable manufacturers of Audiophile gear, but actually it comes down to the simple matter of providing the power supply of the Audio gear with the very highest quality AC Power so that it can convert it into the DC power which is used to make the Audio Signal...
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 17:34 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-11-02 05:00
I first became familiar with the difficulties of the reproduction of Bass frequencies back in my college days while playing Bass guitar. It was very easy to turn up the volume knob on the amp and make it louder, but there was no knob which could be used to make the amp's wooly bass into correct clear sounding articulate bass.
Back in 1999 I built a 1,000 watt 4 channel Subwoofer which was run by my Sony DB 930 Receiver using a 70 Amp Astron Linear power supply, SAE Preamp and Peavey 1/3 octave EQ shown above. Although the 4 X 250 watt Subwoofer had a low frequency response of 10 Hz and and was powerful enough to move objects across a table using its infrasonic frequency output in its amplification of the next octave higher of audible bass frequencies the Subwoofer was not capable of creating tight bass, but rather the same kind of diffused wooly bass that the bass guitar amp produced. None of the attempts I ever made to tighten up the bass response of the Subwoofer met with any success so I simply quit trying.
It was not until recently during the period that I was upgrading the AC Power Delivery System of the DB 930 that I noticed an unsolicited improvement in the quality of its bass reproduction. Finally after all of these decades of living with the sound of wooly bass the AC Power Delivery upgrades to the DB 930 inadvertently created a level of truly Detailed, highly Articulate and very satisfyingly Tight Bass from the Receiver. What took me by surprise was that although I was concentrating on the sound quality of the higher frequencies in the Music the same AC Plug, Power Cord and Power Conditioning improvements were simultaneously creating the solution for the diffused bass response that nothing else I tried had been able to rectify.
Although the ability of the DB 930 to produce very satisfying tight bass did come as an unexpected benefit because I was actively seeking a different set of sonic improvements it does make sense that the benefits of applying the AC Power Principals are indeed equally effective across the entire Audio spectrum.
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 17:37 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-11-10 05:01
Ever since my Sony DB 930 Receiver began using the upgraded Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Furutech Plated Pure Copper AC Plug on its OEM power cord along with access to Line Conditioned AC Power originating from the new Pure Copper Furutech GTX-D Wall Outlet it sounded at least an order of magnitude better than it did when I retired it from Multichannel duties years ago due to my lack of interest in Movie playback.
As you read through these pages please do keep in mind that the benefits the benefits in performance and sound quality that any and all of the upgrades that have been applied to the DB 930's Stereo playback as described here will be multiplied in accordance with the number of channels which a Receiver which is similarly upgraded is running which improvements will be evidenced in the Subwoofer output(s) as well.
These AC Power Delivery improvements which have so radically improved the quality of the DB 930's Stereo playback began after the installation a Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet combined with the use of Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug on the DB 930's power cord and I know of no reason why an equal level of unprecedented sonic improvements would not be achieved from each channel of an HT Receiver that was supplied with a similar set of AC Power Delivery upgrades yielding 5.X, 6.X, 7.X, 9.X ... X.X channels of outstanding improvements in sound quality as the cost of the same level of sound quality upgrades for basic two channel Stereo playback.
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 17:39 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-11-28 05:00
 
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines relentless as:
Showing or promising no abatement of severity, intensity or pace...
The picture above which was taken in January of 2011 shows my 1999 Sony DB 930 freshly Resonance Tuned with a set of Carbon Fiber BDR Cones atop its new Audio equipment stand completely factory stock with the exception of its OEM power cord having been terminated with a Furutech FI-25 Gold Plated Pure Copper AC Plug which was at the time drawing power from the Tice Micro Block Line Conditioner just a few weeks before a major AC Power Delivery Upgrade would change its role in my AV System forever...
On 2011-02-13 03:45, Maxxwire wrote:
Yesterday I re-terminated the DB 930's Copper conductor power cord with a Furutech FI-28M (R) Rhodium plated Pure Copper AC Plug and its effects were quite immediate. Rhodium plated AC Plugs are commonly described as 'detailed', but I found the kind of detail that this Rhodium plated AC Plug delivers to be much more natural and organic sounding than any of the many detail enhancing Pure Silver interconnect upgrades that I have done over the years.
It was this AC Plug upgrade which in and of itself elevated the sound quality of the DB 930 Receiver to a radically improved level that my $25,000 Audiophile Grade Conrad-Johnson powered Vacuum Tube Audio System simply could not attain. This unprecedented demonstration of the sonic capabilities of the relentless Sony DB 930 Receiver gave me cause to find out how the DB 930 would sound if given equal access to the Reference Quality AC Power Delivery System that the Vacuum Tube Audio had been using exclusively for 8 years.
I' will never forget that night in March of 2011 when I finally decided to give the DB 930 and its Furutech FI-28 terminated factory power cord a trial run using the Reference Quality AC Power Delivery System I was so completely blown away by the order of magnitude improvement in the sound quality of the relentless DB 930 Receiver right from the moment I powered up it up and instantaneously heard what it could really sound like that since that day that I have not so much as once have listened to my Conrad-Johnson Powered Vacuum Tube Audio System which I spent 8 years and many $1,000s trying in vain to get the much better built Vacuum Tube separates with their complement of top quality 1960's vintage Tubes to sound as good as the relentless DB 930 Receiver now sounded with only a single AC Plug upgrade to its OEM power cord and access to the same level of quality AC Power!
It is now nearly 2 years later near the end of November 2012 and just about 2 weeks into the 7th year of my experiments with using different kinds of AC Plugs, Power Cords and AC Power Upgrades which I have documented in this thread. Nevertheless the DB 930 continues to prove its continuing relentlessness when the opportunity for a Power Source or delivery Upgrade is provided anywhere in the Audio System whether they involve AC or DC Power.
In June of 2012 I began using an HP dv9727 Notebook PC as a Transport for the source of Digital Audio over USB in the DB 930's Digital front end. The Notebook PC is a 2007 model and after several years of either being trickle charged as it went unused while at a 100% charge or in a state of complete discharge during 2 years of storage its 8 cell Lithium battery was only able to deliver a fraction of its original capacity so I decided to upgrade to a 12 cell drop-in Li-Poly replacement battery which is capable of delivering 97 WH of power which translates into about an additional 2 1/2 hours of battery powered Music playback.
Right up until I installed the new 12 cell Li-Poly replacement battery the only reason I had for the upgrade was to lengthen the amount of Battery Powered Playback from the Notebook PC Transport. After the initial charging of the battery the moment I powered up the Notebook PC once again the relentless power cord and AC Power Delivery enhanced DB 930 transformed the effects of the power delivery of the factory fresh 95 WH Li-Poly Battery into an improvement in sound quality that was quite comparable to the first time that the DB 930 demonstrated an order of magnitude sonic improvement as soon as it had access to the Reference AC Power Delivery System back in early 2011.
Since the SoTM dX HD USB-S/PDIF Converter uses its own Battery Power Supply and is totally independent from the delivery of the computer's USB power leaving only the delivery of the Musical Data to be effected by the new Li-Poly Battery upgrade. You would think that after so many years of implementing AC and DC Power Upgrades that I would have seen this coming, but I was completely taken by surprise when a simple and inexpensive Battery upgrade for the Notebook PC Digital Music Transport would invoke such a dynamic improvement in the sound quality and performance of my DB 930 Receiver, but this Sony Receiver is relentless like that and I highly suspect that other Receivers with a commensurate build quality have a similar potential to respond to AC Plug, Power Cord and Power Delivery Upgrades.
.....2012-11-27 1:18 am PST
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 17:54 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-12-18 05:00
 
This is a desktop photo of the 14-3/4" long .9999999 Pure Ohno Continuous Cast Copper Power Cord that was so generously included with the Dual Lithium Battery Power Supply which powers the SOtM dX-USB HD XMOS USB-S/PDIF Converter that interfaces my DB 930 Receiver with the laptop PC which is its Digital Music Transport. Not only is this hand made DC power cord the only 7N Pure Copper wire the highest purity power cord I have ever received from the OEM with a piece of equipment, but its terminations are also very thoughtfully made with built in directionality so that it is only allowed to be used with the DC power flowing in the direction intended by the maker.
While I was researching the SOtM dX-USB HD I found an obscure reference to an optional .9999999 Pure Silver DC Power Cord that they also made and last month I was finally able to obtain one for only $50 which is $250 less than the cost of each of the silver power cords in the i2s Bus Digital front end which my Vacuum Tube Audio System uses. The 7N Pure Silver DC power cord is the same length and has the same built in directionality as the original 7N Pure OCC Copper DC power cord does.
I had been using the now well broken in 7N Pure OCC Copper power cord for about 4 months when I replaced it with the 7N Pure Silver power cord. I have broken in new silver power cords in the past so I was prepared for an initial lowering of sound quality during the initial break in period of 150-200 hours, but none of my past experiences with breaking in pure silver wires could have prepared me for what I heard when I first installed this new 7N Pure Silver DC power cord.
I had spent several months enjoying a rich, full and amazingly detailed sound quality from my relentless DB 930 Receiver while using the 7N Pure OCC Copper DC power cord in the Digital front end along which included an abundance of micro and macro detailing aided by the benefit of the DB 930's Furutech OCC Single Crystal Copper power cord and FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug drawing power from the VansEvers Reference Quality AC Power Conditioning, but with the installation of the new 7N Pure Silver DC power cord 'upgrade' all of these sonic gains were about to vanish...
The instant that the new 7N Pure Silver DC power cord was installed the greatly improved sound quality of my DB 930 Receiver which I had preferred above any of the much more expensive Audiophile gear that I have auditioned over the last dozen years instantly vanished...completely striped away by the installation of the brand new .9999999 Pure Silver DC power cord in the Digital front end!
In the past the Pure Silver interconnects and Pure Silver DC power cords which I had broken in took about 150-200 hours to mature and begin to take on the initial characteristics of their true sonic nature so I ran the Audio System about 15 hours a day switching between the 2 Lithium batteries of the Digital Processor's DC power supply. There was only gradual improvement up until the 50 hour mark when the first wave of subtle improvements began to manifest themselves. I then spent the next few days looking forward to listening as the new 7N Pure Silver DC power cord continued to gradually reveal its true sonic potential.
After about 100 hours of playback the wait was over and the 7N Pure Silver DC power cord began to bloom and manifest its sonic potential by way of expanded venue ambients and increased air around the instruments finally showing the first signs of its potential to outperform the original 7N Pure OCC Copper DC power cord! By the writing of this post the 7N Silver DC power cord has far surpassed the sound quality that the original 7N Pure OCC Copper DC power cord was able to deliver and has achieved what I have come to know as a component level upgrade.
This is just one documented example of how a single high quality wire can make a huge set of improvements in the sound quality of the entire Audio System that no other upgrade can accomplish especially if it is as in the case of this 7N Pure Silver DC power cord which supplies the DC power from which the Audio signal is quite literally created and re-clocked in the Digital processor before it is sent to the Receiver.
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 18:00 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-12-23 03:00
On 2012-11-28 05:00, Maxxwire wrote:
I' will never forget that night in March of 2011 when I finally decided to give the DB 930 and its Furutech FI-28 terminated factory power cord a trial run using the Reference Quality AC Power Delivery System I was so completely blown away by the order of magnitude improvement in the sound quality of the relentless DB 930 Receiver right from the moment I powered up it up and instantaneously heard what it could really sound like that since that day that I have not so much as once have listened to my Conrad-Johnson Powered Vacuum Tube Audio System which I spent 8 years and many $1,000s trying in vain to get the much better built Vacuum Tube separates with their complement of top quality 1960's vintage Tubes to sound as good as the relentless DB 930 Receiver now sounded with only a single AC Plug upgrade to its OEM power cord and access to the same level of quality AC Power!
I wanted to follow up on this statement by discussing the next upgrade to the Relentless Sony DB 930 Receiver which was a power cord upgrade. Although the DB 930 sounded fantastic using its OEM power cord terminated with a Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug I was curious as to how much of an improvement could be had if the DB 930 had if it was using an OCC Copper power cord to complement its Furutech Pure Copper AC Plug and the Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet that it was getting power from. Having learned the hard way from needlessly spending a lot of money on successive incremental power cord upgrades for each of several different pieces of my Audio equipment in the past I decided that I would try to learn from those costly upgrade experience and spend the same amount of money on the high quality power cord that I usually ended up with and so this time I just went straight for a high purity high performance power cord for the DB 930 and skipped the added expense of incremental upgrades.
After researching the variety of companies that are licensed to make ultra pure the OCC Single Crystal Copper used in wiring for Audio equipment I decided to stick with Furutech who makes the Pure Copper GTX-D Outlet and AC Plug that the DB 930 was already using...
 
The result was an improvement in performance and sound quality which was equal to those gained from the original upgrade to the Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug and the Furutech GTX Pure Copper Outlet. This amazing improvement in the DB 930's sound quality came from matching the quality of the power cord and its AC Plug with the quality of the wall outlet by eliminating the DB 930's OEM power cord and its crimp connected molded plug which was a weak link in the AC Power Delivery Network.
This concept of having all of the AC Delivery components matched in their capabilities holds true on every level of application because AC Power Delivery is definitely a team sport and the quality of the AC Power they deliver which eventually becomes the Music we hear from our Audio equipment is only as good as the least efficient component in the AC Power Delivery Network.
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-10 18:05 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-12-25 19:30
After the original connection clip for the 18 AWG OEM power cord was removed 2 holes were drilled to accommodate the new Furutech 11 AWG OCC Copper power cord. As is seen in the picture above the new power cord was then soldered in from the bottom of the circuit board.
The OCC Single Crystal Copper power cord is now straigt-wired into the power supply of the DB 930 bypassing the alternative method of using an IEC input and completely eliminating the convenient clip in connection that is used to cut down on assembly time at the factory.
Why use OCC Copper?
As seen in this comparison between the crystalline structure of OFC Copper and Ohno Continuous (hot mold) Casting OCC Copper they each offer a completely different path for the electricity that our Audio equipment eventually makes into the Audio signal that we listen to. Here is a more detailed explanation of the differences in the crystalline structure of the various grades of Copper and the effect that they have on the flow of electricity...
 
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-11 15:54 ]
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RickeyM
Sony King
Joined: Sep 09, 2004
Posts: 1409
From: Baltimore, Maryland
 | Posted: 2012-12-25 08:26
Interesting upgrade on the power cord of your DB930. Any pics of the work? I'd like to try something similar on my currently stock 'DA50ES.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-12-25 09:45
RickeyM- Upgrading the huge weak link in the AC Power Delivery Network that was the easy to assemble clip in OEM power cord on my DB 930 with an OCC Single Crystal Copper power cord improved the flow of power to such an extent that the DB 930 sounded an order of magnitude better as a result.
 
Later in the day I'll post some more technical pictures of how the OCC Copper power cord Mod was done...
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-11 15:53 ]
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Series
Sony Buff
Joined: Dec 20, 2012
Posts: 23
From: Quebec
| Posted: 2012-12-27 22:43
Wow, very interesting content here. Can you please tell me what type of speakers you employ to audition your music with? And, in your opinion, is it actually worth my wiles to perform these modifications here to an STR-DA7ES receiver since it does not apparently possess the same build quality as the venerable DB930? Thanx
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-12-28 01:15
Series- I have 2 pairs of speakers one pair are European designed full range crossover-less wide imaging speakers that I use for near-field listening. The other pair of speakers which I use for mid-field listening are Classic 1972 JBL L-100 speakers with AlNiCo drivers...
 
...which are exactly like the monitors that the late Les Paul used in his home studio along with the Mother of all mixing boards which he built from scratch as seen in the picture below taken from a 1996 Stereophile Magazine interview of the man who not only held the patent on the electric guitar, but also invented multi-track recording for which the Beatles later paid respect to Les Paul by giving him the Rogers studio monitors that were used to mix the Sgt. Pepper album...
The most important thing that I could pass along to you about speakers is that they can sound no better than the acoustics of the room they are used in. Years ago I learned about the importance of acoustics and room treatments from a Musician friend of mine who worked at a Mastering Studio who introduced me to the same inexpensive professional grade Auralex Pyramid Studiofoam that they used in the studio...
He also taught me about LEDE (Live End Dead End) room tuning where the Studiofoam is applied to the front of the room, behind the speakers as well as the first reflection points. It did cost me $220, but after I treated the room I could hear an an amazing amount of additional true detail in the Music because for the first time there was no more Time Smear created by the sound bouncing off of the walls and causing the same note to arrive at the ear at different intervals obfuscating the true detail in the Music.
Don't worry about the build quality of your DA7ES because with a few inexpensive non-invasive modifications it can sound much better than it does now. When I started AC Power modifications on the DB 930 6 years ago I eased into it by replacing the nickel bladed crimp connected molded plug that it came with by cutting it off and replacing it with a $6 Leviton 8215-C brass bladed Hospital Grade AC Plug just to test the waters and see if there might be a future for the DB 930 in perusing this type of modification...
 
In certain situations where the AC Power Delivery Network has serious weak links like a corroded AC wall outlet or wires with nickel bladed molded AC plugs between the piece of Audio equipment and its source of power it can seriously diminish the actual effects of upgrading a power cord.
What you could do is start with an inexpensive yet potentially effective upgrade to both the AC and IEC plug of your DA7ES' power cord and then evaluate the results and then decide if you want to continue down that upgrade path or not. Also know that your DA7ES has the potential to improve upon its current performance by many times over if the appropriate modifications are made and by doing so it will be able to out perform any factor stock Sony Receiver regardless of their build quality!
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-11 15:52 ]
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Series
Sony Buff
Joined: Dec 20, 2012
Posts: 23
From: Quebec
| Posted: 2012-12-28 09:48
Thanx Maxx, I do indeed appreciate your insights. Cheers!
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2012-12-29 18:15
Series- All I'm saying is if you do choose to try a simple and inexpensive application of these Mods as I first did 6 years ago you may also find yourself liking the positive effect they have on the sound of your Audio System...
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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captain-joe
Sony Fan
Joined: Jan 11, 2013
Posts: 1
From: usa
| Posted: 2013-01-11 11:06
Is the info for fixing the volume LED still available?
The old link no longer works
http://atb.dyndns.org/sony930/index.htm
Thanks
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-01-11 15:45
captain-joe- I just finished checking out the link that rogernordin left concerning the DB 930 the volume LED repair some 9 years ago but as you discovered it appears that this valuable information is no longer available at that site.
You could go to rogernordin's Agoraquest information page to find more links to his writings on DB 930 volume LED repair issue. You could also try to contact him or the other Members on the Thread who contributed information on this subject using the information contained on their respective Agoraquest information pages or through using your favorite search engine.
PS- The other Agoraquest Member also played a significant role in the DB 930 the volume LED repair solution and even improved upon rogernordin's work was andyross who is still an active Agoraquest Member. I did some sleuthing and found this website of his that he linked to as recent as 6 weeks ago...
http://home.comcast.net/~andyross/
If you become an Agoraquest premium member you will then be able to send a private message directly to the same andyross who figured out not only how to repair the DB 930 the volume LED, but how to retrofit it with a cool looking blue LED!
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-01-11 22:07 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-01-12 05:00
Right from the beginning the foundation of these AC Power Delivery upgrades that I have been doing on my modestly priced Audio equipment has been the AC Power Principals which Doug Blackburn incorporated into his 1997 Soundstage Magazine review of the VansEvers line of AC Power conditioners. Since I began experimenting with AC Power Delivery improvements back in 2000 I have experienced several different levels of very noticeable sonic improvements from my Audio equipment depending on level that I applied the AC Power Principals right down to the most basic and inexpensive improvement of all which is the elimination of the very poor quality 15% IACS conductivity nickel bladed crimp connected molded ac plugs that come with nearly every piece of Audio equipment these days in order to help cut manufacturing costs and meet price-point...
 
Long before I began eliminating these sonically degrading nickel bladed molded ac plugs from the OEM power cords of my Audio equipment 6 years ago there were countless times that I walked by my Panamax line conditioner knowing that I needed to do something about replacing and upgrading all of those power cords that were terminated with electrically inefficient molded plugs which were plugged into it.
This is a picture of one of the molded plugs that I kept putting off replacing. After I finally did replace it with a (then) $6 Leviton 8215-C Hospital Grade Plug I became curious as to its construction and I carved away the outside of the plug only to find that the wire was attached to a corroding crimp connection! Seeing this made it very clear to me why I had heard such good results after replacing this very poor type of connection with the screw down wire connections of a Hospital Grade AC Plug which also had a far tighter connection with the outlet which helps prevent arcing. This is the 'business end' of the Leviton 8215_C Hospital Grade Plug...
For me the series of AC Plug and power cord upgrades which began with the then $6 now $9.95 Leviton 8215-C Hospital Grade Plug have been a lengthy experiment to discover how far I could take the performance of my modestly priced Audio equipment by adhering to the precepts of the AC Power Principals. As it turned out my $600 1999 model non-ES Sony DB 930 Receiver responded so well to the culmination of 5 years of AC Plug upgrades using in the end using a OCC Copper power cord terminated with a Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug that its sound quality went from fairly good to being far better than the $12,000 BAT Vacuum Tube monoblocks I auditioned a few months ago.
This level of application in AC power Delivery may seem quite extreme, but it stems from the 10 year period when I was living just 5 blocks from what many here consider to be the best Audio shop in town. There I had the opportunity to audition 100's of the finest pieces of High End Audio gear ever made in an acoustically treated room especially designed for Auditioning all kinds of Audio equipment. Years of listening to this wide variety of great sounding Audio equipment taught me a lot about the excellent sound that this very prestigious and very expensive High End Audio equipment was capable of and it inspired me to make my best effort to seek out the best affordable solution to which would elicit the very highest level of performance that my humble non-ES Sony Receiver could give using its original excellent Sony build quality and turn it into a sonic Giant Killer.
The very potent solution that I found was the AC Power Principals. Right from the first set of four $6 Hospital Grade AC Plug upgrades there was a definite and very noticeable improvement in sound quality which had a very high 'Bang For The Buck' influence on my Audio gear especially compared to the co$t of the mega-buck Audio equipment that I had been auditioning. For many people this level of upgrading would be quite sufficient, but to me personally the very best and by far the most enjoyable sound comes from inexpensive Giant Killer Audio equipment which has no right sounding as good as it does. So I proceeded to upgrade my 1999 model $600 non-ES Sony Receiver with an OCC Copper power cord and a Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug and it instantly sounded much better than my $25,000 Vacuum Tube Audio System as well as any of the much more expensive High End Audio gear that I had auditioned over the years including the $100,000 McIntosh Reference Audio System!
One day a Musician friend of mine dropped by and when he stepped into the listening room he asked "Is that the Vacuum Tube System playing"? I said "No, its the Sony Receiver that you're hearing". He gave me a look that let me know that he was sure that playing a prank on him, but I reached over and turned up the volume on the Sony DB 930 just to let him know for sure that I wasn't. This is just how I want my own Audio System to be... an example of how inexpensive yet well built Audio equipment can perform so far beyond its price-point as to be able to sound even better than much more expensive audiophile gear provided it has had the right level of AC Power Delivery modifications.
From page 1 of this AC Plugs Thread you will find examples of the results I got with my Audio equipment using various levels of AC Power, AC Plug and power cord quality to demonstrate how important the quality and efficient delivery of AC Power is to the performance and sound quality of our Audio equipment which uses that AC Power that comes from the wall outlet and then converts it to DC Power which is used to create the Music signal which we listen to from the speakers. There is no need to take these AC Power Delivery upgrades to an extreme to get a very satisfying improvement in sound quality from your Audio gear.
The great part about these kinds of AC Power Delivery upgrades is that you can choose any level of modification that you feel best suits the needs of your own Audio System. For example simply replacing the performance robbing crimp connected nickel bladed molded plugs that your Audio equipment came with inexpensive Hospital Grade AC Plugs will go a long way toward allowing your comparatively much more expensive Audio equipment to give you the kind of performance that it was originally designed for and is truly capable of.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-01-17 17:55
This has been my motto ever since I got my first aftermarket power cord back in 2000. I'm sharing my experiences in AC Power Delivery upgrades with you in hopes that it will provide the reader with some insights into which level of upgrades might be most appropriate for their Audio System and hopefully in doing so be able avoid some of the expense I went to applying intermediate incremental upgrades. This has been a journey of experimentation for me in which I tested the outcome of many levels of AC Power upgrades. I could have stopped at any of these levels and have received some astonishing improvements in sound quality for my gear, but as is my nature I always became curious as to what the next level of improvement might bring. I relate these experiences to you in 'Cafeteria Style' so please feel free to put on your plate only that which you feel could be of benefit to your own Audio System.
Soon after I got such good results from replacing the crimp connected nickel bladed molded plugs that came with my Audio equipment with $6 Leviton 8215-C Hospital Grade AC Plugs I went back to the hardware store and bought several more to upgrade the captured power cords of the other equipment in my Audio System. Of all the Audio equipment on which I replaced the crimp connected nickel bladed molded plugs with brass bladed Hospital Grade AC Plugs all but 2 applications yielded positive improvements in sound quality. For a long time I could not figure out why the AC Plug upgrades the stand alone power supplies of my 2 I2S Digital Processors did not respond as all the other AC Plug upgrades did. When I finally realized that the power supply of each of these processors had an inline RFI filter with an additional IEC socket and plug for each filter it became clear to me that these additional connectors had mitigated the improvements of the AC Plug upgrades which had benefited all of the other Audio equipment which had received the identical upgrade.
The remarkable improvements in both performance and sound quality with each piece of my Audio gear that I terminated the power cord of with the Leviton Hospital Grace AC Plug served to convince me even more that its almost 2X higher conductivity brass blades along with the improved termination method and much tighter fit of the Hospital Grade AC Plugs which cuts down on micro-arching between the blades of the AC Plug and the outlet lowered the overall resistance of the AC Power Delivery path. After all of these experiments replacing OEM nickel bladed molded plugs with inexpensive Hospital Grade AC Plugs I had proved to myself that there were indeed substantial gains in sound quality that could be had which could not be achieved by any other means other than lowering the resistance of the electrical path to the power supply of the Audio equipment.
Having this confidence I decided I decided to follow this very successful round of AC Plug upgrades by upgrading the key equipment in my main Audio System by using an AC Plug which had improvements in blade metallurgy and conductivity by using gold plated 100% Pure Copper blades and was engineered with a much tighter fit with the outlet...
The next level of AC Power Delivery Upgrades was comprised of 3 Furutech FI-11M (G) Pure Copper bladed AC Plugs and a Furutech FP-15 (G) Outlet with Gold plated Phosphor Bronze contacts. I had a long way to go so I decided to start by integrating these new AC Plugs and Outlet at the wall outlet and then connected to the 2 Line Conditioners which provided AC Power to the entire Audio System. Even though this was only a start it did manage to improve on some major weak links chief of which was replacing the $1.50 duplex wall socket with its brass contacts which which could never provide the level of contact quality that the very springy Phosphor Bronze contacts in the Furutech FP-15 Outlet are capable of...
I then capitalized on the higher conductivity and tighter grip of the Furutech FP-15 Outlet and plugged one of my best power cords at the time which was the 12 AWG Custom Power Cord Company power cord which features an air dielectric into the new Phosphor Bronze outlet to complete this round of upgrades.
Although there was a very noticeable and welcomed improvement in the sound quality of the entire Audio System as a result of these AC Power Delivery Upgrades their ultimate potential would not be fully realized until the many weak links downstream from them were rectified by upgrading the power cords on the Audio equipment to Pure Copper bladed AC Plugs and although it took along time to accomplish I did eventually finish this level of Pure Copper AC Power Delivery Upgrades and the result of having Pure Copper AC Plugs throughout the entire Audio System and it took the sound quality to a level of tonal accuracy and retrieval of detail that I had never heard from my Audio System before.
For 4 years I totally enjoyed listening to my Audio System with its Phosphor Bronze Wall Outlet and Pure Copper Plugs for the power cords although I did provide the Power Amp and Preamp with Furutech FI-25 Pure Copper AC Plugs, nevertheless I was destined to find a whole new level of purity in AC Power Delivery when I discovered the world's first Pure Copper Outlet the GTX-D...
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-01-22 05:00
Last year I decided that it was time to custom build a power cord for my Win 7 x64 desktop computer which at the time was being used as the primary Digital transport for my Sony DB 930 Receiver. As I have been doing for the last 12 years I went down to the Audio Shop to find the best deal I could on a good quality used (broken in) power cord made by either a talented local wire maker or a reputable brand name manufacturer and then upgrade the low quality plugs that they are almost most always outfitted with.
Although I found a number of good quality power cords to choose from I finally decided on the $250 MSRP Synergistic Research Alpha A/C Coupler that features 12 AWG silver clad copper conductors which my friend who owns the Audio Shop let me have for $40. At the time I had a pair of Furutech FI-11M (G) and FI-11 IEC (G) gold plated Pure Copper AC Plugs available from a previous power cord upgrade and so I re-terminated the Synergistic Research Alpha A/C Coupler with them as shown in the picture above.
The amount of audible improvement derived from a power cord upgrade on a desktop computer used as a Digital Audio transport is fractional compared to the audible improvements that can be achieved from any other piece of equipment in an Audio System, but unlike many of my previous posts concerning the improvements in sound quality that different quality AC Plugs can bring this post is not so much about the amount of audible improvement that the re-terminated Alpha A/C Coupler brought during its temporary assignment supplying power to the desktop computer. Rather the purpose of this post is to document the step by step upgrading of the Alpha A/C Coupler power cord to an advanced level of build quality and eventually transferred to use with much more responsive Audio equipment where the evolution this series of ever increasing quality Pure Copper AC Plug upgrades have an opportunity to come into full effect.
The next step was to upgrade the 12 AWG silver clad conductor of the Alpha A/C Coupler with a pair of Furutech FI-25 gold plated Pure Copper AC and IEC Plugs. It continued to supply power to the desktop computer and so as expected the AC Plug upgrade rendered a small but audible improvement in the sound quality of the Audio System as a result.
 
After the amazing success of the DB 930 Receiver in far exceeding the sound quality of my $25,000 Vacuum Tube Audio System once its OEM power cord was terminated with a Furutech FI-28 (R) Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug I decided to re-terminate all of the power cords in my primary Audio System with FI-28 (R) AC Plugs. This included the Digital Transport which at the time continued to be the Win 7 x64 desktop computer which was using the Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper Plugs as pictured above.
After the Alpha A/C Coupler was outfitted with the Furutech FI-28M (R) and FI-28 (R) IEC Rhodium Plated Pure Copper Plugs as seen in the photo above I began using it with a piece of State of the Art Digital Audio equipment that I acquired recently and it finally had the opportunity to demonstrate the full potential capability of what once was a moderately capable used $40 power cord to be able to evolve into a power cord capable of producing an order of magnitude improvement in sound quality in a primary piece of Digital Audio equipment. I have been wanting to test AC Power Delivery upgrades on this type of Digital Audio gear for an entire decade. The thrice upgraded Alpha A/C Coupler power cord was used for the test the astonishing details of which will be revealed in my next post...
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hilhan
Sony Fan
Joined: Feb 03, 2013
Posts: 3
From: Turkey
| Posted: 2013-02-03 09:37
Many thanks Maxxwire.
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hilhan
Sony Fan
Joined: Feb 03, 2013
Posts: 3
From: Turkey
| Posted: 2013-02-03 06:58
Hi Maxxwire,
I have a problem with my STR-DB930. Analog 2ch stereo mode ok but In almost all DSP effects sound is distorted. I think there's something wrong on the digital audio board. How can I solve the problem?
Thanks.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-02-03 08:00
hihan- Our welcome from Agoraquest to you there in Turkey! The DB 930 has 27 DSP Modes and I am sad to hear that the DSP effects sound distorted on your DB 930. I think that you are right about there being something wrong on the Digital Audio board that is causing this. Just in case you have not opened up your DB 930 this is what the Digital board looks like...
Hopefully you will be able to find a technician who can pinpoint the problem and has access to any parts that are needed for the repair. Please let us know if you are able to pinpoint the problem area.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
[IMG]http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Maxxwire_Photos/AQ/N.png[/IMG]
[url=http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26561&forum=51&start=540&select_page_number=37]The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930[/url]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-02-04 00:00
 
The secret to my DB 930's sonic success can be attributed to the sweet simplicity of its setup in that its AC power is delivered along an exclusive path of high quality dedicated power cords. The simple substitution of an OCC Copper Single Crystal Power Cord terminated with a Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug plugged into a single outlet Reference Quality Line Conditioner took the DB 930 from above average sounding to being capable of giving a better Musical performance than any of the 20X - 200X more expensive High End Audio Systems that I have auditioned.
 
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-02-01 05:00
Over the last 6 years since I started this AC Plugs Thread I have experimented with AC Plug, AC Outlet and Power Cord upgrades as well as improvements in AC Power quality using Programmable Line Conditioning and broadband Filtering with a variety of Analog Audio gear that I own including Solid State, Vacuum Tube and Hybrid Tube/FET equipment . As I have reported the results at each stage differed from piece to piece, but one thing remained constant and that was The AC Power Principals which since 1997 have predicted that these kinds of AC Power Delivery upgrades will improve sound quality of the Audio equipment because "AC power is so important because it becomes the audio signal."
Ever since I first heard the impressive sonic performance of the Sony DA5000ES Digital Receiver with its switching power supply back in 2003 I became interested in the potential for Digital amplification with Switching Power Supplies to be positively effected in the same way as Analog Audio gear with their Linear Power Supplies. At the time I was beginning to experiment with power cord and AC Line Conditioning upgrades in my Vacuum Tube Audio System and and I noticed the similarities in sound quality between the DA5000ES Digital Receiver and my first set of Conrad Johnson/ AMC Vacuum Tube Separates were striking as I noted in the review which I published here on Agoraquest in September of 2003.
Many times over the past decade I have wondered what effect improved AC Power Quality and upgraded AC Power Delivery might have on integrated Digital Audio equipment. Not having access to Audio equipment with Digital amplification in my own Audio System I had to depend on feedback from those who did. I had several discussions on this matter with fellow Agoraquest Member darich (Richard) led to speculations as to whether simple RFI filtering of the AC power source for his next generation Sony DA7100 Digital Receiver would be able to improve its sound quality. To satisfy my curiosity I sent him one of my Versalab Wood Block Broadband RFI Filters which have an effective bandwidth of 40 Hz - 200 MHz. The result was that he was so pleased with the positive results brought about by filtering the AC Power for his Sony Digital Receiver that he tracked down another one of these extremely rare Broadband RFI Filters for his Player.
After hearing these reports of the improvement in sound quality when an integrated Digital Receiver had an improvement as fundamental as the broadband RFI filtering of its supply of AC Power my curiosity increased all the more as to what sonic improvements a more comprehensive set of AC quality and AC Power Delivery upgrades might yield. This began a lengthy search for a suitable Digital integrated amplifier which I could test and compare results with my existing set of Solid State, Vacuum Tube and Hybrid Tube/FET Analog Audio equipment which had all demonstrated very noticeable improvements in sound quality when Power Cord, Outlet and AC Power Quality upgrades were implemented the chief of which was my Sony DB 930 Integrated Receiver which stood out as exhibiting the greatest amount of improvement of all my Audio gear even my 40X more expensive Vacuum Tube Audio System.
 
This ability of the Integrated DB 930 Receiver to respond in such a profound way to the same kind of AC Power Delivery upgrades as the separates has led me to the conclusion that the DB 930's advantage is in its integrated structure which allows its Digital processing, Preamp and Amplification components to benefit simultaneously from each AC Power Delivery upgrade because just one power cord provided its AC Power whereas 5 of the components in my separates Vacuum Tube Audio System must derive their power from a second VansEvers Model 12 Reference Line Conditioner through a Communal AC Power Hub where EMI from all of the connected components collect and is shared diminishing the sound quality of every component.
Learning from the lessons of my very successful experience upgrading the integrated DB 930 Receiver I knew that I needed to find a piece of integrated Class D Digital Audio equipment in order to get the maximum effect of the AC Power Delivery upgrades which were already in place. In an Audio equipment marketplace which is dominated by D/A converters and Analog amplification the search for Class D Digital amplification with integrated Digital Processing which I could expose to comprehensive Outlet, Power Cord and AC Power quality upgrades was a long and exhausting one until I finally discovered a Wadia 151 Power DAC at the local Audio Shop that had all of the qualifications I was looking for which I was fortunate enough to be able to bring home and test the effects of an upgraded Power Cord with high quality AC Plugs and a Pure Copper Outlet as well as the effects that comprehensive AC Filtering and Reference Quality AC Line Conditioning might have on this all Digital PowerDac and its integrated Digital Precessing.
Here is a stock photo that I found on the internet of the Wadia 151 PowerDac (pronounced Wa dee ah) showing its Stereo speaker outputs and its set of Digital only input connections ...
Before I get into the test results I wanted to share a brief explanation of the technology and build quality of this Class D PWM Digital PowerDac which is the first and only Digital Amplifier from Wadia Digital which was founded in 1988 by a team of engineers from the Minneapolis based 3M Corporation.
The Wadia 151 uses trickle down technology from higher end Wadia decoding computers like the $22,000 Wadia S7i. The 151 features an all digital signal path most notably the asynchronous up-sampling and DigiMaster Algorithm which Wadia originally patented in 1989. The Wadia 151 up-samples all inputs to 384kHz (from 44.1 - 192kHz) and applies an intelligent "forecasting" based on their model spline curve on what the analog sound output curve should look like. This is done through a very accurate master clock which reduces jitter to astonishingly low levels and creates an audio signal that is very close to real life analog sound waves. The volume control is done in the digital domain at 32-bit resolution and the signal output from the previous stage is converted to pulse width modulations (PWM) which are amplified directly through a low-pass filter to drive the speakers.
Besides its use of proprietary Digital technology the Wadia 151 also has a decent build quality for its $1,200 price-point as shown in these 4 photos which I compiled from a you tube video showing the generous use of low capacitance Nichicon HE(M) capacitors...
When I initially set up the Wadia 151 for the AC Power Delivery upgrade response tests I used its 18 AWG OEM power cord accessing AC Power from the VansEvers Model 12 Reference Line Conditioner and I began I listening to the PowerDac playing a wide selection of my Reference recordings for about 3 hours. By that time I had a very good idea of not only what the PowerDac sounded like with its original power cord, but also how its initial sound quality compared to that of my Sony DB 930 when using the same source of AC Power. Next I paired the Wadia 151 PowerDac with the the Furutech FI-28 enhanced Synergistic Research Alpha A/C Coupler...
The moment that I turned on the Integrated Class D Wadia 151 PowerDac which was now using the Alpha A/C Coupler with its Furutech FI-28 Pure Copper AC Plugs I heard the same kind of instantaneous Order of Magnitude improvement in sound quality that I have only heard once before in my life which was with the Sony DB 930 when I first heard it with the same Line Conditioning and an identical Furutech FI-28 terminating its OEM power cord.
After a decade of wondering about how Class D Digital Amplification would react to improvements in AC Power Delivery by way of power cord upgrades and using reference quality Line Conditioning after a string of successes with my Analog Audio equipment the initial improvements with the Wadia 151 and the subsequent listening evaluations proved to me that the Class D Digital Integrated Wadia 151 PowerDac showed an extended set of improvements in sound quality while using the Furutech FI-28 Pure Copper AC Plug enhanced power cord drawing AC Power from the VansEvers Model 12 Reference Line Conditioner most of all I was completely blown away when I first heard the same Order of Magnitude improvements in performance and sound quality as I did with the DB 930 when it first used these AC Power Delivery Upgrades along with Reference grade Line Conditioning.
Conclusions
In my experimenting with AC Power Delivery improvements which began back in 2000 with the very first used aftermarket power cord that I purchased for $20 which was a cumulative 12 AWG 8 Silver Clad 18 AWG Conductor/ Bob Crump Power Cord that could yield no sonic improvements in my then horribly weak link laden AC Power Delivery Network. Eleven years after I bought it I finally Re-Terminated the Bob Crump Power Cord With a Pair of Furutech FI-28's which yielded much better results in the upgraded Power Delivery Network which had dozens of weak links removed. With most of gear that I applied AC Power Delivery Modifications to I noticed that there were noticeable improvements in sound quality that could be gained from the various kinds of Solid State, Vacuum Tube and Hybrid Tube/FET Analog Audio equipment that I had on hand including although some showed more improvement than others with the integrated DB 930 Receiver showing the most improvement for reasons I outlined above.
For me the long delay in testing Class D Digital Amplification with AC Power Delivery Upgrades was caused by the fact that it was very difficult to find an Integrated Class D Amplifier with built in Digital to Analog filtering which is very important because an upgraded power cord that supplies power to the power supply of a fully Integrated piece of Audio equipment supplies power to the Preamp, Amplification and Digital Processing sections simultaneously and so multiplies the overall beneficial effects of the upgraded power cord.
The findings here concerning the effectiveness of applying AC Power Delivery Modifications to this Digital Integrated Wadia 151 PowerDac are not to be seen as an endorsement of Digital amplification as being able to offer a better sound quality than Analog Audio equipment in fact my honest opinion is that even though the Wadia 151 was subject to its own Order of Magnitude improvement in sound quality when using a high quality Pure Copper AC Plug terminated power cord accessing Reference quality AC AC Power my $600 Sony DB 930 still sounds better in ways that the all Digital Wadia 151 PowerDac simply can not begin to access. By that I mean that when using the same AC Power Delivery Upgrades the Sony DB 930 Receiver is capable of genuinely amazing transparency as well as a unique kind of Pace, Rhythm and Timing the likes of which I have not heard in 100's of auditions of much more expensive High End audiophile grade Analog and Digital equipment which had Hospital Grade AC Plug terminated power cords due to the DB 930's higher level of transparency in accessing the AC Power through its Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper terminated Power Cord which AC Power literally becomes the Music signal.
Acknowledgements
The genesis of all the success I have had with the equipment in my Audio System is due to the high quality AC Power Delivery improvements that have been done over the last 2 years the chief of which has been and continues to be the World's First Pure Copper Outlet the Furutech GTX-D that replaced the weakest link of all in my and most people's AC Power Delivery Networks which is the sonically debilitating original $1.50 'quick install' zip style wall outlet used by contractors to save time. Replacing the weak grip of the commercial outlet with the ultra tight grip of the Furutech GTX-D's Stainless Steel Assisted Pure Copper Contacts eliminated the outlet as being a weak link and thereby positively effects every piece of equipment in the Audio System. After I installed the Furutech Pure Copper Outlet I discovered the hard way that removal of an AC Plug from the Furutech GTX-D Outlet requires both feet on the wall with one on either side of the GTX-D with both hands on the Plug to be able to extricate an AC Plug from the GTX-D's grip... I kid you not! This ultra tight grip of the Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper outlet on an AC Plug reduces arcing and thereby lowers electrical resistance as Audio Asylum co-founder Jon Risch once said "much better AC outlet contact could have as much or more resistance as the actual wires inside the AC cord"...
These discoveries about the nature of the effect that the AC Power Principals have on Class D Digital Integrated Amplification could not have been possible without the generosity of my good friend who owns the local Audio Shop who for the last 12 years has allowed me to borrow any Audio equipment or wiring I wish from his Audio Shop for listening evaluation and comparison in my home Audio System which is very important because as we all know the best method evaluating Audio equipment is to change just one piece of equipment or cable within an Audio System and do listening comparisons or as my friend calls them 'shoot-outs' in a listening space with tuned acoustics which you are intimately familiar with.
  
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-02-12 07:00
The sonic benefits brought about in an Audio System by the removal of the detrimental effects of Weak Links in the AC Power Delivery Network has been consistently demonstrated starting from the very first page of this thread. It has been shown that by upgrading the outlets as well as the power cords and their AC Plugs that deliver the AC Power which the Audio equipment turns into DC Power and then modulates it into the Audio Signal which eventually becomes the sound that we hear from the speakers. Positive results can be heard as very noticeable improvements in sound quality from the Audio System which can be attributed to using higher quality more efficient parts in the AC Power Delivery Network. In other words these sonic improvements can be attributed to purging the Audio System of the Weak Links in its AC Power Delivery Network that were being created in part by the poor quality Original Equipment Manufacturer installed Time Saving Clip-in Power Cord with its ubiquitous Crimp Connected Molded Plug that provide a huge savings in production costs for them, but act as Weak Links inhibiting the true performance potential of the Audio System.
When these Weak Links are replaced with much more efficient high quality 100% IACS Pure Copper Outlets, Power Cords and AC Plugs the AC Power that travels through them was then more fully able to provide the Audio equipment with the high quality AC Power which it needs to perform up to its intended design potential. These AC Power Delivery Upgrades which replace the inexpensive performance robbing OEM power cord as well as the all too common Quick Install Wall Outlets installed in homes and apartments by contractors who want to save money on both the cost of outlets as well on the cost of installation. Both these types of poor quality inefficient crimp connected molded plugs and quick install residential outlets act as debilitating Weak Links for those concerned with getting the very best performance from their Audio gear.
Even though a highly competent Power Cord or two are added to an Audio System's AC Power Delivery Network there remains an array of original Weak Links that must be dealt with. A very practical example in dealing with an Audio System full of weak links was when I bought my first aftermarket Power Cord 12 years ago hoping to derive some of the sonic benefits that the AC Power Principals which I had just recently discovered predict will follow when an enhanced quality power cord is used...
My first aftermarket power cord was Bob Crump's 8 X 18 AWG silver clad copper conductor power cord with its brass bladed plugs and solder terminated IEC Plug which is cumulatively the equivalent to 12 AWG. This power cord was much higher in quality than the 18 AWG factory supplied power cords that had been furnished with the equipment that I was using in the rest of my Audio System, nevertheless I noticed no improvement when I first began using this Bob Crump power cord because as I was to discover years later it was not the fault of the Power Cord at all, but rather the massive proliferation of Weak Links starting at the AC wall outlet which was the chief offender and throughout the AC Power Delivery Network of my Audio System back in 2000 that were literally choking out any possibility of an audible improvement in sound quality from using my first aftermarket power cord.
For many years I was not fully aware of the severity with which Weak Links can rob an Audio System of its full potential performance, but eventually I was able to systematically rid my Audio System's AC Power Delivery Network of the various Weak Links in the AC wiring and especially the worst Weak Link of all the AC wall outlet which had been negatively influencing the sound quality and performance of each and every piece of my Audio gear. Once I had cleared out the Weak Links I was then finally able to upgrade the Bob Crump power cord to a level where it is now making a significant and positive contribution to the equipment that it provides AC Power to...
We all want to get the full measure of performance from our Audio equipment and I am sharing these experiences that I have had in my 12 year quest to find the ultimate performance of my Audio gear through enhancements to its AC Power Delivery Network by showing you what worked and what was supposed to work but didn't along with the reasons why in hopes that it may save you from making the same costly mistakes that I made which will save you time and money in the long run.
When I look back on all of the improvements I have made to my Audio System's AC Power Delivery Network over the years I wish I would have known that the Wall Outlet was the singular most influential part in the AC Power Delivery Network which can be a Weak Link and break the sound quality of the entire Audio System and frustrate any meaningful attempts at improvement. My first attempt at upgrading the very poor quality original Wall Outlet that my Audio System was using was with a Furutech FP-15 Phosphor Bronze Outlet. While this Wall Outlet was better than the original it proved to be only a limited success.
The next Wall Outlet improvement that I tried stands out as a true success having initiated and energized all of the other improvements in the AC Power Delivery Network and enabled my Humble Sony DB 930 Receiver to sound much better in every way than the $25,000 Audiophile Grade Vacuum Tube Audio System That I Spent 8 Years Building and that was the Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet...
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-02-20 15:00
Weak Links in AC Power Delivery exist in all of our Audio Systems and they must be effectively dealt with if we are going to obtain the highest levels of performance and sound quality that we hear from our Audio equipment which relies completely on that AC Power to create the Music signal which the Audio equipment processes, amplifies and eventually becomes the Music we hear from the speakers.
For over a decade I tried to develop better ways of dealing with Weak Links in the AC Power Delivery Network of my Audio System starting back in 2000 with the $200 Bob Crump Power Cord which I bought used for $20 at the local Audio Shop. As I showed in the last post I eventually removed and replaced the poor quality AC Plugs that this power cord originally had which were acting as Weak Links and upgraded it to a much higher level of functioning by removing many of its Weak Links, but it was still not the kind of Silver Bullet Wink Link Warrior that I was seeking.
 
Furutech FP 3TS20 UPOCC Single Crystal Copper Bulk Power Cord
In an effort to build a higher functioning Power Cord which could eliminate Weak Links from the AC Power Delivery Network in an even more efficient way than the power cords which I had built in the past I turned to a 14 AWG Furutech UPOCC Single Crystal Copper conductor bulk power cord which is very similar to the power cord which is straight-wired into the power supply of my Sony DB 930 Receiver which made such an amazing improvement in its performance and sound quality back in 2011.
High purity copper has about 1500 grains per linear foot which means the AC Power must cross the junctions between these grains about 9,000 times in order to transverse a typical six foot power cable. These grain boundaries cause the same type of distortion as current crossing from strand to strand which is why the UPOCC Single Crystal Copper conductor which is produced using the Hot Mold Ohno Continuous Casting Method which produces single grains of ultra pure copper that are up to 700 feet long and which are absolutely effective at eliminating the 9,000 tiny but pernicious grain boundary Weak Links which most power cables have.
I had already discovered great success using the Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plugs I wanted to also use them for this new power cord in that 2 years ago they worked extremely well on several of the high purity copper power cords in my Audio and Video System, but I needed a more authoritative and highly transparent Weak Link Busting conductor to go along with them for this power cord.
 
My Version of the Weak Link Eliminator- The Furutech FP 3TS20 UPOCC Single Crystal Copper Power Cord Terminated With Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper IEC and AC Plugs
Replacing the approximately 9,000 grain boundaries in a 6 foot standard high purity copper power cord with a highly transparent UPOCC Single Crystal Copper conductor effectively eliminates all of those approximately 9,000 Weak Links through which the AC Power must pass through in a 6 foot power cable as it is delivered to the Audio equipment qualifying it as a true Weak Link Eliminator.
Since my Sony DB 930 already has an OCC Single Crystal Power Cord straight-wired into its power supply I gave my freshly built <strong>Weak Link Eliminator</strong> a test run on the Wadia 151 Class D PWM Digital Integrated Amp. It was much to my advantage to have heard my Sony DB 930 before and after its UPOCC Copper power cord upgrade because this new Weak Link Eliminator brought a set of sonic improvements to the Digital Integrated Amp which were similar in magnitude although they were understandably as different as the respective sonic signatures of these Analog and Digital Integrated Amps. Nevertheless I soon found out that in the area of macro and micro detailing as well as the absolutely amazing improvements in the realistic, very accurate and articulate ultra tight bass are a hallmark of these UPOCC Copper power cords. When I say realistic bass I mean you can actually feel every nuance of the reverberation of the body of the upright bass or cello which I have come to know as being highly symptomatic of the removal of the approximately 9,000 crystal grains in a 6 foot power cord that were acting as Weak Links in the average power cord.
A very distinct example of the very palpable difference in performance that a UPOCC Copper power cord with its high degree of transparency rooted in its absence of crystal grain boundaries verses a power cord with a silver clad or high purity Copper conductor can be very easily heard when listening to the same piece of equipment using 2 power cables which have exactly the same Rhodium Plated Pure Copper IEC and AC Plugs, but very different conductors as the 2 power cords pictured above do. One of the most striking differences is that the highly transparent UPOCC Copper power cord transformed the sound quality of the Wadia 151 Class D PWM Digital Integrated Amp to become like that of my old Rega Planar 3 Turntable which was outfitted with an RB 300 Tonearm and Sumiko Blue Point Special Cart playing MFSL Half Speed Mastered 180 Gram Vinyl in that each note blossomed in a way that did not sound live, but rather it sounded alive! I have not heard this kind of organic alive sounding Music playback in my Audio System since I gave up my Rega Planar 3 Turntable back in 2002 and perused a 50 ps jtter i2s Bus Digital front end which was able to achieve the closest to the sound to Vinyl that I could get until last year when I installed a Battery Powered 24/192 KHz Capable XMOS Digital Processor which uses a 7N Fine Silver power umbilical to draw power from its 2X 2,400 mAh Lithium Battery Supply that proved to be a remarkable improvement and now with the Furutech 14 AWG UPOCC Copper power cord running the Wadia 151 Integrated Amp and the Furutech 11 AWG UPOCC Copper running my Sony DB 930 Receiver the thousands of Weak Links in each of their their original power cords are no longer there to obfuscate the quality of the Line Conditioned AC Power and they are now able to transparently achieve a level of sound quality that I have not heard since I played the best piece of Vinyl in my collection which was the MFSL 1/2 Speed Mastered 180 Gram Version of Steely Dan's Aja Album.
The removal of Weak Links is so important to the sound of an Audio System that any effort no matter how seemingly small that is made to upgrade the AC Power Delivery Network is much better than running your Audio equipment with their manufacturer provided power cords and nickel bladed crimp connected molded plugs! My first efforts in the war on Weak Links began with a handful of $6 Hospital Grade AC Plugs and I found that the molded plugs that came with the equipment had been acting as very effective Weak Links causing so much degradation to the AC Power and the sound quality of my Audio equipment which modulates the AC Power into the Music signal that I was amazed at how much better my Audio equipment sounded from just this initial inexpensive entry level attempt to eliminate the Weak Links that the molded plugs had created in my Audio System.
By far the greatest return on investment when doing these kinds of upgrades to eliminate the Weak Links in the AC power Delivery Network is when upgrading a Receiver because it only takes 1 power cord to run its Digital Processing, Preamp and Amplification and if you would like to get your Receiver to sound better than far more expensive Audiophile Separates like I did with my 1999 Sony DB 930 all it takes is creating your own version of the Weak Link Eliminator power cord to liberate your Audio System's entire set of Digital Processing, Preamplification and Amplification from the effects of the Weak Links that are compromising its performance and sound quality all at once and the results are nothing less than amazing when accompanied by competent Line Conditioning! I say this because these AC Power Delivery Upgrades have worked astoundingly well every time and on every level that I have implemented them. I really wish I had known this before I laid out so many $1,000's on what is generally thought to be much better sounding Audio Separates because my $600 Sony DB 930 instantly started sounding better than my $25,000 Vacuum Tube Audio Separates gear the moment it started using its version of the Weak Link Eliminator power cord.
 
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-03-05 07:01
The Sony STR DB930QS is the European version of the North American STR DB930 and was released a few months earlier in the spring of 1999. Word of the Flagship of this new DB line of Receivers which Sony had just created traveled quickly to North America and the Audio Review website was ablaze with talk of the DB 930QS, its specs, build quality as well as rampant speculation about when the DB930 might arrive on North American shores. Eventually there were over 360 posts on AR's DB 930 thread and it quickly became the most frequently posted to thread of any Sony Receiver on their website and it all began with the release in England of the Sony STR DB 930 QS (Quality Standard).
Fourteen years after its original release a new Agoraquest Member from England who's screen name is squonk posted about some upgrades that he had made to his Sony DB930 QS Receiver...
On 2013-02-28 14:59, squonk wrote:
I've just upgraded the power cord on the receiver and the level of openness, clarity and bass has improved leaps and bounds. Fitted a new silver plated hospital grade plug and fuse.
There seems so many ways to improve the sound output of the DB930 after looking at many excellent threads with this excellent forum...
New 14 AWG pure copper cable ends soldered to AC board, had to enlarge the 2 holes for the conductors to fit through...
Cable exit from amp finished off with a kink resistant 10mm cable gland.....
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Thank you,
Squonk
Squonk is right about the great number of ways in which the sound quality of the DB 930QS and the DB 930 can be improved and I congratulate him not only on these well executed and successful modifications, but I also thank him for provided us with these excellent pictures of how he performed the basic and most essential modifications to the European cousin of the DB 930 which are the fundamental AC Power Delivery Modifications which will positively effect all future Modifications.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-03-10 05:01
The other day I was reading a post on an Audio related forum and the author was recommending the Audio Art Statement II Power Cable which uses Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated AC and IEC Plugs which interested me because on the last several Power Cords that I have built I used the same Plugs. I went to the Audio Art website and found the power cord that he was so enthused about. This is a redaction of the ad for the Statement II Power Cable...
Being accustomed to DIY Power Cable prices at first I thought the $650 must be for a 2 meter length of OCC Copper conductor with Furutech FI-28R Plugs, but as I read the ad further I found out that the advertised price of $650 was for a 1 meter length and that a standard 2 meter length adds $100 to the price.
At $750 for a 2 meter length of Statement II Power Cable this power cable was getting rather expensive, but as I read further I discovered that although this cable had the price of an OCC Copper power cable the conductor they were using was actually silver coated OFC Copper!
 
For a DIY Power Cord cost comparison I will use a similar Power Cord that I which I put together. I purchased the Synergistic Research silver clad conductor for this cable at the local Audio Shop for $40 and then terminated it with Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper Plugs and the total cost was $242. Although these power cables are not exactly the same in all respects by using DIY fabrication and according to cost involved I could have built 3 of these Synergistic Research/Furutech FI-28R Power Cables which have the similar kind of silver/copper conductor as well as the exact same Furutech FI-28R AC and IEC Plugs as the $750 Statement II Power Cable.
So how does the cost of the 2 meter $750 Statement II Power Cable compare with with an OCC Single Crystal Copper conductor with the exact same Furutech FI-28 AC and IEC Plugs that I recently built?
 
This latest OCC Single Crystal Copper DIY Power Cord of mine cost less than $400 to build which at first may seem quite a bit for a Power Cord, but by comparison to the many commercial power cords which have much poorer quality conductors of which the $750 Statement II Power Cable is just one example the DIY OCC Copper Power Cord will not only perform at a much higher level, but it costs about 1/2 as much as a commercial power cord like the $750 Statement II. By making DIY Power Cables we are at liberty to choose to build a Power Cord at any price-point with the exact conductor and AC Plugs that we need for the Audio equipment that it will run.
These examples of the price disparity between commercial power cords and DIY Power Cords exists at all price-points and every grade of Power Cord. I am constantly amazed at how much excess markup is added to the price of commercially marketed power cords over what it would cost an individual to build the same quality Power Cord or even better. I have seen $2,000 power cords which were sold terminated with the same $6 Leviton 8215-C Hospital Grade Plug that is featured at the very top of the first page of this thread.
I realize that these retailers are just trying to make a living, but we have the option to implement our DIY fabrication skills and exercise our choice to either save 2-3 times the cost over buying a commercial power cord or build a Power Cord that is 2-3 times higher in quality.
 
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hilhan
Sony Fan
Joined: Feb 03, 2013
Posts: 3
From: Turkey
| Posted: 2013-03-15 03:34
When you change the IC1402 Ram chip problem is solved. Now working DSP Modes/DD/DTS all channels.
[ This message was edited by: hilhan on 2013-03-15 03:34 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-03-15 22:30
On 2013-02-03 06:58, hilhan wrote:
Hi Maxxwire,
I have a problem with my STR-DB930. Analog 2ch stereo mode ok but In almost all DSP effects sound is distorted. I think there's something wrong on the digital audio board. How can I solve the problem?
Thanks.
hihan- Thank you so very much for taking the time to share with us and others who may encounter this problem in the future and seek the solution to it on this DB 930 thread that you have discovered to this problem which turned out to be changing IC1402.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-03-25 05:05
In commemoration of the 2 years since my Sony DB 930 Receiver accomplished the seemingly impossible task of attaining a level of sound quality that was an order of magnitude better than the $25,000 Conrad-Johnson powered Audiophile Grade Vacuum Tube Audio System. The DB 930 still sounds just as good, but I would like to make a few comments in this post about how in hind sight I could have upgraded the DB 930 to this level of excellent sound quality for considerably less than the cost of the Furutech FI-28M (R) which rocketed the DB 930 to its current level of performance and sound quality...
 
Over the past 6 years my 1999 Sony DB 930 Receiver has used a wide variety AC Plugs including the OEM nickel bladed molded plug from Sony, the Leviton 8215-C Hospital Grade Plug, the Furutech FI-11 Pure Copper AC Plug and the Furutech FI-25 AC Plug, but this long upgrade path eventually led to the Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug. At first I only ordered 1 of the Furutech FI-28's so that I could test it out. Since the DB 930 was the only piece of integrated amplification I had which could operate using just one Plug for its AC Power it was the primary candidate to use the new Furutech FI-28 AC Plug.
The challenge I set for the DB 930 and its new Furutech FI-28 AC Plug was to see how its sound quality compared to the $25,000 Vacuum Tube Separates Audio System using the same source of AC Power from the recently installed Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Wall Outlet. I really didn't know what to expect from the DB 930 with its new Pure Copper AC Plug, but I soon found out. I'll never forget the moment I plugged the DB 930's and its new Furutech FI-28 Pure Copper AC Plug into the same Line Conditioner that the Conrad-Johnson MV-52 Power Vacuum Tube Amp had been using and instantly the DB 930 began to fill the room with Music that had a sound quality which can only be described as an order of magnitude better than the Vacuum Tube Separates had ever been able to over the last 8 years which required a substantial investment of time and treasure.
I could have also saved $130 had I forgone all of the incremental AC Plug upgrades for the DB 930 over the last 6 years which would have been more than enough to buy the Furutech FI-28 which was the only AC Plug to make it come alive had I skipped all of the less expensive AC Plug upgrades which I hoped would give the DB 930 what only the FI-28 could. I don't regret trying all of those intermediary AC Plugs I just wanted to mention it to hopefully save someone else some time and money should they be trying to elicit a very high level of performance from their Receiver.
I also wanted to make sure and note that the 2 most fundamental upgrades that initiated the greatest set of sonic improvements that my Audio System has experienced in over 32 years since I bought my Sony STR V55 Stereo Receiver and those upgrades are both in the AC Power Delivery Network and they are the Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper Plug for the Sony DB 930 Receiver and the local source of the AC Power that my Audio System uses which is the Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Outlet...
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pwreimers
Sony Buff
Joined: Feb 17, 2003
Posts: 21
From: salt lake city, ut
 | Posted: 2013-04-04 13:27
Does anybody have experience or know the comparison (build quality) between the STR-DB930 vs. the DB940?
I see that the 940 has the 'autobetical' FM scanning capacity.
Is everything else identical?
Thanks,
Pete
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-04-05 08:50
pwreimers- The build qualities of the DB 930 and DB 940 Receivers are different in a number of ways due to the fact that in 1999 Sony used the DB 930 to launch their new DB Series of Receivers and so they made sure to give the DB 930 a premium build quality in an effort to help the DB Class Receivers to be successful and the DB 940 was the sophomore effort to follow.
 
As an example of the advantages that Sony gave the 1999 DB 930 Receiver which would launch their new DB Series of Receivers they used the excellent quality ALPS 923M volume attenuator with its 6 Nichicon Fine Gold coupling capacitors one for each output channel as shown above.
After the great notoriety that the DB 930 received in 1999 due to its excellent build quality Sony's 2000 DB 940 had by comparison a cost saving ALPS 023M Attenuator which uses servo circuitry instead of direct coupling with high quality Nichicon Fine Gold capacitors as the DB930 had been outfitted with a model year earlier.
As has been noted previously in this thread the improvement in sound quality that a much better volume attenuator makes is enhanced even more when the Receiver is provided with Conditioned AC Power and a high quality power cord.
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A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-04-20 07:01
 
Upgrading to an OCC Single Crystal Copper Power Cord like the Furutech FP Alpha 3 shown above that the Sony DB 930 Receiver uses is a very important step towards allowing it or other similar pieces of integrated Audio equipment to come alive and give a Musical performance that is far superior to anything that it was ever capable of before, but the success of a very effective OCC Copper Power Cord Upgrade like this which includes a Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug requires much more than just this one excellent Power Cord because it depends on an equally efficient AC Power Delivery Network that can supply it with excellent quality AC Power Delivery the components which begins with the Wall Outlet.
It has become evident to me that the duplex Wall Outlet is a prime determiner of the quality of AC Power delivery in an Audio System in that every single piece of Audio equipment in the system will draw its AC Power from that Outlet. I have used several kinds of Wall Outlets in my Audio System over the years among them One Was By Far The Best, Another Was Not Nearly As Good and One Outlet Was Simply Horrible And Destructive To The Sound Of The Entire Audio System. The best Wall Outlet that I was referring to is the Furutech GTX-D Pure Copper Duplex Outlet which is not only uses higher conductive Pure Copper parts than the brass and phosphor Bronze that the other wall outlets use, but very importantly the GTX-D uses Specially Designed Dampened Stainless Steel Springs on its gold plated Pure Copper contacts which give it such a severely tight grip on the blades of the AC Plugs that I have had to resort to using 2 feet on the wall on either side of it and both hands on the AC Plug in order to be able to extract the AC Plug from the grip of the Furutech GTX-D Outlet! This is the kind of ultra tight contact that establishes a highly desirable low resistance connection between the Outlet and the AC Plug which virtually eliminates arching between the Outlet and the AC Plug.
Nevertheless no matter how well built the Wall Outlet is or how high the quality of Power Cord which the Integrated Amp or Receiver uses in order to incorporate both much needed Surge Protection and highly effective Line Conditioning there is an additional and very critical requirement...
So far in the thread I have not mentioned very much about the  Power Cord shown in the picture at the top of the post and also in the picture below which currently provides AC Power from the Brick Wall Surge Filter the VansEvers Reference Line Conditioner that my Sony DB 930 Receiver has used to obtain a level of sound quality the likes of which I have never heard from a Receiver or any of the 100's of pieces of very expensive Audiophile Grade Gear which I have auditioned over the years. I wanted to take this opportunity to spotlight the FIM Power Cord for being one of the primary contributors to the DB 930's amazing sonic success over the last 2 years. This ultra heavy duty solid conductor Power Cord which is terminated with Rhodium Plated OCC Copper AC and IEC Plugs and features 8 solid wire Copper conductors which use wires of varying gauges up to 10 AWG each of which cater to a different range in the Frequency Spectrum of the AC Power. This array of solid Copper conductors makes the FIM Power Cord so stiff that when this 6' Power Cord is held parallel to the floor it only sags only 6" over its entire length and it is this rigidity which makes it very difficult to align it properly with an Outlet or an IEC Socket...
 
I bought this MSRP $750 FIM Power Cord used at a generous 73% discount which is about the price of its Pure Copper Rhodium Plated AC Plugs alone back in 2006 for the express purpose of replacing the Custom Power Cord Company Power Cord which for 3 years had been doing a better job of supplying the VansEvers Line Conditioned AC Power to the Digital Front End and Tube/FET Preamp of my Vacuum Tube Audio System than any of the many previous Power Cords which it had replaced. Beginning in 2006 when the FIM Power Cord took over the role of supplying AC Power to every piece of equipment in the Vacuum Tube Audio System with the exception of the Tube Power Amp via a custom built VansEvers power strip that brought a huge increase in sound quality which was worth every bit of its nominal 50% reduced purchase price. The FIM Power Cord eventually made even more of a contribution when it received its current assignment in the AC Power Delivery Network. Sadly the Power Cord manufacturing department at FIM was bought out several years ago and the current day successor to this 8 solid core conductor FIM Power Cord uses multi-strand conductors which don't have nearly the integrity of the Winston Ma original.
In its current role in the AC Power Delivery System the FIM Power Cord transports freshly filtered AC Power from the Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Filter to the programmable VansEvers Model 12 Reference Line Conditioner which I bought used 10 years ago at a 78% discount which can be seen in the picture at the top of the post as it establishes the frequency contour of the AC Power which is then carried through the DB 930's Furutech FP Alpha 3 OCC Single Crystal Copper Power Cord where it is used to power the Digital processing, Preamp and Amplification of the Receiver. For the first 4 years that I had owned the FIM Power Cord I never had occasion to connect the Series Mode Surge Filter directly to the Line Conditioning on a dedicated line powering powering my Integrated Sony Receiver, but the instant I plugged the Sony DB 930 into this combination of AC Power Delivery when connected by the FIM Power Cord that I had previously been using for other purposes in the Audio System the sound quality of my Sony DB 930 Receiver came alive in a way that completely embarrassed the sound quality my much better built $25,000 Vacuum Tube Audio System.
This continued re-purposing of the FIM Power Cord over the last 7 years serves as a fine example of the great value that can be had as a result of investing in affordable pre-owned high quality Power Cords. Whenever Audio equipment is upgraded or replaced with more State of the Art equipment which is based on emerging technology and occurs so much more frequently these days the high quality Power Cords that the older equipment was using remain just as useful powering the new of State of the Art Audio equipment and this is true as well of future generations of Audio equipment that are replaced which serves to continually add to the high return on investment in which pre-owned high quality Power Cords can have.
  
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-04-25 01:31
Back in February I decided to re-terminate the LAT SS-800 .999999 fine OFHC Silverfuse speaker wires which I have been very satisfied with for the last 12 years with a set of four 5/16" Furutech FP-201R Rhodium Plated UPOCC Heavy Duty Spade Lugs which weigh in at 9 grams each. Not only were they easy to apply, but these very substantial spade lugs also brought with them an immediate and very noticeable improvement in the sound quality of my Audio System.
After several weeks of enjoying the much improved sound of my Audio System after I had installed the new Rhodium Plated UPOCC Spade Lugs every time I listened to my Audio System it kept occurring to me that there was now just one piece of the OCC Cable pathway still missing in that with the OCC Single Crystal Copper Power Cord and the UPOCC Spade Lugs in place it left the speaker cables as the only conductors that had not yet been upgraded to OCC Single Crystal Copper.
I finally decided that after consistently having such amazing success using OCC Copper Power Cords that it could be very worthwhile to complete the last portion of the wiring to the speakers with Single Crystal Copper cable. After researching the many builds and gauges of OCC Copper Speaker Cable available I very carefully measured 3 times and then placed 1 order for a total of 5 meters of Furutech Alpha S-14 OCC 15 AWG Speaker Cable which gauge can serve up to 15 Meter for each run...
The amazing and unprecedented improvements in the ability of my Audio System to now be able to reproduce such completely fleshed out spacial information from the same Music files using the same equipment after the improving the final path of the Audio signal to the speakers by upgrading to the Furutech Alpha S-14 OCC Single Crystal Copper Speaker Cables was such a pleasant yet overwhelming surprise to me that I began seeking out an explanation for this unique and very extraordinary improvement in the sound quality of my Audio System.
The answer that I was seeking eventually came in the form of information that I was already familiar, but not having previously heard the effect of my Integrated Audio System being equipped with a complete set of OCC Single Crystal Copper Cables from the AC Power input to the speaker cables I had not been able to completely realize this absolutely amazing improvement in the quantity and accuracy of the spacial information that I was now hearing until the Musical Signal had access to a complete Path of Least Distortion to the speakers.
The Musical Signal which travels at 70% of the speed of light being carried by OCC Single Crystal Copper Cables avoids the type of time smear and masking of spatial information which is associated with the Cross Crystal Distortion effect which causes other speaker cables whose conductors contain several 1,000 crystal boundaries per meter which serve to mask the delicate spatial information in the Music and rob it of the of its realism that existed during the original event that was recorded.
The results in terms of radically improved Musical playback after installing this final length of OCC Speaker Cable meant much more to me than I could ever express here. I got my first Sony Receiver 33 years ago and ever since then I have been seeking a "you are there" kind of playback. I tried Vinyl playback with some excellent MFSL 1/2 Speed Mastered Records and amazing as it sounded its high noisefloor proved to be unable to provide the ultra low level detail which fleshes out a soundstage which I was looking for. I even spent 8 years building a $25,000 Vacuum Tube Audio System in search of the elusive playback quality that I was looking for. With every upgrade I did indeed get closer to my sonic goal of a true lifelike Musical performance from my Audio System, but unknown to me the true extent of the sonic improvements were constantly being filtered by cables with 1,000's of grain boundaries robbing me of the ultimate listening experience that I was seeking of sitting in the room with the Musicians as they were playing.
After the recent completion of the OCC Single Crystal cabling in my current simple and inexpensive Audio System I was finally able to enjoy my long sought goal of being able to enjoy a listening experience that put me at the original recording session in the room with the Musicians as they played. For over 3 decades I sought this goal through $1,000's worth of equipment and wiring upgrades all the while never realizing that the full potential performance of my Audio system could have been liberated by this extraordinary OCC Single Crystal Copper cabling which is able to pass the kind of realistic Musical performance that I had been seeking for so many years. My greatest take away from this experience is that all of the realism that I am now hearing had already been fully present before the OCC Speaker Cables were installed and all that was preventing My Audio System from manifesting it true full potential was a Path of Least Distortion to the speakers.
OCC Single Crystal Copper Cables provide a Path of Least Distortion through the AC Power Cable which supplies the Audio equipment's essential AC Power and also through the Speaker Cables which carry the Musical Signal to the speakers and by doing so allows the entire Audio System to produce a more intricately descriptive and genuinely lifelike sonic imagery that conveys the original Musical event in an ever more realistic way than cables with conductors that contain 1,000's of times more crystal grain boundaries which induce Cross Crystal Distortion in cables carrying AC Power and the Music Signal that is created from it which serves to obscure and smear the Music Signal's spacial information that represents the finest descriptive details in the Music which can not survive from the recording of the original Musical event to our speakers unless they are provided with a Path of Least Distortion.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-05-03 00:01
There are some basic principals which are at work governing the Music signal as it is being transmitted to the speakers through the speaker cables. Probably the most fundamental of these principals concerns the very nature of the Music signal itself which is that the Music signal is an AC current which alternates direction. When the Music signal has a voltage above zero volts, the speaker cone moves forward conversely if the Music signal has a voltage that is below zero volts the speaker cone moves backward and when the Music signal has no voltage the speaker stays at rest. The frequency of the Music signal controls how fast the speaker cone moves and the amplitude of the Music signal controls how far the cone moves which determines the volume. This AC voltage swing in the Music signal determines both the amount and the direction of the current flow and is directly subject to the purity of the electrical conductor through which it passes which determines how much or how little distortion the Music signal becomes subject to.
Ever since I replaced the LAT International SS-800 .999999 OFHC Silverfuse speaker cables which had worked so well in my Audio System for 12 years were replaced with the Furutech FP S14 OCC Copper Speaker Cables in my Audio System I have been trying to understand as much as I can about the electrical principals were involved that enabled the OCC Copper Speaker Cables to elicit such a profound night/day improvement in sound quality as compared to the .999999 OFHC Silverfuse speaker cables when using the same Audio equipment.
One of the fundamental differences between these two speaker cables is in their respective build qualities. My 2001 model LAT SS-800 Silverfuse speaker cables have a very respectable build quality as described on the LAT International website...
EXPLANATION OF The PROPRIETARY SILVERFUSE CONDUCTOR MATERIAL: The Silverfuse process starts with .999999 OFHC wire with a diameter that is slightly larger than the required size. It is then pulled through a trough of molten silver. The wire with a silver deposit is then forced through a compacting process where it is subject to tremendous pressure. The silver and the copper are fused together into a near alloy. The compacting fusion also reduces the wire diameter to the desired size. No dioding subsequently occurs with this process. The result provides for the benefits of silver; which are excellent definition and clarity, with the copper benefits of warmth and mellowness.
By comparison the Furutech FP S14 Speaker Cable has a cryogenically treated .999999 hot mold continuous cast Single Crystal Copper Conductor. I have run both the LAT SS 800's and the Furutech FP SP14's in my Audio System with each pair of speaker cables terminated with the same set of Furutech FP-201R Rhodium Plated UPOCC Copper Spade Lugs and the Furutech FP S14 Speaker Cables sounded amazingly better with such a wide array of sonic improvements within Musical presentation that I am still continuing to discover additional new aspects of improvement that are being played out along with and within the more immediately noticeable sonic improvements.
I am now hearing certain instruments very clearly playing subtle parts in the Music that I have never heard before during 100's of playbacks using the Silver Clad .999999 OFHC High Crystal Grain Count speaker cables. The difference in the Audio System that has enabled me to now be able to hear a fully fleshed out Harmonic Structure with entire parts of the Music that were once being completely masked and made undetectable before is upgrading to OCC Copper Speaker Cables. Since the greatly improved Music that I am hearing now was present before using the OCC Copper Single Crystal Speaker Cables I have come to the conclusion that for the last 12 years the .999999 OFHC High Crystal Count speaker cables have been responsible for filtering out the highly detailed and richly lifelike aspects of the Music that had always been there but were continuously being masked by the High Crystal Grain Count conductor of the .999999 Silver Clad OFHC speaker cables.
The astonishing improvements in transparency that was brought about in the Music playback as a result of using OCC Single Crystal Copper Speaker Cables with audible improvements which were predicted in The AC Transmission Principals has in many ways paralleled the unprecedented Order of Magnitude improvements in sound quality that resulted by upgrading my Integrated Amps with OCC Single Crystal Copper Power Cables with sonic improvements which were predicted by the AC Power Principals and the similarity between these two types of upgrades makes perfect sense because The audio signal that exits from every component used to be AC from the wall.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-05-10 05:01
The other day I came across some very useful information regarding the Ohno Hot Mold Continuous Casting method at the Atlas Cables website. After reading the piece I decided to share a redacted version of the article with you in this post because it makes such clear and informative statements concerning not only the nature of hot mold Ohno Continuous Casting, but also explains many of the advantages of using OCC Copper Cabling in High Resolution Audio Systems...
"In 1985 Professor Ohno from the Chiba Institute of Technology developed his patented method for the extrusion of a grain free copper wire. When a pure metal solidifies, its crystals grow in a specific geometrical pattern (typical to that metal) emanating from a nucleus, rather like the dendritic growth pattern of a tree. The size of the metal crystals grown can be varied by repeatedly annealing metal such as is done in the LC-OFC process. The structure of a strand of copper may be likened to that of a bag of sugar. Every grain of sugar has a crystal boundary. In a conductor, these crystal boundaries (potential barriers) act as a non-linear resistance to the flow of electric current. It follows that, the fewer the boundaries, the less the effect there is on an electric signal as it propagates from one end of the conductor to the other.
The Ohno continuous casting method re-heats the extrusion as the molten copper is forced out of the mould and very slowly and gradually draws the grain or crystal down the conductor's length, creating a 'single crystal structure'. A typical crystal in a copper conductor drawn to 0.3 mm diam. using the OCC process is 125.00 metres long!
The benefits are obvious, with almost no crystal boundaries, the audio signal is no longer impeded down the copper wire and more information and detail is delivered faithfully to the receiving equipment."
Over the last few weeks I have been hearing very clear evidence of more Musical information is being delivered to the speakers which increased amount of information is abundantly present in the amazingly realistic sonic imagery which I have been hearing ever since I temporarily installed the Furutech FP S-14 OCC Single Crystal Copper Speaker Cables on my PWM Digital Integrated Amp which has also been retrofitted with an OCC Single Crystal Copper Power Cord. The OCC Copper Power Cord had made a very substantial improvement in the sound quality over the OEM Power Cord with its nickel bladed crimp connected ac plug and now with the installation of these OCC Speaker Cables which have no crystal boundaries to impede and distort the Audio Signal allowing a much fuller measure of the sonic improvements which the OCC Copper Power Cord originally made to manifest themselves by re-creating an even more convincing and lifelike Musical performance than before the OCC Single Crystal Speaker Cables were installed.
There are certain parts in each of the pieces of the Music that I listen to that I pay more attention to during the 100's of times that I have played it on the different Audio Systems that I have built over the years which I have used to critically evaluate the sound quality of the Music playback from the different pieces of Audio gear that I have. It took me 8 years but I managed to upgrade my Vacuum Tube Audio System to its pinnacle of performance and sound quality where the Counterpoint Tube/FET Hybrid Preamp had a rare and coveted $150 1964 Amperex 7308 PQ White Label line stage Tube and the Conrad-Johnson MV-52 Power Amp had a $700 set of 1960's vintage Vacuum Tubes including a highly prized $500 quad of GE 6CA7 Fatboy Output Tubes...
By 2007 I had re-terminated the upgraded power cords of the Tube/FET Preamp and Conrad-Johnson Tube Amp with high quality Furutech FI-25 Pure Copper AC Plugs and it was then that I first noticed early beginnings of the very lifelike sound of instrumental bloom in the Music playback. As I listened to this newly manifest quality of sound mature I assumed that this kind of aural phenomenon was the exclusive product of the Vacuum Tube Audio gear that I was listening to because I had never heard any of the 100's of pieces of Audiophile grade Solid State gear which I had auditioned which could produce this same thrilling sound of a 'live in the room' Musical performance regardless of pedigree or price-point. Years later I discovered that the roots of these kinds of sonic improvements which I was hearing for the first time transcended the type of Audio equipment being used.
It wasn't until 2 years ago when I retrofitted Sony DB 930 Receiver which had been sonically suppressed by its Original Power Cord with an OCC Single Crystal Copper Power Cord terminated with a Furutech FI-28 Rhodium Plated Pure Copper AC Plug. This was when I discovered that the ability to recreate a convincing and lifelike Musical event was definitely was not the sole capability of Vacuum Tube Audio equipment. Quite to the contrary after the OCC Copper Power Cord upgrade the DB 930 did a much better job at creating a palpable and realistic soundstage than my $25,000 Vacuum Tube Audio System had ever been able to do over the 8 years that it took me to build and refine its performance. These sonic events demonstrated very clearly to me that there is far more to creating lifelike Music playback than just the build quality of the equipment alone noting that the build quality of the Vacuum Tube Power Amp with a build qualty featuring 6 Huge Solen Polypropylene MKP Caps in its Power Supply, a complete set of high quality Polystyrene caps throughout the signal path and a pair of legendary Magnetek Transformers in the output stage places it several levels of parts quality above that of the Sony DB 930.
It was not only becoming clear to me by way of countless hours of listening that it was not the build quality of the Audio equipment alone which was primarily responsible for these dynamic improvements in the quality of the Musical playback and also that it was the poor quality power cables that most Audio equipment is furnished with from the factory along with the high crystal boundary per meter speaker cables which are so commonly used which are responsible for both compromising the integrity of the AC Power going into the Audio equipment and then smearing and distorting the transmission of the Music Signal out to the speakers. While upgrading my Audio equipment with OCC Copper Power Cables along with effective Line Conditioning it provided the Audio equipment with the kind of high quality AC Power that it uses to convert to DC Power which it then modulates into the Music signal. Upgrading to the use of OCC Single Crystal Copper Speaker Cables with their lack of Crystal Boundaries had served to allow the ultra fine details in the Music which quite literally describe the venue ambiance of the original recorded event to pass through to the speakers and manifest a performance that replicates all of the nuance of the original live Musical event.
Just recently both the AC Power Principals and AC Transmission Principals were demonstrated in tandem within my Audio System using the Furutech FP S-14 OCC Single Copper Speaker Cables which are now temporarily hooked up to my Wadia 151 PWM Digital DAC/Integrated Power Amp along with its Furutech FP-3TS20 OCC Single Copper Power Cable. In a series of listening sessions the OCC Single Crystal Copper speaker cables removed the last of the distortion that the the LAT SS-800 OFHC Silverfuse speaker cables with their high Copper Crystal Boundaries which had been smearing the sound of the Music playback for so many years.
Looking back what that makes the least sense is that the high Crystal Boundary speaker cables that I was using cost only about $1 /foot less than the Furutech FP S-14 Single Crystal Copper Speaker Cables. I wish I would have known this back then because that's a lot of bang for a buck!
For the first time in my 33 years of seeking truly realistic sounding Music playback I was now by the use of an OCC Single Crystal Power Cord for input to the transformer and a pair of OCC Single Crystal Copper Speaker Cables for output to the speakers I am now able to hear the Music as never before as it is being fully opened up and rendered as a vibrant and lifelike presentation portraying a fully fleshed out and pleasingly palpable set of venue ambients in which every molecule of air in the room simultaneously bring the Composer's intent to life by way of the Musicians and their instruments as it was recorded during the original Musical event.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-05-26 00:01
After installing the new Furutech Alpha S-14 OCC Single Crystal Copper Speaker Cables in my Audio System a very significant and unexpected sonic event occurred which originated in the Audio System's Digital Front End that was both audible and at the same time paralleled by measurable changes within the equipment providing a clear demonstration that these Single Crystal Copper Speaker Cables have opened a window of Transparency which is capable of revealing a significant set of sonic improvements which had previously existed, but I had not yet been able to hear.
This particular event concerns the Laptop which I brought out of a 2 year retirement and set up as the Digital Music Player in my Dedicated Audio System about a year ago. From 2000-2010 I had been running a traditional Sony Disc Player along with its accompanying low jitter i2s Component Digital Processing and I am now regretting not having had these OCC Single Crystal Copper Speaker Cables during that period of time because of their ability to reveal ultra fine sound qualities that were continually being rendered undetectable by the .999999 OHFC Silverfuse speaker cables and their Cross Crystal Distortion caused by their high crystal barrier count that.
As I was listening to some Music one evening I decided (as had been the case so many times before) that it would be a good time to take a minute and restart the computer in order to replenish its resources. What happened next was totally unexpected and took me completely by surprise in that after the restart I returned to listening to the same piece of Music and what I heard was strikingly better in its absolute clarity and highly accurate description of the recording venue's spacial cues within the same Music which I had heard a degraded version of just a few minutes earlier while using the computer after it had been in and out of sleep mode for several days in a row.
During the time when I had my Sony DB 930 Receiver paired with a Rega Planar 3 Turntable Analog Front End I often heard Vinylphiles remark that when listening to a great record on a top quality Vinyl Rig they could place the location of the boundaries of the recording venue with sufficient accuracy as to be able to give the exact measurements of the space in which the Music had originally been recorded. These are the type of very descriptive ambient cues which are now being transmitted through the OCC Single Crystal Copper Speaker Cables and for the first time have become audible when Music is played after the computer has been freshly restarted.
To give you a clearer idea of what happened inside the computer which paralleled these sonic improvements I took pair of screen shots which happen to have black backgrounds because the Themes service as well as 117 other services have been disabled or set not to run in the dedicated Audio computer. The screen shots of the accompanying repeatable and consistently measurable occurrences in the computer are taken from the Thesycon DPC (Deferred Procedure Call) Latency Checker which is a Windows tool that analyses the capabilities of a computer system to handle real-time data streams properly. Comparing this "before" screenshot to this "after" screenshot shows an over 500% drop in DPC Latency after restarting the computer which event accompanied this latest set of previously unheard sonic improvements.
Ever since last June when I turned my then unused Laptop into a Dedicated Audio Player I would place it in sleep mode after each listening session because it used few resources between listening sessions and in doing so I did not need to restart the computer for several days up to a week or even 10 days at a time. Even though I had restarted the computer many times either during or between listening sessions over the last year there was never a single occasion when I heard any difference in sound quality between using the computer after it returned from sleep mode or after it was restarted while I was using the LAT .999999 OFHC Silverfuse speaker cables with their high levels of cross crystal distortion.
Now that he Furutech OCC Single Crystal Cables are in place they have made audible an amazing improvement in sound quality which has always paralleled this huge drop in DPC Latency. Although this is the case with my HP Laptop I can't speak as to whether or not other computers would produce this same set of circumstances in that I suspect that these DPC Latency measurements are particular to this Laptop making them different than other computers used for dedicated Audio playback. Nevertheless it demonstrates the gross inability of the LAT .999999 OFHC Silverfuse speaker cables with their high levels of Cross Crystal Distortion to pass the existing improvements in sound quality that the Furutech OCC Single Crystal Copper Speaker Cables caused me to be aware of in such a crystal clear way for the very first time out of 1,000's of hours of Music playback.
I was taken completely by surprise when after restarting the computer while using the OCC Single Chrystal Copper Speaker Cables as all at once I heard all of the sound quality that I had been hoping to discover ever since I got my Sony STR V-55 Receiver and Dual Turntable combination back in 1980 and that was a suburb lifelike clarity to the Music along with with a true to life rendering of the original recording venue's ambient setting and a Pace, Rhythm and Timing to the Music that sounded so natural as though one was present in the room during the recording session.
By revealing this level of improved sound quality which adds so much to the sonic description of the original Musical event by way of accurately describing the ambient conditions of the recording venue which are the very finest and most delicate of all details in Music playback the OCC Single Crystal Copper Speaker Cables have proved their capability of being able to transmit this esoteric set of highly descriptive sonic attributes to the speakers where the similarly priced high crystal boundary/meter .999999 OFHC Copper Silverfuse speaker cables had consistently been smearing and filtering out the transmission of these same very delicate sonic attributes by way of Cross Crystal Distortion. Even though these Single Crystal Copper Speaker Cables are new to my Audio System they have already set a new high standard of excellence in their ability as diagnostic tools to transparently pass such a high level of sound quality that they can be used to accurately evaluate the sonic performance of each of the components and interconnects in the Audio System.
PS- I thought it only fair to mention that these days LAT International does have a line of cables in which OCC Copper is used. The same length of their OCC Copper content speaker cables are only $100 more expensive than the 5 Meters of bulk Furutech OCC Copper Speaker Cables and terminations that I built my DIY speaker cables from. The most outstanding difference being that LAT does not offer the DIY option of using the absolutely excellent quality 9 grams each Rhodium Plated UPOCC Spade Lugs which amounted to 1/3 of the total cost of my DIY OCC Copper Speaker cables, but well worth it because they very competently completed the Single Crystal Copper speaker signal path!
This statement from the LAT International website outlines some of the reasons for their move from using OFHC to using OCC conductors...
"Drawing Copper develops a distorted ‘grain’ structure and leads to tiny voids, disruptions and discontinuities in the conductor as the metal is compressed and contorted by the drawing process. OCC conductors were implemented specifically to reduce this effect, the reasoning being that signal can be adversely affected by traversing multiple irregularly formed grains; the grain boundary can act as a tiny circuit, with capacitance, inductance, and a diode effect. We certainly agree that consistency of grain is a good thing."
[ This message was edited by: Maxxwire on 2013-06-01 10:30 ]
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-05-30 07:01
...Oxford Dictionaries
The original upgrade to an OCC Copper AC Power Cable to power the Integrated Amp followed by the recent installation of the OCC Copper Speaker Cables left my Audio System just 1 Digital cable short of having a complete set of OCC Single Crystal Copper Cables to transfer the Music Signal so I ordered a Furutech GT-2 USB Cable which uses Silver Plated OCC Single Crystal Copper conductors...
The Furutech GT-2 SPC OCC USB Cable features...
- Main conductor: Silver-plated (Alpha) OCC Copper
- Main Insulation: Special-grade high-density polyethylene
- 3-layer shield construction for improved noise insulation
- The best damping and insulation materials for improved frequency extension and tonal balance
As I have recounted on this Thread over the last 2 years my Audio System has experienced scores of individual improvements that OCC Copper Cables have brought to its performance and sound quality and so I decided that now it was finally time to find out what the cumulative effects would be of having the Audio System powered and run by the combination of an OCC Single Crystal Copper Cables which necessarily meant replacing my legendary $550 Revelations Audio Lab Dual Conduit Silver Reference USB Cable along with its fantastic build quality which features deep cryogenic-treated 5N ultra-pure solid silver conductors, air dielectrics, transparent pure PTFE Teflon isolators, discrete shielding for each pole within the array, and Ceramic Micro-Sphere Conduits, with independent power and signal cable runs that I had been using in my Digital front end for almost 2 years.
I knew right from the first few notes that I heard with the Furutrch GT-2 SPC OCC Cable installed that it had already earned its place in the Dedicated Music System. I had never heard a brand new Digital cable of any kind perform like this when it was first hooked up which is why I felt justified in making this unusually quick decision based on the effortless and ultra smooth albeit lightning fast movement of the Music Signal traveling along the Audio System's now 100% Pure OCC Single Crystal Copper pathway for the very first time.
In the beginning I listened to this Audio System without the benefit of any OCC Copper Cables. The addition of the OCC Single Crystal Copper AC Power Cord provided a profound improvement in both detail resolution as well as bringing a very realistic, accurate and highly articulate ultra tight quality to the bass. Next the OCC Single Crystal Copper Speaker Cables added to those improvements and allowed me to be able to hear the addition of a fully fleshed out Harmonic Structure in the Music playback as well as a very descriptive rendition of the recording venue ambiance cues which enabled the Musical images to come alive in a much more palpable way than with the initial OCC Copper Power Cord upgrade alone. Finally the addition of the SPC OCC Single Crystal Copper Digital Cable and its power leg bypass marked the completion of the OCC Single Crystal Copper path for the Music Signal and the Music now sounds amazingly fluid with an articulate presentation that is virtually limitless detail resolution especially along with an even more accurate description of venue ambient cues along with an amazingly quick and agile propagation of the Music within the sound-stage.
The completion of the OCC Single Crystal Copper Music Signal path immediately established a system wide Synergy in which both of the previously installed OCC Copper Power Cable and the OCC Copper Speaker Cables took on a higher function when the final length of SPC OCC Cable was installed. I literally heard an entire new dimension of Music playback as the newly arrived Furutech GT-2 completely blew away the sound quality of the 3.8X more expensive well broken-in Revelations Audio Lab Dual Conduit Silver Reference Cable which is one of the most well built and highly respected Pure Silver Audiophile cables on the market right out of my Audio System. I have never known a brand new Digital cable to perform this well on its initial run and I highly suspect that the system wide OCC Single Crystal Copper Cable Synergy that was established with its introduction into the Audio System was complicit in its unusually stellar first time performance.
I have introduced many new cables into my Audio System over the years and they all required their own respective amounts of break-in time to reach their peak performance level. Both the Furutech OCC Power Cable and Speaker Cables have been continuing to improve in there performance capabilities after months of use, but I have never ever on any occasion heard a brand new cable like this Furutech GT-2 SPC OCC Single Crystal Digital Cable sound so spectacular without an extensive break-in period of 150-200 hours and I can't help but suspect that this unique behavior has much to do with the previously established OCC Single Crystal Copper Cable environment that it was introduced into. I say this because I did briefly install the GT-2 in my non-OCC Copper Cable Audio System and although it did sound incrementally better than the existing $35 entry level cable that it replaced there was nothing close to the immediate ascent to the absolute pinnacle of Audio playback sound quality the likes I have I have never heard from any mega-buck Audio gear as soon as the Furutech GT-2 SPC OCC Cable began working together as the final complement in an Audio System which had been previously equipped with a precursor set of OCC Single Crystal Copper Power and Speaker Cables just awaiting for the arrival of the final system wide link.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-06-04 07:01
This is indeed a rare privilege for me to be able to share these recent discoveries concerning the awe-inspiring audible effects of installing these ultra low distortion Single Crystal Copper Cables that have taken me over 30 years of personal trial and error to finally discover. If I had known back then about the amazing sound quality that I am now hearing from my Audio System and what the simple secret to obtaining it was I could have saved many $1,000's on incremental Power Cable, Speaker Cable and Digital Interconnect upgrades which did offer genuine improvements at the time, but ultimately could not survive the challenge of their ultra low distortion OCC Single Crystal Copper Replacements.
I have always preferred to listen to my Audio System late at night when its quiet and the rest of the neighborhood is asleep. There are a number of benefits to be had from listening at night which include a lower noisefloor and access to electricity from the local transformer that isn't being polluted with EMI from heavy usage.
My first impressions after listening to my Audio System just after it had a completed set of OCC Single Crystal Copper AC Power, Digital and Speaker Cables was as I said it sounded amazingly fluid with an articulate presentation that is virtually limitless in detail resolution along with an even more accurate description of venue ambient cues along with nimble attack transients which contributed to the agile propagation of the Music within the sound-stage. These improvements in sound quality originally began to manifest themselves 2 years ago when I first upgraded the power cord on my Sony DB930 Receiver to a Furutech FP Alpha 3 OCC Copper Power Cord which resulted in nothing less than an Order of Magnitude improvement in sound quality for my $600 Sony Receiver. The recent upgrade to OCC Single Crystal Copper Speaker Cables and finally the installation of the SPCOCC Digital Cable built upon the amazing sonic improvements brought by the original OCC Single Crystal Copper Power Cord upgrade.
I kept the equipment running 24 hours a day in order to speed up the break-in process so that I could find out what auricular changes this now complete set of OCC Single Crystal Copper Cables might bring. In the first round of late night Music listening sessions I noticed that the instruments had become much more individuated one from another and I could now hear each of the instruments when they were playing background parts which I had never been able to so clearly appreciate before even though I had listened to the same piece of Music 100's of times and thought I knew every note of the Music by heart. As was the case with the newly audible ambient venue cues which were part of my very first listening impression this newly manifest individuation of the instruments accompanied by an increase in the "air around the instruments" was made possible for the first time thanks to the recently completed set of OCC Single Crystal Cables which has allowed the Music to propagate in a much more dynamic and unfiltered way.
As the listening evaluations continued I decided to take a 48 hour break between listening sessions and as a result the nature of the next set of sonic improvements to reveal themselves came quite unexpectedly. I use the term unexpected because although I had read about this kind of improvement I had never actually heard it after any of the 100's of upgrades that I had made through the many stages of my Audio System over the years. The improvement I'm referring to is the emergence of a Black Background behind and surrounding the instruments. After having listened to my Reference Music a countless number of times the instruments are now being spotlighted and everything around and behind them has faded to black rendering every Musical note very clear distinct.
The conclusions that I have come to thus far from the metallurgical information provided and my experience as a Metalsmith with experience dating back over 20 years involving custom alloy design, casting, annealing and fabrication of Copper and nonferrous precious metals is that the high grain crossing content of the 6N OFHC Copper Power Cord and Speaker Wire along with the 5N Silver Digital Cable that I had been using were actively filtering and masking the signal passing through them whereby inducing enough Cross Crystal Distortion to diffuse the Music Signal as well as the AC Power that it is derived from as it traveled down the cable negotiating the over 1,500 crystal grain boundaries in each foot of this grade cable on its way toward the next piece of equipment or the speakers. The effect of removing these Copper cables which have such a proliferation of crystal boundaries by replacing them with Single Crystal Copper Cabling has enabled the Music to now sound very natural and relaxed and at the same time quick, agile and tightly focused allowing us to hear the Music as it was intended when it was originally recorded.
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Maxxwire
Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2013-06-14 07:01
With such a proliferation of different cables that I could compare the cost of these new OCC Copper Cables to I decided to keep it simple drawing from my personal experience and share with you this comparison of the cost of these recently acquired OCC Copper Cables with the cost of the original OFHC Silverfuse Copper conductor AC Power and Speaker Cables plus the 5N High Purity Silver Digital Cable which I had been using in my Audio System. Here is a breakdown of the respective Cable costs organized by Cable type...
These figures represent my actual costs in upgrading to a full set of absolutely amazing sounding OCC Single Crystal Copper cables and the difference in cost between acquiring them and the comparatively muddy sounding OFHC Silverfuse Copper cables that I began using for over 10 years ago. As you can see it did cost me a combined total of $127 more for the high performance OCC Copper Power Cable and Speaker Cables which added cost will be easily mitigated as soon as I sell the 5N Silver Digital Cable which the new SPOCC Copper Digital cable effortlessly blew out of the Digital front end with a superb performance that far exceeded all of my expectations.
The cost of these superb sounding DIY OCC Cables is modest when compared to the more expensive route of purchasing ready made commercial OCC Copper cables. The comparatively low additional cost of DIY OCC Single Crystal Copper Cables as compared to other cables made with lower purity high crystal grain count Copper becomes small in comparison to the stunning performance enhancements that OCC Single Crystal Copper Cables bring to an Audio System.
This 4 month long experiment has resulted in these new OCC Single Crystal Copper Cables replacing the OFHC Silverfuse Copper power cable the OFHC Silverfuse speaker cables as well as the 5N High Purity Silver Cable that I had previously used in my Audio System. I consider this new investment to be the most far reaching and profound Bang for the Buck set of upgrades I have ever made in my Audio System as they now function in combination with the Equipment, Resonance Tuning and AC Power Source upgrades that I have made in my Audio System over the years. Now, as a result every time I listen to my Audio System I hear not just the heightened detail or the more accurate true tonal character, but entirely new parts in the Music that I was completely unaware of before have opened up and revealed themselves because they are no longer being actively filtered out by cables which have conductors with high amounts of Cross Crystal Distortion.
My greatest regret is that I did not make these OCC Copper Cable upgrades years ago because as a result I have irreparably missed out on countless hours of worth of enjoyment listening to my favorite Music as the Audio engineers had originally intended to sound.
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