Modifying amplifiers...
09-03-2004, 03:55 PM
#1
Many ppl tweak home audio amplifiers and other home gear. They get caps upgraded, internal wiring upgraded, etc... can the same benefits (if any in the first place) be had from upgrading op-amps, capacitors, inductors, resistors and such on car audio amps? Will there even be a noticeable difference?
What are your views on this?
What are your views on this?
09-04-2004, 11:36 AM
#6
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,770
i see
what are you trying to accomplish then matched pair power supply capacitors
or maybe 0 ripple rectifiers
i'll let you play with you warmth fuzzyness and airiness then
[ September 04, 2004, 12:38 PM: Message edited by: pinhead ]
what are you trying to accomplish then matched pair power supply capacitors
or maybe 0 ripple rectifiers
i'll let you play with you warmth fuzzyness and airiness then
[ September 04, 2004, 12:38 PM: Message edited by: pinhead ]
09-04-2004, 11:46 PM
#7
500 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 871
Eddie, I think that upgrading your car audio amplifier with better components would improve the sound quality to a noticeable degree IF AND ONLY IF your other system components which are upstream and downstream from your amplifier are also of high quality. Also keep in mind that speaker placement, positioning, and aiming are very crucial to the sound quality in a car audio system (and home audio system also). Also, the quietness or loudness of your car will determine the overall sound quality of your listening sessions. The more quiet your car (more sound dampening), the better will be your sound quality, and the more noticeable will be the upgrades you do to your amplifier.
09-06-2004, 10:59 PM
#8
500 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 952
You can increase the tolerance of the on board stiffening caps, and resistors, including the output transistors to higher value, say instead of 10% tolerance of stated value, try to find 5% or higher tolerance of same value. This should increase power, dynamics, soundstage, detail, etc..
Question is, is the effort worth the difference?
Question is, is the effort worth the difference?
09-10-2004, 07:53 AM
#9
Finally some serious replies. Thanks Keith and Eli47. So Keith, you're saying that the quietness and loudness will affect how noticeable the upgrades will be on the amp... are you implying that such upgrades are going to be very subtle?
Eli47, I never knew tighter tolerances can do that. Good to know! What about changing to higher grade components? Would that have a greater effect?
I ask because I know Parts Connexion (company founded by the founders of Sonic Frontiers) does a lot of modifications on amps (ss and tube), DAC's and CD/DVD players. Their premise is that some cheaper units have a good design and with some tweaking can be made into a much better unit. A good example is the Denon DVD-2900. They will make modifications on this unit because it has a good transport (and probably some other components) but lack other quality components to hit a particular price point.
Anyhow, this company seems to think that the effort is worth the difference - even in not-so-expensive units such as this Denon DVD player. Would it be something car audio enthusiasts should consider? Or should we just buy the tried and true and accept whatever flaws they come with without considering a possibilty that you can make it better?
Eli47, I never knew tighter tolerances can do that. Good to know! What about changing to higher grade components? Would that have a greater effect?
I ask because I know Parts Connexion (company founded by the founders of Sonic Frontiers) does a lot of modifications on amps (ss and tube), DAC's and CD/DVD players. Their premise is that some cheaper units have a good design and with some tweaking can be made into a much better unit. A good example is the Denon DVD-2900. They will make modifications on this unit because it has a good transport (and probably some other components) but lack other quality components to hit a particular price point.
Anyhow, this company seems to think that the effort is worth the difference - even in not-so-expensive units such as this Denon DVD player. Would it be something car audio enthusiasts should consider? Or should we just buy the tried and true and accept whatever flaws they come with without considering a possibilty that you can make it better?
09-10-2004, 08:14 AM
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
i remember back in the day when kenwood made thier 3 series amps(723,823,923,1023, big silver ones) andyway we used to take all the garbage caps out of the signal chain and replace them with kimber fast caps and bypass all filters in the signal chain as well, the difference was immense to sy the least, we sent a car to the iasca finals, it placed 3rd with 2 kenwood amps, turned a few heads to say the least, still make mods similar to this day, none on competing vehicles anymore, apparently thats cheating. i think if done right and the changes are made where the product is the weakest they are more than worth the cost
