need advice with cd player modification

Tweakers' Asylum

Tweaks for systems, rooms and Do It Yourself (DIY) help. FAQ.

I posted this at the digital "asylum" as well but figured I'd put it here as well ...
First, does anyone have experience with the Conrad-Johnson D/A3 FET processor and how it sounds? There's NO info on it except product info at their website.
Background:
I've got a Roksan Kandy. While I like several aspects (dynamics, detail retrieval and speed/pacing), it's lean and bright. The D/A converter's nothing special (Burr brown 1716) and the output opamps are definitely nothing special (NEC5532).
Conversations I've had with modding outfits indicate that much of the sound quality comes from the output stage, clock and power supply (good caps, diodes, etc.) and the sound quality IS NOT a major function of whatever state of art DA conversion scheme's in effect--> they feel a properly designed 5 year old converter is better than a new one with cheaper power supply and output stage.
So... my two upgrade paths:
1. have Kandy modified ($500-1000 cost = OPA627 or similar output opamps, better caps and resistors, new clock, wiring, etc.)
2. buy an older but good D/A converter.
--> I'm going to demo a Conrad-Johnson D/A3 FET processor since it's got a discrete FET output stage and their website indicates that it's voiced to be warmer and more natural sounding ... and the seller also gave me that impression.
Interested in your comments and recommendations ...

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Topic - need advice with cd player modification - greg7 15:55:39 03/16/03 (3)

Re: need advice with cd player modification - MarkD 05:07:03 03/17/03 (2)

bobwire's mods - kweeb 08:36:54 03/17/03 (1)

Re: bobwire's mods - MarkD 14:05:08 03/17/03 (0)

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