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Curiously the 6" by 5" servo board to the immediate left of the transport is loosely held in place by plastic pins that protrude out from the bottom of the CD player base. I could never understand why the DAC board running along the back of the CD player was firmly secured in place with metal screws whereas the servo board can be easily wiggled up and down about an eight of an inch with ones fingernails. So the first thing I tried to do was place various dampening material ( soft foam, rubbery cushions, etc) on and around the servo board but that seem to soften the musical presentation. Then I decided, why not go to the other extreme with no dampening and float the servo board with rubber bands. This simple tweak turned out fantastic. Not only were the dynamic back with a vengeance but where as before the music aways seem to gravitate near and around my speakers. Not any more, the music now seem to have liberated itself from the speakers. The speakers are much better able to vanish as a source of origin. Neat!
Here is what you have to do. The servo board is held in place at each corner with 4 plastic pins. The pins have an expandable tip that holds the servo board in place. With a needle nose plier, pinch the expandable tip while gently pulling the board upwards with your other hand. Once the servo board is free, use rubber bands to tie each corner of the free floating board to various places of the CD chasey. When done right, the servo board should be able to freely bounce up and down without touching any part of the chasey. The wires that run to and from the servo board act as damper.
Follow Ups:
I would like to try some aftermarket brass cones such as those from Mapleshade under the Cambridge Audio 840C. How do I take off the original footers? I understand that I can only do that from inside. Can I open the bottom plate? If I can , which one I should unscrew from the bottom since there are many? Thanks in advance. Fred
and when the rubber bands dry out and break (they will rather quickly in a warm, dry environment as inside a CD player), the board will possibly short out live components against the chassis as it falls. In any case, I have to agree with WBWB here in that it makes no sense and would have no positive effect.
-Bill
Hi Tostadas,
I tried what you said but couldn't find any difference in sound. Even if there were any, it was very very minor. Yah, I agree with you that one of the weakness of the 840c is that some parts of the music sound as if it's coming from within the speakers. It's as if the musician/instrument is at exactly where the speakers are. But if you close your eyes when listening to music, it's ok because your eyes will stop looking at the speakers. ;p
Just curious, when you try the rubber-band-floating trick, do you have any dampers/cones/spikes underneath the chassis of the CDP? I suspect some "soft" footers (like Herbie's of sorts) might improve the imaging of the 840c. My own CDP is sitting on 3 Grand Prix Audio Apex footers, so maybe these footers might have lessened the sound-trapped-in-speakers syndrome. I am waiting to try the 840c on Herbie's tenderfoot or something similar.
FWIW, just sharing my personal experience. Cheers!
HI WBWB,
I'm glad at least you tied the tweak. Yes I have Herbie's Tenderfooters on the CD player itself. For myself I do hear a difference, even though dynamics are improved, vocal on old CD that I Know are shrill sound less aggressive and music more tuneful.
Well, I guess it worked in your case but not in mine. It was nevertheless a good expereince opening up the 840c. I used only 3 rubber bands. One tied to the transport-structure and the other 2 to the edge of the chassis where there were pre-drilled holes.
By the way, Any comments on the Herbie's? I am thinking of getting the 1" tenderfoot and Blackhole?
Cheers
WBWB, the improvements were so obvious to me,I was sure other would hear the difference. If anyone else does not hear an improvement, I'm going to have to question my own judgement. Is my ear/brain playing tricks on me? Am I hearing improvements because I subconscious want to? I'm having an audio buddy, who knows my system well, come over at the end of the month to answer these questions.
Yes the Tenderfoots works as advertise but it has been a long time since I adhered them to the bottom of my CD player to remember specifically what changes they made. As for the Blackhole CD Mat, I too hope to order one soon.
Hey WBWB,
You might have a valid point in saying the improvements I heard was from the combination of the Tenderfoots and rubber bands to float the servo board. Because I seriously doubt your Grand Prix Audio Apex Footers can do much of anything to squash chassis microphonic. I have no doubt they isolate the CD player from the shelf it sits on but nothing works better than Tenderfoots in absorbing microphonics, it's a major step up in preformance, which allows me to hear what floating the servo board can do. I may be wrong but I believe your Grand Prix Footers are masking any further improvements to your CD player. When you get your Tenderfoots, which you should hear a major improvement, please try again to float the servo board. It should not matter where you tie the rubber bands as long as the board is free to bounce.
Best Wishes
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