The reference system

Here are details of the system used to assess possible upgrades. This is Brent's home system and comprises of the following:

• Extremely modified Marantz CD63KI
• 2 Heavily modified Marantz PM66KI
• Unmodified Marantz PM66KI rear amp
• Unmodified ATC SCM40
• Unmodified ATC C3C centre
• Sercal mains filtering
• Kimber Reference power cables
• Kimber Crystal Ag interconnect
• Custom oak rack with Torlyte shelving

Marantz CD63KI

Not much of this player is original. It features 21 low noise regulators, mostly S Power. 9 additional mains transformers have been crammed in (104VA). Most capacitors are Black Gate FK or Standard. The output stage is discrete using MOSFETs operating in class A, Holco precision resistors and silver mica capacitors. The DAC and servo sections have been re-clocked, each using a precision clock. Needless to say the detail and naturalness of this player are shocking.

List of modifications (PDF) often updated

 

Marantz PM66KI MAIN L/R AMP

This already good amplifier has been treated to a 2nd mains transformer connected in parallel with the original, doubling the current capacity and halving the impedance. The smoothing caps have been upgraded to Elna Silmic 22,000uF. Output devices were uprated and heatsinks replaced with much larger ones. Signal and PSU caps have been replaced with Black Gates and silver mica. BG AC was used for signal coupling. Bias current was increased to reduce distortion.

List of modifications (PDF) often updated

 

Marantz PM66KI CENTRE CHANNEL AMP

The second KI amp used for powering the centre speaker has undergone an extensive upgrade. I have treated it to a 2nd mains transformer connected in parallel with the original, doubling the current capacity and halving the impedance. The smoothing caps have been upgraded to BHC AEROVOX 15,000uF. Signal and PSU caps have been replaced with Black Gates, Silmics and silver mica. BG AC was used for signal coupling. Bias current was also increased to reduce distortion.

List of modifications (PDF) often updated

 

ATC SCM40

These terrific speakers were chosen for their ability to reveal changes upstream as their sound is very transparent and revealing. The extra power available from the modified PM66KI does not go to waste as these speakers have rather low sensitivity. Low distortion across the sound spectrum is particularly noticeable with vocals and piano. Extremely neutral and enjoyable.

 

 

ATC C3C

Weighing in at 30Kg this superb speaker was chosen for its ability to produce terrific bass and remarkable transparency, revealing fantastc detail to on screen dialogue. The speaker is wired using a bi-amped setup with the L channel for bass/mid and R channel for the treble. Movies spring to life with very low distortion across the sound spectrum. Extremely neutral and enjoyable.

 

Yamaha DSP-E800

Surround sound processing is performed by a Yamaha DSP-E800 feeding the 3 Marantz PM66KIs. The Yamahas soundstage is explicit, large and three-dimentional, a sense of effortlessness and system resolution is ever-present. The Yamaha is also dynamically impeccable and capable of agile sublety.

List of modifications (PDF) often updated

 

Infrastructure

Mains setup

Sercal mains filters used to reject mains born noise and spikes, you hear a more three dimensional and rich sound with a really low noise floor. Good quality mains leads (Russ Andrews Reference cord - with fuses shorted using copper rods) added to lower the mains impedance and reject noise air born noise. See set up schematic here.

Interconnects and Rack

A top quality silver interconnect (Russ Andrews Crystal-Ag) provides optimum signal coupling for a fully detailed and balanced sound.The custom oak and Torlyte rack helps to minimise time-smear caused by acoustic feedback and reveals every tiny detail on the recording. The sense of precise, musical timing is aided by using a light and stiff rack such as this.

 

Other

• Rear speakers are Mission 752F with improved x-over components and Kimber 4VS internal wiring.
• The monitor is a 37" HD Panasonic plasma.
• Sky HD with Kimber HD-19 HDMI cable
• Xbox 360 Elite with QED Quinex HDMI cable
• The LFE is supplemented by a lightly modified Mission 75AS.