Sony CDP-X33ES CD Player Mods?

[Johnny_Law]

I'm posting this in D&S because I am asking about mods discussed in a CL ad, but figured people would comment on the asking price in the ad: https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/ele/d/sony-cdp-x33es-hi-end-mod/6754922369.html

If this can live in the Digital forum instead of D&S please let me know ... anyway.

The seller states:

The SONY has a TI_STAGE IV High End Audiophile Modification that includes:
- 4 Ultra High-Quality low distortion (0.00008%) Audio pre-amplifiers,
- Upgraded Audiophile Low ESR Panasonic & Elna capacitors,
- SONY original factory laser optical lens, and
- Brand new belts.

What is the "TI_STAGE IV High End Audiophile Modification"? Is this a package sold somewhere? I see a variety of re-cap kits for the X33ES available in various places, but I have no idea what the "4 Audio pre-amplifiers" are.

I have an X33ES in the wings with a dead channel that is on my to-do list, so naturally I'd love to know if I can mod it a bit while under the hood.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[SoCal Sam]

Wildly overpriced. Sounds like an op-amp and cap upgrade. Upgrade kit is available on ebay for a lot less. If you can DIY, you can buy the parts and do this for even less.

 

[Johnny_Law]

Thanks! I've never researched op-amps at all, it's all Greek to me. I did a quick search and found some things to read ... Sounds like a decent upgrade. Homework time.

https://www.bursonaudio.com/products/supreme-sound-opamp-v6/
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/opamps-improve-cd-players-sound.76689/
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/vintage-sony-cdp.142915/ (which you posted in ... 10 years ago! )

 

[SoCal Sam]

Dr*Audio is a frequent proponent of op-amps and I believe him. I think the correct way to upgrade would be to install sockets so swapping op-amps in the future is easy.

BTW, the CDP-X33ES is a decent player but it is only single transformer and IIRC, single D/A chip. Go for the next higher up CDP-X55ES which is dual transformer and dual d/a chipped.

 

[Johnny_Law]

Dr*Audio is a frequent proponent of op-amps and I believe him. I think the correct way to upgrade would be to install sockets so swapping op-amps in the future is easy.

BTW, the CDP-X33ES is a decent player but it is only single transformer and IIRC, single D/A chip. Go for the next higher up CDP-X55ES which is dual transformer and dual d/a chipped.

Thanks! I'll check it out.

And I'll make sure my X33ES gets plenty of sunlight and water and hope I wake up to an X55ES someday!

 

[slow_jazz]

Way overpriced.

 

[Gary Harvey]

Dr*Audio is a frequent proponent of op-amps and I believe him. I think the correct way to upgrade would be to install sockets so swapping op-amps in the future is easy.

BTW, the CDP-X33ES is a decent player but it is only single transformer and IIRC, single D/A chip. Go for the next higher up CDP-X55ES which is dual transformer and dual d/a chipped.

True.. BUT, There Are Dual transformer X33es CDP.
Damned if I understand the Sony reasoning? pc