marantz cd 52 mk II S/H opinoins?

[Raj1]

HI,


I have seen a second hand cd 52 MK II, I'm a bit duboius as with second hand machines one can't estimate remaining transport life.

does anyone know anything about this old machine, transport details, opamps, worth tweaking?


Thanks
Raja

 

[carlosfm]

Yes!

Raja,

Some months ago I bought a CD52 mkII SE (the Special Edition) for 90 Euros.
The difference is not big between the SE and the standard version, only better components.
I went to the store with a pair of good headphones and two 80 minute CD-Rs full of music.
If it played these CD-Rs, it means the transport may be in good shape.
It played well, I bought it.
Later I discovered it even plays 80 mitute CD-RWs!
Well, the facts:
Transport: a (very good) Philips CDM4.
Dac: Philips SAA7350 bitstream, if I remember well...
Op-amps: JRC2114 (I changed this ones for LM6172 - beautiful).

I heavily tweaked this cd-player and it's connected to a second system I have, in my bedroom.
It plays like an angel.
Even CD-RWs!😱 😱

 

[Raj1]

cd 52 MK II

HI Carlos,

Thanks for the reply, It's being sold for around £57 in a shop near me, I'll try the cd rw playing if I'm to purchase it. How old are these machines typically?

Also how much more tweaking do you think could be done could you post some details please?

How would you describe the sound accros the spectrum, highs, midrange, bass.

Sorry for the questions


Thanks
Raja

 

[tbklbl]

Marantz CD 52

Hi carlosfm,

Since u hav open the CD52 box, did u find out what servo/decoder chip it is using? Cause i will like to tap the 44.1kHz I2S out from it.

Transport: a (very good) Philips CDM4
Is it the same as CDM4.19 ? Is it the same swing arm version? There is little info on this player's transport and there are a few different series of CDM 4. So in case the laser is end of life, I will like to change the whole transport or kep what in store but need to know the exact model series

Maybe someone can help on this

Still searching for the schematic of it?

 

[carlosfm]

Re: Marantz CD 52

Hi carlosfm,

Since u hav open the CD52 box, did u find out what servo/decoder chip it is using? Cause i will like to tap the 44.1kHz I2S out from it.

Transport: a (very good) Philips CDM4
Is it the same as CDM4.19 ? Is it the same swing arm version? There is little info on this player's transport and there are a few different series of CDM 4. So in case the laser is end of life, I will like to change the whole transport or kep what in store but need to know the exact model series

Maybe someone can help on this

Still searching for the schematic of it?

Well, I would like to have the schematic of it, I can't find it...
The decoder chip is an SAA7310.
I have the datasheet, but it's big, I can't post it here.
Read the datasheet, it should be easy to get that I2S signal.
Google a little and you'll find it, as I did.
The transport is (I think) the CDM4.19, and it has a (oh so beautiful) swing arm.

 

[carlosfm]

Re: cd 52 MK II

HI Carlos,

Thanks for the reply, It's being sold for around £57 in a shop near me, I'll try the cd rw playing if I'm to purchase it. How old are these machines typically?
Also how much more tweaking do you think could be done could you post some details please?
How would you describe the sound accros the spectrum, highs, midrange, bass.
Sorry for the questions

Thanks
Raja

Hi Raja,
That machine is from around 1991/2.
Really, the sound was nothing special when I bough it.
After listening for it for some hours, i opened it and started tweaking (in the same day I bought it!).
Basically I changed almost all the electrolythic caps, because the cd player is old.
Changed the op-amps to LM6172, properly bypassed, after testing with OPA2604 and OPA2132 first.
I liked more the sound of the LM in this machine.
Then I changed the 7805 from the digital PSU to LM340T5, and then I did a small board with LM317 and installed it as a pre-regulator for the LM340T5.
I removed the muting transistors (SMD!) after the op-amps.
I removed the two 100 ohm resistors (SMD!) after the op-amps (it has an output impedance of 200 ohms) and installed one single 82 ohms 1% film resistor.
Google a little and you'll find a page with the mods of removing the muting transistors on this particular cd player, and it has a part of the schematic from the Dac output to the rca plugs.
I don't remember what I did more...
All I can say is that the sound is VERY detailed and dynamic, and never offends.
I really like this machine.
If you don't feel with courage to do all these mods, at least change the op-amps.
It's the biggest step forward.