CDP-300 "tweak"...

[kpodolski]

I've owned my CDP-300 for several months and am extremely happy with its performance and sound quality.

My only issue was with the optical transport. Now, there is nothing wrong with the Teac DV-28SL itself but with some of the "noise" it makes that can be heard from my listening position (which is about 9' from my head). The biggest problem, to me, is that Classe placed a thin transport with an open mouth inside a metal housing without any noise damping material. Essentially, the transport sits inside a metal can that exacerbates any noise the transport makes.

Well, it was time to find a remedy. My solution was furniature/upholstery foam. I had a chunck laying around so that is what I used. I used a total of three pieces that you can see in the accompanying photos.

The difference is incredible. No more noise! It totally dampens any noise that I heard before the tweak. I've been using this tweak for a month now and no problems. I thought heat may have been an issue but that has not been a problem. Sometimes I leave the player on all day and its not been a issue.

First you need to remove the Teac drive.


The first piece of foam located below the Teac drive.


The drive replaced.


The second piece installed in the corner of the chassis.


The third piece installed on top of the transport.


Re-install the top and you're all done. If you choose to do this tweak you proceed at your own peril...

[madmac]

I've owned my CDP-300 for several months and am extremely happy with its performance and sound quality.

My only issue was with the optical transport. Now, there is nothing wrong with the Teac DV-28SL itself but with some of the "noise" it makes that can be heard from my listening position (which is about 9' from my head). The biggest problem, to me, is that Classe placed a thin transport with an open mouth inside a metal housing without any noise damping material. Essentially, the transport sits inside a metal can that exacerbates any noise the transport makes.

Well, it was time to find a remedy. My solution was furniature/upholstery foam. I had a chunck laying around so that is what I used. I used a total of three pieces that you can see in the accompanying photos.

The difference is incredible. No more noise! It totally dampens any noise that I heard before the tweak. I've been using this tweak for a month now and no problems. I thought heat may have been an issue but that has not been a problem. Sometimes I leave the player on all day and its not been a issue.

First you need to remove the Teac drive.


The first piece of foam located below the Teac drive.


The drive replaced.


The second piece installed in the corner of the chassis.


The third piece installed on top of the transport.


Re-install the top and you're all done. If you choose to do this tweak you proceed at your own peril...

Now that is pure ingenuity !!! :T

[Glen B]

Very creative. I like it. "Real" soundproofing material for electronics can be found at EndPCNoise.com. I've used their products in various projects. One of the advantages the materials they sell has is that it has UL flammability rating.

EndPCNoise

[aarsoe]

I would be worried about heat building up in the wrong places. So in the end you may very well end up with a reduced life expectancy from the drive - if not from the electronic as well..

[madmac]

I would be worried about heat building up in the wrong places. So in the end you may very well end up with a reduced life expectancy from the drive - if not from the electronic as well..

That same thought crossed my mind as well 8O

[Glen B]

Heat buildup issues could be minimized by lining the drive and area of the chassis around the drive with thin, acoustic noise insulating material versus the way its stuffed now.

AcoustiPack soundproofing

[kpodolski]

Very creative. I like it. "Real" soundproofing material for electronics can be found at EndPCNoise.com. I've used their products in various projects. One of the advantages the materials they sell has is that it has UL flammability rating.

EndPCNoise

Neat site. They have some cool stuff.

[kpodolski]

I would be worried about heat building up in the wrong places. So in the end you may very well end up with a reduced life expectancy from the drive - if not from the electronic as well..

I thought about that too but I'm not worried. The nominal temp of the unit has been the same pre-tweak versus post-tweak. Plus, the teac drive is a laptop drive and laptops can be a very abusive place to live...

[aarsoe]

I don't doubt that the temperature reading is the same, the problem lies were the temperature reader cannot measure. In any case you decide for your self. If noise is really a big issue I personally would have used a thin plate of bitumen like the stuff you buy at car parts shops for dampening doors or other plates that resonate. A small amount on the top will dampen the drive significantly and not create any heat being built up. If you look underneath the top plate of your Classe unit you will see such a plate glued to it.

[Sharp 1080]

Excellent suggestion.