RCD-971 mods

[Telstar]

Hello,

I own this cdp for many years and I'm quite happy with it.
A friend of mine told me that it can be modded to sound better. I googled for it and found some old threads at diyaudio and also this link (japanese):

http://eddie.dyec.com.tw/diy-demo/audio-diy/cd_dvd_modify/rotel_rcd-971/rotel_rcd-971.htm

I wonder if somebody has done the mods, which ones, and if it's worth it (in place of buying a new cdp on the used market -where i'm thinking about naim and classé or perhaps a sacd).

I also have a good DAC, so I dont plan to improve that section.

[Telstar]

no one?

[soundhound]

Appears as though its time for a new one.....................
Judging by the pics, they did some pretty healthy hardware changes, other than changing to the iec power cord ,and being you use yours as a transport only, may be wisest to make a change.

[Telstar]

I was thinking as alternative of upgrading my Rotel to buy an Oppo 980 to use as a transport. What do you think? It would cost me about the same as the mods to the rotel.

[soundhound]

I am a bad one to ask, as I went from a Denon, to a Jolida, Jolida w/dac, to an Arcam, and landed at Wadia.
Are you looking to change the flavor a little?
I have heard good things of the Oppo's, but suspect your 971 to be a push for use as a transport.

[bigburner]

Telstar, I use an Oppo 971 as a transport. I've given it more than a year of fairly heavy use and it hasn't missed a beat. I'm pretty confident that all the ones and zeros on my CDs and DVDs are getting through to my LFD external DAC. That's the beauty of the digital domain.

Nigel.

[Telstar]

I think I may want SACD for classical listenings. So the Oppo 980H (should be lil better than 971) can be real good.

I'm not going to invest much in the digital source because I'm also using a HTPC. So in truth the CDP (transport) should do just SACD and occasionally red book for when I buy a new album and I want to listen to it immediately.

I dont care about brands, but I know that I want a neutral sound.

I also saw today the new pioneer PD-D9-J
http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/4...9-J/index.html
but that's a bit on the expensive side since it should cost around 900€) while the Oppo is 190€. Skipping the DAC part should attain a good result, comparable to my rotel or better.

An used transport of an audiophile brand could be another option