Touch hardware mods

[andyjayh]

Thinking about doing some hardware mods to my Touch, most of which I have read about on this forum but not in detail so looking for some pointers. To date I have managed to open up the Touch and remove the DC caps which produced a good step up in SQ. I've also disconnected the screen but been forced to reconnect by the misses and my daughter, for now

Although I'm still using the internal DAC of the Touch the next mods I would like to try are removing the Toslink connection and replacing the RCA with a good quality 75 ohm BNC and then try some DACs. Anyone got any details regarding these two mods? Pics, descriptions, blogs etc?

I'm also thinking about replacing some internal caps with higher quality ones, any pointers on which ones benefit from replacement?

Thanks in advance

[UV101]

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[andyjayh]

Does seem a bit quite currently.... Plenty of info if you dig around though.

Next time I venture into the Touch casing I'll take some better pics for you so you can try and work out what's where. Might be worth having a chat with your mate up north as I think he has worked out some cap and clock upgrade placements, might give you a pointer or two

What I was after here was some details or pointer to the right thread about how to remove the Toslink connector, is it just a simple remove or do you need to bypass to keep the circuit? Sure I've read somewhere that its a poor quality item and is inline with the digital signal so removing it cleans up the signal path? Plus how to replace the Coax with a true 75 ohm BNC connector hard wired to the board. Seen this mentioned in other threads a few times but can't locate any detail or pictures to show how to do it.

Just thought these were simple mods I can have a go at myself whilst I have some free time over the crimble break. Anyone point me in the right direction?

[UV101]

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[andyjayh]

So if it runs in parallel it should be a case of simply removing from the board a no other work to link through required? If I understood you correctly? Might give this a go later.

I'll look into the BNC replacement a bit further at some stage. Need to understand what I'm doing for DAC really as no point changing to a BNC if I end up with a DAC without a BNC input! A doh moment i fear My processor has BNC which is what I was going to use for now but so far my testing is showing the processor DAC slightly less musical than the Touch DAC! This could be the source though....... Round and round in cycles, lol

Btw, just sent you an email with some Touch cap mod pics

[UV101]

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[HumanMedia]

Caad's DIY Modifications
http://forums.slimdevices.com/showpo...&postcount=777
http://forums.slimdevices.com/showpo...&postcount=791
http://forums.slimdevices.com/showpo...&postcount=793
http://forums.slimdevices.com/showpo...&postcount=797
http://forums.slimdevices.com/showpo...&postcount=799

Passion DIY (French site) Commentary on mods including Caad's Mod
http://www.passiondiy.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=201

Touch I2S-out and Clock-in mods
http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=83138
http://www.odysseyaudiohk.com/cgi-bi...num=1308418896

How to Open the SBT
http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=78244

Soundchecks Hardware improvements
http://soundcheck-audio.blogspot.com...d-network.html


Commercial third-party SBT hardware modifications

Audiocom International (UK)
http://www.audiocominternational.com...ods-p-209.html

Bolder Cable Company (USA)
http://www.boldercables.com/servlet/...=MODIFICATIONS

Fidelity Audio (UK)
http://www.fidelityaudio.co.uk/squeezebox_touch.html

[UV101]

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[andyjayh]

Thanks HM for those links, really interesting and helpful with the research on this subject. This little project just got some new life

[HumanMedia]

Couldn't wait any longer, dipped my toe into the hardware mods with a simple BNC output replacing that dreadful RCA digital output.

The small length of coax is VHAudio 75ohm coax, the BNC 'socket' is a Neutrik true 75ohm chassis mount connector (used here as a cable end)

Audible result is an improvement in vocal 'ess' and 'eff' sounds plus a slightly more relaxed feeling. Changes are small, but noticeable and all positive.

Notes:
You will need a good set of small screwdrivers to get around inside the SBT.
You will need a hot iron to desolder some of the components.