I've got a 963 too and have been pretty happy with it, at leat considering what I paid for it! I've also got a CAL Tercet Mk IV and I've compared the two and while there were very minor differences I couldn't decide which was better. One thing that is important to get the best sound from the 963 is to set up the outputs using the menu and a TV. If you have not done that you are not getting the best sound from the unit since the default settings are not best for audio performance. Music Direct had the instructions for doing this on their web site when they were selling the unit, but I don't know if they still have them. I think I printed them out if you need them. As for the Blackgate mod, does anyone know where to find the instructions for this mod?
Don't care for my Philips 963
I've had this for over a year now and like it less everytime I listen to it on redbook (regardless of upsampling). What first struck me (and I did audition before buying, though apparently not long enough) as detailed and extended highs now comes across as thin, metallic, unengaging. SACD playback, on the other hand, I like very much. Unfortunately, I have a total of five sacds. DVD performance is good enough. I'd like my digital playback to resemble my analog playback (rega p25/dyna 10x5)--full of bounce and life, liquid, rich and round. Audio budget is tight right now. For a number of reasons, I'd like to ad a DAC with three inputs (one needs to be coax and one needs to be optical). I'd run sacd playback through the analog outs on the philips into my pre. For redbook and dvd, I'd use the DAC. Right now I'm thinking CAL Alpha or Muse 2. Given what I'm looking for and given my budget (under 600), do you have any other suggestions? Thanks.