Hi Kenny,
I didn't see that model of recorder listed on the Pioneer site; is it definitely a current unit?. The units we've mentioned have 3-CD players built-in, for what it's worth.
The basic idea behind these mods, as I understand it, is that Stan believes the lower-end Pioneer actually has a better-sounding DAC than the higher-end gear, if you make sure to get a model with a Burr-Brown 17xx (I forget the model number) DAC. These DACs are cheap (under $5.00 in quantity) but excellent, better, according to Stan, than the inhouse DACS Pioneer (and other vendors for that matter, put in their higher-end gear.
The more expensive gear may sound better "out of the box", because the other circuitry (other than the DAC) may be of better. Stan basically replaces all the analog circuitry, though, so he believes that ironically the lower-end unit after modification sounds better than a higher-end unit, because of the higher potential of the DAC. So he points people to these units for his mods (not necessarily as the best choice unmodified).
I hope that's clear. I hope to post soon with results of my "mod" research.
- Eric
I didn't see that model of recorder listed on the Pioneer site; is it definitely a current unit?. The units we've mentioned have 3-CD players built-in, for what it's worth.
The basic idea behind these mods, as I understand it, is that Stan believes the lower-end Pioneer actually has a better-sounding DAC than the higher-end gear, if you make sure to get a model with a Burr-Brown 17xx (I forget the model number) DAC. These DACs are cheap (under $5.00 in quantity) but excellent, better, according to Stan, than the inhouse DACS Pioneer (and other vendors for that matter, put in their higher-end gear.
The more expensive gear may sound better "out of the box", because the other circuitry (other than the DAC) may be of better. Stan basically replaces all the analog circuitry, though, so he believes that ironically the lower-end unit after modification sounds better than a higher-end unit, because of the higher potential of the DAC. So he points people to these units for his mods (not necessarily as the best choice unmodified).
I hope that's clear. I hope to post soon with results of my "mod" research.
- Eric