• One pair of premium machined Vampire direct gold plated over copper body Teflon insulated RCA female output jacks replace the cheap stamped jack modules on the stock player.
• 28 x Black Gate STD, FK, N and PK-grade power supply and output coupling capacitors replace the stock caps
• 4 x Rel-Cap Teflon TFT film and foil bypass coupling caps for the main B-G output caps.
• t8 x 1% Polystyrene film and foil capacitors are added in the analog filter
• 24 x Riken Ohm ½ and one watt signal path 1% carbon comp. resistors with gold-plated leads are added
• 28 x Audio Note ½ watt signal path 1% Tantalum Film (exotic) resistors are added.
• 8 x Telefunken SF4007 Ultra-Fast Soft-Recovery Diodes are used to replace and rebuild bridge rectifiers in sonically critical power supply positions.
• Installation of 4 large EAR brand Sorbothane isolation feet with new mounting hardware
• 2 sheets of SoundCoat chassis damping material cut and applied where applicable to control chassis resonances
• 1 sheet of ERS EMI/RFI suppression cloth
• 6 pieces DH Labs 99.999% pure solid-core long-grained silver output signal wires with foamed Teflon tape wrap dielectric;
• 4 pieces Kimber TCSS stranded OFC-Copper, Teflon-insulated ground wire for output connectors
• WBT high silver content (4%) solder used throughout
• 9 hours labor
• We offer a one year warranty on all mod work. New players also come with a 90 days warranty on the entire machine.
  

Our Ultimate tube modification to the Marantz SA-11s1 is now available. The stock machine is a very good 2- channel CD/SACD player. It is beautifully built to the highest standards. It is already rated Class A in Stereophile. Our mod takes the machine to a new level. We take a wonderful machine and make it a truly world-class machine that is as good as anything we know of under $15,000.

Our mod is performed on the front left and right channels only for critical stereo reproduction, whether the source material is Redbook CD, DVD-Audio, SACD or any other format! All formats are equally improved since the dominant portion of the mod is to the analog output stage. The signal for all formats utilizes the very same digital chip sets and analog output stage both. To reiterate, the same circuitry handles all formats, thus the mod won't improve one format more than the other. They all are greatly improved!

The Ultimate for the Marantz SA-11 [$5,990 for new machines, $3,190 + freight retrofit] can be broken down into 3 parts:

Part 1: The "new" PCX-designed fully differentially balanced tube output buffer stage is installed with concurrent output via both RCA and XLRs, which has its very own, dedicated power supply PCB and toroidal power transformer - 3 modules in all. This module was conceptually designed by Chris Johnson, Sonic Frontier's (SFI) founder and former president. The actual circuit design and electro-mechanical integration was developed by two of SFI's former senior designers , Glenn Dolick and Zdenko Zivkovic. (This vacuum tube-based output buffer stage can be installed into any player which has physical space for all 3 component parts. Although it was designed to be used with DACs which have differential output per channel, we can also install it into units which have traditional single-ended output.)

• Two-tube capacitor-coupled circuit which can use a variety of tubes including 6DJ8s, 6922', 7308s or any of their derivatives (ships with ElectroHarmonix EH-6922s). It can also be used with the Russian super tube, the 6H30 made famous by both BAT and later, ARC.
• Parts quality is superb. We use 5uf AuriCap output coupling caps with Rel-Cap TFT Teflon bypasses; premium Azuma gold-plated ceramic PCB tube sockets; Riken precision carbon comp resistors; Audio Note tantalum resistors; Cardas PCB-mount RCA jacks; Neutrik gold-plated XLR connectors
• Multiple fully regulated power supplies all on their own distinct power supply PCB, featuring Black Gate electrolytic caps in critical locations and IR Hexfred ultra-fast soft recovery diodes
• Our own custom-made 200% duty cycle, low noise, low stray field toroidal power transformer.
  

Part 2: Our Level 2 deluxe mod is performed on the first two (of three) stages to the Marantz's overall analog output stage - the I-V (current to voltage) stage, the analog filter stage and associated Marantz power supply, which supplies these two stages. We do not modify Marantz's proprietary HDAM output buffer module/section as this is what is bypassed in favor of our proprietary tube output stage.

• We upgrade the hypercritical I-V and analog-filter op amps, replacing the cheap, stock surface-mount parts (currently about 50 cents each from JRC) with the very best dual op amps offered by Burr-Brown, the OPA-627-AUs, mounted to special SMT-to-SMT vertical adapters (which are 50 times more expensive than the stock part). These parts dramatically enhance both the unit's technical and subjective audio performance. The SA-11 Ultimate still uses 4 (not 6 as in the Level 2) of these dual opamp upgrade modules (2 were not needed as we now have the tube output buffer stage). For comparison purposes, op amps of this quality are usually found in 2-channel products retailing for $5,000 to $10,000! This upgrade alone is analogous to upgrading a car from a 4-cylinder to a V12 twin-turbo!
• The output signal currently exits these stages via a minuscule tin/lead plated printed circuit board (PCB) trace. However, in our mod, we instead use both shielded interconnect and hookup wire which contains 99.999% pure, long-grain 23-awg solid-core silver DH Labs wire with foamed Teflon tape-wrap insulated (the very best)
• The critical signal resistors (22 in all) are changed to precision Japanese made Riken Ohm Carbon comp types with gold-plated copper leads. These replace the cheap, magnetic, China-sourced metal-film resistors in the stock unit
• All critical caps changed to the best Film and Electrolytic types:
  • Black Gate FK and N Series caps (5) replacing the cheapest quality generic electrolytic caps in the stock unit
  • Precision 1% polystyrene film and tin foil caps (14) are installed in the analog filter stage, replacing cheap tantalum caps in the stock unit
• The power supply has been upgraded with 9 Black Gate FK, NX, STD series electrolytic caps (replacing cheap ceramic and/or generic electrolytics) and all critical analog supply diodes (currently generic quality) have been replaced with ultra-fast soft-recovery Fred-type diodes
• 4 Vishay-Telefunken and 5 International Rectifier Hexfreds
• A pair of small Bybee Slipstream Quantum Purifiers are installed in the power supply just after the IEC inlet, in line with the transformer primary windings. These noise suppression devices work at a quantum level, helping quiet the power supply, allowing for a blacker background, which promotes increased perception of dynamic contrasts.
  

Part 3: Chassis upgrades are performed to add necessary ventilation, damp chassis resonances, isolate the unit from external and internal vibrations and shield from both RFI and EMI.

• The chassis resonances have been dampened with SoundCoat (2 sheets-1sq. ft)
• External vibrations have been isolated via (4) large compliant Ear Sorbothane feet
• ERS EMI/RFI paper is placed in critical locations to suppress stray EMI and RFI fields within the unit
• We use WBT 4% lead-free silver solder throughout.
  

The upgrade mod and custom tube stage installation takes upwards of 14 hours to complete when you take into account unpacking, disassembly, chassis remanufacturing, PCB module assembly, component part upgrading, reassembly, testing and repacking.

The above prices includes your choice of balanced XLR or single-ended Cardas outputs. Both together are an additional $200. The finished Ultimate modified machine is superb and only approached by our own Ultimate modified Denon DVD-5910 in performance at anywhere near this price.

• 27 x Black Gate STD, FK, N and PK-grade power supply and output coupling capacitors
• 2 x REL-CAP Teflon TFT film and foil coupling caps bypass the main BlackGate output caps
• 12 x 1% polystyrene film and foil capacitors in the analog filter stage
• 52 x Riken Ohm ½ and one watt 1% carbon comp. resistors (gold-plated leads) in the signal path
• 8 x Telefunken SF4007 Ultra-Fast Soft-Recovery Diodes aeplace/rebuild the bridge rectifiers. These are used in the sonically critical power supply positions.
• 1 pair of premium machined DH Labs direct gold-plated-over-copper-body Teflon insulated RCA female jacks replace the cheap stamped stock modules
• 4 x large EAR brand Sorbothane isolation feet with new mounting hardware
• 2 sheets of SoundCoat chassis damping materialcut & applied where applicable to control chassis resonances
• 1 sheet of ERS suppression cloth to reduce EMI/RFI
• 4 DH LABS 99.999% pure solid-core long-grained silver output signal wires, w/foamed Teflon tape wrap dielectric, on the output jacks
• 1 Acme Audio Labs silver-plated cryogenically treated IEC power inlet replaces the cheap connector of the stock player
• WBT high silver content (4%) solder used throughout
• 9 hours labor
  

Sonic improvement of the mod
The modified unit is now better in virtually all performance areas. It is a tad warmer and more tubelike. Dynamics are greatly improved. Midbass slam & low bass extension are both better. It has better detail across the board. Imaging specificity is also improved as is front to back depth.

Info on the stock player is as follows: The SA11S2 is the 2nd generation of the legendary SA11 series SACD player, updated with many of the components and features of the SA-7S1. The original SA11S1 was, and is, rated Class A in Stereophile. This new player is dramatically better.

• Plays SACD-Stereo, CD, CD-R/RW
• Marantz Original Aluminum Transport SACDM-1
• Full Balanced Analog Audio Stage with HDAM® SA2
• Marantz Original Phase Error Compensation PEC777f2
• High Accuracy Seiko NPC Monaural SM5866A5 Super Audio D/A Converter x2
• High Precision Quartz Clock with Linear Voltage Regulation
• External Clock Input
• Digital Phase Inversion for Balanced Output
• Toroidal Power Transformer w/Copper Shield Case
• All Copper Plated Chassis w/ Double Layer Bottom
• Vibration resistant Solid Aluminum Top Cover

The following details the Level-1 modification for the Marantz SA-11S2 CD/SACD Player [$790 + freight retrofit; $3,690 + freight preinstalled]:

• One pair of premium machined DH Labs direct gold plated over copper body” Teflon insulated RCA female jacks replace the replace cheap stamped jack modules on the output
• 4 x BblackGate FK-Series output coupling electrolytic capacitors are installed
• 4 x AudioNote Tantalum Film (exotic) ½ watt signal path 1% resistors
• 2 x Telefunken SF4007 “Ultra-Fast Soft-Recovery” diodes in sonically critical power supply positions
• 4 large EAR brand Sorbothane isolation feet with new mounting hardware dampen airborne vibrations
• 2 sheets of Soundcoat chassis damping material are cut and applied where applicable to control chassis resonances
• 4 pieces DH Labs 99.999% pure solid-core long-grained silver output signal wires with foamed Teflon tape wrap dielectric
• WBT high silver content (4%) solder used throughout
• 5 hours labor
• 1-year warranty on our modication
• 90 days on entire machine if purchased new

The modified unit is now better in virtually all performance areas. It is a tad warmer and more tube-like. Dynamics are improved. Mid-bass slam and low bass extension are both better. It has better detail across the board. Imaging specificity is also improved as is front to back depth.

The following details the Level-2 modifications for the Marantz SA-11S2 CD/SACD Player [$1,750 + freight retrofit; $4,690 + freight preinstalled]:

• 27 x BlackGate STD, FK, N and PK-grade power supply and output coupling capacitors
• 2 x Rel-Cap Teflon TFT film and foil coupling caps bypass the main BlackGate output caps
• 12 x 1% polystyrene film and foil capacitors in the analog filter stage
• 52 x Riken Ohm ½ and one watt 1% carbon comp. resistors with gold-plated leads in the signal path
• 12 x Telefunken SF4007 Ultra-Fast Soft-Recovery Diodes replace/rebuild the bridge rectifiers. These are used in the sonically critical power supply positions.
• 1 pair of premium machined DH Labs direct gold plated over copper body Teflon insulated RCA female jacks are used on the outputs. These replace the cheap stamped stock modules.
• 4 x large EAR brand Sorbothane isolation feet with new mounting hardware
• 2 x sheets of SoundCaot chassis damping material cut and applied where applicable to control chassis resonances
• 1 x sheet of ERS suppression cloth to reduce EMI/RFI
• 4 feet of DH Labs 99.999% pure solid-core long-grained silver output signal wires w/foamed Teflon tape wrap dielectric, are added to the output jacks
• 1 x Acme Audio Labs silver-plated cryogenically-treated IEC power inlet replaces the cheap connector of the stock player
• WBT high silver content (4%) solder used throughout
• 9 hours labor
  

Sonic improvement of the mod
The modified unit is now better in virtually all performance areas. It is a tad warmer and more tube-like. Dynamics are greatly improved. Mid-bass slam & low bass extension are both better. It has better detail across the board. Imaging specificity is also improved as is front to back depth. The modified player outperforms the SA7S1 for dramatically less.

Modified players have a one year warranty on all mod work performed and 90 days on the entire player. After-market mods have a one year warranty on all work performed.

The detailed breakdown of the mod is as follows:

• The power supply and digital stages have been upgraded with seven BlackGate FK, NX, STD series electrolytic caps. These replace the cheap ceramic and generic electrolytics.
• All eight critical analog supply diodes (currently generic quality) have been replaced with ultra-fast soft-recovery Fred-type diodes from Vishay-Telefunkens
• The 22 T critical signal resistors are changed to precision Japanese-made Riken Ohm Carbon-Comp types with gold-plated copper leads. These replace the cheap magnetic China-sourced metal-film resistors.
• All sic critical caps are changed to the best film and electrolytic types. We use two REL-Cap TeflonN TFT-Exotica bypassing two "paralleled" BlackGate FK-Series coupling caps. These replace the cheapest quality generic electrolytic caps in the stock unit. This bypassed coupling cap hybrid gives us the best of all worlds - bass and dynamics provided by a quality high-value electrolytic and the speed, delicacy and high frequency sparkle achieved by adding a Teflon bypass cap.
• 12 precision 1% polystyrene film and tin foil caps are used in the analog filter, replacing the cheap tantalum caps in the stock unit.
• The output RCA jacks (1 pr.) are changed from the cheap stamped metal (nickel-plated brass) and plastic type .to precious machined DH Labs Ultimate RCA jacks. These use a base material of OFC-Copper (3.5 times more conductive than brass) and are direct gold plated. There is no intermediate nickel plating at all (which is magnetic and not desirable).
• The output signal currently exits via a minuscule tin/lead plated PCB trace. However, in our mod, we instead use Four pcs of pure 99.999% 23-awg solid-core DH Labs silver wire with foamed Teflon tape-wrap insulated. These are the very best.
• Chassis resonances have been dampened with 2 sheets of SoundCoat and external vibrations are isolated via four large compliant EAR Sorbothane feet.
• We used WBT 4% silver solder throughout.
• The mod takes 6 hours to complete.
  

Sonic Improvements of the Level-1 mod
It is much smoother and offers a much more liquid midrange, the previous solid-state glare gone and replaced with a more neutral presentation. It is not like tubes but much closer to what a tube player can offer. This alone is worth the price of the mod. The unit is quieter. The blacks are blacker to resolve more low-level detail and ambiance.

The unit is much more dynami, with microdynamic contrastsmuch improved. Transparency is improved and you can now look farther into the soundstage. Images are sized better and more focused. Stage width and depth improve. Bass slam and extension are dramatically improved, with fuller weight and authority in the critical midbass region. The playter now competes with much more expensive players in this important area.

Additional options
Add an upgraded Master Reference Clock from LC Audio, the X03, as well as the dedicated power supply needed to run it, to get state-of-the-art jitter performance. The lower jitter yields greater inner detail, more low level resolution, less grain in the high frequencies and a slightly deeper soundstage. The upgraded clock benefits both the digital and analog outputs and adds $480 installed. This includes the clock, dedicated custom power supply and install labor.

Adding a pair of Bybee "Slipstream" Quantum Purifiers to the power supply (just after the AC line input) adds $195/pr., installed.

To do the rear two channels adds $700 to the 3-channel modified unbit for a full 5-channel upgrade.

Warranty is 90 days parts and labor on the entire machine and one-year on all mod parts and labor.

Marantz DV-9500 Level-1 mod - 2 channels: $2,490 + shipping ($790 + freight retro-fit) | 3 channels: $2,790 + shipping ($1,190 + freight retro-fit) | both rear channels at $700 to 3-channel price | Super Clock options adds $480 | Bybee SlipStream Purifier option adds $190

This modification installs the following:

• The power supply and digital stages have been upgraded with 7 Black Gate GATE FK, NX, STD series electrolytic caps. These replace the cheap ceramic and generic electrolytics
• All 8 critical analog supply diodes (currently generic quality) are replaced with ultra-fast soft-recovery Fred type diodes from Vishay-Telefunken
• The 22 critical signal resistors are changed to precision Japanese-made Riken Ohm carbon comp types with gold-plated copper leads. These replace the cheap magnetic China-sourced metal-film resistors
• All 6 critical caps are changed to the best film and electrolytic types. We use 2 REL-Cap Teflon TFT-Exotica bypassing 2 paralleled BlackGate FK-Series coupling caps. These replace the cheapest quality generic electrolytic caps in the stock unit. This bypassed coupling cap hybrid gives us the best of all worlds - bass and dynamics provided by a quality"high value electrolytic; and the speed, delicacy and high frequency sparkle achieved by adding a Teflon bypass cap
• 12 precision 1% polystyrene film and tin foil caps are used in the analog filter, replacing the cheap tantalum caps in the stock unit
• The output RCA jacks (1 pr.) are changed from the cheap nickel-plated brass and plastic types to precious machined DH Labs Ultimate RCA jacks. These use a base material of OFC-Copper (3.5 times more conductive than brass), and are direct gold-plated. There is no intermediate nickel plating at all (which is magnetic and not desirable).
• The output signal currently exits via a minuscule tin/lead plated PCB trace. We replace that with 4 pieces of pure 99.999% 23-awg solid-core silver DH Labs wire with foamed Teflon tape-wrap, the very best
• Chassis resonances are dampened with 2 SoundCoat sheets and external vibrations are isolated via 4 large compliant EAR Sorbothane feet.
• WBT 4% silver solder used throughout
• The mod takes 6 hours to complete.
  
  

Super Clock Option ($480)

• Adds an upgraded Master Reference Clock (either LC Audio's X03 or AudioCom's Super Clock III) for state-of-the-art jitter performance. The lower jitter yields greater inner detail, more low-level resolution, less grain in the high frequencies and a slightly deeper soundstage. The upgraded clock mod benefits both the digital and analog outputs and includes the clock, a dedicated custom power supply and installation labor.
  

Bybee SlipStream Purifier Option ($190)

• Adds a pair of Bybee Slipstream Quantum Purifiers to the power supply just after the AC line input
  

Sonic improvements with the Level-1 Mod are:

The unit becomes much smoother and adds a much more liquid midrange, eliminating the solid-state glare of the stocker. The unit is also quieter, with blacker balcks and more low-level resolution and ambient retrieval. Dynamics and micro- dynamic contrasts are much improved as is transparency and soundstage depth. look farther into the soundstage. Images are sized better and more focused. Bass slam and extension improve dramatically as does weight and authority in the critical mid-bass region.