Remember ORAC? Lose the CD casework!

Hi all!
Apologies if this post should go in the DIY section: I couldn't decide where it should go. Feel free to move it if appropriate.

Anyway, in anticipation of the replacement CD tray opening cog wheel which is on it's way here I thought I'd take the Arcam Alpha 5 apart, to see how to access the wheel. This meant removing everything but eventually I ended up with the naked guts of the player in my hand.

It was then that the thought about making a case for it popped into my head so off I went down to the local plastics factory to get some coloured acrylic. Turns out it costs about £70 a sheet so I asked them if they had any offcuts, which they did, so I came home with a sheet of smoked 3mm acrylic. Out with the angle grinder and drill and superglue and a couple of evenings later I had a new, bigger case made

Now for the important bit: how would it sound? Well, to be honest I am gobsmacked. Huge difference! The soundstage has grown front to back and laterally, definition has improved, the whole sound is better and more detailed and, as the magazines like to say, "palpable".

Now, whether this is due to better isolation or due to having no metal case around the player I don't know, but I thought I'd just post this to let you all know (Sunday morning, nothing better to do )

Cheers,
Fraser

 

I'm not supprised....

Perspex has excellent sonic charactoristics.....I've used it in a number of instances...from arm boards to bracing. its obviously used in NVA kit and Michell as the bassis for there tt's.

Have you done any other mods ....ie replaced the rca sockets ?

As to why ....could be the none steel case but I think I'd go down the mass and damping line of thought. Its very suprising what even a little bit of damping can do in a cdp!

 

Any chance of a photo ?

 

How about a pic? Wouldn't mind seeing what your player looks like in a shiny new acrylic case!

Edit: I'm no more than an echo.....hur hur...

 

Whew! Hopefully all these pics will work....:MILD:

Bear in mind that this is the first time I've ground/drilled/worked with acrylic and I managed to cock up every single panel, at least once That's why things might not appear to line up exactly and why there are sheets under the player to level it up There is no base plate as I need access for the cog wheel and I couldn't manage to make holes for the buttons so I just cut out a big hole for them

Lots of finger prints everywhere as well

I haven't changed anything else on the player: I just thought I would have a go and see if i could do this and then I was amazed at the sound improvement. So now I am thinking that maybe I don't need a new CD player, maybe I'll just hot rod this one and if it all goes pear shaped, then I'll get another player...

 

A hint for anyone else thinking of doing this in the future:
To make the cut edges clear run a flame down them.

 

Also. Brasso is the best thing for polishing persepx with.

 

just curious why you didn't just put it back in the proper cover?

 

Demonstrates just how much space inside a cd player is air.

 

you deserve the same fate as Olag Gan for that monstrosity!

 

maybe get one of your kids to send it on blue peter..?

 

If I had any kids!
I know it ain't pretty, but like I said, I haven't worked with acrylic before and I just thought I would have a go and see if I could do it. I wasn't expecting any sonic benefit but for £10 I am quite chuffed

The new case is a bit taller than the original, but it is the same width and depth. No point putting it back in the original case just yet as I am waiting for the cogged wheel to arrive so the tray will open automatically and you have to take the entire casework off to gain access to the wheel

 

Nice work .......having built stuff with perspex I know it can be a pig and a joy !

Do you still have any small off cuts left [min 2"X 2"] ?

 

Yes!

4x3
6x4
11x4
2x7
3x10
4x9
4x4

Do you want 'em, or some of them? No probs :MILD:

Cheers,

Fraser