Modded CA Azur 640C V2 impressions & pics

[Asr]

I finally spent some time critically listening to my recently-modded (by a Head-Caser, who shall remain anonymous) CA Azur 640C V2 after putting it off for far too long.

Mods to the CDP included:

- caps on main power, secondary, filter input, filter output, and de-coupling rolled to Rubycon Black Gates (not sure what was in place before)

- 5 filter op-amps socketed and rolled to National LME49720 (from stock TI NE5532)

- WIMA 0.1uF C0G cap inserted across the rails

Before: (click for larger)

After: (click for larger)

And How Does It Sound?

I tried to replicate my original 2006/07 setup as best as I could. The original setup back then was:

- Signal Cable Silver Resolution Reference AC power cord

- Signal Cable Silver Resolution Analog w/ Eichmann silver bullet RCA interconnects

- HeadAmp GS-1

- AKG K701 and Audio-Technica AD2000 (both stock)

And the setup the CDP is in right now:

- Signal Cable SRR power cord (same one)

- Analysis Plus Silver Oval RCA interconnects

- HeadAmp Gilmore Lite and AE-2

- AKG K701 (3 - stock w/ low hours, w/ SAA Equinox, & w/ APureSound V3), Audio-Technica AD2000 w/ APureSound V3

The modded 640C V2 definitively beat out my past memories of it in stock config. I distinctly recall its treble as borderline harsh and metallic (particularly on HeadAmp amps) and was pleased to note that this characteristic was completely gone in the modded unit. No more grating treble - very much smoothed over compared to what I remember hearing from it. And while I also distinctly recall it being lean in the mid-range originally, the modded unit had a nicely filled-out mid-range, and even almost borderline thick.

In comparison to my current baseline the Plinius CD-101, the modded 640C V2 was a noticeable step down. No scratch that, I mean a big step down! The difference was effectively a landslide. Not that the 640C sounded bad, it still sounded good - plenty good in fact, I was surprised at how well it held up against the Plinius. But the comparison proved to me just how much difference a good DAC makes, because the Plinius sounded so much better - as if two or three veils were removed from the music, with considerably more "breathing room" to the soundstage, actual air to the image (the 640C V2 felt very 2D in comparison), and clearer, faster, plus so much more bass depth it was almost silly. The modded 640C V2 did not reproduce very low frequencies that well (sub-50Hz) - it gave plenty of mid-bass impact, but the mid-bass overtook the lower bass for a lopsided "welpy" presentation. As in, plenty of impact, but not so much authority and creeping ooze. The Plinius delivered this, the 640C V2 did not.

Treble was passably good on the modded 640C V2, but again, the Plinius just plain eclipsed it. It wasn't "crystal-clear" or razor-fast, and blurred out extremely fast sounds. The mid-range clearly overtook the treble on it - not enough that I'd call it bad, but definitely off-balance.

And overall presentation between the two CDPs was a major shift. The modded 640C V2 felt like it was nearly shoving the music forward, it was very direct. The Plinius, on the other hand, took a big virtual step back for the music to sound like it was occuring on a soundstage instead of right in front of you. (With a whole lot more overall air & space as well.)

As superior as the Plinius was over it though, I didn't think the modded 640C V2 sounded bad, it really sounded acceptably decent. Listening to it was a nice reminder of the past and how far my digital source journey has come. But would I consider going back? Never! I've been spoiled and could never put up with anything less now, it's all about hi-end, hi-fi sound for me forever!

And were the mods worth it? Yeah I'd say so, I pretty much hated the stock sound this CDP had. I prefer the new sound sig and I think most people would too.