Become a Site Supporter and Never see Ads again!

Author Topic: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!  (Read 8857 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Nick's Picks

  • Trade Count: (33)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 10260
  • Gender: Male
  • I thought I heard.......
$60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« on: July 10, 2004, 12:50:04 PM »
I must be, that's got to be the answer to this riddle.

the riddle is this:
- how is it that this $58 Toshiba 3960 DVD player sounds just about identicle to my $2000 Musical Fidelity CD-PRE24?

i'm doing tests using the MF transport, the toshiba transport (digi to the MF box) and the toshiba stand alone (line in to MF box).
I am DAMN hard pressed to hear a difference, and wonder if i'm telling myself that the things i do hear are really just ghosts of my imagination trying to justify what i'm experiencing.

I also found a guy who mods this toshiba (lots of mods) for $200.
hmmm.....
go figure.

maybe hi-end audio is just a myth, easily achived with a $60 front end and a brand new $300 Sony digital reciever.
what ever happened to the good ol' days of hi-fi?

jpschust

  • Guest
  • Trade Count: (0)
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #1 on: July 10, 2004, 12:51:27 PM »
if you wanna have it sound really amazing, put it on some walker points.

Offline Tim

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 32913
  • Gender: Male
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2004, 09:49:16 PM »
what all does this box play?
I’ve had a few weird experiences and a few close brushes with total weirdness of one sort or another, but nothing that’s really freaked me out or made me feel too awful about it. - Jerry Garcia

Offline Sean Gallemore

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 8316
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #3 on: July 11, 2004, 01:17:02 AM »
anyone get a DVD player that will play avi files?  SUpposedly they were on sale for $70 the other day...

Offline Lil Kim Jong-Il

  • Trade Count: (6)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 6498
  • large Marge sent me
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #4 on: July 11, 2004, 09:19:05 AM »
where did you find the mods?  I found the audio output cap mod but nothing else.

did you use any homemaed DVD-R discs?

did you get 192 out the digital interface?
The first rule of amateur neurosurgery club is .... I forget.

Offline Nick's Picks

  • Trade Count: (33)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 10260
  • Gender: Male
  • I thought I heard.......
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2004, 07:43:44 PM »
where did you find the mods?  I found the audio output cap mod but nothing else.

from a guy on audiocircle.com
Vinnie.  I have his email addie.


did you use any homemaed DVD-R discs?

dont have any....


did you get 192 out the digital interface?

haven't tried, but I doubt it

Offline Nick's Picks

  • Trade Count: (33)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 10260
  • Gender: Male
  • I thought I heard.......
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #6 on: July 12, 2004, 01:13:53 PM »
here is another modification page:
http://www.asi-audio.com/ToshibaSD-3950.html


Offline Thom Joad

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Taperssection Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 467
  • Gender: Male
  • Team TNT!
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #7 on: July 12, 2004, 09:14:51 PM »
Have you checked Audio Asylum for the "Swenson" and "Vinnie" mods.  They may be the same as that asi-audio sight, but you may find something new.  I remember reading something about simply dampening the chasis, and it having a major improvement.  FWIW, I have an unmoded 3950, that I just haven't gotten around to getting to yet, one of these days.  Have fun with yours!

Offline Nick's Picks

  • Trade Count: (33)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 10260
  • Gender: Male
  • I thought I heard.......
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #8 on: July 13, 2004, 07:09:28 AM »
The Vinnie mod:  $250 for the 3950 and
$200 for the 3960

POWER SUPPLY PCB MODS

-->Replace the stock 68uF 200V electrolytic cap with
a Panasonic ECG 150uF 250V type for better filtering and lower ESR

-->Add a Panasonic X2-rated 0.47uF Noise Filter cap
    in parallel across C801 and one across C802 for better mains filtering

-->Replace C822 and 824 (10V, 680uF) with Panasonic FC 16V, 1000uF caps

-->Replace C827 (16V, 470uF) with Panasonic FC 16V, 680uF

-->Replace C825 (10V, 120uF) with Panasonic FC 16V, > 220uF

-->Replace C821 (16V, 120uF) with Panasonic FC 16V, > 470uF

AUDIO PCB MODS

 -->"Full Swenson Mod" using 3.3uF Auricaps and 300pF silver-mica shunt caps to GND

-->Replace C903 and C905 (for the Burr Brown 1751
DAC power decoupling) with Black Gate NX Hi-Q caps


TRANSPORT AND DAMPENING

-->Add dampening sheets to the inside of the top cover and under each PCB.

-->Add new L and R Cardas gold RCA jacks for stereo output
 
TESTING
 
--> Overnight burn-in using resistive loads on the output RCA jacks (20k) and an
listening test (around an hour) to verify sound and functionality.

COMMENTS ON THE SOUND
 
Compared to the stock sound, these mods completely
transform this playing into a low-cost, kick-butt
redbook cd player that sounds better than others in
the $1K to $2K range. Those that have the units I
modded are simply floored by the complete lack of
grain in the sound, the tightness and speed of the
bass, and detailed and natural sounding midrange.

Offline Brian

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • Posts: 9392
  • Gender: Male
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #9 on: July 13, 2004, 01:00:12 PM »
Nick, huge thanks for this find! +t , i know what i'm gonna be getting when i finally put together my playback system!

Offline Nick's Picks

  • Trade Count: (33)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 10260
  • Gender: Male
  • I thought I heard.......
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #10 on: July 20, 2004, 06:30:05 PM »
I sent mine out today for the "vinnie mods" that I posted.
I'll report back...

Offline Nick's Picks

  • Trade Count: (33)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 10260
  • Gender: Male
  • I thought I heard.......
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #11 on: July 29, 2004, 05:41:53 PM »
update...
my unit (which should arrive on sat or mon) only underwent the power supply pcb mods  and the chasis dampening as i'lll be using it as a transport only.
total cost:
$58 for the stock player
$125 for mods.

i'll have to find out if the new 4960 universal player ($139) can pass a 24/96 or better PCM signal.
that would rock.
I know vinnie is gutting one next week.

for shits and giggles...
I might have him mod my Edirol FA-101's mic preamps and power supply, if he can do it.  I'll find that out after coventry.

Offline Craig T

  • Trade Count: (10)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 4309
    • LMA
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #12 on: July 30, 2004, 01:46:59 AM »

i'll have to find out if the new 4960 universal player ($139) can pass a 24/96 or better PCM signal.
that would rock.
I know vinnie is gutting one next week.


according to the manual it will pass up to 24/96 (unless "protected"), but downsamples 192 to 96.

I just got mine, but haven't even had a chance to plug it in yet.

let me know if any of the vinnie mods are offered on the 4960 - I may be interested.
Schoeps cmc6/4v / Line Audio CM3, OM1 / ADK A51 / Church Audio CA-14
Naiant Tinybox v2.2 / NBox(P) / Church Audio ST9200 / CA-UGLY
Sony PCM-M10 / Tascam DR-70D / Zoom F3 / Zoom F6

Offline Tim

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 32913
  • Gender: Male
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #13 on: August 09, 2004, 07:43:40 PM »
saw the 3960 today and *almost* bought one...'

Craig, Nick, anyone... any thoughts on how the stock units sound?


I’ve had a few weird experiences and a few close brushes with total weirdness of one sort or another, but nothing that’s really freaked me out or made me feel too awful about it. - Jerry Garcia

Offline Nick's Picks

  • Trade Count: (33)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 10260
  • Gender: Male
  • I thought I heard.......
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #14 on: August 10, 2004, 06:44:45 AM »
running digital out of the 3960 (stock) into my Musical Fidelity CD-PRE24....I could not hear a difference from the MF onboard transport.
running analog into the MF box, I had to really strain to notice a little grain in the sound, and not quite as tight in the bass.
but it was marginal...and i'm talking about a $60 deck vs a $2000 deck.

Offline Craig T

  • Trade Count: (10)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 4309
    • LMA
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #15 on: August 10, 2004, 08:56:18 AM »
I haven't heard the 3960 - I have the 4960 (adds DVD-Audio & SACD playback).  I'm without speakers right now, so I can't comment on the sound.
Schoeps cmc6/4v / Line Audio CM3, OM1 / ADK A51 / Church Audio CA-14
Naiant Tinybox v2.2 / NBox(P) / Church Audio ST9200 / CA-UGLY
Sony PCM-M10 / Tascam DR-70D / Zoom F3 / Zoom F6

Offline Tim

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 32913
  • Gender: Male
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #16 on: August 10, 2004, 09:25:02 AM »
okay, the 4960 is what I'm looking for then! I want sacd and dvd-a playback.

Nick and Craig, thank you both very much!
I’ve had a few weird experiences and a few close brushes with total weirdness of one sort or another, but nothing that’s really freaked me out or made me feel too awful about it. - Jerry Garcia

Offline Lil Kim Jong-Il

  • Trade Count: (6)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 6498
  • large Marge sent me
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #17 on: August 10, 2004, 09:57:07 AM »
update...
my unit (which should arrive on sat or mon) only underwent the power supply pcb mods  and the chasis dampening as i'lll be using it as a transport only.

What did you think after the mods?
The first rule of amateur neurosurgery club is .... I forget.

Offline Tim

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 32913
  • Gender: Male
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #18 on: August 10, 2004, 03:48:20 PM »
fwiw - Best Buy carries the 3960.

haven't found the 4960 locally yet but I'm buying one immediatley if I do!
I’ve had a few weird experiences and a few close brushes with total weirdness of one sort or another, but nothing that’s really freaked me out or made me feel too awful about it. - Jerry Garcia

Offline Nick in Edinboro

  • Wishes he was fishing right now...
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 2924
  • Gender: Male
  • Toshiba SD3690 > HK AR-20 > B&K ST-140 > Axiom M22
    • moepics.com - share your shots of moe.
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #19 on: August 11, 2004, 08:33:04 AM »
haven't found the 4960 locally yet but I'm buying one immediatley if I do!

I've read a few places on the internet that the 4960 doesn't share any qualities with the 3950/60's... In fact it's not a Toshiba at all, but rather a rebranded Samsung HD841.

Link 1
Link 2
Link 3

Doesn't seem to be the extreme value like the 3960 in terms of audio playback...

Take care,
Nick
Oktava MC012's (dorseymod) > UA-5 (digmod) > JB3
http://braintuba.no-ip.com

Offline Mojowill

  • Educated, no. Stupid, yup.
  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 12916
  • Gender: Male
  • YOGIS R.I.P.
    • Mojowill's Music List
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #20 on: October 01, 2004, 10:54:40 PM »
I am looking for a new dvd player.  I like reading up on the playback forum and I figure that since we are all in this similar hobby then our listening ears are close too.  I looked around a bit and found this tread.  I like Nicks picks web site and respect his reviews,  so I started to look for the toshiba machines mentioned here.  I looked up the 4960 plays dvd audio & sacd, cool. then saw the 5970 wich steps up video to almost hd quality. That's cool too.  But it doesen't do sacd & dvd aud.  so Then upon furthur searching I found the samsung hd 841 which seems to do everything?  Is this machine strtching itself to far and subtracting form audio quality for video quality?  should I just bite the bullet and blow over a grand on the denon uber machine?

edit.

well I just saw a Samsung HD941 and it looks like it's coming out in a month or so, so the old sony ns700p will have to hang in there, glad I didn't smash it  ;)
« Last Edit: October 02, 2004, 02:35:15 AM by Mojowill »
I'm a mean machine drinkin gasoline and honey you can make my motor hum.

Offline Ed.

  • your popsicle's melting
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 8662
  • Gender: Male
  • FJ Baby!
Re: $60 toshiba 3960 DVD player...I must be high!!
« Reply #21 on: October 02, 2004, 02:39:37 AM »
anyone get a DVD player that will play avi files?  SUpposedly they were on sale for $70 the other day...

not a dvd player, but a modded xbox will play avi's, both divx and xvid...and vcd, and svcd, and PAL dvds, and mp3s, and .rms and just about everything i've thrown at it (no flac tho - but i do have a dvd full of every nes, snes, atari, genesis, sega master system, neo geo, etc game that will play).  plus you can either do a digital mod on it yourself, or buy a high defnition output thing for it for digital audio and component video.

more than 70 bux tho, but pry around 150

edit...i'm only a few months behind on that post.
« Last Edit: October 02, 2004, 02:41:55 AM by SpeshulEd »


Because nothing says "I have lots of money and am sort of confused as to how to spend it" like Bose.

 

RSS | Mobile
Page created in 0.165 seconds with 47 queries.
© 2002-2024 Taperssection.com
Powered by SMF