Cambridge Audio AXA25 modifications and the many reasons it is worth modify.

[@n.lyndley.9889]

The best-dressed audio engineer! ⭐️ 🏆

[@angela-gilbert]

Since I am also doing commission work for custom clothing, I have to be my own model on camera. Never miss a chance for promotion. 🤩😆

[@pedrodepacas4335]

Was Michael Jackson an inspiration? One glove style.

[@angela-gilbert]

@pedrodepacas4335 No, never care much about Michael Jackson music. One glove for a reason not because of Michael Jackson.

[@fredflintstone8048]

Thanks for sharing this kind of content.

[@angela-gilbert]

I don't have a lot of these type of content but when I come across once, I don't mind sharing. It's a good practice for the DIYers.

[@fredflintstone8048]

It may or may not be useful to other viewers but I've been working on CPU logic circuits for decades working on legacy PLCs and other special devices going back to equipment built in the 1970s. I've had to deal with EPROMS of all types. I have an EPROM programmer that will read the binary codes off of EPROMs. I made a common practice of pulling EPROMS and copying the code off them and cataloging those files in my data storage systems. It doesn't take that long once you come up to speed on it. It's been worth it in occasions when I've run across a bad EPROM and I have the code on file to program another one.

[@angela-gilbert]

That's a good practice of dealing with EPROMs. The sad part is most manufacture would rather sell new boxes than fixing their old models.

[@RickRuizAudio]

Another awesome video. Great info. Thanks for sharing!

[@louiesipes2257]

I’m going to pass this on to a buddy who has a blast modifying😊

[@ibdam1]

Another upfront and honest video. Teaching others what they can do for themselves and not taking money just because you have a skill others don’t. 👍🏾👍🏾.

[@angela-gilbert]

@@ibdam1 There are so much potential with this AXA25. One of them is the space.

[@SuperBicycleRepairMan]

Liked the video, any recommendations on the make of power capacitors?

[@wstagner]

I think your point is that if someone has an amp like this and wants to get their "feet wet" with one of your designs, this is a cost-effective way of doing it. When they are ready for something more they can jump into one of your built-from-the-ground-up products.

[@angela-gilbert]

@@wstagner Not really. If anyone has an amp like this, they can upgrade various things in the amp. I can point them to where it worth the upgrade but it will never be one of my design. However, if someone had an amp like this and want me to do all the upgrade works, it is not worth paying me the labor. Instead, buy one of my amp would be a better choice.

[@BadMonkeyFinger_Audio]

5:59 - bottom, right of the Cambridge unit (inside faceplate). Ladybug starts its journey.

[@HiFiGardener]

Thank you for this explanation. What bridge rectifier IC would you recommend using?

[@trumanwong3193]

Hi Do you think Yamaha AX-570 worth to modification?

[@angela-gilbert]

I have been doing mods for the AS series Yamaha. The general worth doing some upgrades as long as it is a two channel amp. AX570 does have a full function remote. They don't usually goes bad. It worth doing some upgrades.

[@johncribbs8382]

@@angela-gilbert Is the Yamaha AS 1000 any good in your opinion?

[@angela-gilbert]

@johncribbs8382 Any good to modify? No it is not. Too much to take apart.

[@takiecary]

What is the amp chip inside? some TDA ?

[@ABAB-nn5sb]

How do you manage the massive inrush current? i see you upgrade the rectifier, but what about transformer and any fuses?

[@angela-gilbert]

You noticed the 35 amp rectifier but did you hear say what is the wattage of the transformer? At only 53,000uF at lower than 40 volt, there isn't much inrush to be concerned with. The impedance of the transformer will control the inrush. If it is being pushed over 100,000uF, then I will install an active soft start.

[@ABAB-nn5sb]

@@angela-gilbert Thank you 👍

[@razzman2987]

The Master

[@johncribbs8382]

was that a $12,000 anthem d2v that went wrong?

[@angela-gilbert]

@@johncribbs8382 I have encountered a $12,000 McIntosh processor preamp that went bad but the manufacture refused to repair it because it was too old. Like 8 years old.

[@jupitermoongauge4055]

How does this amp sound after the mod compared to before the mod ?

[@angela-gilbert]

I am waiting for the dealer and customer to give me their verdict. Because whatever I say is going to be bias. No point for me to talk about sound.

[@jupitermoongauge4055]

@angela-gilbert then could you at least say what the theoretical difference of increasing the power filter capacitance in an amplifier like this is supposed to do ?

[@angela-gilbert]

@jupitermoongauge4055 It increases the energy storage in the power supply. Stabilized the supply rail when demands come. Those demands come in many waves but each one are short. With a more stabilized supply rail, result is more stable music. More stable music usually heard as more relax, less compress sound. Often sound bigger and louder. Not because the volume is turn louder or having higher gain or more power. It is the music density or sound density is higher.

[@jupitermoongauge4055]

@angela-gilbert wonderful. Thank you for explaining

[@bornces]

Lady Bug is the star of this video!

[@angela-gilbert]

@@bornces I need to have the same guest star in the next video. 🤩

[@tweakerman]

I find the circuit boards in CA'sto be of poor quality, especially when desoldering, the pads disintegrate very easily, great video by the way👍

[@angela-gilbert]

Agreed. They aren't the best board around. But what do you expect for CAD350.00. Or, what can we really expect.

[@AlphaQ922]

Are u Gilbert Yeung of blue circle audio ?

[@angela-gilbert]

@@AlphaQ922 Yes, I am.

[@russellparker4568]

Ladybug just casually walking across the amp while you’re explaining 😆

[@angela-gilbert]

@@russellparker4568 Like a late student came into the classroom.

[@russellparker4568]

@@angela-gilbert😂

[@MercedesGuy1954]

You would have been one hell of a Professer. I feek like I was back in class, only betterI

[@angela-gilbert]

Thank you but not thanks. I didn't handle school well because I felt school was a prison of the feel mind. Now a day, schools are so political correct, I don't think I would last a day because I may not able to control myself not to call out the students.

[@ericgonzales854]

Always awesome ❤... 🐞🐞🐞🐞

[@angela-gilbert]

Did you see a ladybug in the video? They were everywhere. I don't doubt you seeing one while I was doing the video. I would be interested to know where you see it. You are the second person mentioning ladybug.

[@ericgonzales854]

@angela-gilbert yea it was walking on the preamp...🤣

[@angela-gilbert]

@@ericgonzales854 Someone helped me found it. He said it was at around 6:23. If you scroll down the comment, you can see his comment.

[@greenlanternseven]

Did you see your little good luck friend AGY walking along the faceplate top ...hee hee that's a sign of good luck

[@angela-gilbert]

Only after almost 6 hours now I know what you were talking about. The ladybug.

[@yttean98]

Very few users will venture into even changing power opamp now that Class D TPA3255 from China is so cheap and produces much higher power. They just sell theirs second hand. Having said that I am modifying my rather cheap power amp from AMC because I know how to do it ie. I have the knowledge and can read and understand circuit schematics.

[@angela-gilbert]

@@yttean98 I do agree very few people will venture into small Class AB amp for modification. Unless the person is into music not just raw power. After that said, many still into tube amps and kit. So there are people in all areas. In fact, our dealer just secured a shipment of AXA25 from Cambridge Audio and we can do six units at a time. Although there are people actually doing the mod, there are many who want music in their house not raw power.

[@carminedesanto6746]

GM☕️🍩👍…this is very interesting 🤔

[@angela-gilbert]

If I am not building amps, this is the type of basic amp I would mod to the sky.

[@deanwiederin795]

At around 6:23 your ladybug friend was traveling from right to left on the top of the amp's faceplate

[@angela-gilbert]

Found her. I didn't notice her when I was doing the video. 😆

[@jasonwebb6484]

@@angela-gilbertyou should change the name of video to “Find The Ladybug” or “Ladybug Modifies Amplifier” (but I know you don’t play the clickbait game).

[@angela-gilbert]

@@jasonwebb6484 You really think that would be a good enough clickbait?

[@jasonwebb6484]

@@angela-gilbertyou’re right. Should be “$350 amplifier with $300 mod beats $20,000 mega amps?” Something crazy like that.

[@angela-gilbert]

@@jasonwebb6484 That's sound more like it.

[@AllboroLCD]

Nippon Chemi Cons? Very impressive!

[@rolandd5397]

Maybe its just me I find Cambridge sound dry

[@angela-gilbert]

@@rolandd5397 You are not wrong. 🙂👍

[@Leroyy536]

Don’t be talking wet 😂

[@angela-gilbert]

@@Leroyy536 Sound dry but can't talk wet? 😝😜😀 OK, will keep it dry.

[@soundblaster2291]

That price for 25 watts using a power ic is ridiculous. Doubling it to add A bigger bridge rectifier and 4 big caps Is even more ridiculous. Audiofoolery at its maximum. Why buy a that brand if they mostly only duplicated the application note of the IC ?

[@angela-gilbert]

Audio fools are everywhere, aren't they? Especially those who listen with their eyes. Thank you for your kind comment. Have a nice day.

[@jasonwebb6484]

Not defending Cambridge, but what should we buy for $349 CAD that is a faultless, foolproof design? (and let’s say DIY doesn’t count)

[@angela-gilbert]

@jasonwebb6484 It was CAD349 but our dollars is so worthless right now it is going up.

[@soundblaster2291]

@@jasonwebb6484I’d rather go for a second hand to match the price and get better

[@RoverWaters]

ladybug

[@angela-gilbert]

@@RoverWaters Where did you see ladybug? I don't doubt you if you see one. They are everywhere.

[@terrywho22]

@@angela-gilbert 6:12 until about 7 minutes in - starting in the bottom right hand corner of the amp. 😂