Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

[USchabon]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

So if I wanted to replace the capacitors for the headphones, which would those be? And what would be the best caps should I order?

[Khron]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

I just (finally) noticed you did actually answer what mic you're using. I'm starting to wonder if the max-gain noise is coming from the preamp, or if the preamp's just amplifiying the self-noise of the mic.

The MK-012 doesn't have a DC-DC converter inside, so the actual capsule ends up being biased with a relatively low voltage (i'm guessing 30-something volts), so the signal-to-noise ratio isn't fabulous. And adding to that is that small-diaphragm condensers aren't the quietest mics to begin with.

And then there are the mods for it: http://www.recordingmag.com/resource...etail/315.html

At least going by how close they are to the actual headphone jacks, there's a good chance these caps *might* be connected to them: https://www.badcaps.net/forum/attach...1&d=1466112774

But obviously, you'd need to double check if / what traces go to and from those caps. Although even more helpful would be removing that top pot-board so that both you and the rest of us (if you post a photo or two) can see what's going on, instead of just going with blind guesses And a shot of the bottom of the board wouldn't hurt either.

[USchabon]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

And then there are the mods for it: http://www.recordingmag.com/resource...etail/315.html

OMG... this forum will be the end of me HAHHA!

OK, I need to post those photos. Traces without the board, and the bottom side. I should have them posted sometime this weekend.

[Khron]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

Oh, and this ain't even the be-all-end-all of audio forums either

About a third (perhaps?) of my mic collection, i've bought as faulty & revived'em, and i've modded a good part of my condensers too, so... yeah

[USchabon]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

Sweeet...

So I removed the 6 screws holding the boards together and the three little white plastic risers are out of the way. I also removed the two screws (1 each) on the XLR inputs. But there is still something holding them together around the big volume knob that I can't see...

[stj]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

remove the volume knob and there is probably a nut behind it holding the pot to the panel.

[USchabon]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

Does it just pull out? I tried that already but it would need quite a bit of force and I don't want to break it.

Here is a photo of the back, and an extra of the front for kicks

[Khron]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

I see you didn't pull off any of the other knobs, in addition to the big volume knob.

It's a (REALLY) safe bet all those pots have the standard "D"-shaped shaft, and all the plastic knobs are just the push-on type. It's a budget unit, you can't realistically expect any "sci-fi" mounting techniques

Those screws you allegedly removed from the XLR's - did you put them back before the latest photo session? I see some in the "top" photo...

[USchabon]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

Yup, those are the ones I removed. The photo was before I tried removing them.

Remember that I am not experienced with this sort of things. I've built several custom computers, am very handy, like to think I am not dumb, but this is my first time modding or fixing electronics beyond basic stuff And stalk talking crap about my 6i6! It is the best thing since sliced bread and I love it

So the knobs were exactly as you said. No star trek advanced tech behind those. So finally, here you go, the fully X-rated fotoshoot of the 6i6 board.

Now tell me where to put hook up the supercharger!

[USchabon]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

.

[Khron]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

Interesting bit of editing, with the cables "removed"

Well, judging by the way those traces go, it's a pretty safe bet that those 2x4 caps near the headphone jacks are indeed for DC-blocking (in series with the L/R outputs, likely back-to-back).

[USchabon]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

So changing them would yield a little more low end range? If so, what's the best you could go with? Not worried about size as I could bend them and glue them with silicone.

[Khron]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

Potentially, yes - at least as low as your headphones "can" go. A voltage rating of 16v should be plenty for those, and as far as the value (uF) is concerned...

What are the current ones, by the way? Jamicon SK, but the value isn't visible in any of the photos you've posted. Either way, at least up to the physical limits ("under" that daughterboard), i guess you could go up to 2x-4x (uF) of the stock values there.

Not 100% sure there's gonna be a dramatic difference, but that (also) depends on the impedance of the headphones you want to use.

[USchabon]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

They seem to be 330uF based on this photo https://www.badcaps.net/forum/attach...1&d=1466112774

So to be clear, would that "boost" the bass or simply allow for lower frequencies? Or a combination? Any other effect?

I am using Sony MDR-7506 and Sennheiser HD 280 pro 64

[stj]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

more bass - try rubycon YXF's

[budm]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

https://cdn.badcaps-static.com/pdfs/...d4d8001fc6.pdf


You are not booting the bass, you are extending the low end bandwidth.

[Khron]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

It would "only" allow lower frequencies through.

Both 'phones have over 60 ohms impedance - not all that sure if increasing the cap values (further than stock) will yield any noticeable improvement in the bass, but... I guess the proof of the pudding's in the eating

[stj]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

not increasing the values, using caps with a lower esr at the higher and lower requency ranges.

caps dont have a flat esr across the audio frequency range, some have higher impedance at lower and upper ranges.

in other words - a better cap reduces the blockage

[USchabon]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

Ok, so do you guys agree that the absolute best for increasing bandwith would be the rubycon YXF's? Cause they sound good to me

[stj]

Re: Focusrite 6i6 - upgrade/mod

no, this is where the war of personal opinions comes in!!

i like YXF's - some audio-nuts like special audio caps from nichicon or chemicon.
others will tell you to use film caps - although you cant because they are much larger.

put YXF's on one channel and then compare the difference to what you have.