Download Fidelizer Explore Nimitra
Are you computer audiophile? If so, Fidelizer will help you enjoy the music on computer even more.

Modification updates in Fidelizer Mod products for Fiio X5iii and Chord Hugo TT

 

Chord Products

 

Fiio is odexed ROM and support ART runtime so I deodexed the ROM to make best uses of ART runtime improve transparency and imaging. However, stock buffer stage opamp are tuned for odexed file making sound too bright in some systems.

It’s not Fiio’s fault with their choice of buffer stage opamp doesn’t have sound signature matching with deodexed ROM. To resolve this case of incompatibility, I adjusted Fidelizer Mod level to upgrade opamps first in Reference and capacitors in Signature level.

I also made some adjustments to Chord TT product. Chord Hugo TT is more like battery powered home component so replacing 3.5 with 2.5 won’t be necessary so I chose to apply internal damping tweaks to improve device’s performance instead.

These changes won’t affect any client who applied FIdelizer Mod for Fiio X5iii before so they won’t need to send device back for adjustments. I’ll release non-deodex ROM updates for Fiio devices shortly later.

Added Chord Hugo/Hugo 2/Hugo TT into Fidelizer Mod products

 

Chord Products

 

After modding Chord Mojo for a while, I also receive inquiries to modify Chord Hugo and Hugo TT too. After accepting some works in Thailand, now I’m sure I can make Chord Hugo and Hugo TT sounding better for everyone with satisfying improvements.

 

Chord Mojo

Reference – The reason why Chord Mojo has powerful sound yet a bit veiled is because it can push 720mW at 8 ohm load but I’m not sure if resistors can really handle at full load so I upgraded 6 output resistors with 1% tolerance, 750mW output and 2 highend grade capacitors used in DX200.

Signature – I upgraded 2 input capacitors for USB charging and battery then tap battery directly to Mojo circuit board with high purity copper for full sound dynamics. I also replaced additional headphone jack with 2.5 termination using best silver-plated contacts.

I wish I could make Ultimate modification with Chord Mojo but I couldn’t find clock module worth upgrading from stock ones yet. Also, for about $300 modification cost for Signature level mod is surprisingly great enough for me to feel satisfied with decent DSD tracks from David Elias.

-Upgrade 6 output resistor with 1% tolerance and 750mW output for uncapped performance at 8 ohm load
-Upgrade 2 output capacitor with the same highend grade ones used in DX200’s Fidelizer Ultimate Mod
-Upgrade 2 input capacitor for charging and battery with best ones for solid sound performance
-Modify battery module to use direct connection with high purity copper wiring for full sound dynamics
-Replace additional output jack for 2.5 termination with silver-plated contact for balanced ground topology design

 

Chord Hugo / Hugo 2

Reference – The reason why Chord Hugo sounds harsh and unforgiving was due to stock capacitors implemented for best specifications in budget. Upgrading capacitors will resolve this harshness and improve musicality a lot.

Signature – Chord Hugo use dual mono battery design so tapping battery to Hugo circuit board directly will require amount of work. I also replaced additional headphone jack with 2.5 termination using best silver-plated contacts.

I never liked Chord Hugo when it came out and I was little reluctant to accept modding Chord Hugo unit from DX200 with Fidelizer Ultimate Mod customer. After listening to modified Chord Hugo, I was truly blown away beyond expectations.

-Upgrade tantalum capacitor with highend grade ones fixing harshness sound signature
-Upgrade aluminum capacitor for charging and output stage for solid sound performance
-Modify battery module to use direct connection with high purity copper wiring for full sound dynamics
-Replace additional output jack for 2.5 termination with silver-plated contact for balanced ground topology design

 

Chord Hugo TT

Reference – Stock unit already sound decent but signal wire to output circuit board can be improved for much better audio performance. I also upgraded aluminum capacitors in main circuit board a bit.

Signature – Tantalum capacitor in Hugo TT doesn’t produce harshness like Hugo so I put this upgrade in Signature level for further improvements. I also applied some internal damping in unit to reduce interference making more analogue sound.

As Chord Hugo TT is very heavy, I need to factor additional shipping cost for each level too. Output capacitors are fine grade already so upgrading on this part should come after other mods in Ultimate level.

As you can see from picture that I upgraded other internal cables and opamps are upgraded too. I thought about adding them into Ultimate level but I should leave those as optional customizable options.

-Applied internal damping in main unit to reduce interference making more analogue sound
-Upgrade tantalum capacitor with highend grade ones improving transparency and imaging
-Upgrade aluminum capacitor for charging and output stage for solid sound performance
-Upgrade signal wire to output circuit board for fuller dynamics and musicality

 

Since these new products cost me about the same so I’ll change Chord Mojo to Chord Products with product model options. I’ll add more Fidelizer Mod products based on my past works and and finalize its design for Portable Products soon. 🙂

Calyx M is finally added into Fidelizer Purist ROM repository with PerfectDynamics optimizations!

 

CalyxM

 

Yesterday I received PM about Calyx M and I happened to retrieve Calyx M for modification so I decided to put other projects on hold and focus on Calyx M today to make sure it’ll be out for long awaited fans. Sorry to keep you guys waiting for so long. It’s finally here.

-Based on official Calyx M firmware 1.01_r13_20141121
-build.prop tweaks for better video and storage performance and improve battery life
-bundled audio effects removed but keep main engine

Download: Calyx M Purist ROM

 

Installation Guide

1. Copy Purist ROM file into SD Card (large ones)
2. Turn off Calyx M and make sure battery is over 30%
3. Press and hold power and previous button
4. After white Calyx M logo flashing out, release buttons
5. After white Calyx M logo flashing in again, press and hold power and previous button then and release previous button after 1 second
6. After recovery menu boots up, release power button
7. Select “apply update from SD card” option
8. Select Calyx M Purist ROM file and let system finish flashing

 

Now Calyx M Purist ROM also come with Enhanced and Advanced version with PerfectDynamics Sound Optimizations. If you’re using my Advanced ROM or sent Calyx M for modding before, you can ask for ROM update. Please also check Portable Products for more details about ROM upgrades and hardware modification.

Awards update for Nimitra Computer Audio Server and Nikola Linear Power Supply

 

Stereophile's Recommended Components: Fall 2017 Edition

AudioStream's Greatest Bits Award for Fidelizer Nimitra

AudioStream's Greatest Bits Award for Fidelizer Nikola

 

I’ve realized awards for Nimitra Computer Audio Server and Nikola Linear Power Supply from AudioStream aren’t linked to proper pages today so I fixed the link and I also update award picture to have category and class ranking so people can recognize those awards easier.

After launching Fidelizer 8 for a while, I can finally get back to my usual pace I’ll update contents in website and release Fidelizer 8.1 very soon. 🙂

Added X5iii Advanced ROM feedback from Enrique Carlos Díez Martínez

 

Fidelizer Mod

 

Here’s a new feedback today. This time it’s feedback from Fiio X5iii user with Fidelizer Enhanced ROM.

Hi Keetakawee,

Thanks for your quick answer and advice. I followed your recommendation and everything is running OK. I’m more than happy with Fidelizer, I was somewhat dissapointed with the FIIO X5 III performance but after installing your Fidelizer Enhanced ROM the DAP is performing in a better sonic way.

Regards. Enrique.

I’m happy to hear Fidelizer Purist ROM enhances his satisfaction with Fiio X5iii DAP. This device has a lot of potentials for after-market improvements. 🙂