Power Supply Block; Base Pillar (Bp) Chassis - Sony SCD-1 Technical Background

3.2. Power Supply Block.

The SCD-1 and SCD-777ES power supplies
were designed to minimize interference and max-
imize the stability and purity of voltage. A remote
power switch, for example, minimizes intertwin-
ing of the primary AC wiring—restricting it to a
short run at the back of the unit. Separate power
transformers for analog and digital sections limit
mutual interference through the supply.
Sony uses two large R-Core transformers to
minimize magnetic flux leakage, mechanical
vibration and acoustic noise. On the SCD-1,
vibration is further suppressed by resin-sealed
cases for both transformers.
The analog audio power supply secondary
(capacitors and diodes) is mounted on the audio
circuit board to minimize impedance. Essential
parts, including electrolytic capacitors, were
carefully selected for sound quality.
Power supply block
3.3. Base Pillar (BP) Construction.
Given Direct Stream Digital encoding's ability to
resolve even the most subtle musical informa-
tion, the SCD-1 and SCD-777ES were designed
to restrict even the most subtle forms of distor-
tion. Microphonics—unwanted voltages caused
by the physical vibration of wires and component
parts—have been suppressed by thoroughgoing
anti-resonant construction.
For this purpose, Sony has developed a new
anti-vibration design: the Base Pillar (BP) chas-
sis. The base consists of two 5-mm (0.2-inch)
thick metal plates that combine to form a mas-
sive 10-mm (0.4-inch) thick platform. On this
base, Sony has mounted seven high-carbon cast
iron pillars, two 4.5-mm (0.2-inch) sidewalls and
a 5-mm top plate. It's no exaggeration to call
this chassis "massive." The SCD-1 weighs some
26.5 kg (over 58 lbs.) while the SCD-777ES
weighs 25 kg (55 lbs.).
BP Chassis Construction
By choosing intrinsically rigid materials, Sony
constructed a simple, but very stable chassis.
The chassis design is also extremely open,
enabling the ideal layout of each subassembly:
mechanism, power supply, main board and
audio board.
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