Upgraded Yamaha DX5

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Here's your chance to own one of the Crown Jewels of 80's synth history, and the top of the DX line: the mighty Yamaha DX5. Along with its even bigger brother the DX1 (of which only 140 were made), the DX5 essentially puts two complete DX7 engines in one gorgeous body, and then adds significant upgrades like improved output circuitry with XLR jacks as well as standard 1/4", a much bigger display, double the polyphony, split/layer capability, two cartridge slots, and more.

However, this isn't a standard-issue DX5: this is a custom-modified and completely restored DX5 with higher-end components than the original. Frankly, this is the best-sounding DX synth you will ever hear - even better than a DX1, which are incredibly rare. The following tweaks/updates were done by SynthSpa within the last year:

- Upgraded hand-picked DA converters for pristine sound: the character of the DX1/DX5, but even more hi-fi

- New OLED screen to replace the old, dim EL display

- Totally rebuilt power supply with new capacitors

- New battery

- Completely rebuilt keybed: each key was washed, cleaned, and springs restored to feel brand new

- Custom Paduk wood trim sides

- Cleaned & restored sliders, jacks, pots & other electronic components; outputs rebalanced & optimized


A few other notes: the youtube link in my listing is this actual DX5, recorded in January 2021; however, some of the sounds are from a custom DX sample library I created - some of which are multiple stacks from a TX816.

This DX5 is in incredible shape as you can see in the pics & video; however, there is one minor small scratch near the display. The previous owner filled it in with brown paint, so it's not really noticeable under most circumstances - you have to be looking for it. It's under the temporary brown tape you can see in some of the pics in my listing; the tape has been removed. If you're as OCD as I am, you can do the same thing - or make a nice bezel to surround the display. If it doesn't sell, I'll happily keep it and build a nice wood trim bezel myself!"