Upgraded Counterpoint Hybrid SA-220 Power Amps

I have both an SA 20 and an NP 220 gold version - sort of. The SA 20 is nice sounding but not exactly reference yet I doubt I'll ever sell it. I really like it.

The NP220 (hi-output)has all the works except the wiring & the Vishays found in the Platinum version now offered. It also has 120,000 uF Black Gate main supply and V-Caps for coupling and uses Jan 6188 6SL7s. It sounded very nice even before the BGs were added so I definately think the upgrade is worth it. I'd get a new tranny if I were upgrading as these have been known to die (mine did)and I'd do the premium at least.

Rolling tubes in this or changing the coupling caps significantly changes the sound so if you're not quite getting what you want you mat try experimenting.

Since Michael's selling new Aria amps I don't think he's doing many upgrades. For the cost of the Platinum upgrade you can buy an Aria which I'm sure is a similar circuit design.

You might give the old SA20 a mod of just the 2 coupling caps from old WOndercaps to something like Jensen or Mundorf 0.47uF. I have an NP220 Premium gold and an SA20 which I rebuilt from a trashed unit. I now have 2 wonderful sounding hybrid amps, voiced quite differently from one another but I find them both equally enjoyable.

Interesting that you're replying to a thread started 5 years ago and inactive for over a year.

I still have the SA-220 I referred to in my post a year and a half ago. I've read a few comments since then from owners who had upgrades done and felt that they changed the amp to sound quite different, not for the better. I love the sound of the amp and just don't want to risk loosing what I like. I also feel the upgrade costs are ridiculously over price.

i've got a solid One e, its not going in for any updates.I dont know about his other amps,he's made but i've noticed with the Solid one ,is that there seems to be about 5 different versions,i mean differing face plates,lots of differences inside,completely different binding posts on all models i've seen.Like the Solid one for sale now must be one of the first,,i guessing i have a late model what with better bindings posts,substantially newer looking everything.Who knows,but i'm very happy with it.

Well I finally got around to upgrading the basic amp and have answered a question that was going through my mind, what would be the improvement over the basic upgrade. Thanks to the help given to me by Johnsonwu here on audiogon, I replaced the large can caps with Nichicon superthrougs, hexfreds, V-Caps, mills resistors and larger hammond choke. The sonics changed dramatically. Bass slam, details without congestion, very resolving, warmish tone, just wonderful sounding. Now I have to wonder about adding the Plitron transformer and vishays.