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SONIC FRONTIERS LINE 3...TUBES & CAPS upgrade

Hi guys
I have my first tube preamp in my room and was wondering what tubes (crucial area only) and caps you have tried...also where you got them from..
I have been in touch with Chris Johnson of Parts Express on his super duper upgrade as he is a hour away from work but im in Canada and he wants to charge $60/hr and taxes in USD... Not gonna fly in my house.. besides I have my own tech.
He uses V caps ($$$$) but was curious about Mundorf maybe or????
Also what tubes you found that were smooth..
Not sure all the sources for these items.
I use Mark levinson ml series amps with my awesome ATC super mids and SS 7100 tweeter and have a fully recapped KRELL FPB 600 running all my lows..
Any experiences and help appreciated. ...
Thanks
mclsound
tli
52 posts
 
I used a Line 3 for many years before changing to ARC. The volume IC has a significant effect on the sound. You need to remove the original IC which is solder on the mother board and change to a more modern one. There is big improvement.
mclsound OP
159 posts
 
Thanks gents.. No disrespect intended but my tech has many years experience in electronics not marketing and as stated Chris Johnsons $2000+ upgrade can be done at much much less as 45% of his parts have nothing to do with the SQ and the 55% that do are 40% overpriced...
I stated all this at the start and was looking for people's experience. ..
I may look for another line 3 in mint condition.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"45% of his parts have nothing to do with the SQ"

What parts are you talking about?
mclsound OP
159 posts
 
Ok
Gave that other line 3 back and I am currently looking for another. ..either a regular or a SE+
It has great features and good bass but mid/hi was very metallic..
45% was not worthy of SQ improvement ..
I was looking at a VAC w/phono but his US price was to related to the blue book hyperbole and were at $200 Canadian for every $1000USD..
Also a nice VAC signature in toronto but the seller is all about blue book and usd vs Canadian dollar so I cannot work with him..
I also looked at a vtl tl7.5 v1 but again..over $1000 in currency exchange. .
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Pardon me, but I am confused. You say you are looking for another regular or SE+ Line 3, and then you say that it did not sound very good. Then you proceed to mention looking at preamps from VAC and VTL. I really don't have any idea what direction you are heading in, do you?

VAC is worlds ahead of any Sonic Frontier gear I've ever heard. I don't know what your budget is, but there are varying prices of different VAC preamps too. Patience is a virtue. While I do prefer VAC over many of the standard competitors, you may find a nice value in a Shindo, Herron, Messenger, or other manufacturer.
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