I upgraded my input tubes on the phone and amp. The phono got a NOS Telefunken 12AX7 and the amp got 2 x 6922 NOS Siemens. Huge increase in soundstage and much more air around each instrument. Highs are crisp and clear, not sibilant. YMMV of course.
Tube Amp, Preamp upgrades -- what did you do that improved your units?
Hi folks,
If you upgraded a point-to-point wired tube amp or preamp, what did you upgrade?
I assume capacitors, but was there anything else which you upgraded that made a genuine difference for the sound?
I am looking into improving the caps in my Quicksilver stuff, but before doing that, I am curious if there's anything in addition to caps which I should consider.
Thanks.
If you upgraded a point-to-point wired tube amp or preamp, what did you upgrade?
I assume capacitors, but was there anything else which you upgraded that made a genuine difference for the sound?
I am looking into improving the caps in my Quicksilver stuff, but before doing that, I am curious if there's anything in addition to caps which I should consider.
Thanks.
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- 104 posts total
Tubes are, i had thought, already a given. I’m thinking of alterations to the machine. Also, learned this: the Orange Drop caps are 90 cents (.90) a piece at Tube Depot. https://tubedepot.com/products/orange-drop-715-series-022f-600v?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=&scid=scplpCP-OD715-022-600V&sc_intid=CP-OD715-022-600V&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsIa6_8yH9AIVeQytBh0nbQ4EEAQYBCABEgICr_D_BwE |
I would do what I said above with your preamp. Replace the Alps Blue pot with the same value TKD. The potentiometer has a sticker on the back that tells you if it’s 25k, 50k, 100k etc…. Nice step up in resolution and realism. More than replacing a cap. This can be found at Parts Connextion or Hifi Collective. I think the TKD pot costs just under $100 shipped. Replace those white caps labeled QS behind the tubes, 2 of them, with Vcap Odam 2.2 uf. 600v. If too pricey for you use the Audience XO caps. The Odams are wonderful in every way and a nice step above the Audience. The Odam caps will cost around $100 each. The Audience caps about 1/4 that. You could replace the 4 - 47uf 500v filter caps with Mundorf M-Lytic HV 500V 2-Lead Single Section Axial cap from Parts Connextion. If the amp is 10 years or older, then consider this upgrade. They cost some $11 each. |
@grannyring Thank you. This is all for the preamp. One thing -- the amp is not that old -- it was probably built in 2020 or 2019. Would you still replace those 4 - 47uf 500v filter caps? It sounds like you'd only do it if it was an older model. Thoughts? Also, did I miss your thoughts on the mono block amps? @tomic601 I suppose it’s all relative. My amp is a 2020 model so I’m not sure how those orange drops stack up, relatively, *today.* |
- 104 posts total