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  #21  
Old 01-16-2018, 11:54 PM
timm timm is offline
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Well ... after talking with the tech at Cary... he talked me into going the direct coupled route on the slp98p. They are also replacing the output cap to a larger value ...added the hexfreds and I believe an additional mod to the power supply (some type of cap replacement ?? ).

I was kind of sold on the mundorf coupling caps - but in his opinion he felt it sounded best this way. He said it would keep its tube character but my improvements should be in bass, soundstage, and dimension.

I figured if I wanted more tubey goodness - I could switch tubes at some point.
So a risk - but given my system I think it might mate well. I have a sunfire signature (sonic signature on the warmer side of neutral - could use a little help in the bass slam area) plus Maggie 20.7s - that like to get pushed. My ps audio directstream feeds it all.

I'll report back. - any comments to talk me off the ledge are welcome.
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  #22  
Old 01-17-2018, 12:10 PM
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Go for it. Looking forward to your report on the results.
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  #23  
Old 01-17-2018, 09:31 PM
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Yah. I'm pretty excited. I'd love to retube it now but really need to hear where this change takes the system before I do that. Right now I have Chinese tubes in it.
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  #24  
Old 01-17-2018, 11:44 PM
decooney decooney is offline
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nah, you'll be fine. Now that you mention the Mag 20.7s, I read once they like a little volume, so you might like the extra help the preamp changes will give ya. Also, you may need to give it a little break-in time too before you make judgement or start changing tubes too quickly.
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  #25  
Old 01-18-2018, 10:08 PM
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What kind of break in do you think I'm looking at? I will be patient. The mags like a kick in the pants. Am curious to how the mids will flesh out.
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  #26  
Old 01-19-2018, 09:02 PM
decooney decooney is offline
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Depending on exactly what gets changed out, and how long they burn it in before they send it to you can make a difference. Typically, I found it can take two weeks running it all day long before things start to settle down. More than once I was told up to 200hrs on my amp/preamp when new. While others may argue more or less time, the first time you play it might sound a bit lean and harsh compared to a few weeks out when things start to gel. Have fun.
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  #27  
Old 01-25-2018, 03:20 PM
timm timm is offline
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So my pre-amp should be on its way back to me shortly... I'm pretty excited about that....

I had it direct coupled.... swapped out the old output cap @1.5uF to a Mundorf @ 4.7uF.... Also went with the hexfreds & had 4 caps (I think in the power supply??) changed out.... These changes are supposed to improve extension in bass, high end , and increase the soundstage width and depth.....

When I get it - I will give initial impressions and then let it burn in a bit.....
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  #28  
Old 01-25-2018, 11:05 PM
decooney decooney is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by timm View Post
So my pre-amp should be on its way back to me shortly... I'm pretty excited about that....

I had it direct coupled.... swapped out the old output cap @1.5uF to a Mundorf @ 4.7uF.... Also went with the hexfreds & had 4 caps (I think in the power supply??) changed out.... These changes are supposed to improve extension in bass, high end , and increase the soundstage width and depth.....

When I get it - I will give initial impressions and then let it burn in a bit.....
I just powered up a new amp this weekend with all new caps, resistors, diodes to burn in trying to get myself to not make a premature judgment. I feel like I should take notes to reflect on each of the stages at 10, 50, 100+ hours because it can be a bit of a roller coaster, even up to 200hrs. Also, depends on tubes too...

Are you using fresh tubes or re-using your prior burned-in tubes before the upgrade?

Last edited by decooney; 01-25-2018 at 11:28 PM.
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  #29  
Old 01-26-2018, 12:35 AM
timm timm is offline
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I decided to keep my old tubes because I wanted to hear where this was going to take it. I'll get something later once this burns in. . I'll take notes on the burn in as well.

Listening to my directstream direct to my amp right now. This is a tall order to beat. I'm hoping the upgrades will make that happen.

So was your amp just at Cary? My pre was probably right on the bench with you.
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  #30  
Old 01-26-2018, 03:19 AM
decooney decooney is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by timm View Post
I decided to keep my old tubes because I wanted to hear where this was going to take it. I'll get something later once this burns in. . I'll take notes on the burn in as well.

Listening to my directstream direct to my amp right now. This is a tall order to beat. I'm hoping the upgrades will make that happen.

So was your amp just at Cary? My pre was probably right on the bench with you.
Hi, not this time. I like my recently upgraded Cary V12R tube amp so much, I decided to buy a smaller low-watt Dennis Had inspired Firebottle Hot Rod amp in small form factor to build a second system. It arrived Tuesday this week. Just started burn-in a few hours a night. Using my upgraded Cary SLP-98L preamp for both. He inspired and/or designed all of these pieces when he was at Cary, so I just had to pick up a Firebaottle to go along with it. Still have much break-in to do.

Last edited by decooney; 01-26-2018 at 03:21 AM.
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