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Model: | Series 500 |
Category: | Integrated Amplifier (Tube) |
Suggested Retail Price: | unknown |
Description: | Integrated, class A, push-pull, all tube amplifier with phono preamp |
Manufacturer URL: | Not Available |
Review by Bassman on December 18, 2002 at 05:00:45 IP Address: 192.36.190.2 | Add Your Review for the Series 500 |
This is an integrated, class A, ultralinear, push-pull, all tube amplifier with phono preamp, 2x25 Watts.
I have had it for a couple of months now, and I bought it used (from my brother, who have had it in the closet for a couple of years).
When I bought it, it was all stock, very little used.
It had a problem with scratchy pots and red glowing tubes.
I changed tubes to Svetlana 4xEL34 and Ruby Tubes 2x6922 and 3xECC83 and cleaned all pots and switches and also the tube sockets.
Now it sounded much more detailed and precise and red glowing tubes are no more.
I have also lowered the filament voltage to 6.3V with some resistors, and bypassed the balance pot.
Compared to my SS Marantz KI 66 SI amp, this amp is more liquid, not harsh at all, but I can hear more details nevertheless. It has a fuller, more potent sound with no overcontrasted edges. It sounds "natural".
It shows itīs best side, when played at "live" volume, that is not to quiet. Then it really shines.
The phono preamp is very good and quiet(no hum) and I enjoy my LPīs much more now, in fact I prefer listening to them than to cd, which also sounds very good.
The only problems I have with it is that it gets hot after 4-5 hours and that was about the time it took to produce the red glowing tubes before, so now I switch off and let it cool down then.
The other "problem" is the volume pot is so sensitive, I never turn it beyond 8 oīclock, but that may be because of sensitive speakers?
Otherwise Iīm very happy with it and so is my wife.
Product Weakness: | Very crowded chassis, difficult to repair/change. Gets hot. The lowest bass is rolled off a bit. |
Product Strengths: | Itīs like a cup of hot chocolate, smooth and warm. Fullbodied and detailed. |
Associated Equipment for this Review: | |
Amplifier: | Marantz KI 66 SI 2x80 Watts |
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | none |
Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Ariston RD40 with Rega RB300 and Goldring Eroica. CD: Arcam Alpha7 |
Speakers: | JPW 910 floorstanders |
Cables/Interconnects: | DIY CAT5 speaker cable, Van den Hul interconnect |
Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Pop, jazz, classical |
Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
Follow Ups:
The biggest improvements for me, and I'm talking improvements that completely alter the character of the sound for the better, were the addition of the Border Patrol psu and changing the generic electrolytic capacitors at the cathode with Blackgates. I also swapped the cheap volume pot with a DACT stepped attenuator and the coupling capacitors with Auricaps - Those mods were also an improvement but not as dramatic as the BP psu and Blackgates. The only thing left for me to do is lower the filament voltage as you have done for safety reasons and maybe some tweaks to the phono stage. I'm really satisfied with the performance I've squeezed out of this integrated. It's a keeper for sure and with the mods I've performed it competes very favorably with integrateds in the $2500 to $4000 price bracket.
Clicker, that sounds good, but I really enjoy the amp as is, so I will stick to possible fairly cheap mods, maybe caps, resistors and volume pot.
When I start listening, I get stuck in my armchair for hours, picking out old records. Even my cat looks around in the room, searching for the origin of all sounds..
I fixated the extra resistors on a small metal plate with bare wire and tied that to the vent slots (on the inside) off the back plate, with black plastic covered wire, so it doesn`t add heat to the other components in the crowded chassis. Looks good and works.
I like your solution. I might email you when I get the chance to add the resistors.
Hi Bassman,
sounds just like the one i had. though it did get warm its wasnt scary hot.
if the vol'pot is stock,upgrade that and if only using 1 or 2 inputs,remove some of the selector switches. this made a big difference when i tried it.
another cheap mod,is to use sov 5881 tubes or simular- a more dynamic sound without lossing too much of the warmth.
glad you like it. the link is for boarder partol,gary the ownwer used to work for audio innovations and is v helpful.
http://www.borderpatrol.net/
Ok, thanks Rob, as I said, I bypassed the balance pot, but honestly donīt know if it made any difference, but I will bypass the monitor/source switch, as a test, when I have the time.
Cheers
ahh that brings back a memory or two.
try gary at the link.he'll point in a direction or two. the s500 sounds great with one of his power supplies too.
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