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Tweaks for systems, rooms and Do It Yourself (DIY) help. FAQ.

RE: About modifying units (dacs and preamps).

Hi and thanks a lot for the very kind and valuable reply.
Let me comment here below

" I've done a lot of this, on amplifiers, line stages, and phono stages, because I am too lazy and too lacking in spare time to start from scratch. "

The idea has started looking at the huge number of modification shops in the net. And also reading reviews about the stock models and the units after modifications.
Even the same manufacturers offer mods of their products, like in the case of Counterpoint equipment.
I think that a modification of an already decent unit can provide very nice sound.

" Before attempting anything beyond a parts "upgrade", it would be a good idea to educate oneself regarding circuit design and implementation, reading schematics, etc. If you're messing with tube gear, you can learn a lot by following TubeDIY and other such fora for a while, before you do anything yourself. There are some excellent texts that are written so as to be understood by the neophyte. Among these are: Bruce Rozenblitt's Amplifier book, in which he explains all the parts of an amplifier very simply, and shows you how to do some of the necessary math, which is not worse than algebra. Morgan Jones' books are best read AFTER one has digested a little info from simpler sources, but after that they are indispensable. (Sorry, I cannot off the cuff recall the titles of Bruce Rozenblitt's book or MJ's book, of which there are 3 editions.) Also good is Jon Broskie's blog, Tubecad. There are some guys on TubeDIY who are just good people willing to answer good questions on a one to one level, as well. Radiotron Designer's Handbook, Vols 1-4, which date back to the 30's, are a kind of bible for this stuff. Vol 4 is reproduced and can be purchased from Amazon or the like "

Thank you very much indeed for the very helpful advice.
I am not much a tube guy even if i have the strong feeling that is somewhat easier to get good sound from tubes than from transistors.
Still very nice sounding solid state units do exist.
Let's say that they are more challenging.
I have already got advice to look at:
1) grounding design
2) power supplies
3) signal coupling
4) volume control in case of preamps.
I am almost exclusively interested in dacs and preamps these days.
I liked many tube line preamps i listened to.
I prefer to put only one good tube in the signal path.
In the dac or in the preamp. Maybe i should reconsider tubes.
They seem to have a magic touch with digital.
They make digital sound more relaxed and pleasant.
Thanks a lot again.
Kind regards,
bg


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Follow Ups Full Thread
Follow Ups
  • RE: About modifying units (dacs and preamps). - beppe61 04:28:55 07/23/15 (0)

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