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Ever since I started tweaking and DIY, it really removed any anxiety to obtain flavor of the month components and the upgrade itch. It is self-rewarding and saves money too.Maybe I'm just getting old, but I, like many here, have purchased parts that I have yet to implement. Some parts have been sitting for a year or two.
Part of it is that I don't like to change too many things at once.
Besides the tweaks, I do on occassion upgrade a component due to it being unrepairable, or it's just time to make a change.
Still, I find myself putting many of the tweaks on the backburner as part of a long journey that I'll get to them when I get to them. Enjoying my system and music as it is currently. Akin to having a library of books where many are yet to be read with unknown pleasures or disappointments.
The tweaks on my list are intended to be upgrades, with expectations unknown much like the book library.
Personally I enjoy the pace of this journey. Repeating again that parts are in the house are like unwrapped Christmas presents.
Sometimes the size of the "to do" list changes.
For anybody still reading this long post, here's what's on my itenerary:
- replace all tube sockets in my pre-amp with Beltons. Mine are starting to show some wear. I already did my power amp years ago. I really like the beltons.
- replace the stock power cords on both preamp and power amp. Currently hardwired. Not sure if I want to install sockets on the components or just hardwire again. I really don't see myself rolling power cards. I'm sure there's pros and cons.
- replace power toggle switch on amp. Temp off the shelf in there now when the original broke. Have a heavy duty one from Partsconnexion in a box.
- Solen input film caps and the "cigarello" long Duelund silver cast resistors for my Quad ESL 63's. Part of the fun will be finding room for them. Especially the huge caps.
- waiting for my Audiolab 6000cdt to go off warranty. Want to replace the caps and (edit) "bridge rectifiers". Don't know the values until I open it. Intrigued by the regulators in that it is recommended to make them from diodes instead of just upgrading the part. This will be new to me. Will likely do more research.
- still playing around with a digital cable between transport and Dac. My favorite is still regular shielded ancient stranded QED coax that I once used as interconnects. Versus solid core DH Labs, VH Pulsar, Beldon, Chinese (knockoff) Nordist. Main thing is I'm really happy with the sound. I guess that's the important thing.
- plenty of various signal NOS tubes haven't gotten around to trying.
- take out or leave in the lighted switch and circuit reset in my old heavy duty Hammond power strips. What to do?
So yup, between these things and regular life, plenty to keep busy and happy with.
Plus I have new music albums coming in almost every week. CD or download.
Thanks for reading.
Jonesy
"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."
Edits: 08/13/20Follow Ups:
The Belton's are great, have a grip on the pins that lasts after years of tube rolling and just taking them in and out for other tweaking.
Power cords all sound different but most require "leaning forward" to hear which at age 73 just isn't worth it.
THe PCX toggles may not make a sonic difference to you (mine don't make an audible difference) but I like the very satisfying 'snap'.
Duelund CAST resistors across the inputs of my B&C DE-250's made a very audible improvement worth every penny.
Capacitors are perhaps the most clearly audible changes that can be made. After years of preferring Obbligato, I now am infatuated with Mundorf Silver/Gold Oil for pre-amp outputs.
I'm currently hard at work on sand-box speaker stands, received the veneer yesterday, as well as moving my Tubelab SSE from a clunky old chassis into a new, smaller one. Finished the glue-up of the mitered corner splines last night.
The very best way to overcome PIE (Pandemic Induced Ennui).
Nostalgia's not what it used to be
Yeah, I think the PCX switch will just give me that good feel vs the temporary one currently in there.
Definitely looking forward to the resistors and caps. And had ordered Mundorf, but they were no longer available. And other options in the Mundorf family were just too big to fit. Still, Solens will be much better than anything in there now.
Good luck with the stands. I'm sure they'll turn out great!.
Cheers!
Jonesy
"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."
Well Jonesy,I'm an expert at putting thing off in my old age. I will get to work soon. I was giving some thought to gold plated tube sockets?? I have had excellent results with soft recovery diodes myself. Some like what I used and others prefer Schottky. Good diodes are a game changer IMO and well worth the effort. At this stage of the game at home music is becoming more important so I really should be upgrading. Live music is a thing of the past and it might go on for another year or so?? Tweaker456
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." Alfred E. Neuman
I already have Belton sockets waiting to be put in my preamp. Didn't go gold plated route because of the pros and cons of using disimilar metals (steel tube pins vs socket gold contacts.) Plus I do regular maintenance on pins and sockets, so don't really need the anti-tarnishing gold plating.
The other thing about the Beltons is the grip. I'd put money on me being able to lift my old ARC D70 by gripping the signal tubes, so snug they are.
Once I find out what bridge rectifiers I have in my CD transport, I'll do some research as well as posting here best route to go. An integrated rectifier or naked diodes.
Hopefully I'll get some advice here.
Won't be until the New Year though. The transport will be off warranty then. Probably wouldn't be able to get to it any sooner anyways!
I replacing the hardwired stock cords on my preamp and amp with "knock off" Oyaide plugs and "knock off" Acrolink cable. It's all I can afford at the moment.
Been happy with the Oyaides before. Though the only other brand I've used is Marinco. So we're not talking super high end here.
DH Labs power plus has always been my "goto" cable. Time to try something different. Admittedly the Acrolink is a "knockoff". We'll see how it goes. Budget keeps my choices limited.
Cheers!
Jonesy
"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."
Thanks for an interesting to-do list. I also have an Audiolab CDT6000. I'll be very interested in how your mods work out.
You bet. Will let inmates know.
Cheers!
Jonesy
"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."
Agreed (especially about getting old :) but I think you've touched on some important issues. Tweaks should not be meant to fix a problem area, and should be an enhancement. Tweaks should not be done in multiples--how would you know it's a workable tweak? It's important to TAKE YOUR TIME, if you are basically happy with what you are hearing, any (subtle) changes are important--maybe not to everyone else, but to you the listener. There is always the desire for the what if's--what if I (moved, altered, enhanced, replaced, upgraded--tweaked--this is the fun part of audio IMO.
There is a guy on another site and his philosophy is not to touch anything--that if the designer wanted something different he would have made it that way, which presupposes the designers intent, and negates any positive effect that tweaking may have.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing, Jonesy.
I recommend installing IEC inlets rather than hardwiring a captive power cord that tends to be a skinny little thing for the purpose.
I suggest upgrading the Hammond power strips with a product that features conventional high-quality duplex AC outlets rather than 79 cent snap-in receptacles that are no better sounding than cheap contractor grade AC outlets.
Enjoy!
Your advice is much appreciated Duster. As always.
Cheers!
Jonesy
"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."
Brother, I reach you.
Amen on the tubes and parts and widgets laying all about.
I keep hoping some unsuspecting stranger will knock some day, and before he/she walks away from my door they'll have an arm-load and pockets full.
I need the room to store other junk ....
Hi Jonesy,
Enjoyed reading your post!
Also, you are one of the nicest gentleman on AA!!
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