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EE Minimax tube preamp better with premium capacitors?

91.48.119.92
Posted on July 26, 2020 at 07:51:48
Nunki
Audiophile

Posts: 644
Joined: November 27, 2010
 hi folks,

did anybody modify his eastern electric minimax preamp by replacing or adding bypass capacitors?
could you give advice which types you used for replacements or/and bypassing and tell about your results? any other essential hints or recommendations for further upgrade?
thank you!

N.



 

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RE: EE Minimax tube preamp better with premium capacitors?, posted on July 26, 2020 at 08:31:38
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 An unusual and interesting design that uses no capacitors in the signal path. The bypass and PS caps are electrolytic, but in a VERY tight space and limited orientation. Usually I'd say go with one of the Nichicon KZ Muse or Panasonics caps. Unfortunately, it looks like you can only get axial capacitors in there. Maybe you try one and wedge a radial Nichicon KZ in there?

Very nice point to point wiring.

 

RE: EE Minimax tube preamp better with premium capacitors?, posted on July 26, 2020 at 11:09:02
Nunki
Audiophile

Posts: 644
Joined: November 27, 2010
 thank you airtime!

how about just bypassing the original caps? would mean the easiest way. but as you wrote the caps are not in the signal path, so bypassing would not realy makes sense. right?

 

RE: EE Minimax tube preamp better with premium capacitors?, posted on July 26, 2020 at 13:11:32
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 If you're having a problem with hum, they're old or you want to change a rolloff frequency - I'd leave them. That's a sweet little preamp, but it looks like a nut cracker to work on!

From what I've read on this pre it seems a lot of love went into the circuit design. How it actually sounds ???? I have no idea.

I believe others have tweaked this preamp, so try a google search. But again, it looks real tight in there to play around with.

 

IF wanting to Improve it.., posted on July 27, 2020 at 20:10:14
bare
Audiophile

Posts: 1879
Joined: April 14, 2009
 It clearly suggests it's somehow lacking/not meeting expectations..
Loose it.... and get something that does. Lipstick won't help.

 

RE: IF wanting to Improve it.., posted on July 27, 2020 at 23:30:04
Nunki
Audiophile

Posts: 644
Joined: November 27, 2010
 no, no...you´re totally wrong. this tiny pretty preamp makes you wonder how it can realise such a fine performance that other noble brands are heavily seeking after. it is just it´s simpleness (and boredom) that invites for modding.




 

RE: IF wanting to Improve it.., posted on July 28, 2020 at 07:04:45
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 Did you ever find any DIY and mod sites on that preamp?

It's an interesting little design. I wish I could find a schematic for it.

 

Sighhh , posted on July 28, 2020 at 19:21:47
bare
Audiophile

Posts: 1879
Joined: April 14, 2009
 A simple stupid Dact Attenuator will likely Easily outclass your Pet Product.. It just won't have a sparkly case or Audio Weenie approved 'upgrade' part.s Because they don't do a damned thing to 'improve' it's sound.
Tough to wean some from decades of ingrained blind 'consumerism'

 

RE: EE Minimax tube preamp better with premium capacitors?, posted on November 20, 2020 at 05:06:08
Nunki
Audiophile

Posts: 644
Joined: November 27, 2010
 hello again after a while,

referring to the issue of this thread i´d like to ask again whether anybody can give suggestions based on own experiences which internal parts (caps, resistors...) should be replaced for upgrade.
morning star is no longer busy and DIY will be cheaper anyway.

can you give hints or are there even any modding kits avaialble perhaps?

thanx!

Nunki

 

RE: Sighhh , posted on November 20, 2020 at 23:17:31
KanedaK
Audiophile

Posts: 2519
Location: Brussels
Joined: April 27, 2010
 I wonder why "pet product"... not expensive enough, is it? ...sighhh...

 

RE: Sighhh , posted on November 21, 2020 at 01:15:52
Nunki
Audiophile

Posts: 644
Joined: November 27, 2010
 oh...i love pets! i own even TWO of this kind.

 

RE: Sighhh , posted on November 22, 2020 at 03:20:59
Nunki
Audiophile

Posts: 644
Joined: November 27, 2010
 nobody?

:((

 

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