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Pass didn't bless my improvements project...

Posted by jeffreybehr on December 25, 2014 at 23:48:41:
...he blessed my wiring the two channels in parallel.

First, I don't change the circuitry, only the parts, usually like-for-like values. I tend to want LOTS-higher-quality parts in my equipment than the manufacturers install. Altho these amps retail for $4K each, they still have some inexpensive parts in them. I also tend to add the highest-quality stuff I can buy in the main-left/right channels, and I also believe in Steve McCormack's (and now c-j's, too) 'DNA'--Distributed Node Architecture--filosofy, which would be more-accurately named distributed powersupply architecture or DPSA. This adds small powersupply caps and film-type bypasses very close to the output transistors.

So I added highest-quality DPSA caps first and also replaced four small 'lytics on the boards with BlackGates and the binding posts with Cardas CCGRs. Soon I'll replace the RCA jacks with Furutech FP-901(R)s. Both of these connectors are singles since both amps are now monoamps. Will replace ALL the rectifiers and PS caps and resistors with the best I can buy.

I believe Pass designs excellent circuits and definitely has one great idea (among MANY others, I'm sure), that being the use of nonmagnetic parts.

What little I know about all this comes from decades--remember Peter Moncrieff's WonderCaps of the very early 1980s?--of DIYing this kind of stuff, sometimes not too well and learning from my mistakes. The last maybe-decade I've fallen under the influence of Jeffrey Glowacki of Sonic Craft, still the only audio advisor who has a 100%-correct record with me. What that means is what he recommends I do always works sonically, and what he recommends against but I did anyway is MUCH less successful. Glowacki definitely helped on this project.

FWIW, I also tend to pay no attention to whether the manufacturer's warranty is voided by my improvements--I simply do what I think I ought to do. Generally, I'm fortunate to be able to write that my results have turned out to be excellent.