2. amps-preamps
  3. 193642-3931

Help me mod my tube amp

Hi all,

I'm interested in modifying my Prima Luna Dialogue 4 amp. The amp is about 15 years old and still sounds pretty good. But in the past I've had fun modding preamps and speakers and seeing what can be improved, so I'd like to try improving the SQ of this amp. I haven't modded an amp before, so I open to suggestions about capacitor upgrades or anything else. You can see a picture of the internals of the amp here. This amp resides in a secondary system, which is:

Mac mini --> Benchmark Dac3 --> Prima Luna Dialogue 4 amp --> Dali Phantom S-180 speakers + Rhythmik F12G-SE-PEQ subwoofer (via high level speaker input)

Power: dedicated line --> Maestro outlet --> Shunyata Hydra 8 power conditioner. Cables are Shunyata and DH Labs.

Current tube configuration in Prima Luna amp: GE Military stock 12AU7, Gold Lion 12X7, Tung Sol KT120

These days, I tend to like things on the slightly warm side of neutral. I appreciate increased resolution, but not at the expense of organic tonality and musicality. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Bryon

 

bryoncunningham

Showing 1 response by nlitworld

nlitworld
79 posts
 

You have some very good suggestions so far. Definitely agree that film caps, resistors and power supply mods yield very nice results. I would add to that changing your connections for KLE RCA plugs and binding posts and change the signal wire to high quality, something like VH Audio in airlock dielectric. Surprisingly lots of signal quality lost in those parts and are easy upgrades.

As for other tube options, of the EL34 compatible ones PSVane EL34PH are the best I've found for good detail and 3 dimensionality while still keeping a good snap to dynamics.

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