Thanks for the suggestion Veridian. This is the 3-chassis version of the Mobile Fidelity phono preamps, just to be clear. Only thing inside the power can is a fairly heavy torroidal transformer. It is not the one with the plug-in-the-wall power supply. I still need an opinion about input vs. output caps because 2 expensive caps is better than 4. Are they equal in importance, or do I put my money at the output? And then paper in oil. My analog is not lacking resolution....I think it is lacking body in the midrange and weight in the low end. Would paper in oil take me in the right direction?
Musical Fidelity XLP2 upgrades
Feels like this XLP2, and probably my phono interconnect, are weak links. VPI Scoutmaster, ZYX Fuji .48v, available MC loading 10R, 25R, 50R, and 100R on the LP2, interconnects are older Synergistic and not specifically designed for phono. My main question, for anyone up on the guts of a phono stage is this. I see 2 poly caps in each channel, one in signal path near input, and one in the signal path near output (105J = 1.0uF, both). Which is most important to sound quality, or both are equal? Obviously this is not a great phono preamp, but why not improve it. Also looking at replacing all the electrolitics, wiring, jacks, and load resistors. 100kohm at the MM input, by the way, not 47kohm. And it took me 2 days to figure out how the MC load resistors and switch work, with one resistor hard-wired and 3 on the switch. Confusing! ZYX recommends load to be >100. I think I'm going to put the load resistor at the jack, experiment with greater than 100, and skip the switch entirely. So any help about those poly caps, loading, and general upgrade suggestions would be appreciated. It's winter in Michigan. Even a hot soldering iron sounds good. Thanks people.
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