2. amps-preamps
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SONIC FRONTIERS LINE 3...TUBES & CAPS upgrade

Hi guys
I have my first tube preamp in my room and was wondering what tubes (crucial area only) and caps you have tried...also where you got them from..
I have been in touch with Chris Johnson of Parts Express on his super duper upgrade as he is a hour away from work but im in Canada and he wants to charge $60/hr and taxes in USD... Not gonna fly in my house.. besides I have my own tech.
He uses V caps ($$$$) but was curious about Mundorf maybe or????
Also what tubes you found that were smooth..
Not sure all the sources for these items.
I use Mark levinson ml series amps with my awesome ATC super mids and SS 7100 tweeter and have a fully recapped KRELL FPB 600 running all my lows..
Any experiences and help appreciated. ...
Thanks
mclsound

Showing 3 responses by darkmoebius

darkmoebius
900 posts
 
The problem with having a 3rd party tech, unfamiliar with the Line 3, make modifications is that they will likely not know which exact component positions affect sound. Not all do, so you may be paying for unnecessary experimentation or parts replacement.

Do some searches here on Audiogon and Audio Asylum, and you will find that even the tube positions that affect sound are very tricky. A few do not affect sound at all, or much less than others. How is your local tech going to know that?

My guess is that you will actually save money n the long run going with Parts Connexcion.
darkmoebius
900 posts
 
Well the seller called the condition a 9 but was more a 5 or 6..it was quite a ordeal getting my money back as I donnot take kindly to people like this..

Glad you got your money back. Buying a piece that was described as a 8, but is an 7 or maybe even a 6 might be a matter of interpretation. But, a "9" to a 5 or 6 is unethical.

I was not going to pcx and that was final gents..
You can go on about his mad skills all you want but it will never happen..

Sorry that people did not agree with what you wanted to hear. But, we were all trying to save you money that you would not have been able to recover in resale if the unit did not meet your musical tastes afterwards.

No one is going to buy a used (iconic) unit significantly modified by an unknown tech with zero experience in that particular brand and model. That has very little, or no, value to others. And is a HUGE risk for an buyer.

If your goal was to ultimately save money, that was not the logical path
darkmoebius
900 posts
 
Getting an SF Line 3, having a non-authorized tech do major mods, then possibly finding out that you still don't like the sound is a pretty good recipe for ending up with a unit that no one else will buy from you without taking a major loss on your investment.

Your Line 3 would be virtually worthless to anyone else looking to get one. Not many people would consider buying a unit that's been heavily modified by an unknown tech, no matter how good you think his shop is.

Be patient and just wait for a fully upgraded Line 3 to come up for sale. They seem to every 3 months or so. Then, you can check it out and not lose money if it is not to your liking.

Otherwise, just get something else
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