2. amps-preamps
  3. 1416746778

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 4 responses by jmcgrogan2

jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
+1 Brf's post. I have always been more impressed with Sonic Frontiers build design than their sound qualities. Their tube amps and preamps sound very 'solid state' like to me.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
12-27-14: Zd542
Also, aside from you, I would like to see how many people will disagree with me on this.


I agree with you, that makes a lot of sense to me. I don't understand why you would buy a cheaper product that sounds bad, spend more money on it and hope that will fix the problem. He's just talking about a parts swap, the design of the preamp will remain the same.
Putting lipstick on a pig doesn't change the fact that it's still a pig.

If you hate paying government fees that bad, drive down to the States and pick up the unit yourself.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Pardon me, but I am confused. You say you are looking for another regular or SE+ Line 3, and then you say that it did not sound very good. Then you proceed to mention looking at preamps from VAC and VTL. I really don't have any idea what direction you are heading in, do you?

VAC is worlds ahead of any Sonic Frontier gear I've ever heard. I don't know what your budget is, but there are varying prices of different VAC preamps too. Patience is a virtue. While I do prefer VAC over many of the standard competitors, you may find a nice value in a Shindo, Herron, Messenger, or other manufacturer.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Just put in whatever, it will still be Sonic Frontier, so it doesn't really matter.
More to discover