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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
54 responses Add your response
mclsound OP
159 posts
 
Probably close to 8hrs for everything=$650 Canadian. .
I believe that its illegal to charge labour and taxes in Canada in USD..makes no sense..
I have my own tech so no worries.
I opened it up finally and found that 2 tube rings are fully melted to the tube..cant even get it off. ...
The umbilical cord sheathing is all coming apart and some was wrapped in electical tape...
The PS lid is scratched up..
Sold as a 9/10 and upgraded (like 14yrs ago) and unfortunately I picked it up in a snow storm so I never got to look it over..more like a 6-7/10
I would say all tubes need replaced for sure..probably original
Any who..
Need tube recommendations
Not sure I need v caps for $800
Thanks
lissnr
365 posts
 
I agree with Zd542. Also, as a former 10+ year owner of a Line 3 Special Edition I used NOS Valvos throughout and was very pleased with them. I can't recall what caps were used and I never experimented with them when I owned it. It was a very very nice sounding/versatile/ capable pre-amp and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Since then I have more experience with caps and currently use a mix of both Duelund cast copper's and the new Jupiter's in my Dac/pre-amp/amp chain. Both are excellent.
tli
52 posts
 
If Chris is just one hour away, you are the lucky 0.001% of the world population to be that close. You can deliver and pickup your preamp and Chris can do something extra to upgrade your Line 3 to another level. The cost should be very worth it.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"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."

I don't think his price is too bad. Not only that, he's probably the most qualified person to work on your preamp. I would see if he can give you a total number of hours before he does the job, and then make a decision.
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