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Upgraded Counterpoint Hybrid SA-220 Power Amps

I have an old Counterpoint SA-220 and have always wondered if the basic, premium and gold upgrades were really really worth it. I can hear differences between the preamps and amps I have owned and auditioned but not $2K to $3K worth of sonic differences unless you really want that extra last bit of true sonics (yeah I know that I was being very general with that last comment). I am looking for anyone who has an upgraded Counterpoint power amp now or has had one in the past. Are the upgraded amps worth it? Have you compared the basic to the premium and the gold upgrades?

Thanks and Happy Listening.
bigkidz
coffeey's avatar
coffeey
363 posts
 
i've got a solid One e, its not going in for any updates.I dont know about his other amps,he's made but i've noticed with the Solid one ,is that there seems to be about 5 different versions,i mean differing face plates,lots of differences inside,completely different binding posts on all models i've seen.Like the Solid one for sale now must be one of the first,,i guessing i have a late model what with better bindings posts,substantially newer looking everything.Who knows,but i'm very happy with it.
bigkidz OP
3,381 posts
 
Well I finally got around to upgrading the basic amp and have answered a question that was going through my mind, what would be the improvement over the basic upgrade. Thanks to the help given to me by Johnsonwu here on audiogon, I replaced the large can caps with Nichicon superthrougs, hexfreds, V-Caps, mills resistors and larger hammond choke. The sonics changed dramatically. Bass slam, details without congestion, very resolving, warmish tone, just wonderful sounding. Now I have to wonder about adding the Plitron transformer and vishays.
johnvroom
1 posts
 
The basic upgrade replaces nearly everything in the signal path so I would expect a sonic change (and if it didn't why would you opt to do upgrade), I got my upgrade due to the famed SA220 reliability issue (my amp blew up several times. What I got with my Michael Elliot upgrade was bulletproof reliability and state of the art sound. I think the old SA220 sound was worth every dime and the NP220 upgrade is a steal... to get closer to the music at any price will be a challenge, I haven't found a reason to 'upgrade' for 10 years
bigkidz OP
3,381 posts
 
Good to hear from you J, I just purchased an oil choke and will be installing that to see what if any differences I hear. There is also a local guy I know who makes chokes. He has been winding them for 20 years and I may have him build one for me if that oil choke does not make a difference. Much cheaper then the Plithron. If you are interested, let me know. Funny you should post on this thread as I just told someone yesterday that I have not even considered upgrading or changing to a different amp now that I have the Counterpoint. The thought never crosses my mind even to look.

Happy Listening.
bigkidz OP
3,381 posts
 
Installed the oil choke and wow! It kills the larger Hammond choke I installed replacing the baisc upgrade smaller Hammond choke. The oil choke made the amp much more musical, better dimensionality, way better tone with more clarity.
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