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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 4 responses by jea48

jea48
2,944 posts
 
Mclsound,

Had you asked Chris Johnson in which order the tubes are of the most importance he would have given you that info for free.

Beings Chris Johnson is the original owner/manufacture of Sonic Frontiers his name attached to any mod of the Line 3 will carry a lot more weight when it comes to resale value in the event you decide to sell the preamp someday.
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jea48
2,944 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.
11-24-14: Jmcgrogan2
I can only speak for the Line One preamp. If current stock tubes are used the preamp does sound like SS. Not so with early to mid 1960s Amperex PQ white label 6922 or 7308 tubes. Same for Siemens early 1960s all grey plate CCa or E188CC tubes.

The OP will find the same thing with the Line Three. LOL, though it might cost him a few thousand dollars to find out at today’s prices of old 1960s vintage tubes.
Jim
jea48
2,944 posts
 
Sonic Frontiers, a look back in history.
http://www.audiophilia.com/features/sftour.htm
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jea48
2,944 posts
 
All of the Parts Connexion "upgrades" are merely part swaps.
11-27-14: Testpilot
No kidding?

Isn't that what most upgrades are?
Better caps, better resistors, better hook up wire? Maybe a better chip? Better volume control? Better ??

Now the soldering workmanship of swapping out components can make a big difference in the finished product don't you think?

Just curious if I send my ARC power amp to ARC for an upgrade won't they just swap out older technology parts with new higher quality parts? Like caps and resistors?

I think you may be confusing upgrades with mods.
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