SONIC FRONTIERS LINE 3...TUBES & CAPS upgrade

Fully loaded Upgraded Parts Connexion SF L3 comes on the market quite frequently and the asking price is not too much more than a stock L3, albeit you won't have the option of customizing the unit with the parts you covet.

Use the stock L3 in your system for the time being and if you decide you like the sound, keep an eye out for a SE+ L3 and sell your stock L3. You will never recoup your upgrade investment should you go down that route only to learn you don't like the unit.

Good luck.

That is a good rate and Chris knows his creation and after you listen to it for awhile you could tell tell him what your looking to change in terms of sound quality. Because he created it he will know what to do for you. A good tech is not a designer.......they are two different things.......different talents.

In terms of the preamp and parts. You have two places to look for the biggest bang for the sonic dollar. The output caps should be replaced with the new Jupiter copper foil caps. They are simply the best I have heard.

Your volume control, if it is an Alps or some other pot, then replace it with a nice Shallco stepped Attenuator if you can fit it. Huge improve with these two mods. Thirdly, look at the power supply caps. If they are all electrolytic types, then replace with Clarity TC high voltage film caps.

Here's another option that may work for you. I would call The Cable Company and see what they think. I bought my SF preamp from them and they offered different upgrade packages, along with stock units. You'll get good advice and they have one of the best reputations in the industry. They always sell you what's in your best interest.

And check the relays, they are usually the ones that will create problems with the SF units from that era.

I second BrF's comments but in regards to the SF Power 2 amp. The amp was not involving and definitely did not have that magical 'tube' sound I've heard through many other tube amps, VTL, Counterpoint...... I've read that the SF preamps and amps were voiced in similar fashion. At $5000 retail I had higher expectations from the amp. It seemed darn close to solid state sound but with rolled frequencies at both ends and lack of bass definition and control. I actually went in a different direction and purchased a pair of Monarchy Audio SE-100 Delux MkII amps as factory refurbs for < $1000. These are not perfect amps either but they easily outperformed the SF amp across the board and for considerably less money.
Try the SF preamp in stock form and roll tubes. I suspect you'll end up with something different in the long run - Joule, VAC.....
Happy listening!!!!!