It's been almost a year since I applied a duct-tape fix to the 989 by using Nichicon bipolars (I thought they'd be better than the orig. Bendix) bypassed with a film cap.
The fix only marginally improved the threshold before protection kicks in and the sound was best described as phasey.
Finally I got around to getting a big Solen (for convenience in mounting and cost) and rewired the input filter with 12 gauge wires, replaced the 3 Ohm resistors with heatsinked Caddocks, and replaced that nasty 1.5uF cap with a Solen (again slightly compromising quality for the sake of space). I also bypassed the FS2 which doesnt make any sense unless I m using monster amps. I did keep the triac clamp circuit in place for safety and protection of the panels.
The result is stunning, I can play it at dynamic-speaker volumes with absolutely no distortion or stress, and the sound is much more transparent and coherent.
If I ever get around to making the mounting I might eventually go with paralleled Mundorf or VALAB 47uF caps but for now it's a huge step above what it was ever capable of.
Thanks again to all contributors esp mksj2.
The fix only marginally improved the threshold before protection kicks in and the sound was best described as phasey.
Finally I got around to getting a big Solen (for convenience in mounting and cost) and rewired the input filter with 12 gauge wires, replaced the 3 Ohm resistors with heatsinked Caddocks, and replaced that nasty 1.5uF cap with a Solen (again slightly compromising quality for the sake of space). I also bypassed the FS2 which doesnt make any sense unless I m using monster amps. I did keep the triac clamp circuit in place for safety and protection of the panels.
The result is stunning, I can play it at dynamic-speaker volumes with absolutely no distortion or stress, and the sound is much more transparent and coherent.
If I ever get around to making the mounting I might eventually go with paralleled Mundorf or VALAB 47uF caps but for now it's a huge step above what it was ever capable of.
Thanks again to all contributors esp mksj2.