You bring up a good point about how one little tweak can get you a 5% closer to an ideal but sometimes that one little 5% improvement puts you over some sort of subjective threshold or even though it’s a tiny improvement it makes a huge difference subjectively.
Great monologue! Can you put a price on making your music more enjoyable to listen to? Yes, you can and everyone does - but your price is likely different from someone else's and that is perfectly fine. Some people are far too quick to criticise when someone else's price point is different from theirs.
That's a good point too. I might choose to buy a new car vs someone else spending their money on HiFi gear. Someone else may choose to travel. I shouldn't get upset over what someone else decides to do with their money.
Was it worth modding my X7? 1. Power caps .... 450V to 500V ...... YES 2. Choke ...........180mA to 250mA .... YES 3. 10 ohm cathode resistor ..... 5W to 1W .... YES 4. Test jacks ...... YES 5. Bias pots ... stock to Vishay .... YES 6. Coupling caps, filter cap .... YES 7. Removed headphone wiring ... rewired OT's ... YES Cost was about $250 extra. I have a better amp and more importantly a safer amp that is performing superbly. No brainer for me. Thanks SDE!
@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics I would have gone that route had they been in stock. They are incredibly difficult to find. I did mod the included screwdriver by slipping a piece of heat shrink over it with the blade recessed a tiny bit, like a trimmer tool, and it is working wonderfully well. It goes right on the shaft every single time now. Adding the test jacks and these new pots has been just awesome for dialing tubes in. I just received a quad of Mullard new issue EL-34 and set them at 300mV. After an hour, they haven't drifted more than 0.005mV! Impressive. They sound fantastic and are much more affordable. Really happy the EL-34 works great .... X7 such a great amp after these mods. Thanks again!!!
ever consider , even tho lots of vids on it already, the Dynaco/Dynakit ST70? It is probably an exception, but mods DO add value if one wants to resell at a future date
Reviews I've seen of the R8 have always been positive, even the original version. I think most people just like me will love it, especially with some tube rolling. I just sampled that Donald Byrd album on Apple Music and I'm getting ready to order it. I've never been disappointed with a Blue Note album so far. Thanks to you and the cool cat that told you about it.
Another great vlog, thank you. Perhaps you can do one at some stage explaining what your background is and where you've gained the knowledge you have? Keep it up.
Hey skunkie, I have a beautiful pair of onetics (bud purvine) output transformers, bought them from a guy here in UK, I believe they were custom wound by bud for parallel pp kt88 , one of these days I'll use these monsters , I have their spec and made contact with bud , I think they are 3k primary and bud sent me all the specs when he wound them , love our hobby ❤
I would like to put Tango iron on my EL84 and 6L6 flea watt amps but that process is beyond me (don't know where to start) Replacing Caps/resistors no probs, have done plenty.
If we only focus on what's true, we miss what's good and beautiful. Data alone never tells the whole story. Also, the best components depend on your room and your listening habits.
Don't see why you can't review the Fosi phone stage, not that it matters to me as I don't do vinyl anymore; but, I'm sure some folks might be interested. Whatever.
It's all relative, if you've the money, time, and knowledge...go for it, if you've got the passion then embrace the journey
You bring up a good point about how one little tweak can get you a 5% closer to an ideal but sometimes that one little 5% improvement puts you over some sort of subjective threshold or even though it’s a tiny improvement it makes a huge difference subjectively.
Great monologue! Can you put a price on making your music more enjoyable to listen to? Yes, you can and everyone does - but your price is likely different from someone else's and that is perfectly fine. Some people are far too quick to criticise when someone else's price point is different from theirs.
That's a good point too. I might choose to buy a new car vs someone else spending their money on HiFi gear. Someone else may choose to travel. I shouldn't get upset over what someone else decides to do with their money.
Was it worth modding my X7?
1. Power caps .... 450V to 500V ...... YES
2. Choke ...........180mA to 250mA .... YES
3. 10 ohm cathode resistor ..... 5W to 1W .... YES
4. Test jacks ...... YES
5. Bias pots ... stock to Vishay .... YES
6. Coupling caps, filter cap .... YES
7. Removed headphone wiring ... rewired OT's ... YES
Cost was about $250 extra. I have a better amp and more importantly a safer amp that is performing superbly. No brainer for me. Thanks SDE!
The longer shaft bias pots themselves are the bomb!
@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics I would have gone that route had they been in stock. They are incredibly difficult to find. I did mod the included screwdriver by slipping a piece of heat shrink over it with the blade recessed a tiny bit, like a trimmer tool, and it is working wonderfully well. It goes right on the shaft every single time now. Adding the test jacks and these new pots has been just awesome for dialing tubes in. I just received a quad of Mullard new issue EL-34 and set them at 300mV. After an hour, they haven't drifted more than 0.005mV! Impressive. They sound fantastic and are much more affordable. Really happy the EL-34 works great .... X7 such a great amp after these mods. Thanks again!!!
My phono upgrading ended a year ago. Best for me is MC cart into SUT into competent RIAA stage. Nothing has topped it.
I agree, I believe a SUT sounds better than any of the "active" amplification from MC to MM output levels I have heard.
another good one.
ever consider , even tho lots of vids on it already, the Dynaco/Dynakit ST70? It is probably an exception, but mods DO add value if one wants to resell at a future date
Reviews I've seen of the R8 have always been positive, even the original version. I think most people just like me will love it, especially with some tube rolling. I just sampled that Donald Byrd album on Apple Music and I'm getting ready to order it. I've never been disappointed with a Blue Note album so far. Thanks to you and the cool cat that told you about it.
Another great vlog, thank you. Perhaps you can do one at some stage explaining what your background is and where you've gained the knowledge you have? Keep it up.
Great idea!
Upgrades are fun and can enhance our knowledge and sense of involvement with our gear
Great answer!
Hey skunkie, I have a beautiful pair of onetics (bud purvine) output transformers, bought them from a guy here in UK, I believe they were custom wound by bud for parallel pp kt88 , one of these days I'll use these monsters , I have their spec and made contact with bud , I think they are 3k primary and bud sent me all the specs when he wound them , love our hobby ❤
It is fun :)
I would like to put Tango iron on my EL84 and 6L6 flea watt amps but that process is beyond me (don't know where to start) Replacing Caps/resistors no probs, have done plenty.
Watch the recent video on transformer phasing, that might help!
@ I know a radio technician but he can be fussy amp snob lol
If we only focus on what's true, we miss what's good and beautiful. Data alone never tells the whole story. Also, the best components depend on your room and your listening habits.
Monday Jazz Album:
IDLE MOMENTS: Grant Green
Yep a solid choice!
Don't see why you can't review the Fosi phone stage, not that it matters to me as I don't do vinyl anymore; but, I'm sure some folks might be interested. Whatever.
I'm gonna review it, just don't plan on doing a "shootout" of a bunch of different ones.