The PPT are pretty nice caps, I would keep those, at least for now. The PPMF's are lousy, what I took out of my Joule. They are relatively hard sounding, lack resolution and articulation, you can do much better here. Perhaps just the V-Caps on the large values? Or you could try the Jantzen Z-Superiors or ? Do a google or audiogon search on capacitor shootout, should give you some idea of different cap flavors. Don't like what you hear, try another cap, looks like those big caps should be relatively easy to replace. Be prepared to be amazed by how much caps can improve the sound, much more than tubes and cables IMO.

A log is a great idea, I've been keeping one since the early 90's. I have detailed notes on every upgrade, returning to my notes on past upgrades is often very illuminating!

sns February 18, 2009 17:27

What model of Relcaps are they? These are made by MIT, not their top of line cap, that would be Multicap RTX, reportedly nice caps.

I do think the V-Cap would be an upgrade over all the MITs, they are favored in every cap survey I've seen. Having said that, they are not a warm cap, I would say neutral. They have awesome resolution, transparency, this would likely be your biggest gain. Part of that improvement will be a big leap forward in soundstaging, imaging, performers will be just that much more lifelike.

sns February 17, 2009 21:24

Samhar, check out what caps the Calypso presently uses, this will tell you something about what replacement caps you might want to try. Also, what sonic changes are you looking for, more warmth and fullness? The Duelunds are by far the most natural sounding cap I've tried. The only problem is a 200 max. volt rating, limits them mostly to digital and speakers. The V-Caps are the best high voltage caps I've tried.

As for the Joule 150, the new caps in the latest memorial version should be a quite an improvement over the older model. Still, I doubt it's warmer than the Calypso.

If you plan on swapping resistors, people I trust swear by the Texas Components nude Vishay resistors, I plan on swapping these into my Cayin phono stage.

sns February 16, 2009 19:31

Hmm. I haven't heard the Calypso, the tube compliment is nice. Just a guess, the Joule LA100 MKIII (what I own, with PAD wiring) with the Cardas wiring may be a tad warmer, the PAD silver is going to be a bit cooler, the Joule LA150 is cooler yet. In speaking to Jud, he recommended I stick with my 100, the 150 wouldn't give me the warmth I wanted to retain.

In the end, you may decide to keep some silver in your system, just a bit of silver adds a touch of shimmer on top, also adds a bit more refinement in mids. This stew is perfect for me, YMMV.

Also, I recently upgraded the capacitors in my Joule, Jantzen Z Superior replacing the MIT PPMFX, very dramatic improvement, this is a new preamp! I believe the latest versions of the LA 100 may use a higher grade MIT RTX, not sure. I know the latest version of the LA150, named after his late wife, uses VH Audio V-Caps and Mundorf caps, these are the best caps out there, would like to hear this preamp. Cap upgrades are a more dramatic improvement than most cable, tube changes, and many equipment upgrades IMO. I now use caps to voice my system, Duelund caps in speakers are absolutely amazing!

Didn't realize anyone but ARC was using hard wired PC's anymore. Some real gains to be had soldering in IEC and using PC of choice. Punching, cutting out rear panel for IEC is the big deal here.

The cat and ceiling pictures will go back up when I receive the condo next week.

sns February 15, 2009 01:27

Wow! You've come a long way in a short time, bet I would enjoy your system.

If you're still looking for yet more fullness from your PC to amps, the PAD Dominus may fill the bill. Actually, the fluid Dominus had a bit too much fullness in my system. The Dominus Ferox is reportedly a little more articulate, could be exactly what you're looking for.

On a whole nother subject, my three cats are getting a large kitty condo next week, 2 condos, many perches and play toys, a belated Christmas present.

sns February 14, 2009 21:20

Those are sweet amps, synergistic with Merlins, should be really nice with Sophias. Atmasphere also makes some nice OTLs.

sns November 25, 2008 11:37

That's funny, the Manley Neo Classic 250's were on my list of buys prior to getting my Art Audio Carissa Signature. I really like the EL-34 tube in push-pulls, the CJ MV60 should also be on your list.

There are a number of 845 SET manufacturers to choose from. These include the Art Audio, which of course I own, they come in stereo and monoblock versions. Other companies include Sophia, DeHaviland (I've heard their monoblocks, pretty nice), Antique Sound Lab, Audio Space (heard their monoblocks, pretty nice as well), Viva and Bel Canto. I'm sure I'm missing some. Still, I love my Art Audio, seems a little more extended on top than the other 845's I've heard. They do their transfomers a bit different than the others, the Signature version also also supplies more current than most others. This higher current is what could make your Sophias compatible.

I would suggest listening to a wide variety of amplifiers, they all have their fine points. I've listened to many and owned quite a few. My favorites are El-34, 2A3 (very low powered) and 845 based. I would still like to hear more of the 300B based amps, although I don't think these amps will drive Merlins or Sophias.

sns November 23, 2008 17:23

Loudspeakers with high resolution and coherence change the whole equation, I was just sort of mid-fi until I put the Merlins in my system. Now, if you're really into experimenting, try one of the higher power SET amps out there, the added immediacy and 'lit from within' sound may just knock you out. I'm pretty sure 845 based SETs can handle the Sophias. I almost pulled the trigger on Sophias some years ago, ended up getting the Merlins only because some used ones came up for sale before any Sophias.

sns November 15, 2008 21:38

Good to hear you're enjoying digital sound. Many times the problem with digital is some other part of the system. I think analog may be more forgiving of weaknesses in other parts of the system. And so now I guess I just wrecked my theory about how much easier digital is to synergize within a system!

sns November 14, 2008 20:00

I bet a modded raysonic would compare favorably to the ARC cd3, but then you can always mod the ARC as well.

I hope to get the Mundorfs in the DAC sometime in the next couple of weeks. There really isn't much more to mod in my DAC after that, all the other important caps, resistors, diodes,opamps and RCA jacks have been done.

Get the Raysonic modded, you won't believe your ears!

sns September 07, 2008 22:59