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rastus
1391
Feb 21, 2018
Since you have a nice DAC, I would add an SE tube amp to round things out. With your budget, as I had one, an APPJ PA1502A modded with better caps (4) and some nice NOS tubes, will make you very happy I think, does it for me. I upgraded with Mundorf Supreme & Silmic II's for the caps (with these you can put the cover back on:) and have different NOS tubes; It needs both, and this depending on tubes, will fit in your budget or close. Since you said Amazon is not working for aus, maybe here, or eBay where I got mine new for $180US/shipped: https://www.shenzhenaudio.com/headphone-amplifier/appj-pa1502a-6n4-6p6px2-tube-headphone-amplifier.html
Tazor
80
Feb 21, 2018
rastusI really like the look of that, especially in silver. How easy is it to swap the caps? I know tube rolling is pretty easy, but are there any easy to follow guides on upgrading the caps?
Thanks for the input!
rastus
1391
Feb 21, 2018
Tazor If you can solder stuff on a board, no prob, everything is rather big here with these caps, there is just some fitting, why I used the Mundorf Supremes and tall but low profile,laid on side, Silmic II's.
This unit has been up on MD before: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/appj-1502a-tube-headphone-amplifier#description It is well built for the $ and take some of the comments with a big grain of salt of course...
I first saw this upgrade here: https://www.aradiogurl.net/hhjournal/2016/06/01/gemtune-pa1502a-appj-headphone-tube-amp-mod/ and the statement: "I let my boyfriend listen to the amp while it was burning it, his eyes told me all I needed to know. Afterwards he described the experience as disturbingly HD, kinda like the first time watching a HD or 48fps movie, almost too lifelike. Goal achieved ^__^ "
Other head-fi thread link :https://www.head-fi.org/threads/any-opinions-reviews-on-gemtune-appj-pa1502a.780178/ another thread: http://www.just-hifi.com/Any-opinions-reviews-on-Gemtune-APPJ-PA1502A_10479164.html
Aradiogurl used Wima's up-sized for bass, part of the difference, you will see on the web folks putting Jupiter copper foil ones in that cost more than the amp... Many will not allow you to put the bottom cover back on and needing some spacers etc., your call. I wanted to put Mundorf SGO's in, but too big at 0.47uF to close back up. Tubes I am listening to now are 30 year old Fenders (Raytheon black plate) I got from an old Fender amp repair guy in LA along with a 12BZ7 CBS-Hytron NOS, also from eBay. Keep the old tubes as back-up / testing.
My can rig (Audiogate on a PC to the side):
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Tazor
80
Feb 21, 2018
rastusThank you so much for taking the time to write that up man! Really appreciated and I am really interested in getting a bit more involved with this sort of thing. I have a massive soft spot for sandblasted aluminium and this is the first Tube amp I've seen with that look so I think this will work for me!
Thanks again dude !
rastus
1391
Feb 21, 2018
TazorInside:
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Tazor
80
Feb 21, 2018
rastusWhat size were the caps you swapped in? I'd probably only swap the ceramic caps at first, but would you say swapping all 4 was worth the effort? I've not done a lot of soldering so desoldering and resoldering 4 points is not too much of an issue, but the bigger caps may require more skill.
But looks like the MCaps are pretty affordable.
rastus
1391
Feb 22, 2018
TazorI listened for a few weeks before swapping, to know where I was with stock tubes (1 day), and the NOS tubes. Then swapped all four when I was in there. By reports the coupling caps made the biggest contribution, I just jumped to all 4, easier, after reading through the threads to see what others had done/experienced.
Everything opened up as expected, the room got bigger, little details came out and the bottom filled in; well worth it. I may still go back and put in the Mundorf SGO and deal with spacing the cover out at some point. Did this for the speaker amp PA0901A.
I used the Mundorf supreme (budget) and Silmic II because I was not finding the exact Nichicon for the bypass available at the time.
Mundorf supreme eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/0-47-uf-1000VDC-MUNDORF-M-CAP-Supreme-Capacitor-0-47-uf-600-VDC-for-Audio/192319064599?hash=item2cc71c0a17:g:H4QAAOSw2s1Uz5Na
Same fellow SGO version: https://www.ebay.com/itm/0-47-uf-1000-VDC-MUNDORF-M-CAP-Supreme-SGO-Silver-Gold-Oil-CAPACITOR/192319063460?hash=item2cc71c05a4:g:HJ8AAMXQwKdRfEsf
Elna Silmic II Digi-Key: https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/elna-america/RFS-25V102MJ8-5/604-1059-ND/970220
  • Optimum would be, unless you have the $ to go to Jupiter:)
  • Coupling caps: Mundorf MCap Supreme SGO Silver Gold Oil 0.47µF
  • Bypass caps: Nichicon KZ Muse 1000µF
Tazor
80
Feb 22, 2018
rastusAwesome, thanks again! Building a new desk with my Amp money so will have to wait a little longer, but I think this is my favorite idea so far :D
rastus
1391
Feb 22, 2018
TazorHit the button to request MD to drop the PA1502A again, and maybe the timing will work out.
Tazor
80
Feb 22, 2018
rastusWay ahead of ya xD
rastus
1391
Feb 24, 2018
TazorThe Nichicons fit in better, upright, but on my cap quest; I did find the Elna Silmic silk lore very interesting. They do need to snazz up the look of the caps though, marketing... they look like poop. Checked twice before I bought them, 'yup these', then when I got them, 'yup these',,, They all need to break-in, whatever you put in, so no ‘quick to judge’... tubes too... a fun adventure, and you get to listen to music doing it! Helps mitigate the money you just spent...
“ Ultimately, the softness will mitigate the mechanical vibrational energy that comes from transformers or rotating systems within the final product.” Elna
http://www.elna.co.jp/en/capacitor/onkyou/silmic.html
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Silk: 70%, Manila hemp: 30% x 1000 Elna
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