Really went to town with those copper flux bands :) Did it help reduce the eddy current noise to the input tubes? Seems those tubes are far way enough not to pick up the noise and the orientation of those transformers should direct the current elsewhere. Did the same to my La Figaro 339 with...

Redid the system quite a bit since I posted here last. Perhaps the largest update is that I now only have one speaker ;) Equipment - Synthesis Matrix DAC (Western Electric prewar output capacitors) Western Electric 111c Transformers setup to convert stereo to mono Melos MA-333 Preamp Western...

Finished my home desk setup :)

It’s quite a nice amp, especially nice for 600ohm phones. Owned quite a few OTL and this one is my favorite by far. I’ve found the “higher end” or more expensive models tend to lean toward a brighter more detailed sound which isn’t my cup of tea. This is quite a dynamic and powerful sound which...

No probs!!

Sure - a few of us are but you CANNOT just put those in there without an adaptor or socket rewire. Few pages back I posted about it in more detail.

@adeadcrab - you ever manage to get your other 339 back from the shop? Did they end up modifying it or they truly forgot about it lol

Try 5998 :)

That would make sense. The noise floor isn't really suitable for this to be a purpose built preamp. It can function as one but that's not its main purpose. Even with the mods on mine it's not as quiet as my "real" preamp, it's certainly close though.

So you’ve both the original 339 and the 339i? Will be interesting to compare the two directly once the 339i is back from the tech. I found the 339i doesn’t play well with preamps. As in dac -> preamp -> 339i. Sounds best connected directly to the DAC instead of using a preamp in between. Was...

For a thread update on my journey with the 339 - I believe I’m now done. I employed all the mods, the final touch was the DC heater and active filter. While I tried to install following the schematic on the thread (used a mosfet instead of igbt) I encountered oscillation with the power tube...

Heat wise I’m not sure you’d want to glue panels on the side as the current panels are perforated to allow heat to escape. You’d need to at least replicate some of that with the wood paneling to ensure the amp retains some cooling ability. The wood won’t burn by any stretch if that’s what you’re...

There's not really a step by step as it honestly doesn't really require one :) I can put some thoughts down for you on how you could prioritize going about this though. The circuit of the amp will remain untouched - so you don't need a ton of knowhow to do any of the mods. All you're doing is...

I haven't - but I imagine it's much the same as what I gained from changing out all the 339i components to even higher quality components. Everything was just better on the order of 5-10%. Same sound, just more of it if that makes sense. If you're going to modify it anyway, it won't make...

Nice system!! What’s the bulb in the window?

The linear power supply looks great - if only it also included a 24v output :)

Wow very nice, thanks for the clarification!

What are the headphones plugged into? Is that an amp/dac combo?

Yes sir! Best amp I've found for IEM use. The Jolida DAC is a gem. Replaced the output capacitors with some vintage ones (aerovox paper and wax) and man does it sing!

My current work system - small, but quite a nice sound :) Headphones are Earsonics SM3v2.

Contrary to popular belief you can run this amp with 6J5 if you have an adapter. No modifications are necessary to the circuit. Believe telecaster took the 30ohm to 33ohm and the 200ohm down to 100ohm. I already have the 33ohm resistor installed (mine had come with that value originally anyway)...

You certainly do :) Melos MA-333. Primarily used as a preamp for my mono system, though I also use it as a headphone amp (not its intended design). RCAs output so much current it can easily drive headphones.

Yeah I’d heard the same, though this would be the second project I’ve tried them in with similar result. The mundorfs I used have about 150 hours in them so they should be broken in by now. First time with the clarity caps and have been impressed right out the gate with them.

Lol I think the tube sockets are the only pieces on this machine that are left untouched at this point. I had tried the mundorf first and they were pretty dull sounding, really neutral and the highs came through a bit bright (220uf non oil impregnated version). Moved to these and it really...

Zip ties for effect :) I’ll find a more secure method of attaching these beasts, just wanted to test them out first before a full commitment.