Hola Folks,
Well, I've had my LP for about 2 months now and absolutely LOVE this amp!
2 weeks ago I didn't love this amp. I thought it was pretty good, but it lacked detail, distorted once you got close or past the 10:30 mark. Imaging was decent but smeared and collapsed with busy music. Soundstage was decent and kinda hinted at a 3D presence. Bass was somewhat muddy with minimal impact. This is all with totl tubes in it.
To rewind a little. I purchased a Gilmore Lite mk2 off the used market about a month ago, and sent it to a fellow headfier on here to have it modded with Elna Silmic ii capacitors. Everyone on that thread was raving about the mod.
Wanted to see if possibly going to solid state would deliver what I was looking for SQ wise. Well it did..... almost. I've always been a tube guy once I got into cans. Tubes just do something that SS can't do. SS fanatics will say " yeah it adds distortion to your music". For me I love that "distortion". The space , the imaging, the added harmonics, the whole sha-bang. Tubes just do it for me Lol.
During the modding process of my GLmk2. A light bulb went on in my head " What if the LP can be modded with the same totl caps?" So.. I asked the headfier that did the GLmk2 if he'd be interested in modding my LP, or if it can even be done. He agreed and off it went to get the cap UPGRADE!
So 6 of the 7 caps in the LP were swapped out for some jumbo Elna Silmic ii caps. The 7th cap didn't need replaced. Got the LP back 12 days ago and wanted to get over the 100 hour mark on the caps before I wrote this review.
First and foremost this is my personal subjective experience with the mod.
Secondly, I can't thank
@ksorota enough for modding the LP for me along with my GLmk2.
WOW! Where do I start?.....
From the first song I played to wrapping up my 4 hour session last night. It has been one hell of a jaw dropping rollercoaster ride! To me this amp is at a completely different level of what it once was.
The level of detail and articulation that's produced now is mind boggling. The impact and slam cut right through you.
There's so much more dimensional space and transparency. One of the most airy holographic 3D experiences I've ever heard. Nuances and reverb trails are so easy to hear and distinguish in the imaging now. The imaging has more texture and speed with a bigger 3D presence in the placement around the stage with phenomenal macro and micro dynamics. Much more feel and lifelike glow that breathes, and never gets congested now. Bass weight, extension and slam have increased tremendously with no bloat or mud. Very articulate and accurate presence that I can feel pulsating through my body.
Treble and the midrange have a stunning sense of realism now and blend with precision. You can hear and feel the breath in the vocal now. Before the mod the treble lacked extension and attack which pushed the midrange forward causing a stage collapse. Things just got muddled up especially when I pumped up the volume.
Now the treble attacks with way better extension and clarity never crossing the line of being sibilant or a dry distortion.
The midrange has a more liquid flow with a better transient response. So much more lifelike and haunting sense realism in the music.
Folks, this is not the same amp anymore. Not even close. For me the change is drastic! I was considering parting ways with it prior to the mod. I was bored with it. It had no life to the sound. Lacked PRAT. I just had a hard time grooving with it.
It will be a permanent fixture now! I believe that the LP in this form can easily compete with far more expensive amps.
I took a chance and it paid off immensely! Hopefully others will give it a shot before they decide to sell. You will most likely reconsider lol.
There's one other person that had this mod done. I'm sure he'll chime in at some point with his thoughts on it, and possibly the modder himself.
With all that said. This is a very subjective hobby. These are my impressions and opinions.
Gear used with the LP.
Cans: Focal Clear Pro
Dac: Denafrips Ares
Cheers!
