[Currawong]

Thanks to @Guidostrunk and @Slim1970 for providing their amps for the "investigatory" process of upgrading the Caps and then for providing feedback and positive words. I admit I was a bit skeptical that it would make a big difference and I am glad that their experience has echoed mine with the LP. Prior to trying this upgrade, as Guidostrunk stated, I had upgraded a few GLMK2s with very positive results. The LP was a bit different and required a bit more time to complete, but the change from the stock state to the "modified" state was shocking.

My first experience with the LP was with Guidostrunks with upgrade 7730 tubes...and it sounded nice but also distorted like crazy at moderately low volume levels. With the stock tubes provided with Slim1970's LP I was not overly impressed, especially not with the Ether C Flow's.

After replacing the caps the distortion went away at moderate/moderate volumes and the amp really took on a new sonorous and enveloping nature...overall just really engaging. Needless to say I was surprised by the change.

It is interactions/transactions like this (with Tim and Sam) that really make me enjoy coming to this forum.

Now to get myself an LP...making my GSX mini jealous for sure!



Before


After

Nice! I've been contemplating getting one of these amps. What exact capacitor did you use as the replacement?

 

[ksorota]

Nice! I've been contemplating getting one of these amps. What exact capacitor did you use as the replacement?

I replaced all capacitors but one for Elna Silmic II brand capacitors of the following specs:
3- 470uf by 63v
2- 10uf by 25v
1- 100uf by 25v

The last capacitor does not have an Elna analog, so I left it in place. It is a nichigon branded cap, so certainly no slouch in the audio dept.

Have fun with the mod, its really a great upgrade and really makes the LP sing!

 

[deuter]

I replaced all capacitors but one for Elna Silmic II brand capacitors of the following specs:
3- 470uf by 63v
2- 10uf by 25v
1- 100uf by 25v

The last capacitor does not have an Elna analog, so I left it in place. It is a nichigon branded cap, so certainly no slouch in the audio dept.

Have fun with the mod, its really a great upgrade and really makes the LP sing!

Not that the LP is any bad to start with, I rate it higher to amps costing 3-5 K retail.

 

[Slim1970]

Not that the LP is any bad to start with, I rate it higher to amps costing 3-5 K retail.

Sound quality wise, I can agree with this statement.

 

[Skooks]

I've heard back and have sent my LP to him... he will have it Tuesday... and he says he will have it back to me by the end of the week.

Thanks again for putting me onto this mod... I'm looking forward to it!

 

[Skooks]

This caps mod by Keith makes a good Liquid Platinum amp an outstanding amp... one that just draws me into all my FLAC/AIFF files stored on an external SSD connected to a 2018 Apple Mac mini 3.2 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7 with the Audirvana music app. It's hard to take my Aryas off my head... it is compelling music!!

Just think... I purchased this Cavalli Liquid Platinum Tube Hybrid Headphone Amp new for $700... paid $30 for shipping it to Keith in MA... and then he did the mod for $150 including shipping back... so I now have $880 invested in my headphone amp plus whatever tubes I roll with... and I have music that makes me listen into the midnight hours... it's that good! And, the excellent Topping D90 DAC I purchased new... another $700. So, for just about $1580 I have a combination that will drive just about any headphones made. This combo makes the Hifiman Aryas really sing!! Best headphone system I've ever had or heard! Total enjoyment!!

 

[Guidostrunk]

Wow. Cheap LP up for grabs.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/monolith-cavalli-liquid-platinum.938987/

 

[Skooks]

I can't believe it will last longer than 30 minutes at that price!! Does he really realize what he's missing?!!?

 

[wormsdriver]

Wow. Cheap LP up for grabs.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/monolith-cavalli-liquid-platinum.938987/

Thanks @Guidostrunk!
I was on the fence this morning when he had it listed @ $450. @$399 I just had to pull the trigger!

 

[Guidostrunk]

Such a shame that how many people have sold theirs before reading this thread about the mod. Lol

I can't believe it will last longer than 30 minutes at that price!! Does he really realize what he's missing?!!?

 

[Guidostrunk]

Awesome bro! Did you currently have one or is this your first LP?

Thanks @Guidostrunk!
I was on the fence this morning when he had it listed @ $450. @$399 I just had to pull the trigger!

 

[wormsdriver]

Awesome bro! Did you currently have one or is this your first LP?

first one!
I had always been on the fence because of the "high gain" issue and I also wanted to move away from amps that need to be used on balanced output to really take advantage of it but here I am. Lol
Debating whether to contact @ksorota and have the amp sent to him directly or Diy to save some coins...
anybody has any tips for Diy'ers on swapping the caps?

 

[ksorota]

first one!
I had always been on the fence because of the "high gain" issue and I also wanted to move away from amps that need to be used on balanced output to really take advantage of it but here I am. Lol
Debating whether to contact @ksorota and have the amp sent to him directly or Diy to save some coins...
anybody has any tips for Diy'ers on swapping the caps?

Pm me for info!

 

[Skooks]

For what Keith aka @ksorota is charging for the caps mod... $150 including shipped back... anybody would be really missing out! Keith takes a good amp and makes it a really good... or, in my opinion, a great amp! When you get it back, then you need to get a good set of tubes.

 

[Guidostrunk]

You just need a pair of these.
https://www.tubemonger.com/12Axx_to...IB_1960s_p/12axx-ecc88-adap-novib-mcmurdo.htm

The 12au7 tubes are far more superior imo. And are way more reasonable in price than 6922 counterparts.