PPX3: Slam adapters and upgrades

[jgonino]

I have sealed the deal on a PPX3, and I was wondering what upgrades would be most beneficial from the ones listed on the SP site.

I tried searching for this info, but no luck

Also, can you turn a PPX3 in a PPX3 SLAM, or is that a totally different amp?

 

[Capunk]

Just wait till sacd_lover come here.
PPX3 can be transformed into PPX3 SLAM if you buy the adapter.

 

[PFKMan23]

Adapters is one way, although depending on what the native sockets are (9 pin mini or octal), the adapters for 5687 output tubes can be akward looking. That said, the stock SP amps are fine. You don't need to upgrade them at all.

 

[coolshot]

a stock ppx3 is good for higher impedance phones like the HD650. Having a slam means greater flexibility with lower impedance phones. However i use my stock ppx3 with my 32ohm dt770 with solid results.

 

[jgonino]

Thats good to hear! I will be using it with 40 ohm Ultrasones. I still would like to know where I can get the slam adapters from though.

 

[PFKMan23]

You buy them directly from Singlepower.

 

[tom hankins]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgonino /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thats good to hear! I will be using it with 40 ohm Ultrasones. I still would like to know where I can get the slam adapters from though.

Mikhail builds the adaptors. If you get lucky you might find some used.

 

[TreAdidas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom hankins /img/forum/go_quote.gif Mikhail builds the adaptors. If you get lucky you might find some used.

Any rough idea how much those adapters cost?

 

[PFKMan23]

$99 each last time I checked.

 

[sacd lover]

The PPX3-6cg7 uses 9 pin mini tubes and tube sockets. As far as I know there are currently no 9 pin mini to 9 pin mini tube socket adapters. The adapters are almost always octal tube socket to 9 pin mini tube adapters. I know of only one exception, a rare set of 9 pin to octal tube socket adapters a friend of mine had made to use octal base 6bl7gta/6bx7gt tubes in a special one off high voltage PPX3. Nine pin tubes do not have actual bases so a base has to be fabricated.

So, the PPX3's with 9 pin sockets have to be physically sent in to SP to have the tube sockets rewired for the 5687 output tubes. The MPX3-6sn7 is easy to retrofit because the MPX3 has native octal tube sockets for the default 6sn7 tubes used in that amp. With an MPX3 you just get a pair of 5687 adapters and they drop right in.

My best advice for low impedence headphones is to invest $15-20 in some 6gu7 tubes to use as the outputs. This tube has more current delivery than the 6cg7; plus I am of the opinion the 6gu7 is as good or better sounding than the 6cg7. For Ultrasones I would recommend the RCA 6gu7. If you want a brighter, faster sound at the expense of a little refinement the Sylvania 6gu7 is a favorite of mine. The GE 6gu7 is another good tube somewhere between the RCA and Sylavania extremes. This option is inexpensive and easy to implement with a simple tube change.

 

[jgonino]

Actually the one bought comes with those tubes. They are GE 6gu7's. Now I really cant wait for this amp to come!

 

[jamato8]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sacd lover /img/forum/go_quote.gif The PPX3-6cg7 uses 9 pin mini tubes and tube sockets. As far as I know there are currently no 9 pin mini to 9 pin mini tube socket adapters. The adapters are almost always octal tube socket to 9 pin mini tube adapters. I know of only one exception, a rare set of 9 pin to octal tube socket adapters a friend of mine had made to use octal base 6bl7gta/6bx7gt tubes in a special one off high voltage PPX3. Nine pin tubes do not have actual bases so a base has to be fabricated.

Actually it wouldn't be that hard. Just get a couple of socket savers and rewire them. No big deal and not much money involved. I have put new sockets in the socket savers that have worn out. I don't have the time or desire but someone with the know-how would be able to do it.

 

[jopagi]

I just picked up a ppx3 slam last week. It's glorious with my HD650s.

Can anyone tell me why it's called SLAM? I'm guessing the conversion from 6CG7 to 5687 tubes provides some extra punch but I don't know for sure.
Jonathan

 

[sacd lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jopagi /img/forum/go_quote.gif I just picked up a ppx3 slam last week. It's glorious with my HD650s. Can anyone tell me why it's called SLAM? I'm guessing the conversion from 6CG7 to 5687 tubes provides some extra punch but I don't know for sure. Jonathan

I can. I commissioned SP to build the original PPX3 amp version using the higher power 5687 tubes. The first time I heard the amp .... I was especially impressed with the bass impact and slam. The builder asked my opinion for a name for the amp and "SLAM" stuck.

 

[jopagi]

Aha, so I have you to thank for this creation...
muchas gracias senor!