[lengcm]

Have anyone done any tweaks or mods to the Sudgen Headmaster?

 

[bozebuttons]

Carlo does mods on the headmaster.

 

[markl]

check with head-fi member carlo. i believe he mods the sugden.

 

[jpelg]

Quote:

Carlo does mods on the headmaster.

Oh, yes. And it sounds so nice

!

 

[lengcm]

Thank you.

 

[carlo]

what up.

I'm assuming since you're in the UK you're looking to DIY this. Parts list that I recommend is as follows:

PS:
4700uf Blackgate Standard 35v
2200uf Blackgate FK 35v
Decent polyprop as a shunt for the big Blackgate above, I use an Auricap but you can get away with others if you'd like to save cost.

Signal path:
1uf 200v Auricap 200v x2
1000uf 25v Blackgate NX x2
.47uf 400v Hovland x2

Here's your map (note: this is Highwaystar's unit):

You'll need to drill into the board to accomodate signal stuff, in case you don't realize already the best way to do this is a low rpm drill and some patience. Since all the traces are underneath the board you should be able to figure out how to do this (Sugden pads are tiny and won't leave you enough to work with once they're widened - you'll need to sever and continue with jumpers under the board). On non-remote units there's a part of the board that has no traces, best to drill there and route the wires directly underneath the NX's for the output stage. On remote units its easiest if you just drill into one of the holes for the old caps and parallel from the bottom. Note: Sugden pads come off easily, watch iron temp.

Note on parts selection: for input stage you really want to stick to Auricaps because as polyprops they're freaking great and as you can see its a tight fit already. In output stage I can't recommend Blackgate NX enough, a big part of excessive smoothness of stock Sugden are the stock electrolytics and even Blackgate Standard at comparable value isn't enough for me. NX is worth the high price it goes for. Shunt is also critical and you could move higher if you really wanted but stock is .22uf x2 and .47 gives enough hint of leading line to really get you into the music. Hovlands are great at giving you the dynamics and there isn't another cap I've tried that is so well suited for Sugden. You'll lose the smear between notes and amp will separate which will make you feel like you're getting real detail. If you want your amp to resolve I don't suggest subing from my recommendations for signal path.

For power supply, refer to second half of this post if you want to know my philosophy. If you're trying to cut costs I can't recommend Nichicon Great Supply (Gold) and Nichicon Muse enough for their price, I've been using them in my sources and am very happy. My biggest complaint is that they aren't Blackgates, if you want the midbass and transient response and the Sugden to wake up in those regards you'll need to spend Blackgate money. If you're really trying to cut costs I actually suggest you start at the power supply before signal path, you can alleviate the gray background and get the dynamics/transients in place. You could also parallel lots of more Blackgate or Nichicons if you wanted to but dynamics of mod'd Sugden are damned good..

Modding the rectifier with ultrafast soft recovery diodes would be a good addition but frankly above gets you wicked transient response and leading lines yet keeps Sugden's sense of tone and I'll be surprised if you feel the need to keep going. Discrete unit is too small to fit rectifiers there so you'll need to go protoboard or alternate and mount it where you can. If your unit includes remote good luck: once you add the offboard cap it'll probably be easier to build vertically from the board than off it.

I like your system a lot, haven't heard the Chords but know the rest very well. Consider playing with the NAD c541I (my audioNote 2.1x is superclocked and PS stuff) after you're done with Sugden as that unit is very good and I'll bet you can get a lot more out of it. Recommendation: if you're looking for another upgrade and want more decay and stage than the Senns offer AudioTechnica w2002 and mod'd Sugden did very well for the jazz I listen to.

Good luck, post progress and pics if you can.

 

[lengcm]

Carlo, thank you for your detail reply. Cheers

 

[zyss]

I could send mine overseas to be modded. Carlo or anybody?
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