Phono preamp modding (opamps and capacitors)

JWFokker · 13th March 2007, 09:47 PM

I'm looking to improve the performance of a Hagerman Bugle phono preamp and I've seen things like Sigurd Ruschkowski's super modified Bugle. In particular, I'm trying to find out what opamps would be a sonic improvement on the stock OPA2134. Is the dual-AD745/OPA2134/AD8620 (Ruschkowski) configuration optimal? Also, why are three different opamp types used rather than using the same opamp for all three?

I'm also wondering if replacing the capacitors will make an audible difference. Jim Hagerman suggested teflon capacitors if anything. Teflon caps are quite pricey and a bit too large (most I've seen are 600V or higher - even the 0.22uf caps are almost too big), so I'm not sure what would be better than the WIMA polyester film caps that the stock amp uses.

Panicos K · 13th March 2007, 10:38 PM

wima make also some polypropylene caps that must be better than polyester.At similar prices and sizes look for EPCOS polyprops,they are also good.Better than both are BC Components 1% axial polyprop types,one of the best at reasonable prices.For fono pre,also check for some 1%polystyrene,even better than polyprops.

tkwou · 14th March 2007, 12:18 AM

I'm looking to mod my Musical Fideity X-LPS. I'm wondering if an opamp change is worthwhile. The opamp is a SSMf69PH. I'm not familar with this opamp and I can't find any data on it.

JWFokker · 14th March 2007, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Panicos K
wima make also some polypropylene caps that must be better than polyester.At similar prices and sizes look for EPCOS polyprops,they are also good.Better than both are BC Components 1% axial polyprop types,one of the best at reasonable prices.For fono pre,also check for some 1%polystyrene,even better than polyprops.

Where do you get your 1% polystyrene caps? The best I could find after searching were some tiny, rather crappy looking 2.5% caps on ebay.

Panicos K · 19th March 2007, 10:20 PM

I buy mostly from farnell(LCR caps).They start with 1% but after a certain value and above they are 2.5%.Still,I prefer them to all polypropylenes I tried.More neutral,clean and detailed

13th March 2007, 09:47 PM	#1
JWFokker diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Kingston, NY	Phono preamp modding (opamps and capacitors) I'm looking to improve the performance of a Hagerman Bugle phono preamp and I've seen things like Sigurd Ruschkowski's super modified Bugle. In particular, I'm trying to find out what opamps would be a sonic improvement on the stock OPA2134. Is the dual-AD745/OPA2134/AD8620 (Ruschkowski) configuration optimal? Also, why are three different opamp types used rather than using the same opamp for all three? I'm also wondering if replacing the capacitors will make an audible difference. Jim Hagerman suggested teflon capacitors if anything. Teflon caps are quite pricey and a bit too large (most I've seen are 600V or higher - even the 0.22uf caps are almost too big), so I'm not sure what would be better than the WIMA polyester film caps that the stock amp uses.

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13th March 2007, 10:38 PM	#2
Panicos K diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	wima make also some polypropylene caps that must be better than polyester.At similar prices and sizes look for EPCOS polyprops,they are also good.Better than both are BC Components 1% axial polyprop types,one of the best at reasonable prices.For fono pre,also check for some 1%polystyrene,even better than polyprops.

14th March 2007, 12:18 AM	#3
tkwou diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver	I'm looking to mod my Musical Fideity X-LPS. I'm wondering if an opamp change is worthwhile. The opamp is a SSMf69PH. I'm not familar with this opamp and I can't find any data on it.

19th March 2007, 10:20 PM	#5
Panicos K diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	I buy mostly from farnell(LCR caps).They start with 1% but after a certain value and above they are 2.5%.Still,I prefer them to all polypropylenes I tried.More neutral,clean and detailed