Bottlehead Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Natural Sound on February 28, 2011, 09:47:03 AM

Title: My next upgrade should be???
Post by: Natural Sound on February 28, 2011, 09:47:03 AM: OK' so I got a bonus at work the other day. I got permission from the boss (my wife) to purchase one upgrade for my system.

Here are the two options that I'm considering.

1. Extended Foreplay III Upgrade Kit $350. My Foreplay III has 2 modifications. Goldpoint stepped attenuators and Auricap output capacitors. The kit contains another set of Auricap output capacitors that I don't really need.

2. Magnequest iron upgrade for my Paramour II mono blocks. my Paramour II's are bone stock with the exception of replacing the EH 12AT7 with a Telefunken NOS tube.
A. BH-5 Outputs (1pr) | BH-6 Plate Chokes (1pr) $400.00
B. BH-5 Nickel Stripe Outputs (1pr) | BH-6 Plate Chokes (1pr) $475.00

I'd like to get them both but my budget is $500 or less (preferably less) at this time. Whichever one I don't get now will likely happen in the next six months to a year.

Which of the above options would give me the best "bang for the buck"?

Thanks.
Title: Re: My next upgrade should be???
Post by: Grainger49 on February 28, 2011, 02:36:27 PM: I vote for the iron upgrade but that is because I'm not personally familiar with the Extended sound.
Title: Re: My next upgrade should be???
Post by: Paully on February 28, 2011, 03:13:50 PM: I will be blunt, if your wife gave you the go ahead for up to $500, buy the more expensive upgrade now because you will be able to talk her into a less expensive one more easily later than vice versa, at least that is my experience. But I am also really wanting to hear what Magnequest would do for my own amps. I have them in my Dynaco but not my SET amps. So I would head that direction but of course you should probably wait to hear from someone who has done both, I haven't done either!!!

Paul
Title: Re: My next upgrade should be???
Post by: Natural Sound on February 28, 2011, 07:08:15 PM: Quote from: Grainger49 on February 28, 2011, 02:36:27 PM
I vote for the iron upgrade but that is because I'm not personally familiar with the Extended sound.

I'm thinking of going that route. Probably with the nickel pinstripes. I really liked how they sound in my SEX amp.

I also have some nice broken in Mundorf .1uf coupling caps to drop in at the same time. I'll keep the stock Solen 3.3uf parafeed caps in for now.
Title: Re: My next upgrade should be???
Post by: Paul Joppa on February 28, 2011, 08:56:47 PM: The Paramour iron upgrade calls for 10uF parafeed caps. It would still be my choice, but thought I should point that out.
Title: Re: My next upgrade should be???
Post by: Grainger49 on February 28, 2011, 11:30:35 PM: I put in Obbligato PP Film/Oil (black 10uF/630V $11) caps with my iron upgrade. Cheap and good sounding.
Title: Re: My next upgrade should be???
Post by: Natural Sound on March 01, 2011, 05:34:24 AM: Quote from: Paul Joppa on February 28, 2011, 08:56:47 PM
The Paramour iron upgrade calls for 10uF parafeed caps. It would still be my choice, but thought I should point that out.

In that case the stock 3.3uf Solens must come out. Thanks.