[Larry]

Could you tell us more regarding the upgrades you did to your GK1.

I replaced the input coupling and wiper coupling caps, namely C1 and C19. I used Hovland MusiCap coupling caps of the same values.

I replaced the R1, R9 and R11. I used Vishy Draloric resistors of the same value. These 3 resistors have values more than 40kR, which should be counted for noises. (Theory and people say so. I did not experiement on this.)

As I indicated sometime back in this forum, I would and now rolled NOS Philips JAN6922s in.

What are your impressions of the changes these mods made?

I first replaced the tubes with 6922. The impression was obvious overall improvement, including better treble and bass, better resonance and musicality.

After I did the upgrade on caps and resistors, the sound changed again, subtly this time. The bass goes further down. Possibly more details, separate and transparent. The background and quiet passages are darker, which may be also perceived as the improvement of the above.

I don't want to try to explain why but that's what I heard after upgrading. Wishfully this is not biased to justify my investment.

By the way, I may upgrade all electrolytics as the next step. If anyone has tried this, can you please share the results, either positive or negative?

Also given your penchant for exacting comparisons would you be prepared to run a repeat A:B test similar to the one your conducted at the AKSAFEST ? (assuming Malcolm and his good wife are agreeable to participate).

If there would be sufficient interests, I would like to.

[Malcolm Fear]

Toni and I would be happy to audition.

Toni was happy with the ABX method.

I don't like the ABX method of audition. At the AKSAfest, I listened to the first example of Larry's GK-1 versus mine. I preferred one of pre-amps (I hope it was mine), but I couldn't do the "X" bit.

I am fiddling around with a shunt attenuator, having put in a metal film. I am going to put in a carbon film and have them both on a switch.
I am also about to audition some beautifully made 89259 interconnects (the Jon Risch recipe) thanks to John R. I want to compare them to my home grown 4 strand solid core braided CAT 5 interconnects.

I should be ready in a week.

[Malcolm Fear]

Hi Larry

No thought of changing C21? I put Auricaps in at C1, C19 and C21

[Larry]

No thought of changing C21? I put Auricaps in at C1, C19 and C21

C21 in original GK-1 kit I received is an AuriCap already, upgraded by Hugh for the release version, I think. You built an ealier version, I guess.

So I have a combination MusiCap and AuriCap in the signal path. Some people say using a combination of coupling caps from different brands can render a neutral sound, at least not biased to one designer's taste, unless one likes that sound very much. For me, I don't know. As C21 is already AuriCap, I just simply ordered MusiCap.

[Larry]

I should be ready in a week.

No problems.

[Lou]

[quote="Larry]So I have a combination MusiCap and AuriCap in the signal path. Some people say using a combination of coupling caps from different brands can render a neutral sound, at least not biased to one designer's taste, unless one likes that sound very much. For me, I don't know. As C21 is already AuriCap, I just simply ordered MusiCap.[/quote]

For every ounce you can get out of the preamp, you may want to use Dynamicaps, and bypass with AudriCaps, regardless of AuriCaps claims about time smearing.

[Larry]

For every ounce you can get out of the preamp, you may want to use Dynamicaps, and bypass with AudriCaps, regardless of AuriCaps claims about time smearing.

Do you like to elaborate on this point? Why "AuriCaps claims about time smearing"? And why a Dynamicaps is called for in this case?

[andyr]

I replaced the R1, R9 and R11. I used Vishy Draloric resistors of the same value. These 3 resistors have values more than 40kR, which should be counted for noises.

Hi Larry,

I'm just starting to build my GK-1, so I'm looking at all the suggestions people have made.

Can U tell me why you didn't also replace some of the other high-value reses - like R10, R20, R29??

And why did U choose Vishy Draloric ... are they particularly known for being low noise?

Thanks,

Andy