I’m contemplating performing some modifications to my Parasound PSP-1500 preamp and I’d like some feedback and/or ideas before I commit myself to a plan of attack.
First off, the PSP-1500 was Parasound’s top of the line THX Pro-Logic based surround sound processor built in the mid-90s. It’s analog with no DD/DTS, ADCs or DACs. It does however have a DB25 input originally designed for an external DD/DTS decoder. The DB25 input allows me to use the PSP-1500 as an analog multi-channel preamp for SACD/DVD-A playback.
My goal is to improve the sound of the PSP-1500 while maintaining its functionality as a remote control multi-channel line stage.
After looking at the inner workings of the unit, here are the two options I’m considering:
1. Replace key power supply and analog signal caps with equivalent Black Gates and replace key NJM4558 and AD712 opamps with OPA2604s. Alternately, would it be worth breaking the bank and going for the way more expensive Audiocom or LC Audio opamp solutions?
OR
2. Send the post volume-control signal to a coupling transformer (Lundahl) or tube line stage (Bottlehead Foreplay). If I do this where should I tap the signal? From the output of the volume control chip or the input of the output stage opamp?
Any other ideas? I know there are newer, better analog multi-channel line stages out there. But I don’t have that kind of budget so they are not an option for me. Thanks for your comments.
