This amp, listing at $2700, was purchased in Aug 2005, has >$1500 in mods by Bill Baker, including Bybee quantum purifiers on the B+ and Audio Points, as well as:
AQ 1003 DT Reference Modifications
* Coupling capacitors replaced with Teflon V-Cap Reference Grade capacitors (x4 pieces)
* Innerstage coupling capacitors replaced with Audience AuriCaps (x6 pieces)
* SoniCap high voltage capacitors used for power supply bypass
* Japanese Riken Ohm Carbon resistors used in grid stop locations (x4 pieces)
* Japanese Riken Ohm Carbon resistors used in screen grid locations (x4 pieces)
* Dale/Vishay 1 watt non-magnetic Metal Film resistors used throughout the signal path
* Mills 12 watt non-inductive resistors used for output tube emitter/cushion resistors
* Fairchild "Ultra Fast - Soft Recovery" rectifying diodes are utilized in the rectifying stage of the power supply.
* All internal wiring replaced with our 22 awg copper wiring. We re-route all signal wiring to provide the shortest path possible. (10+ feet)
* Biased then bench tested for 2 hours
* Minimum 12 hour burn-in
* Labor 6 hours
Tubes are Svetlana Circle C and EH 12AU7's. 30 watts, starts out in Class A, this is pentode PP. Extremely fast, clear and accurate sound, wonderfully musical with plenty of richness and bass slam. Was wonderful with my Snell type C's, now sold. Unfortunately for me, it does not have enough current for my new Magnepans, which like about 200-300 watts. I will consider a trade straight across for something like a 150-250 watt SS amp, or a high-power integrated like the DK designs, or can make up a difference with $$ for higher-priced amp like CJ or Classe, etc. Prefer another integrated, if there is such a critter in the higher-power category.
