readings : " 40" for the pre-installed tubes (and longest lifetime) and " 50" if swapping the latter for 6550, KT88, KT90 or KT90a tubes. The back-plate has a meter and two pots for checking/biasing the tubes with two max. One input source can be privileged by being plugged into Direct terminals : this Direct input bypasses all front-panel functions and selectors except muting and volume. The feedback loop is kept at a low 11 dB level and screen and bias supplies are regulated as well, of course, naturally. The preamp part is based on regulated 12AU7A and 12AT7A triodes direct coupled to a differential phase splitter/driver stage output tubes are two mil-spec and matched E元4L. The three transformers are grain-oriented silicon steel home-made designs, with the output two having a fixed 6 Ohm tap polypropylene shunt caps, right-angle and "en l'air" wiring finish the seriously hand-made picture.
#Sonic frontiers tube amplifier plus#
The absence of a phono input made for most of the savings but the rest was built like its separates and with the same kind of "ultra" parts : Tiffany i/o plugs, Edison-Price speaker terminals, Cardas wiring, ALPS pots, Holco, Wima, Vishay, Solen caps & resistors, plus Golden Aero tubes. I have the SFL-1 Signature Model - paid $650.0 (used) - I believe its original cost was about $2,000.From a time when "affordable tube amp" didn't necessarily outline a chinese provenance, the SFC-1 was Sonic Frontiers' first entry-level line preamplifier, designed like all of SF's production by Joe Curcio. MCA 2 "Sonic Frontiers" solid state power amp What an investment !!Īh Jobe 99 - tube output stage CD - another great buy I have the SFL-1 Signature Model - paid $650.0 (used) - I believe its original cost was about $2,000. Not an audiophile - just a drummer - but I like what I hear " It must be that little tube "Īs a musician - I strive for a realistic presentation of the original recording session - and get geeked when I hear a recording 30 + years old that can extract the suttle sounds and sometimes imperfections that make that moment in time so damn human. This pre- amp will find midrange - and deliver it with great detail. Rock tracks are not congested on the high end and seem to tighten the bass without distortion. Jazz heads - Coltranes sax will leap into your living room with pure and absolute sonic pleasure on "Moments Notice" and " Lazy Bird " - The Doors " LA Woman " reveals little quirks during the recording process I dont believe I've ever heard before.
#Sonic frontiers tube amplifier upgrade#
Unless I upgrade to a higher model Sonic Frontiers Pre, this unit is not leaving my system. Definitely surpassing all expectations.Īt the price, you can't expect absolute reference, but it will surpass everything worth twice as much. Incredible! Chris Johnson and Mike (the tech that worked on it) provided amazing service and communication. From sending my SFL-1 out, servicing/mods, to receiving it took a total of 4 days. I gave them the go ahead and it was actually complete and shipped out that very day. They suggested to replace it with a Mullard and I saw this as an opportunity to upgrade a few caps and resistors. I sent it in to Parts Connexion and the day that they received the packaged, the called me up and let me know that it was the tube. Recently I noticed a hum from the right speaker and realized it was the SFL-1. Even the tactile elements like the volume knob and switches feel incredibly well built. The construction is solid and is nothing less than being built like a tank. The build quality is extremely top notch. It presents music in an honest way and can be quite revealing. It's pleasingly neutral and definitely not dry or lacking in any way. I personally prefer the sound of the SFL, a signature sound I'm sure many of you have read about in other reviews. It doesn't have the deep warmth you might find in other gear like AR, which isn't always a bad thing. It is very neutral and not imposing at all. I purchased the unit in 2004 through audiogon and it has been reliably performing in my dedicated 2-channel ever since.
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