pete_mac
Super Member
How does one improve on the Sansui Alpha 607 (of which the X-711 is an 'international' derivative)?
You tweak the circuit to reflect the refinements found in the later 907s, copying Sansui's circuit enhancements and using Elna Silmic caps just about everywhere!!
This approach has been adopted by a few European alpha fans doe a while now, after studying the schematics, identifying the improvements and applying them to the lesser models. In subjective listening comparisons they believe the heavily tweaked 607s can approach the sound of the later 907s and the B-2105 power amp (at sane listening levels, due to the power difference between the low and high end models).
Forum member csubzi (who has been very generous in responding to my questions, courtesy of Google Translator!) has provided a bucket-load of advice and recommendations. I haven't been able to follow his recipe 100% due to the difficulty in obtaining parts like Black Gate capacitors and the rare U-Con polypropylene caps, but if these parts turn up in future, I will apply them later.
Below is a big stash of Elna Silmic IIs, resistor upgrades (Riken, Amtrans, Takman and PRP), Polystyrene and polypropylene shunt capacitors, and some Nichicon Muse bipolars. New Bourns multi-turn trimpots will also be fitted.
I'll soon be indulging on some work on my own personal amps for the first time in many years. I can't wait to hear the results!! I have our AU-alpha 607MRX on-hand (my current daily-driver amp) to compare against. The 607MRX currently sounds better to my ears - greater clarity, resolution and transparency. Let's see if a reworked 711 can surpass it!
You tweak the circuit to reflect the refinements found in the later 907s, copying Sansui's circuit enhancements and using Elna Silmic caps just about everywhere!!
This approach has been adopted by a few European alpha fans doe a while now, after studying the schematics, identifying the improvements and applying them to the lesser models. In subjective listening comparisons they believe the heavily tweaked 607s can approach the sound of the later 907s and the B-2105 power amp (at sane listening levels, due to the power difference between the low and high end models).
Forum member csubzi (who has been very generous in responding to my questions, courtesy of Google Translator!) has provided a bucket-load of advice and recommendations. I haven't been able to follow his recipe 100% due to the difficulty in obtaining parts like Black Gate capacitors and the rare U-Con polypropylene caps, but if these parts turn up in future, I will apply them later.
Below is a big stash of Elna Silmic IIs, resistor upgrades (Riken, Amtrans, Takman and PRP), Polystyrene and polypropylene shunt capacitors, and some Nichicon Muse bipolars. New Bourns multi-turn trimpots will also be fitted.
I'll soon be indulging on some work on my own personal amps for the first time in many years. I can't wait to hear the results!! I have our AU-alpha 607MRX on-hand (my current daily-driver amp) to compare against. The 607MRX currently sounds better to my ears - greater clarity, resolution and transparency. Let's see if a reworked 711 can surpass it!