• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Aragon 24k basic tune-up (plus?)

B

Boomer85

New Member
Hello everyone,
I'm still new to this forum, but I am looking for any suggestions that might help me with the recap of my Aragon 24k. I am the second owner and bought it from my very good friend. It has never been serviced, so I am getting ready to start replacing all of the electrolytic caps in the 30+ year old pre and IPS. I have basic soldering skills, but no background in electronics that would enable me to truly understand beyond parts and their value identification. I did a similar job on a different preamp, but it was more difficult to work on and also needed additional upgrades and repairs. With that in mind, are there any simple steps that I could take to go a step or two beyond a basic recap? I have read many forums in AK and other places, and marvel at the understanding that many of you have. I'm sure that a lot of that knowledge that has come through trial and error along with volume of experience and/or training. I realize that I am taking a shortcut here by not learning for myself. This is just something that I enjoy doing to keep my old gear working.
In what I have read, I see where specific resistors are upgraded or the addition of bypass caps were found to be an improvement. If anyone out there has a suggestion or two, I would really appreciate the effort. If not, or it is deemed to be out of my league, I will be content with the basics. I just thought that I would ask before I get elbow deep into the project.
I have the schematics and the replacement electrolytic caps are in hand.
Cheers!
 
Register to hide this ad
A search for Aragon 24K on AK brings up the schematics.

Here is the phono stage schematic. (It's from the Acurus P-10)

I just upgraded my 24K with a new balance control and Solen "Pure Silver" caps... Wow.

Great preamp. Buck

PS: It's pure hell working on that circuit board.
I should have cut the coupling caps leads and connected to them.

qfnzfcK.png
 
Buck, Thanks for the suggestions. I am also planning to replace the film caps, but didn't go as high dollar as you did. The originals had no branding, but were only +/-10% spec. I chose Kemets as they are at least +/-5%, but I imagine that the Solens are more of an upgrade. I will keep in mind your comment regarding the leads. Your schematic is much clearer than mine, and I'm not sure that it is the same. I never thought about the balance control as it seems solid. Mine has the Penny & Giles volume pot which is like butter! My main goal is to do no damage!
Thanks, Kevin
 

Attachments

That might be a down grade on the caps. The stock ones are made by REL.

Tolerance is not an issue with coupling caps.

The regular Solens are also superb. I used Silver in my old P-10 and they blew my mind.

The volume is Penny & Giles Wire Wound I replaced the Nobel balance with a precision Wire Wound, You can easily hear the improvement.

Aragon and Acurus are both Mondial designs.

Good stuff.
 
Good information to know. I have the Nobel balance pot as well, but had the impression that they were good. I will do some research on that. Where did you source the new balance pot? I have read mixed reviews on Solen caps, but it is nice to read a good review. I have used Mundorf, Dynamicap and Sonicap on previous projects with good results, and will rethink my strategy. I also have an Acurus DIA 100, Aragon 4004 and D2A, and aware of the family history. I like them all - a lot! Thanks again, Kevin
 
I would have used the Mundorf Gold but they only make a 700 volt 10uf, that is 350$ ea. and the size of a beer can!

The balance is low priority, But since I've been collecting WW pots I had the right one.

Wire Wound pots like the Pennys and Giles are impossible to find.

This Spectrol pot will work for 1,900$ WTF?

20K pot 1,900$

s-l1600.webp
 
Uh, maybe I'll stick with the stock balance control. The price of some of the more desirable caps and other parts are what caused me to choose a lesser known (to me) film cap. Using some of those would cost more than the resale value of the preamp. I did read a comment (on AK, I think) about Kemet being a very reliable, well made brand, but it is otherwise just a guess for me. Thanks again!

I would still like to get suggestions for any specific resistors that would benefit from an upgrade. Mondialfan maybe?
 
I'd love to hear any preamplifier with a phono stage that sounds better for under 3,000$.

The Vishay resistors (Z-Foil) the high end modders use are 25 to 40$ each.

Items like Metal film resistors and Silver caps give any audio piece a treble "Tilt" so if you do not have the ability to adjust the Mid and Treble of your speakers it will be hard to live with the harshness, Especially w/Digital sources.

I really do not like the sound of "Metal Film" resistors, But can't see me replacing so many of them... Shivers.

Buck

Analog for the win...

YNiyaPw.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Yes, I knew right when I clicked "Post reply" that I should have left that comment out! Resale value is really irrelevant as I am not planning to sell it. I hadn't had my 2nd cup of coffee yet. I don't want any more high frequency "tilt" in the sound. I'll just proced as I originally planned, but will think about the film cap options.

You have displayed gold, silver, and bronze metal for the trifecta. Way beyond my desires, but cool!
 
Two Espresso's this morning put me on a hair trigger... Thank goodness it's only once a week.

I grew up with "You can have anything you want, As long as you can build it yourself"

That turntable took a year to build. Yikes~!

Next project will be to add a remote volume and balance control to my 24K.
 
Really impressive work! A work of art as well as what I imagine is stunning fidelity. I'll just muddle along with my small ideas... I saw another post in AK that mentioned adding remote to an 18k, I think. "Ultimate Aragon 18K Rebuild". You might have already seen it or already have your own plan. Best of luck with that.
 
NO! Don't do that, Last time that blew up an entire section crew~~~!

LOL... Joking. My old GF's grandpa worked on the railroad.

So what does a 10 Uf Polycarbonate filmcap look like?

I'm using these Solen Silver caps. Dam amazing.

PS: Ultimate Aragon 18K Rebuild... holy crap love this kind of stuff.
027-648_HR_0.default.jpg
 
Oh, Yeah. Those look good, I've got a bunch and there are a ton of them on ebay.

Wow, It looks like the leads are "Silver plated" which turns black with oxidation... Hit them with some Tarn-X and they will turn bright silver again.

Mostly see Poly-ester and Poly-Styrene.

I love Poly-Styrene, But big ones are really hard to find.

Also not related... Poly-Carbonate socks are to die for~!
 
No not really, They are self cleaning.

I would be afraid to take one apart. Otherwise I'd love to lube mine.

The "Grinding" feel they have is the contact moving across the Nichrome wires that are wound around a form.

Does yours make any noise?

Lots of them for sale on ebay but they are expensive and no one appears to be smart enough to place the resistive value in their auctions.
 
I noted that in the ultimate 18k rebuild that bypass caps were added to the power supply (?) caps. Would that be of benefit to the 24k as well? It is the two 3,300uf, 50v electrolytic caps if I understand this correctly. Doing this was specifically advised against for my other preamp (Counterpoint SA-1000).
 
Speaker crossover, Coupling, Power amp filter capacitors sonically benefit from "Bypass" caps.

Never found bypass caps in preamplifier power supply to make improvements, Easy enough to try and remove if need be.

I've found that trying to "Stiffen" and speed up everything is counter productive, Huge caps, Thick wires... Doesn't help.

It sounds better to have a little "Give" everywhere.

Acoustics is a "Resonance"... More like a pebble in a pond, Less like a fire hose.

As for Counterpoint? I wonder what their reason is for that, Might have something to do with their regulators?
 
That advice was given by someone who used to do warranty work in Canada for Counterpoint. He didn't give a specific reason, just that he had to undo many of the modifications such as that, and that there was no improvement to the sound. The MkII upgrade to the Aragon 4004 amp adds bypass caps as well as other small changes. That modification, at least partially, is next on my list. My perspective is beginning to be molded towards a less-is-more approach.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom