Forte Audio Model 2 - Nelson Pass Preamp

[pioneerhip]

I am hoping someone has some experience updating the line stage in this. The phono stage is every bit as good as everyone seems to think, but the line stage feels lacking when switching from vinyl to streaming. I know they aren't going to be an exact match in sound but would really like to warm things up on the line stage. Anyone have any suggestions?

I am running it into a tube amp already. (pic below is not my unit just one I grabbed online)

Thoughts?

 

[captouch]

I never found the line stage lacking. I did recap both the power supply and main unit. I used Silmic II caps where I could and they have a reputation for being warm/musical, so you can consider that.

 

[pioneerhip]

I

I never found the line stage lacking. I did recap both the power supply and main unit. I used Silmic II caps where I could and they have a reputation for being warm/musical, so you can consider that.

I don't really find it lacking just not as musical as the phono section. Any chance you still have the value of the caps used? Silmic II caps aren't crazy expensive. I know I can open it up and look but I am not at home and could order them today vs tomorrow

 

[captouch]

Unlikely that I have the values. I could guess which Mouser order contained the right parts, but that would be dangerous for you!

I upped the value of the power supply caps and I think I used Muse caps for the biploar ones that are in the unit.

But unless you’re using the tape/monitor output of the unit, even the phono stage is going through the line stage before it hits the preamp out, so if you find the phono stage musical, but not the linestage, also consider whether the lack of warmth could be coming from your streaming source. If possible, plug in another source to one of the Forte linestage inputs and see if you still think it’s not as musical as you’d like.

 

[pioneerhip]

even the phono stage is going through the line stage before it hits the preamp out, so if you find the phono stage musical, but not the linestage, also consider whether the lack of warmth could be coming from your streaming source

Good point. I need to put some different tubes in the streamer and see what that does.

 

[pioneerhip]

I went all-in on recapping and replacing the recommended parts. Here is what is being ordered:

Mouser Parts
4 647-TVX1J102MCD
4 625-1N6276A-E3
2 75-MKP1837410161F
2 555-RFS50V471MJ8#5

Digikey Parts
2 604-1129-ND‎
2 ‎228TTA063M-ND‎

pics before and after posted soon

 

[pioneerhip]

Recap Pics:

 

[pioneerhip]

Hopefully, that will help someone in the future. I would still love a schematic if someone comes across one.