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STD305M
18-06-2018, 14:04
Hi All

I recently purchased a Denon Headamp from Phonomac to replace my Schitt Mani, which when using it for mm was really very good indeed but I decided moving coil was the way to go so purchased an Audio Technica at33ptg. I had read a few reviews on this forum about the Denon and a few on other forums and made my decision to purchase one.

It arrived a week ago, build Quality is substantial, its quite large and very heavy and to my eyes looks very nice ! My opinion as the looks wont suit everyone !!

Inside you would think it was brand new, Phonomac has worked his magic on this as you will see from the photos below.

This is the work he did in his words:

The large green electrolytics around the front end are Nichicon Muse ES bi-polar caps, and the values of the input and stage coupling caps have been increased to HA-1000 standard or better. Denon used ordinary electrolytics for these, since good bi-polars weren’t available at the time. However ordinary electrolytics will be subjected to small reverse voltages – not good for distortion.

The green and red box capacitors are polypropylene film caps replacing mylar, and the yellow box caps are polycarbonate (ignore 100nH marking, the H is a manufacturer’s mark – it is in fact 100nF in value).

The black and gold caps in the power supply section are Panasonic FM, the best cap for power filtering/smoothing within their voltage range.


The difference in sound between the little Schitt and the Denon was dramatic. The Denon had so much detail, a beautiful clear midrange which really extended well into the lower mid, a real zing in the treble, not harsh but with plenty of bite and a tighter more controlled bass, the woolliness in the bass I had previously was gone ( Yeahh ). Now it’s as tight as a ducks arse!!

Am I happy ? Bloody right, my system is a modest one but I don’t think I will be changing things for a while. Famous last words ;)

http://i65.tinypic.com/2z86hc8.jpg

http://i63.tinypic.com/2airlo0.jpg

http://i66.tinypic.com/2zz3zah.jpg

http://i64.tinypic.com/2vjc1nb.jpg

http://i65.tinypic.com/2nr35oz.jpg

http://i66.tinypic.com/e6pnwx.jpg


Steve...

RobbieGong
18-06-2018, 14:29
Not surprised it's better and you're loving it Steve.

Angus (Phonomac) knows his stuf big time, very well qualified and many many years of experience too.

He also has a knack of knowing good gear and how to improve it, taking it from good / excellent - very good / excellent plus and some ;)

STD305M
18-06-2018, 14:43
Hi Robert,

Cant Disagree with that ;)

The man is a Genius !!!

karma67
18-06-2018, 14:49
I’d love to compare my standard one with it

RobbieGong
18-06-2018, 15:28
I’d love to compare my standard one with it

You and Steve are only 20 miles or so apart Jamie, an hour so very possible, would be a great evaluation ;)

STD305M
18-06-2018, 16:25
Hi Robert,

I can get to Brighton in less than 30 mins should Jamie wish to compare, would be interesting

Pm me Jamie

RobbieGong
18-06-2018, 16:34
Hi Robert,

I can get to Brighton in less than 30 mins should Jamie wish to compare, would be interesting

Pm me Jamie

:thumbsup:

karma67
10-08-2018, 16:51
just too follow up,we did compare,you can guess where my ha-500 has been sent :eyebrows:

Bigman80
10-08-2018, 17:30
just too follow up,we did compare,you can guess where my ha-500 has been sent :eyebrows:[emoji23][emoji23] he is the man.

Sent from my VKY-L09 using Tapatalk

Ali Tait
10-08-2018, 18:13
Have an HA 1000 which I completely recapped, very nice bit of kit.