FS: Audio Innovations S500 Mk1 [Archive]

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donmarrese

03-12-2020, 23:53

For sale is my lovely Audio Innovations S500 MK1 integrated amplifier with the Hinchley Transformers: 4, 8, 16 Ohm taps.*

Recently serviced and upgraded by AD Audio (David Coe). I'm the second owner. The original owner took it back to AI after six months of ownership and had it upgraded. One of the upgrades included RCA's converted to Gold ones. There are no marks on the chassis; the perspex top is clean has the original pins. Not sure what was altered inside....but as soon as I got it, it went straight to David Coe.

Works done include:

*All electrolytic capacitors were replaced with Kemets, Panasonic, and Elna Cerafine.

David Coe external Choke Mod

Removal of Balance control + Tape Switch Circuit

All contacts and valve sockets*serviced

Input capacitors removed

Input stage mod

Total service amount came to £260 + a set of new valves...*

4 x New Harma Matched EL34's £100

2 x NOS Tesla E88CC Gold pins + Red/Cross swords £110

3 x NOS GE JAN*5751*Cryo (ECC83) £90

£560 spent in total.

This S500 initially cost me £600 so sees me in for £1160

The above improvements bring this amplifier to another level! I've been very very happy with it. Why am I selling?*

I had the opportunity to buy another S500 and modify it for switchable triode mode and is currently been upgrade by Mr. AI S500 himself, David Coe.

So, if you want a completely serviced & upgraded S500, with NOS valves, and want a sublime phono stage, this is the amp for you! You won't be disappointed!

Ur welcome to pop down to North London, Hornsey for an audition. The price is £960 *

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201203/d0308435261839dccea52c2a1d58de90.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201203/d1db396748b6c3410e0ade04074affa3.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201203/27a57e8abdc393409333823e0505079a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201203/9933a55f26b03a4edb118acb4caedb06.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201203/5623afe94d595367cd6df1c84e7b31b3.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201203/a4a7b7998e00fb574f6371550b54e897.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201203/3010f53ba1b5188a87d710969e00a495.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201203/0553860d6b5e62fd7d93d6b7e46e65df.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201203/9910f5990b338ebb6d1f4c9ac8ef9602.jpg

trane

04-12-2020, 07:46

oh yeah... :interesting:

donmarrese

04-12-2020, 14:26

Trane, I didn't want to rain on your parade...

Mikeandvan

04-12-2020, 17:22

I have one of these fettled my Mr Coe, just wondering can't you get him to turn this one into triode mode or is that not possible? What are the benefits? Mine has the choke on like yours.

donmarrese

04-12-2020, 17:55

Mikeandvan

04-12-2020, 19:53

Cheers Don.

AD Audio

05-12-2020, 15:44

Hi Mike, initially I was going to keep the two, one PP mode and other one in Triode mode and pop them in different rooms. Then the Chief changed her mind, saying 1 is enough, or you can PP off!!
So David C is making the other S500 switchable between PP and Triode mode via his impressive electronic weaving. Triode mode = 12w of sweetness. Push pull = 25ishW of 'I'll drive most speakers thank you very much.'
I'm currently using a pair MA 3's mk2's and thanks to the B&W Kevlar mid, efficiency is about 92db...
It's not expensive, I would contact David Coe for more info... ATB

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

Just a note on the triode conversion. Into my JBLs 96db sensitive or Troels Gravesen's 90db you really don't notice much difference in drive or power output. On hard to drive speakers like Tannoys it would make much more difference.

Another client asked me to do the triode /ul switch and variable feedback. WE finished it off with an internal choke modification which took a bit of engineering, as it's bloomin' tight in there! Shown below: triode /ul switch, feedback control, and internal choke mod.

https://i.imgur.com/H5Wvc7D.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/n5EXyUS.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4F3y4Jz.jpg

donmarrese

05-12-2020, 20:01

Looks all good David! Look forward to listening to it.

So do you guys & gals want a sweetener to buy my S500?
I'll throw in a pair of Mordaunt Short Pageants' in almost mint condition with this sale.....were bought last year for £120!

donmarrese

05-12-2020, 20:14

And I'll throw in the cassette player...mintish but needs belts!
Merry Xmas.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201205/442b992d5c5a49c52531eca9f0c6a7da.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201205/b6f299b8775a4abc29afa05a59df8fae.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201205/30882a079e15b120bbbb270b76b4243a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201205/818ed70d86f076710fe720b3ca9c5f93.jpg

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

donmarrese

06-12-2020, 19:52

Up...reasonable offers considered...

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

Volante

07-12-2020, 13:11

This is a very good amp at a very good price considering the mods that have been carried out and it's even got its original pins to secure the perspex top - which is rare - as well as a very good phono stage.
David Coe worked his magic on my S.500 with very similar mods (including the choke) and it's sounding very sweet.
Don, GLWTS.

Neil

Mikeandvan

07-12-2020, 14:27

Strangely enough, after having owned my AD Audio modded S500 for about 6 months now, I only tried the phono stage last weekend, pretty sure it equals the G SLee Era V I was using. Two less boxes for me now!

Spider

07-12-2020, 17:14

Looks good
Can I ask how deep it is front to back with that large transformer on the back.
Thanks

donmarrese

08-12-2020, 15:54

Hi Tim

I measure 40cm from choke to front.
I have a CD player here that typically measures 34cm in depth. The Choke itself is just under 10cm deep. Hope that helps.

Honestly, I use the S500 to audition turntables that I sell. The audition seals a deal all the time because it sounds so good. The amplifier and the phono stage (after DC's mods)are brilliant. I have other amps, but always stray back to this one!

Looks good
Can I ask how deep it is front to back with that large transformer on the back.
Thanks

AJSki2fly

08-12-2020, 16:00

Wish I had the spare cash at the moment, I would snap your S500 up, having owned 2 previously I would very much like to return to one at some point, looks VG+.

Firebottle

08-12-2020, 16:37

The phono stage is very good in these, tbh it surprised me with such a simple circuit.

donmarrese

09-12-2020, 17:07

Thank you all for your comments...what I'll do is sell the tape deck and Speakers that I've thrown in separately on AOS, and whatever I get them for, I'll reduce the price of the S500's by....

donmarrese

09-12-2020, 22:13

The Cassette deck is working, just that counter does not turn...and If mike buys this Cassette player, the AI S500 price gets reduced by £25 to £935......when speakers sell, we'll be looking at £860!

donmarrese

12-12-2020, 11:09

Reducing the price on the S500 to £860: no offers, that's the lowest price I can go.

donmarrese

18-12-2020, 22:27

Weekend Valve bump

Valve audio is for life, not just for Christmas!

donmarrese

22-01-2021, 21:21

One very lucky soul has bought the beast!
here's the text he sent me a day later.....

"Hi Don. Gonna keep this message short and sweet because I'm absolutely knackered.
The amplifier is beautiful. Everything you said it would be.
Sat with it for 5 hours this afternoon in between cooking a lump of roast beef.
Sounds way better than my 1000 monos ever did, and they were the mk3 1300 silvers too.
Obviously David (Coe) knows his stuff as it's simply stunning.
So a few beers in and a full belly I'm gonna hit the sack. Back to work tomorrow night so no listening until the weekend.

I'm honestly and truly over the moon with the amplifier.

Thank you for everything Don
It's very very much appreciated.

Cheers buddy."

Feels like another happy ending!