guzziguy

Hi Ti. I agree that the wiring and soldering in that area look like something I might do, but I don't see any uninsulated wiring. Am I not seeing something or possibly does the picture I took make it look uninsulated?

full board with flash full board without flash power section with scorched board output section

This may be a moderator only function. When I go to the User CP page, there is no "pictures and albums" button. The only thing I can see having to do with pictures is "edit profile picture". This is definitely a ppx3 board based implementation. I looked at that area (I think that component is a diode by the board labeling) earlier. There is a lot of flux left over. However, I just looked closer and it definitely shows burning. This may be my fault though. I was warned to use 6528 tubes for only a couple of hours at a time. I may have over done it. Sorry about not noticing the burn marks earlier, I don't have a lot of experience looking at boards. That's one reason I want to get the external power supply.

I'm afraid so. If anybody wants the high resolution pictures, let me know and I'll email them. Can I host them here? If so, please tell me how.

I've opened my Platinum Extreme and taken some pictures. I see no real problems in my Extreme, just a couple of solder joints that could be better and some flux that could have been cleaned away. But I see nothing to make me nervous. BTW, there is no FET in an Extreme. Here are links to the pictures. Be aware that each is 6 MB resolution. The first is a general shot with flash. The Plitron xformer is on the other side of the board in the upper right. overall shot with flash overall, no flash area near transformer output section from left side

Only if it's been ALO-modded. Or is that markl-modded? I can never keep them apart.

I thought that the 307A was a bit to the bright end of the spectrum, but not really bright. It is a great, detailed amp that does dynamics and prat really well. However, I preferred the EC Nautilus. It had more of the "suck you in" factor for me. Too bad you can't buy one, at least yet. This was with listening to my balanced Grado HP-2 on both amps. I also think that Al's SDS/XLR is the best sounding dynamic headphone amp that I've ever heard.

Who? Me?

Can't Dom just drive her up to Orlando?

Stocking up on Bud before those damn Belgians jack up the price?

Definitely take aspirin or ibuprofen. They both reduce pain and inflammation, the two main symptoms of sunburn.

I'm trying to figure out from what the baby is breast feeding. There is nothing to suggest even the hint of breasts. In fact, the figure looks like a male.

Nice job Justin and nice avatar choice Nate! I've decided to open my Extreme to look for damage, etc. I'll report back, and take and post pics no matter what I find. Could somebody refresh my memory on the size of hex wrench that is needed to remove the screws? I vaguely remember reading the information in an HF thread once and will search for the thread. However, if somebody knows it off-hand, I'd appreciate the time saver.

I'm a fan boy too. However, I've known for a long time about SP's delivery issues (how can any SP customer not know?). I've talked about it with Mikhail. In the last 9 months or so, when people want information about buying SP amps, I suggest buying used or be prepared for a very long wait time. I'm also sorry to see that Mikhail hasn't fixed all of his quality issues, though he seems to have made great improvements since the amp wars days. In looking at the MPX3 photos, the piggy-backed capacitors don't bother me. The non-heat sinked FET does bother me. While my Extreme has been totally reliable, I'll be opening it up to check out the FET. If necessary (and it probably will be), I'll get a heatsink and mount it all on the chassis. In the end, I'm really hoping that Mikhail and SP can get their act together. If they can, I'll send in my Extreme for the external power supply upgrade. But I won't do it until SP's act is together, including shipping and satisfying everybody who has been waiting for their amps for a long time.

"The Brothers Grimm". At two stars, it's overrated.

Probably. Welcome ingwe.

Unfortunately, it looks like the chickens are coming home to roost for Mikhail. The HF thread is continuing to grow by leaps and bounds. Aaron (immtbiker) has started a "how much of your equipment/money does Mikhail have" thread. People are starting to seriously consider legal action. I don't think that he ever intentionally meant to cheat anybody but is just a bad business man. I, like many others, have talked to him about fixing his business model. I was hoping that the latest attempt (where Galina is the CEO/business manager) would do it. Mikhail has to take very drastic steps now to save his business IMO. Too bad. I really like him and his amps.

Yep, congratulations. I'm sure that you'll love the source. I think that you have to spend a whole lot more money to beat the eXemplar modded players.

A case of 2002 Longoria Syrah 1/2 bottles. It was less that $6/btl.

Sorry, I didn't sleep well last night so am a bit incoherent this afternoon. Dan is correct, I prefer the eXemplar mods to the SACDmods. SACDmods are pretty much the same, add a ZapFilter (solid state analog stage), add a new clock and replace some components (capacitors, diodes, etc.). eXemplar mods are more custom make a tube output stage with constant current, add a bunch of improved power supplies and add a new clock circuit. If I were you, I'd grab the eXemplar 3910 once you are satisfied John will support it. As I stated earlier, I'll be shocked if he won't. I doubt that there is much difference SQ wise between a modded 2900 and 3910. As Denon adds new models and discontinues old ones, John has to do the same as the demand for modding will mostly be for the latest Denon models.

FWIW along with the eXemplar 2900 I also have a SACDmods Eastsound E5. You can see pictures and learn all what was done to it here on SACDmods web site. The changes they make from one unit to another doesn't differ very much. They usually involve bypassing the existing analog output section with a ZapFilter, replacing the clock chip with a better one and replacing key components with better ones. So the mods to a Denon 3910 will be similar to the ones done to my E5. The mods done to the E5 improved the sound all around. The sound was more detailed and PRAT was improved. However, when I compared the modded E5 to the eXemplar 2900, I much preferred the latter. The 2900 has even more detail and similar PRAT. I feel its tonality is better. Overall the sound is more organic. Since I listen to headphones more than my speaker system, the 2900 has remained in the headphone setup and the E5 has been relegated to the speaker setup. If you can, listen to both. What you like to hear is certainly different that what I do and you may prefer the SACDmod sound to the eXemplar sound.

Sidi makes great boots. If you fall, your feet and ankles will thank you for protecting them. Besides, those boots have another safety feature. All drivers will be sure to see you. I just hope that your boots don't blind them.

I can't answer that. Mine came with a tube mod to the analog session and I've never heard an eXemplar CD player without tubes. I've only listened to two, so I don't have a large base of experience among different eXemplar mod levels. I do know that I really like how mine sounds compared to other $2K and above source that I've heard. I think that the eXemplar magic has to do with the new regulated power supplies and and the constant source circuits for the tubes. So I guess the tube mod is important.

He has a ways to go to catch Earl. But he seems to be gaining!

Tri-tip burrito from the Chicken Ranch.