Just scored

P

proud indian

New member
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bottlehead-Foreplay-III-Tube-Preamp-alt-to-Antique-Sound-Labs-/371480507133?ul_noapp=true&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F0%252Fe11003.m43.l1465%252F7%253Feuid%253Df69faea7be59498baa5dc3846ab4a6b2%2526loc%253Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.com%25252Fulk%25252Fitm%25252F371480507133%2526exe%253D13457%2526ext%253D34396%2526sojTags%253Dexe%253Dexe%252Cext%253Dext%2526srcrot%253De11003.m43.l1465%2526rvr_id%253D0&nma=true&si=y36Xl3vGlrKqDRmJ9eGtD%252BqlkAc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557#shpCntId


Ok. Got a foreplay lll for 165 bucks. I think it is a deal. As I have to get it to India and that would take a couple of weeks, any suggestions to make it sound better?  it should be 120v and I will have to change the transformer or use a step down, which would also isolate the power. Says it is not working, but I doubt that would br more than  an evenings work.


Shreekant :)
 
Good one! I picked up a second FPIII about a month ago. It came with the extended kit parts which I haven't installed yet. Mine was $300 shipped.

I recommend that you leave the original transformer in place and use a step-down in front of the FPIII.

As for upgrades, I would get it running in stock form first. Then I'd replace the 2.2uf output caps with your favorite film cap that is in your budget. I have also played around a little with the cap that bypasses the 0D3 regulator tube. I wound up with a vintage VitaminQ cap in that location that sounds nice in my system.

There are other tweaks you can do in the power supply or replace resistors in the signal path with Dale RN55 resistors etc. But I found that those tweaks didn't make as much difference in sound quality as the output caps.

Good luck and keep us updated with your progress.
 
The best upgrade for that Foreplay would be the extended Foreplay III upgrade, which is long gone.

Beyond that, clean up any gnarly solder joints that you see, and you should be up and running nicely.
 
Thanks for the inputs. Grainger has suggested some ruskie caps for the bypass. As I dont have the manual as yet, what is the v for the 2.2uf and the bypass cap? For the film, what was your choice or rec. My daughter is down from San Jose by the end of the month , so I will get it shipped to her and she can get it here, so in the mean time I do have time to pick up a stuff I require.

Thanks.

Shreekant :)
 
I seconded Paul comment on the extended kit... I switched out the 12AU7 tubes to 6SN7 tube.  Not exactly an upgrade but rather a preference of sound...
 
Sorry for dropping out, but I live in chennai, India.  For those who may have been informed, it rained like crazy here. In 10 hrs we had more rain than the UK has in a year. Houses were flooded with water upto 20ft. Slowly the city limps back. Lucky for me it was not bad in my area as  the flood water stopped 200 yards away. No power for 3 days ( safety measure)

The foreplay has been delivered to my daughter who is travelling to india end dec.

So finally it looks like I  need a 2.2uf and a 0.1 uf cap. Will order them soon.

Shreekant

 
That sounds intense! 

The 0.1uf cap can be anything between 0.01uF and 0.1uF, before the Extended Foreplay upgrade, I believe Doc B. was using a Russian teflon cap that was 0.056uF IIRC.

The 2.2uF cap value is flexible too, you can go considerably higher if you find something you like. 
 
Checked the soldering etc and put in the tubes. The OD3 does not fire up, but the 12au7 gets warm. I tried 2 OD3 tubes so there has to be a problem. Any suggestions.

Thanks

Shreekant
 
The Led on one channel does not glow. I have spare led's from the CS4 mods for my sex kit. Can the same Led be used here.

Thanks

shreekant
 
You don't really know if it's working properly without testing the voltages.

If the 0D3 isn't glowing (it can be somewhat hard to see, but should be a dull pink), then your Foreplay is unlikely to be working properly.
 
Solved the problem. They guy who sold it to me connected R5 T22 instead of 21.  Now it reads 150 bang on !!!!!! The OD3 glows and so do I.

$165.....what a steal !!!!! Cant stop grinning.

Shreekant ;D ;D
 
proud indian said:
One last one..... how many hours for break in.

Thanksm

Shreekant
Click to expand...

There are lots of opinions on break in time. General rule of thumb is 50 to 100 hours. On a FPIII that's mainly for the tubes and caps. Enjoy! The FPIII is a great pre-amp. I have two of them.
 
A question for better understanding.

The 2nd output ie R02  and L02 have a 1K resistor.  It is also mentioned that it is to be used for  the sub. What actually happens for it to be certified as a sub out, rather than just another output. Any reason? So can be used as another output and can it interchanged.

Shreekant
 
The added resistance increases the possibility of treble loss due to the cable capacitance. In most cases you won't hear any difference unless the output cables are very long.
 
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