Moreplay upgrade sound signature

[Milo7]

Hi everyone! I have already assemble the moreplay kit and really love the sound, but i am now thinking about getting the upgrade and wanted to know if the “tubey sound” will be lost with it or does the sound signature remains with the upgrade but with better separation and soundstage? I have very revealing genelecs speakers so i preffer to have a warmer source to balance it, thanks!

 

[Paul Joppa]

I haven't listened to one yet (even though I participated in the design lol) but I would expect it to be a little cleaner and a little drier, with the same basic character. However, the original character can easily be restored if desired with just two small resistors.

 

[Paul Birkeland]

We would consider "good tube sound" to be the spike that you see at 2kHz. 1kHz is what's put in for this graph, and the spikes above 2kHz aren't particularly desirable, and the higher up you go on the graph, the less desirable they are (even if the amplitude is quite a bit lower. This graph above is where the stock Moreplay starts.

Here is the Moreplay with the upgrade module. Notice how the 2kHz spike is pretty much left alone, but everything above that is totally wiped out. This is a good visual representation of how C4S loads can retain that nice tubey 2nd harmonic distortion, but the harsh stuff you don't want is almost gone. You can still see the 3rd harmonic at 3kHz, just barely, and everything else is just buried in the noisefloor.

 

[Doc B]

Nicely done, Peebs!

 

[Milo7]

Thank you guys!!!

 

[Bjorkvald]

I can chip in that there is quite a difference, to my ears. I had it original for a month or two, than upgraded the output capacitors as my system was a bit lean, and this got that back. I also ordered the upgrade as I do like the system much more with this pre than without.
To me this upped the sound overall, like when putting in some piece of gear that is better overall then the last (faster, details, more oumph). As

I am always fiddling with components and diy speakers, and do a lot of measurements to set up crossover and stuff, I am pretty sure the upgrade actually is quite measurable in low end. (Not sure if this is the only reason but my sealed Altec/GPA now get to 30 instead of 40 Hz with the same eq) . For me this was fantastic !

I dont think there is much to worry about, being less tubey, in a way it sounds more linear to me, but on a higher level. Still tubey in the most positive meaning. Do it
/Henrik

 

[Milo7]

I can chip in that there is quite a difference, to my ears. I had it original for a month or two, than upgraded the output capacitors as my system was a bit lean, and this got that back. I also ordered the upgrade as I do like the system much more with this pre than without.
To me this upped the sound overall, like when putting in some piece of gear that is better overall then the last (faster, details, more oumph). As

I am always fiddling with components and diy speakers, and do a lot of measurements to set up crossover and stuff, I am pretty sure the upgrade actually is quite measurable in low end. (Not sure if this is the only reason but my sealed Altec/GPA now get to 30 instead of 40 Hz with the same eq) . For me this was fantastic !

I dont think there is much to worry about, being less tubey, in a way it sounds more linear to me, but on a higher level. Still tubey in the most positive meaning. Do it
/Henrik

Thank you Henrik! I have the 8030 genelec speakers and 7040 subwoofer so its a very transparent setup and liked very much the tubey sound the moreplay brought, just bought the upgrade, i will report once i install it

Additionally would anyone recommend tube rolling with the moreplay? I was considering the Marconis 6v6 or RCA!

Milo

 

[hmbscott]

I am quite happy with my RCA 6V6G’s, they are my favorites. My second favorite are Sylvania 6V6 brown base/black plates. RCA JAN 6V6Y’s (metal) are nice sounding and a bargain. I also have Bendix 5992’s, which didn’t impress me, especially considering their very considerable cost.