My next upgrade should be???

[Natural Sound]

OK' so I got a bonus at work the other day. I got permission from the boss (my wife) to purchase one upgrade for my system.

Here are the two options that I'm considering.

1. Extended Foreplay III Upgrade Kit $350. My Foreplay III has 2 modifications. Goldpoint stepped attenuators and Auricap output capacitors. The kit contains another set of Auricap output capacitors that I don't really need.

2. Magnequest iron upgrade for my Paramour II mono blocks. my Paramour II's are bone stock with the exception of replacing the EH 12AT7 with a Telefunken NOS tube.
  A. BH-5 Outputs (1pr) | BH-6 Plate Chokes (1pr) $400.00
  B. BH-5 Nickel Stripe Outputs (1pr) | BH-6 Plate Chokes (1pr) $475.00

I'd like to get them both but my budget is $500 or less (preferably less) at this time. Whichever one I don't get now will likely happen in the next six months to a year.

Which of the above options would give me the best "bang for the buck"?

Thanks.

 

[Grainger49]

I vote for the iron upgrade but that is because I'm not personally familiar with the Extended sound.

 

[Paully]

I will be blunt, if your wife gave you the go ahead for up to $500, buy the more expensive upgrade now because you will be able to talk her into a less expensive one more easily later than vice versa, at least that is my experience.  But I am also really wanting to hear what Magnequest would do for my own amps.  I have them in my Dynaco but not my SET amps.  So I would head that direction but of course you should probably wait to hear from someone who has done both, I haven't done either!!!

Paul

 

[Natural Sound]

I vote for the iron upgrade but that is because I'm not personally familiar with the Extended sound.

I'm thinking of going that route. Probably with the nickel pinstripes. I really liked how they sound in my SEX amp.

I also have some nice broken in Mundorf .1uf coupling caps to drop in at the same time. I'll keep the stock Solen 3.3uf parafeed caps in for now.

 

[Paul Joppa]

The Paramour iron upgrade calls for 10uF parafeed caps. It would still be my choice, but thought I should point that out.

 

[Grainger49]

I put in Obbligato PP Film/Oil (black 10uF/630V $11) caps with my iron upgrade.  Cheap and good sounding. 

 

[Natural Sound]

The Paramour iron upgrade calls for 10uF parafeed caps. It would still be my choice, but thought I should point that out.

In that case the stock 3.3uf Solens must come out. Thanks.