Melos Modifications
Feel like your Melos is almost exactly what you're looking for? Your amp is being held back by inferior quality parts, these mods will increase linearity, seperation and definition of notes, blacken the backgrounds and build on the circuit's foundation of speed.
The Headphone Mods (applicable to all Melos', regardless of model or whether someone else modified it - every resistor and cap in the headphone signal path is changed):
Correcting the errors - for those on a budget ($350):
Holco and Roederstein resistors in signal path, SHA-1 is upgraded to Gold Reference/Maestro values
Auricaps used at same
Black Gate standard series at critical power supply locations
Ultra-fast Soft Recovery diodes in low voltage supply
Left channel mod reroutes signal path away from PS
Maestrobation - for those looking to get the most from the Melos platform ($425):
AudioNote Tantalum resistors at all input stage locations
Caddock MK132 replaces output stage resistors
Auricaps at all headphone signal path locations
Non-magnetic resistors in select locations of PS
Black Gate (premium) NX series in critical section of low voltage supply
Black Gate standard series at corresponding high voltage location
Ultra-fast Soft Recovery diodes
Cardas wiring on headphone out
Left channel mod
Options (can be performed with above mods or later):
Alps Black Beauty Stepped Attenuator (shaft shortened) - $75
Preamp Output caps changed to Auricaps and doubled in value - $100 (Maestro/Gold Reference owners same cost for single ended upgrade, see below for balanced)
Gold Reference/Maestro Owners:
In addition to the Headphone mods above you have the following option:
Dedicated preamp mod - Auricaps for both single ended and balanced output, Caddock resistors - $175
I only use Kester silver solder.
The not so fine print:
Mods and labor are guaranteed for 30 days from the date you receive the amp back, two week turnaround on mods, at least half the payment must be made at the time your amp is received, the remainder before its returned. Accept Money Order/Cashier's Check/Personal Check (must clear before amp is returned, which may affect turnaround time). Will accept Paypal if buyer needs to pay with credit card, but I prefer not to use it. Shipping to and from me is on your dime.
I encourage you to shop around and see what others would charge for the same or less intensive modifications. Realize that the goal of my modifications is to get the absolute most possible from the circuit, nothing less.
To those who are adventurous: will evaluate another amplifier and provide modifications at a reduced rate. Inquire with an email or PM through Head-Fi's server.
