20 replies to this topic

[tal]

Hi all,

Apparently there's an upgrade option for the older ME preamps - I have an ME15 - which Zaphod recommended. He mentioned a few forum members have had this done to their ME pre's ... so if anyone who has sees this, I'd welcome some info on what the upgrade was, and the results of having it done?

Thx

[GAT474]

Send a PM to Yamaha Man. I think he's had his done recently.

[Nigel]

I have borrowed 3 ME pre's from Zaphod in the past - all 2nd hand.
1. 10-15 yrs old
2. Similar, but ZB had refreshed the caps
3. Same again, but ZB had refreshed the caps and a couple of other mods which I can't remember.

They performed in that order with his fully modded one being the best, most dynamic/lively, clearest treble etc.
All of them had good current delivery so nice bass.
If I end up with an ME pre I will be getting ZB to improve it. Sticking with my passive pre while my finances are in turmoil.

[Nigel]

I should add that I saw your For Sale discussion from a few days back. As I recall the old unfreshened ME pre I tried was a little flat sounding, the treble was slightly muted and the presentation just didn't have the energy that the next two had. I suspect that is what yours is like now. Well the one with the most work done was very nice, couldn't fault it. If I were you I would keep it and get it refreshed every 10 years or so, cheaper for top notch sound.
I guess all/most preamps would benefit by replacing all the old caps inside....plus whatever other tricks that ZB has up his sleeve...

[tal]

Thanks Nigel, only reason I asked is that I really like it as it is... it doesn't seem to lack energy to me. Maybe some atmosphere/soundstaging compared to my valve pre. which lacks the pace and timing of this. So in a way I was thinking if it ain't broke... then again, what you don't know, you don't know. Some fundamental things make all round improvements, like power supply etc. So more detail about the mods would be welcome.

[Yamaha Man]

Do it, the transformation was nothing short of stunning!

[MrRogers]

An ME pre amp upgrade is a must do. The price will vary depending on which external power supply you have.

The upgrade is well worth the money and effort. I would do the upgrade before buying a newer or bigger amplifier.

Zaphod tends to be very kind and generous so you might ask him to lend you a fully upgraded ME pre for a listen.

Hi all,

Apparently there's an upgrade option for the older ME preamps - I have an ME15 - which Zaphod recommended. He mentioned a few forum members have had this done to their ME pre's ... so if anyone who has sees this, I'd welcome some info on what the upgrade was, and the results of having it done?

Thx

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

Thanks Nigel, only reason I asked is that I really like it as it is... it doesn't seem to lack energy to me. Maybe some atmosphere/soundstaging compared to my valve pre. which lacks the pace and timing of this. So in a way I was thinking if it ain't broke... then again, what you don't know, you don't know. Some fundamental things make all round improvements, like power supply etc. So more detail about the mods would be welcome.

I can provide all the intimate detail about what is done to the preamp, but I am reluctant to describe the sound improvemnt, since that is a subjective opinion. My opinion is tainted and should be ignored. Others' opinions, however, are well worth listening to.

Anyway, the changes made are:

Old external PSU:
10VA 'EI' transformer.
1 bridge rectifier.
2,000uF filter capacitance.

Old internal regulator PCB:
1 X LM340 class regulator + slave regulator (for line level and phono)
5,500uF filter capacitance

New external PSU:
40VA 'R' core power transformer.
3 X bridge rectifier.
14,600uF filter capacitance.

New internal PSU:

2 X pre-regulator transistors
4 X LM317/LM337 class regulators (phono regulation occurs after the line regulators, effectively providing 3 stages of regulation that are independent of line regulators).
17,800uF filter capacitance.
Muting, remote control and other functions also take place on the new internal PCB.

Edited by Zaphod Beeblebrox, 11 June 2011 - 07:41 AM.
Brain fart

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

Zaphod tends to be very kind and generous...

You're kidding, right? I suspect you may have me confused with someone else.

[MrRogers]

Nope .....

You're kidding, right? I suspect you may have me confused with someone else.

[Nigel]

I've known you to be kind and generous, ZB....was I just lucky ?
But I must say sending things out to into the nevernever without having met someone is a more risky undertaking....

[Yamaha Man]

+1 for the kind opinion!

[JohnL]

New internal PSU:

2 X pre-regulator transistors
4 X LM317/LM337 class regulators (phono regulation occurs after the line regulators, effectively providing 3 stages of regulation that are independent of line regulators).
17,800uF filter capacitance.
Muting, remote control and other functions also take place on the new internal PCB.

Hi Zaphod,


New INTERNAL PSU??????????

What's the story here????????

I have the upgraded External PSU.

Is this new INTERNAL one an improvement???????

Cheers,

John

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

Hi Zaphod,


New INTERNAL PSU??????????

What's the story here????????

I have the upgraded External PSU.

Is this new INTERNAL one an improvement???????

Cheers,

John

The old PSU used a 5 pin DIN connector. The new PSU uses a multi-pin (I never counted the number), locking connector. If yours has the locking connector, it is the new internal PSU. If it uses a 5 pin DIN connector, it is the old style.

[Hergest]

It appears to have 13 pins. In the 10 years and 3 weeks since i've had my ME 15 and 550 II they have been the one constant in the system. Wonderful stuff.

[frankn]

This is a handy thread to pop up now.
after a minor disaster at the weekend I have to replace my ClearAudio Maesto MM cartridge. As per my sig I have a ME25 (MM) pre-amp and ME850 running Quad2905's. The tt is CA Avantgard Magnum with CMB and an SMEV tonearm.
In discussing my options with the CA importer they have suggested the weak point in my system is the ME25. I asked what upgrade path they recommend;
One option they have recommend is to purchase either a CA phono-stage or EAR-834 and upgrade my cartridge to a CA M/C, or stick with a replacement MM Maestro.
The ME25 is one with the big remote "power" supply with a lock-ring which I purchased new (along with the 850) from Reg Mills Stereo / QLD in 2000.
So my questions are the following:
Is it worth going from MM to MC?
If yes to MC should I send the ME25 to ZB, get the MC phono stage and have the ME25 "refreshed" or purchase a different phono stage?
If simply keep the MM should I send the ME25 to ZB for a refresher?
Thank you in advance for your replies
Frank

[rantan]

Gotta love some honest introspection:)

You're kidding, right? I suspect you may have me confused with someone else.

[josh0571]

Hi Frank

I'd be asking the CA importer whether he has even heard a ME pre-amp. I'd also be asking him given that he's suggesting his own products that he let you borrow them so you can hear them for yourself with your own setup.

If you stick with a MM cartridge or upgrade to a MC you could still send your ME pre to ZB to at least check it over especially if it's been used regularly over the 11 years. I wouldn't be dismissing your ME pre over those two CA recommended phono stages/phono pre-amps that you mention without hearing them first.

Cheers
Josh

This is a handy thread to pop up now.
after a minor disaster at the weekend I have to replace my ClearAudio Maesto MM cartridge. As per my sig I have a ME25 (MM) pre-amp and ME850 running Quad2905's. The tt is CA Avantgard Magnum with CMB and an SMEV tonearm.
In discussing my options with the CA importer they have suggested the weak point in my system is the ME25. I asked what upgrade path they recommend;
One option they have recommend is to purchase either a CA phono-stage or EAR-834 and upgrade my cartridge to a CA M/C, or stick with a replacement MM Maestro.
The ME25 is one with the big remote "power" supply with a lock-ring which I purchased new (along with the 850) from Reg Mills Stereo / QLD in 2000.
So my questions are the following:
Is it worth going from MM to MC?
If yes to MC should I send the ME25 to ZB, get the MC phono stage and have the ME25 "refreshed" or purchase a different phono stage?
If simply keep the MM should I send the ME25 to ZB for a refresher?
Thank you in advance for your replies
Frank

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

This is a handy thread to pop up now.
after a minor disaster at the weekend I have to replace my ClearAudio Maesto MM cartridge. As per my sig I have a ME25 (MM) pre-amp and ME850 running Quad2905's. The tt is CA Avantgard Magnum with CMB and an SMEV tonearm.
In discussing my options with the CA importer they have suggested the weak point in my system is the ME25. I asked what upgrade path they recommend;
One option they have recommend is to purchase either a CA phono-stage or EAR-834 and upgrade my cartridge to a CA M/C, or stick with a replacement MM Maestro.
The ME25 is one with the big remote "power" supply with a lock-ring which I purchased new (along with the 850) from Reg Mills Stereo / QLD in 2000.
So my questions are the following:
Is it worth going from MM to MC?
If yes to MC should I send the ME25 to ZB, get the MC phono stage and have the ME25 "refreshed" or purchase a different phono stage?
If simply keep the MM should I send the ME25 to ZB for a refresher?
Thank you in advance for your replies
Frank

The ME25 has been unkindly treated by many for a long time (almost always by those who have never had a real listen to one, or by those who sell far more expensive products). I would argue that it is at least the equal if any preamp, at any price. It is a world class preamp and was a bargain when new. That includes the phono stage. The best way to tell is to perform a comparison, using your TT and your system. If your ME25 is more than 10 years old, then it may be appropriate for some gentle massaging. Same deal with the ME850.

For the record: One of my clients, who owns an ME25 has recently compared it to several imported preamps, costing $18,000.00, $23,000.00 and $40,000.00. He felt that the $40k model was the equal of his ME25. The others were not in the race.

[alittlewino]

This is a handy thread to pop up now.
after a minor disaster at the weekend I have to replace my ClearAudio Maesto MM cartridge.

By all reports a very good cart.

If discarding, please PM me as I may be interested in buying depending on the problem.

ALW

[frankn]

ZB thank you for your reply and your advice over the telephone today. I'll send you an e-mail.
ALW I have sent you a reply by pm. I'm expecting to use the existing cartridge as trade-in against a new one

Cheers F