Jul 1st, 2015
Q) Hi there, I was wondering if you guys mod the single channel Bellari MP 110?
If you do, how much? I would like to replace the OP AmP and the transformer.
Which op amp and transformer would you put in there? Please let me know and
thank you for your time.
A) We can modify the Bellari MP 110, but the specific mod you are asking for would not be something we would recommend. There would not be any obvious change in sound, and more than that changing the op amp could even make it worse. This is because there is a design fault on the line drive op amp and a different type may oscillate or cheat DC offset. The real trick is to do what I do with the MPA and that is to add a variable cathode bias and possibly "forced transformer hysterisis" circuit to cause the transformer and the tube to create more harmonics. In fact having a slightly "dirty" circuit is what makes tubes sound useful. Trying to clean up the MP110 is counter-productive, it's supposed to have tube sound character. Trust me on this one. The capability of a tube circuit to truly generate in phase or out of phase second harmonics into the music is the most euphonic effect. Ironically the Bellari unit has more potential to do this than fancy equipment. Modification with extra controls (harmonic enhancement) may be $88 and cost to return ship. The control/eq would be a small version of what I describe on my MPA preamp.