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Anyone knows the cost to upgrade my gen 2 backplates with Toroidal 1 to the Consummate version?
I bypassed the brilliance control altogether without the inline 4ohm resistor, why would with the 4ohm resistor be better? -
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Greeting,
I’m in the process of bringing my Pristine II’s back to life. On these different panels. Are pics available for reference? I’m assuming I’m dealing with pre-PX panels. But it seems the transition may have been around the time they were produced.
Thanks in advance,
DD -
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All the previous suggestions make sense. I have done all of that (have hotrod backplates), but one thing not mentioned was to remove the brilliance control and replace it with a good Vishay resistor. You will have to experiment on the value (4-6 ohms), but dumping the brilliance pot is worth the trouble.
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In addition, regarding the backplate near consummate comments, there are many changes even between versions with the same Toroid version. Over the years, a few version notes:
1) Backplates with attachment screws exposed (original, brown ones, very old)
2) Backplates with screws hidden, a single low, jumper/banana tone control, vs. the later versions with 3 tone controls (quite old).
3) Backplates where the bass transformer was wired to repel dust instead of attract it (forgive me for lack of more technical explanation on this one)
4) Backplates with the 3 tone controls and new, improved mixer box and new values on the “crossover” components. I believe only the later versions of the 3 tone control backplates had the mixer and component value changes.I think there were other component changes above the few I mentioned above. Some of the backplates may have had these updates incorporated inside, it is hard to know without detailed photos of the underside. I wouldn’t be afraid to send them into SL to be completely updated.
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There were many generations of Pre-PX panels. The durability and quality of the sound is different between them.
At least a few versions that I can think of:
-Wooden construction with equally spaced horizontal ribs (original A-1)
-Plastic construction with equally spaced horizontal ribs (more durable and stable)
-Plastic construction with the horizontal ribs broken into different length segments, significantly reducing the “drumming” affect, among other things. This was the latest up to the PX panels. You will see the ribs at the top much closer together than the ones on the bottom with these.
-PX panels. Total overhaul of membrane material, stator wire insulation and construction design and materials. A big deal imo. I believe they did get more efficiency out of these, even with an apples-apples dispersion version comparison.
-PX Panels with Bass Focus. Basically the same as PX, but changed the horizontal rib spacings once again to improve bass response. -
If you have the Toroidal II transformers, you are almost all the way to the Consummate. I don’t think you would gain much by going to the PX panels. Yes, the amplifiers play a major role in making Sound Labs perform to their potential. And, being highly resolving, everything else up stream is very important too. The best source, preamp, clean power, and vibration control under your electronics. I firmly believe the use of Stillpoints has enhanced my system. And don’t underestimate the importance of the acoustics of your room.
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The introduction of the PX series was a major redesign of the internal structure of the panel to greatly strengthen it, as well as a switch-over to a better stator wire and insulation which addressed a weakness that led to far too frequent panel failures which necessitated a return of the panel to the factory. Since then ‘arcing over’ and the resulting burn holes in the membrane has become a rarity, eliminating a problem that resulted in a reputation for poor reliability. If your non PX panels are still working well, it’s most likely they have not been moved and subjected to the stress of handling. Today’s panels are significantly stronger and more reliable.
The subsequent improvements in sonics have mainly come with the introduction of better toroidal transformers and better capacitors, all included in the “Consumate” backplates and lastly the Bass Focus redesign of the panels which improves the bass response. Older backplates can be updated, pre PX panels can not; they need to be replaced.
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