Was it worth it?


A very resounding yes!!


I have been running the 33 in this mode since reaching the end of this excursion way back in May 2015 without a smidgeon of a problem. One of the first things I did when the casing had been screwed back together was compare it to the other stock 33 from the respective line outs to my headphone amp and Sennheiser 600 cans using a simple switch box. The overall sound characteristic was indistinguishable between the two but what was noticeable was a clear improvement in separation and sound stage in favour of the modded biscuit tin. Swapping inputs to check that the switch wasn’t performing miracles confirmed this. Whether this was a consequence of the off board PSU, revised transistors, DADA refurb kits or the combination of all three is hard to tell.

Did I wear a blindfold and get a third party to do the switching? – no, so was my test remotely scientific, conclusive and immune from expectation bias? – not by a long chalk. But to be honest I couldn’t give a flying monkey’s cobblers. I had taken an arcane and severely ailing relic that was on the brink of a precipice and hopefully given it a few more years grace before it gets shipped off to the vast electronics dump far far away… and this of itself gave me a huge amount of satisfaction.

The process has taken me quite some time and a lot of research, some complex if undemanding physical work and an awful lot of head scratching – but most importantly I learnt a shed load of new stuff about things I’ve never quite understood, been helped by a lot of people who have been very friendly, patient and generous with their knowledge - and along the way I have had a huge amount of fun. Believe me that once you retire these are three things that can be quite scarce and should never be taken for granted.
I thank all those who have read and commented on my ramblings and hope I didn’t bore you stiff in the process (there were many detours and sidetracks I left out to spare the reader…)


Oh – and did I mention that lead free solder is shit?

Any thoughts on the Bob Scatchit mods?

Sorry… Just a skit on Bob Cratchit.

I don't use that either, no thanks. I always used 'Wonder Solder' [Leaded version] 

Looking at the amp picture thread, I'm stunned at the condition of your 33 mikmas. The case on mine is fine, but the Quad lamp cover needs painting and the white buttons are creaming up a little now. I did the final Dada mod of replacing the transistors with BC550's and when I tested it, it sounded more transparent than ever and as sweet as a nut with no grain or 'stunt bass' which I think can afflict the stock article a little.

My 33 lamp cover is brown painted rather than grey to my eyes. What colour did you use?

Latest incarnation with adapted RCA outputs and plexiglas back plate (not perfect but OK) - the lettering is Photoshop for the moment until I decide which way to go....