Does anyone know much about AGI preamps?

Wow, I bought this unit on a strong recommendation for $220, and now after reading your descriptions I feel like I've gotten away scott-free with the Great Train Robbery. Now I know the explanation for the sound that I hear from it. My hat goes off to Dave. Good job.

These are the web sites that I found that only briefly mention the AGI 511a and modification, but there is no detailed explanation to it.

http://www.blackdahlia.com/samadhi/cube_rave.htm
http://www.positive-feedback.com/0703/Manoly.CD2.7n3.html

Thanks for the tips about the modifications. I know a local electronics wizard here in Austin that I will ask to look into these changes. As you mentioned interconnects, I am using some extremely dull-sounding Acoustic research cables and have been researching replacements. I initially considered Nordost Blue Heavens, but then I found a DIY recipe on the web for teflon-coated silver wire interconnects, and I'm going to give them a shot first. The URL is below. Check it out. It's a much more coherent plan than most others I've seen on the internet.

http://www.geocities.com/venhaus1/diysilverinterconnects.html

Thanks very much, guys. Happy Listening to you.
Jason

Jay, i've seen Bruce's reviews before and emailed him quite a while ago. From what i can gather, his AGI is NOT highly modified. It simply has some common upgrades done to it. If i remember correctly, i think that he had all of the RCA's replaced with "audiophile approved" pieces and installed a new power cord. As i mentioned, getting rid of the ribbon cable and RCA sub-board is of PRIME importance if you really want to hear the unit sing. This is NOT easy though and is quite time consuming in terms of documenting where each wire goes, etc... I've made my own charts and even i get confused by them sometimes !!! : )

As to the Acoustic Research cables, i had a friend ( Hi Lou !!! ) send me some to burn in on my Mobie. He found them to be unlistenable so i volunteered to see if burning them would help at all. I did listen to them when i first got them and agree with him that they are not the best. They are still on the burner as we speak.

While i have not used the cables that you listed, i am quite familiar with Chris' work and designs. He's a great guy and goes way out of his way to help people out. Like most of us without "trust funds", he strives to do the most with the least.

In stock form, the AGI works quite well with Jon Risch's Belden 89248 / 89259 twisted pair design. These cables are excellent for the money and sound very smooth, transparent and detailed while still retaining good body and warmth to them. Like anything else though, whether you like these is up to system synergy and personal taste. I use a combination of these and a couple different types of Magnan ( slightly leaner sounding with excellent high frequency detail ) cables in my computer room system. Sean
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Jay, i also forgot to ask if you are taking advantage of the phono section in this preamp ??? If not, i would HIGHLY suggest investing in a GOOD yet basic TT and giving it a try. You might be AMAZED at how good vinyl sounds via a well set-up system that doesn't have to cost a fortune. Sean
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Sean, yes, I have used two of my TT's with the AGI so far. A Technics SL-D2 and a Pioneer PL series (either a 550, 560, or 570, I can't exactly remember which I've got back there rtight now). I do very much like the way vinyl sounds on it, but I have spent more time putting together a DIY record vacuum than listening to vinyl lately. After I've cleaned a few records I'll give it a critical listen. Are there some better TT's you could recommend? I love auditioning and looking at new stuff. I've considered looking into the Thorens TD-124. Someone here in Austin who owns a hi-fi shop talks about them like they have all been touched by King Midas. Thanks very much, Jason.

Without getting into more expensive TT's, the one that comes the most highly recommended for the cash seems to be the Well Tempered system. Since i don't have first hand experience with this piece, i'm simply repeating what i've been told by people that i trust ( hardcore vinylphiles ). Other than that, you could probably step into a reasonably priced Thorens, AR, Rega for not that much and notice an appreciable difference. Just make sure that the arm is properly set up and the cartridge is a good choice for the design / mass of the arm.

Be careful here, as i've had "reputable shops" sell and install cartridges that WERE NOT compatible with the arm that was on the table. I simply followed their suggestion and left it up to them to install it. Prior to use, i read the cartridge manufacturers recommendations for proper set-up. What i found was that the cartridge that they had recommended and installed would never work properly in that arm. Needless to say, i had to return it. They were pissed to say the least, but they took it back with a $50 "labor fee". If you think that they were "pissed", they should have tried to see my point of view. After all, it was THEIR fault. They made the suggestion, they sold me the wrong component, they installed it. All i did was listen to the "self appointed" expert and "get taken" while forking over the cash. Never again...

Do you know what phono stage you have in your AGI ??? David made three different versions with various amounts of gain. If you can look inside, i can walk you through telling which one you have. You really do need to know this in order to select a cartridge with the proper output level.

You might also want to see if the previous owner had added resistors / capacitors in order to fine tune the loading characteristics for a specific cartridge. If so, you can take them out. It might help the combo that you currently have to sound even better. Sean
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