user 37518
Well-known member
I got an e-mail today from Phillip Bova regarding the implementation of Bova opamps for the 500 series consoles, they now have tested the opamps on 500 series and have deviced a way to fit these in a 500 series console, heres the info Phillip sent me:
The following guide describes 3 clearly different MCI 500 series console types which are upgradeable with sage RED or BLUE SE-DOT discrete opamps.
Details about the opamps themselves ~ including the difference between the RED and the BLUE ~ general replacement strategies and install guidelines can be found on our site at http://www.sageelectronics.com/SE-DOT5.html
MCI 500 series console(s) / sage RED/BLUE SE-DOT compatibility guide
[please see attached related illustrations #1 , #2, #3]
example #1
* this MCI 500 features a hybrid opamp; ie an MCI 2001 and/or MCI 2003 metal can octal [8 pin] driving two metal can transistors, with a +/- 24 Volt power supply
* in this case you can replace any MCI 2001 and/or MCI 2003 opamp in this particular console with a RED [class A] or BLUE [class A/B] SE-DOT discrete opamp
please note ... some early 500 series consoles did not include the two metal can transistors per MCI 2001 and/or MCI 2003 opamp mentioned above. As this circuit topology is very similar to the one found in MCI JH416 consoles, the RED / BLUE opamp upgrade recommendations for the JH416 on our site at http://www.sageelectronics.com/SE-DOT5.html also apply to these specific JH500 consoles.
example #2
* this MCI 500 features a hybrid opamp; ie an MCI 2003 metal can octal [8 pin] driving two metal can transistors, with a +/- 36 Volt power supply
* in this case you can replace any MCI 2003 opamp in this particular console with a sage RED [class A] or BLUE [class A/B] discrete opamp
example #3
* this MCI 500 features a hybrid opamp; ie an MCI 2002 metal can octal [8 pin] driving two metal can transistors, with a +/- 36 Volt power supply
* STOP!!!
* in this case the only way you can replace MCI 2002 opamps in this particular console with a sage RED [class A] or BLUE [class A/B] discrete opamp, is if you lower the console power supply to +/- 24 Volts
* this solution was recently suggested by MCI guru Steve Sadler
All three topologies described above have been successfully tested here at sage ELECTRONICS for many months. I feel upgrading with our RED or BLUE SE-DOT discrete opamps will provide a noticeable sonic improvement to these already respected consoles.
I am always glad to speak / skype (skype name <phillipvictorbova>) with any console owners who might be interested in a discussing an upgrade strategy.
The following guide describes 3 clearly different MCI 500 series console types which are upgradeable with sage RED or BLUE SE-DOT discrete opamps.
Details about the opamps themselves ~ including the difference between the RED and the BLUE ~ general replacement strategies and install guidelines can be found on our site at http://www.sageelectronics.com/SE-DOT5.html
MCI 500 series console(s) / sage RED/BLUE SE-DOT compatibility guide
[please see attached related illustrations #1 , #2, #3]
example #1
* this MCI 500 features a hybrid opamp; ie an MCI 2001 and/or MCI 2003 metal can octal [8 pin] driving two metal can transistors, with a +/- 24 Volt power supply
* in this case you can replace any MCI 2001 and/or MCI 2003 opamp in this particular console with a RED [class A] or BLUE [class A/B] SE-DOT discrete opamp
please note ... some early 500 series consoles did not include the two metal can transistors per MCI 2001 and/or MCI 2003 opamp mentioned above. As this circuit topology is very similar to the one found in MCI JH416 consoles, the RED / BLUE opamp upgrade recommendations for the JH416 on our site at http://www.sageelectronics.com/SE-DOT5.html also apply to these specific JH500 consoles.
example #2
* this MCI 500 features a hybrid opamp; ie an MCI 2003 metal can octal [8 pin] driving two metal can transistors, with a +/- 36 Volt power supply
* in this case you can replace any MCI 2003 opamp in this particular console with a sage RED [class A] or BLUE [class A/B] discrete opamp
example #3
* this MCI 500 features a hybrid opamp; ie an MCI 2002 metal can octal [8 pin] driving two metal can transistors, with a +/- 36 Volt power supply
* STOP!!!
* in this case the only way you can replace MCI 2002 opamps in this particular console with a sage RED [class A] or BLUE [class A/B] discrete opamp, is if you lower the console power supply to +/- 24 Volts
* this solution was recently suggested by MCI guru Steve Sadler
All three topologies described above have been successfully tested here at sage ELECTRONICS for many months. I feel upgrading with our RED or BLUE SE-DOT discrete opamps will provide a noticeable sonic improvement to these already respected consoles.
I am always glad to speak / skype (skype name <phillipvictorbova>) with any console owners who might be interested in a discussing an upgrade strategy.
