Delighted with upgrades to 5235
With its absence of multiple gain and other signal degrading controls, the simplicity of the 5235 should not be maligned. I have 4430 speakers powered through a 5235 by 2 x Naim 130 amplifiers (recently upgraded by Avondale Audio UK to their stage 4) for the LF and 1 x Naim 160 for the HF.
The 5235 has been upgraded ‘a la jblbgw man’ with OPA627 opamps and Phillips caps. I am delighted with the results over the standard 5235 and believe I am now getting some of the 3D effects to the soundstage that I had previously only heard the 4430 was capable of. Of course the Remy Martin helps! Very many thanks to jblbgw man.:applaud:
While my system with Linn LP12, moderately upgraded, DVD transport and custom-built tube DAC, is not in the upper reaches if Hifi it is certainly not Lofi.:D
The biggest problem I have currently is with the external / internal crossover switch on the 4430’s and the lack of technical knowledge and/or confidence to dismantle the speakers to get at the internal crossover to clean. (At this time I would like to upgrade the internal crossover and charge-couple as has been recommended previously on this forum). This has to be my next task to have this fixed after which I would like to introduce more tubes perhaps by way of a buffer, or even tube external crossover, and/or tube amp for HF.
One of the best and cost-effective upgrades I have found for any system is to install a dedicated mains supply, preferably with a separate supply for source equipment and another for power amplifiers. IMHO this should be the first upgrade for any system.
5235 Mod and 52-5140 cards
Hi,
I have a chance to buy a JBL 5235 for use with my 4343 speakers. However, the 5235 does not have the JBL card for my speakers and from what I see on the forum they seem to be hard to come by.
So, assuming that I cannot buy a pair of JBL 52-5140 cards, what kind of trouble am I letting myself in for? Can a populated card be (easily) rebuilt for the specifics of the 4343 speakers?
The cards with the unit appear to crossover at 150Hz... according to the label just visible in the picture on eBay.
I am also interested in upgrading the 5235.. I kind of liek bringing a unit of the same generation as my speakers back to life and then improving on it. Can anyone point me to the best source of upgrade information on the 5235?
Thanks for the help