SWL Posted April 22, 2017 Share Posted April 22, 2017 A few months ago I found a reputable tech in Chicago to modify my 222c. I asked him if he could install 'main inputs' so that I could experiment using the 222c as an amp only. He did better than that....he modified it so that I can use it normal, as a preamp only or as an amp only. After experimenting, I've fallen in love using it as an amp only mated with a seperate preamp. I wanted to mention this so anybody that owns one of these Scott tube integrateds might want to give it a try....or not. It took him less than ten minutes to do the mod while we sat there and BS'd. I've fallen in love with my 222c all over again. Only this time it has the flavor of my favorite preamp. They're like a match made in heaven. [emoji106] Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted April 22, 2017 Share Posted April 22, 2017 Nice... congrates. What preamp are you using it with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted April 22, 2017 Author Share Posted April 22, 2017 A fully restored Marantz Model 3600. This pre has been described as having a somewhat darker sound compared to other Marantz preamps of the same era....and I agreed with that but thought it worked well with the obvious Klipsch characteristics. However, after the new caps, etc. were installed as part of the restoration, it has it all. The warm, early 70's Marantz sound with every bit of detail and fidelity.Combined with the warm tones of the Scott and the A55G mid drivers I'm set. Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted April 22, 2017 Share Posted April 22, 2017 Why not find a el84 push pull power amp? I can understand if there is a characteristic of the scott that you love. But it seems to be a waste of components that are built into the integrated.Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted April 22, 2017 Share Posted April 22, 2017 By the way, i have no problem that you did what you did (not even my component to care). I actually think it was a unique way you went to find enjoyment. Congrats!Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted April 22, 2017 Author Share Posted April 22, 2017 The mod just makes the Scott more flexible....Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshnich Posted April 22, 2017 Share Posted April 22, 2017 Great Mod! I have owned a number of integrated amps and receivers that allowed for the use of the pre amp section or power amp section. Its quite common. I have found that flexibility very useful. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted April 22, 2017 Author Share Posted April 22, 2017 Yeah, all my vintage Marantz solid state units are this way. Having this flexibility is great....especially for someone like me who is always trying something different.Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 Was a switch installed to toggle between power amp and integrated amp mode? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted April 24, 2017 Author Share Posted April 24, 2017 No toggle switch. I won't try to describe what he did under the hood other than it took him less than 10 minutes to do it. I was standing right next to him shootin the $hit with his partner not paying close enough attention.... The way it works is that the tape recorder input has now become the main input or pre-out. If I want to use it as a preamp, the phase inverter tubes come out. If I want to use it strickly as an amplifier, the inverter tubes stay in....again, using the tape recorder inputs as main inputs. If I simply want to use it as a normal, HH Scott 222c integrated amp.....nothing changes. I just leave all tubes in and use either the extra or the tuner input. Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 Well okay....not much of a modification then. The preamp section of the 222C will be very pesky about the input impedance of the amplifier you try to drive. It's really not a stand alone preamplifier. The amplifier section should work real well in some cases. Again it will be preamplifier finicky. The preamp should always be capacitor coupled or the amplifier section could easily go ballistic on you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 Two more questions... When using it as a normal 222C integrated do all front panel controls still function? When using it as a power amp or preamplifier don't you have to change tape monitor switch location? Just thought of one more. When using it as a preamplifier with the output tubes still in place will you have either speakers or some loading resistors in place? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted April 25, 2017 Author Share Posted April 25, 2017 Two more questions... When using it as a normal 222C integrated do all front panel controls still function? Yes.Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted April 25, 2017 Author Share Posted April 25, 2017 Two more questions... When using it as a power amp or preamplifier don't you have to change tape monitor switch location? No.Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted April 25, 2017 Author Share Posted April 25, 2017 Two more questions... Just thought of one more. When using it as a preamplifier with the output tubes still in place will you have either speakers or some loading resistors in place? He didn't say anything about that.....only to remove the inverter tubes when using it as a preamp.Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted April 25, 2017 Author Share Posted April 25, 2017 Eventually, I'll try using it as a preamp again. When I did....it was with a Crown K2 pro-amp and I don't think they are very compatible. Pro vs consumer....I didn't spend any more time with it as a pre with any other amps because like I said earlier, the Marantz pre/222c amp only combo just blew me away.I'd guesstimate that I have approx 75-100 hours run through this combo so far. Bias is cool and everything seems to be normal.Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 10 minutes ago, SWL said: He didn't say anything about that.....only to remove the inverter tubes when using it as a preamp. Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk well I would not run it that way if it was mine... if the output section is not loaded and something goes wrong with it like an output tube failure one of the output transformer is surely going to get fried. In fact even with a loading resistor it could still lose a transformer since you would most likely have no clue it was happening without speakers attached. What you are describing done correctly can not be done in a few minutes. I have one more question...maybe ;). When running it as a power amplifier is the sound changed at all when you adjust the main volume control or balance control on the 222C? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted April 25, 2017 Author Share Posted April 25, 2017 I have one more question...maybe . When running it as a power amplifier is the sound changed at all when you adjust the main volume control or balance control on the 222C? Volume on the 222c does nothing. The balance control I'm pretty sure does nothing as well, I'll have to check.Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted April 26, 2017 Author Share Posted April 26, 2017 well I would not run it that way if it was mine... if the output section is not loaded and something goes wrong with it like an output tube failure one of the output transformer is surely going to get fried. In fact even with a loading resistor it could still lose a transformer since you would most likely have no clue it was happening without speakers attached.Thanks for the heads-up.[emoji106] Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Well if he did what I was thinking he did the balance control would still work. The volume control might have a very minor effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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