Need Advice......Master Volume PTP Board Into 2203 Reissue!

[Mattman]

Hi all! Well, I am not all too satisfied with my 2203x reissue. After hearing an original 2203, I am actually a little bummed I spent 1800 bucks on the amp. I was thinking about dropping the MetroAmp PTP master volume board in, but I was also thinking about having the amp modded by Voodoo Amps. I know this is a MetroAmp forum, but I like getting input from as many sources as possible. Ok, here are my questions:

1) What will be the main differences between having the PCB board modded, and dropping in the PTP board? Will I notice a big difference? If so, in what?

2) Has anybody here dropped a PTP board into their 2203 reissue? If so, what differences did you notice?

3) I also want to drop in a new transformer. What transformer that Metro sells would be a good match for the 2203 reissue?

4) How much does it usually cost to have a PTP board installed by a good tech?

Thanks for any help you guys can offer me!

[toner]

I don't have much experience with the JCM 800 RI's (except to say that they are extremely bright) so this may not be of much help...

I'm sure a Metro PTP would help but there are a few things you can try before that. I'd start with good tubes and a bias adjustment. A lot of the RI's have crappy tubes and are biased pretty cold from the factory. A smaller bright cap or removing it completely should help too. A lot of the RI output transformers aren't very good sounding but that's not a cheap upgrade. I'm not sure about the 800 OT's though.

Do some searching here. I'm sure there are several people who have upgraded 800 RIs. I've done a ton of upgrades to a 1959 SLP and some are more cost-effective than others but there's always room for improvement.

[rockstah]

Hi all! Well, I am not all too satisfied with my 2203x reissue. After hearing an original 2203, I am actually a little bummed I spent 1800 bucks on the amp. I was thinking about dropping the MetroAmp PTP master volume board in, but I was also thinking about having the amp modded by Voodoo Amps. I know this is a MetroAmp forum, but I like getting input from as many sources as possible. Ok, here are my questions:

1) What will be the main differences between having the PCB board modded, and dropping in the PTP board? Will I notice a big difference? If so, in what?

2) Has anybody here dropped a PTP board into their 2203 reissue? If so, what differences did you notice?

3) I also want to drop in a new transformer. What transformer that Metro sells would be a good match for the 2203 reissue?

4) How much does it usually cost to have a PTP board installed by a good tech?

Thanks for any help you guys can offer me!

1 the main difference will be that with a PTP board u have more freedom to tweak your sound. its alot harder to do on PCB board.

2. the is subjective and arguable. see #1

3. I'm sure George could answer that question for you.

4. depends on the tech. anywhere between 50-100 bucks and hour. for me it would depend on the amp in question. what it looks like etc.

[Flynman]

I had the same problem with my 800 2203 RI . I changed preamp and powertubes. That helped. Then clipped out treble cap on volume pot That helped. Now I am going to change the OT & the choke. Still trying to decide which OT to use. Thinking maybe MM drop in replacement with 3H or 5H choke. I think after that it will be pretty close to what I want out of it. You can go to Tone-Lizzard web sight for treble mods on that amp. Good info.