Comments on: If I Had to Start Again: Aragon 4004 MKII & Audible Illusions Modulus 3

By: Mike S

Mike S — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 05:28:35 +0000

I have 2x Aragon 4004mk11 amps…. one is driven by a Nakamichi 410 pre, whilst the other by a Densen Beat 200 into Gale 401 speakers. Whilst one has been recapped, sadly the other had a PSU failure ….two big stacked toroidals is really just asking for heat issues! A tech rewired the remaining transformer to run both channels. Although volume is down it is still very satisfactory for a small lounge and is running an ARcam streamer very nicely indeed. Needless to say I have been looking for a replacement transformer for 2 yrs. Sadly only one company in my country (NZ) can make me one, but the quoted price is prohibitive as they don’t really want to take their automatic winding machines offline just for a one off job….at this stage I’m looking for information of other amps that may have used the same transformer … Holden & Fisher Ltd model F985A (long out of business) …so if anyone can help a fellow vintage audiophile with some information I will be eternally grateful.

By: jerry zaleski

jerry zaleski — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 12:12:34 +0000

In reply to JZ. I should have mentioned my Melos preamp was paired with a Levinson model? The 50 watt per channel one. Along with Totem model 1's and a REL sub. That was some good synergy. The Auduble Illusions surprised me when it did not sound as good as the Melos. Like you say, synergy.

By: Ian White

Ian White — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 15:20:25 +0000

In reply to JZ.

JZ,

Good luck getting the Melos serviced in 2024. I have a funny Melos story from 1999 that I will share one day.

By: JZ

JZ — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 14:35:50 +0000

In reply to Ostap Nakoneczny. I had the audible Illusions and the Melos headphone preamp in my room. The AI had a heavy thick sound to it, the Melos very euphonic yet detailed and sweeter, more musical presentation. I preferred the Melos. Of course wouldn't kick the AI out of the bed.

By: Ian White

Ian White — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 23:31:56 +0000

In reply to Erik.

Erik,

Very useful information for me. Thank you.

Ian White

By: Erik

Erik — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 01:58:24 +0000

In reply to Ian White.

People tend to gravitate to the 24K because of the included phono section, but I’m a separate separates nerd.

The key is to find an Aragon preamp with the separate (non-plastic) LPS and the Penny & Giles potentiometer to use as your “base.”

My 24K SP was completely recapped and reworked including the power supply. unfortunately I had that done before I started documenting stuff on the forums.

My Aragon 4004 rebuild is in an Audio Karma thread (post number 62: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/help-aragon-4004-power-supply-caps.1004962/

My 47K phono preamp has its own build thread: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/modialfan-aragon-47k-upgrade-magic.1022795/

Hope this proves useful.

By: JZ

JZ — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 13:05:52 +0000

Back at that time I experimented with the Audible Illusions. Wish I could remember the amp I paired it with, but, when I went to the Melos preamp the air and tonality along with just as much bass control made the Audible Illusions sound thick and slow comparatively. Wish I had kept all that vintage gear. Ended up very happy with the Bryston 4BST and matching preamp BP 20. All different sonic signatures. Melos tube preamp was amazing and about 500 less than the Illusion.

By: Ian White

Ian White — Fri, 24 May 2024 20:01:09 +0000

In reply to Erik.

Erik,

Wonderful system. Congrats. If I had to start again with amplification and a pre-amplifier from that period that I still think bests a number of new products in a few areas, I would go with the combination that I suggested.

I remember the Aragon pre-amplifiers from the period but they were harder to find used in great shape.

My only issue might be the “rebuilds” and how much that would add to the cost. I am intrigued to learn more.

Best,

Ian White

By: Erik

Erik — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:24:27 +0000

I have a completely restored Aragon 4004 (rebuilt by a guy on AK along with a 47K and 24KSP preamp) and funny enough, my dad just gifted me his Audible Illusions M3A for my birthday. While my current listening room isn’t the ideal set up, I like my first impressions of the M3A (the rebuilt 24KSP was so good I sold my Schitt Freya+).

The M3A has the original Sovtek tubes, so I’ll be upgrading those to the Reflktor 6H23P-EB many recommend. The 24KSP now has VCap ODAM output caps, so it’s definitely not a stock-for-stock comparison. Honestly, they both sound excellent. First impressions are the 24K has more clarity and the M3M has that wonderful tube glow.

By: Ian White

Ian White — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 15:51:58 +0000

In reply to Joe Whip.

Joe,

It’s still a fine amp with the right preamp and speakers. The MCCormack amplifiers were really nice. I’ve seen a few recently on HiFIShark that were restored and look to be in great shape.

Ian