Shanling STP-80

I am glad to introduce our Level-1 mod for the Shanling STP-80 integrated tube amplifier. The modification was designed by Chris Johnson, the founder and former president of Sonic Frontiers. The STP-80 is a beautiful 35 wpc remote controlled integrated amplifier. The modified Shanling STP-80 is a major upgrade from the stock unit and gets you 70% of the performance of our Level-2 mod at a fraction of the cost. This unit is sonically very similar to our modified Shanling SP-80 mono amps that have received exceptional reviews. With the Level-1 mod, the STP-80 is now competitive with tube integrates that sell for up to $3500. If you are looking for a beautiful integrated with world class performance and gorgeous cosmetics, this is the answer.

STP-80 Level-1 modification ($700 + freight to your amp)

• 4 Auricap metallized polypropylene output coupling capacitors.
• 2 Auricap metallized polypropylene input coupling capacitors.
• 10 Japanese Riken ½ and 1 watt signal path carbon resistors with gold-plated leads
• 2' of DH Labs Revelation serie" pure 99.999% silver solid core input signal wire with Teflon tape-wrap dielectric.
• 8 International Rectifier Hexfred ultra-fast soft recovery diodes.
• 4 BlackGate power supply electrolytic capacitors
• 2 Analog Devices AD8620 op-amp based PCB assemblies for preamp stage.
• One sheet of SoundCoat chassis damping material cut & applied where applicable.
• TRT WonderSolder used throughout.
• 3.5 hours labor.

Sonic changes of Level-1 mod

• The amp is quieter and resolves more low level detail. Ambience retrieval & three dimensionality are both improved.
• The midrange is smoother while remaining very detailed.
• The amp is more dynamic. It seems to play louder with more dynamic contrasts.
• Tonal balance is more even across the board but the liquid midrange of the stock machine is retained.
• Imaging is better defined and the soundstage is larger, both wider and deeper.
• Bass is improved. It now has fuller weight and more authority, not flubby "one note" bass. The amp sounds more like solid-state in this area.
• These improvements are 70% of our Level-2 mod at a much lower price. For under $2000, the modified STP-80 is a great value on a gorgeous amp.

STP-80 Level-2 modification ($1450 + freight retrofit to your amp)
Our modified STP-80 Shanling is 80% as good as the Shanling SP-80 mono amps that have received exceptional reviews. With the Level-2 mod, the integrated is now competitive with tube integrates that sell for up to $5000.