2203 400V tap vs 490V

[NY Chief]

Finally building up my 2203 kit. There are taps to run the high voltage secondary at 400V vs 490V. Anybody try this? I would assume you run the two blue/red wires to the standby switch instead of the two red? Does this affect heater voltage? Anything else?

[JimiJames]

Usin' VG's Dual tap I assume... No Dual voltage switch?
Works great on my latest but, hadn't had a chance to really check 'er out. Likin' the Hi-tap for now.
I have a DualVoltage switch & ZeroLoss effects loop I'd like to try on my '68 Metrobuild SB. Sounds great now but, the '68 has been in Low-tap since day 1 so I'm curious to hear the Hi-tap...So I guess I'm guilty of not doing that to mine from jump..... Either way you're gonna' like it, Chief.
You're gonna' need a small trim pot installed on the DV switch to dial in the Bias on the Low-tap.
If you decide not to use them; feed to the Standby switch and end fold them underneath for a Super clean look.

-Jimmie

[Roe]

Finally building up my 2203 kit. There are taps to run the high voltage secondary at 400V vs 490V. Anybody try this? I would assume you run the two blue/red wires to the standby switch instead of the two red? Does this affect heater voltage? Anything else?

yes, I've tried it - it doesn't affect heater voltages. but it changes sound and response. I greatly prefer the higher voltages. If v4-5 redplates when running flatout, try reducing 1m on v3a to 390k (cf Park 1210)

[NY Chief]

I have the "virtual variac" on my '69 that Georg built. LIke both volatges. No dual switch on the 2203 (yet!). George has a note in the instructions that some may want to wire directly at 400V. Not sure how to wire in the dual switch. The new Metro Freidman is running lower voltages intentionally but I'm not sure if they achieve it the same way. It does sound damn good though!!

[RagnarMarGunn]

I would love to try the dual switch in my Metro built 2203 but just can't seem to find 3PDT Rocker Switch to replace the standard Marshall standby switch, does anyone have an idea where to get such Rocker Switch?

[JDW3]

I built mine recently and tried the 490 tap. The amp sounded great but I wanted to smooth it out. I soldered the 400V tap and it sounds great to me, a bit smoother and possible more grind. Not planning on changing it back.

[vanhalen5150]

I like the 400 tap as well. Those switches should be easily found. Middle is wired as standby on. Up and down is you 2 other voltage. Second bias pot is added to the switch for the 400 voltage from what I remembered from my kit build. It s laid out in the night owl instruction in the 12000 series forum.

Its in the PDF at the bottom of this thread. The photos are also earlier in the thread for download.

http://forum.metroamp.com/viewtopic.php ... 1&start=15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;