Melos SHA Gold Reference Tube Pre / Headphone Amp …Restored & Upgraded by Original Melos Designer

This 1 owner (me) Melos SHA Gold Reference Tube Pre / Headphone amp was purchased new in 1999 and used until 2003 when it went into military household goods storage ahead of multiple overseas assignments. I got it back in 2019 after I retired. 

I was able to track down original Melos designer Mark Porzilli (MP) and asked if he would evaluate and recommend potential upgrades to his highly rated, classic headphone/pre-amp. The upgrades MP recommended and performed are extensive ... all with the goal of maximizing sonic performance. I went with all of his recommendations including but not limited to 1) replacement of the ‘photentiometer’ circuit and the elimination of the balance control; 2) the bypassing of the phono section ... the rear panel phono inputs still function as additional Line Level inputs and; 3) the choice of Teflon capacitors in the signal path   

The unit’s complete restoration and the extensive upgrades performed allow the condition of this SHA Gold Reference to be rated as Excellent from an ‘Electronics’ standpoint.  The unit’s otherwise excellent cosmetic condition drops down 1 notch to Very Good based solely on the ’bronzing’ of the once black face plate ... read more on that from MP attached. Please note the placement of a Melos Technologies ‘plaque’ to cover where the balance control meter used to be. The meter will be shipped with the unit so it can be re-installed if desired. 

My extensively upgraded SHA Gold Reference was returned in January 2021 with a 1 year non-transferable warranty. I’m selling it because I’ve since made a major investment in an all new, high end A/V system and need to offset some of that cost. To that end I’ve decided to sell this outstanding, fully restored headphone/line pre-amp along with some other cherished audio components. Includes an extra pair of matched NOS Russian (Sovtek) 6922 tubes.  Will be double boxed for shipping. 

** To help interested parties make an informed decision I’ve provided lots of pics plus several  progress updates/ email messages from MP that describe the scope of work in greater detail.