Thanks -- I also ordered two matched pair of .1uF FT-3s. Will use one pair for C4 and maybe will use the other pair as the C6 bypass, if I can make them fit.
If I end up with an extra pair of .1 teflons, do you think would it make any difference to use them in C1 or C5?
I was also able to find a pair of 15.5 nF NOS SSG silver mica to try out in C3.
Also have a bunch of 47nF and 15nF K40Y-9 on the way as another alternative.
Looking forward to seeing what works once all this stuff arrives from E. Europe.
I finished a temporary p2p setup yesterday.
All the resistors are of general tolerances. The tubes - russian 6N2P-EV and 6H8C, the first 4 I fished out of the bag. The voltages are correct but with some deviations, of course. The setup was connected to my Technics SL1210mk7 w/Ortofon bronze. The 1st impressions:
1/ good bass
2/ very nice and tight mid-bass (I liked that)
3/ more details in the mids (in compare with the cheapest Project preamp I have had since maybe 10 years back)
4/ slight hum which I can hear if I approach my ears to the bass section of the speakers - from the listening position I don't hear it
5/ a bit muddy highs and higher mids
The first impression is very good.
Just need to decide the way to go on.
Most probably I will order a board from one of the local suppliers (just to make it a bit tidy - now it's a mess).
The issue with slight hum is not a problem and will be solved I believe.
As for highs and high-mids I need an advice here where to look.
Tubes? Filter? Something else?
All the resistors are of general tolerances. The tubes - russian 6N2P-EV and 6H8C, the first 4 I fished out of the bag. The voltages are correct but with some deviations, of course. The setup was connected to my Technics SL1210mk7 w/Ortofon bronze. The 1st impressions:
1/ good bass
2/ very nice and tight mid-bass (I liked that)
3/ more details in the mids (in compare with the cheapest Project preamp I have had since maybe 10 years back)
4/ slight hum which I can hear if I approach my ears to the bass section of the speakers - from the listening position I don't hear it
5/ a bit muddy highs and higher mids
The first impression is very good.
Just need to decide the way to go on.
Most probably I will order a board from one of the local suppliers (just to make it a bit tidy - now it's a mess).
The issue with slight hum is not a problem and will be solved I believe.
As for highs and high-mids I need an advice here where to look.
Tubes? Filter? Something else?
I’m really enjoying my Valve Itch tonight. Spinning a Music Matters copy of Out to Lunch! on 33. There is just so much air from the VIP, that the entire quintet shines. Tight bass, and the mids — particularly the vibes — are just so lush. It’s not falling short anywhere.
I believe Tony Williams is one of the greatest musicians to walk the earth. Eric Dolphy was a genius, but I listen to this album for Tony — the 18 year old wunderkind when this album was recorded. The Valve Itch really makes the drum kit shine.
I believe Tony Williams is one of the greatest musicians to walk the earth. Eric Dolphy was a genius, but I listen to this album for Tony — the 18 year old wunderkind when this album was recorded. The Valve Itch really makes the drum kit shine.
I will check everything, Salas!The PSU is fine. The former 4PL1 preamp I didn't find use of. It was dead quiet.
After you know gain matching between channels is good, signal wiring as short and well dressed as possible etc. do allow yourself some time with various recordings to become more familiar with the Valve Itch Phono. Given the opportunity make sure that the turntable is best aligned for even performance across a range of vinyls. That's crucial to be established before applying value tweaks or different passive parts in your temporary p2p phono build itself. If you will also change tube sets for evaluations, the channels gain matching should be checked again.
Finally getting around to writing up my latest build of the Valve Itch. I was having issues with the valve sockets on the original (heater contact on V4 was touchy), so I ended up using my last PCB and starting from scratch using premium components.
Scratched together a Hagerman inverse RIAA, and ran 1K through the scope -- very nice channel match and gain is right as expected.
Not sure I could imagine a component being more transparent. This thing WILL convey what's on the recording (good, bad, and ugly). When it's a fine recording, it absolutely sings. When it's not, well..you'll hear it. When I get time I'll compare it to my previous solid state reference (Graham Slee Reflex M). The only area where I'm not 100% it's performing where it should be is in the bass. It sounds lighter than I think it should be with some recordings, but that may just be expectation bias. I unfortunately don't get too much time to listen critically.
Notable components include (everything matched within 1%):
C2 FT-3
C3 SSG Silver Mica
C4 FT-3
C6 Mundorf M-Cap Supreme
R1 Texas Components S2575
R2-R4; R7; R12 Takman REY
R5 Vishay S102K
R6; R8 Shinkoh .5w
R9-R11 Mills 5w
R13 Audio Note 1w
Anyone else thinking of building one?
Scratched together a Hagerman inverse RIAA, and ran 1K through the scope -- very nice channel match and gain is right as expected.
Not sure I could imagine a component being more transparent. This thing WILL convey what's on the recording (good, bad, and ugly). When it's a fine recording, it absolutely sings. When it's not, well..you'll hear it. When I get time I'll compare it to my previous solid state reference (Graham Slee Reflex M). The only area where I'm not 100% it's performing where it should be is in the bass. It sounds lighter than I think it should be with some recordings, but that may just be expectation bias. I unfortunately don't get too much time to listen critically.
Notable components include (everything matched within 1%):
C2 FT-3
C3 SSG Silver Mica
C4 FT-3
C6 Mundorf M-Cap Supreme
R1 Texas Components S2575
R2-R4; R7; R12 Takman REY
R5 Vishay S102K
R6; R8 Shinkoh .5w
R9-R11 Mills 5w
R13 Audio Note 1w
Anyone else thinking of building one?
Attachments
Actually sounds very good , but my Shishido LCR is still better
I had this Itch phono preamp in my main system for years but it was made PTP. Now I made it on pcb just for fun.
