My Pearl Phono Section

[Algar_emi]

Here the Pearl enclosure. It is recycling of two computer printer port switches. These boxes were very nicely made of strong alu extrusion with nice powder paint. However, the color was the tame computer beige, not very exciting. And the just one channel fits into one box, so I needed two of them. I painted in the case in grey metallic color then connected both boxes using a piece of maple. They are hold in place strongly by 4 stainless steel bolts. I use matching wood veneer on front to hide the original awfull front panel. A blue led will light in the middle.

 

[Algar_emi]

This is an image showing the assembly.

 

[Algar_emi]

The wood block is grooved to received on the back a center power input connector and a gnd connector (not shown at the time). The front has provision for the led connection.

 

[Algar_emi]

This the rear viw with the rear panels not installed yet. Each channel is fully shielded from each other.

 

[Algar_emi]

Here a detail of one channel. The gnd lug can be seen just under the power connector. The enclosure has a nice PCB slot already built-in. I mounted the PCB on a piece of bare PCB (grounded to the case in the slot). To mount the preamp, just insert the PCB, connect the wires and you're done. The wires are long enough that the PCB can be probed outside the case for testing. As said before the GND lug has two wires, one per PCB, conencte to each PCB star gnd point.

 

[Zen Mod]

ugly!

 

[Algar_emi]

Well, beauty is a matter of taste. In real it is very nice. I wanted something that looks different than all the rest. I got it

 

[Algar_emi]

Here a view of the inside connections. Both channels MC/MM inputs are close by in the middle. The outputs connectors are on each side. I'm using Cardas connectors.

 

[Algar_emi]

Hi. Just to report that I'm listening to my new re-installed music system (moved house this summer, you know a lot of boxes to go through, lost stuff...). I have a classic Thorens TD124, SME 3009 tonearm with Shure V15VxMR (one of the classic light tonearm/cartridge, high compliance rig) and the PhonoClone3. This setup is different from the LP12/Ittok/DL103/PhonoClone3 I have running at the moment. It is very silent as the PhonoClone3 (I'm using only the MM section of the Pearl at the moment, so it has a lower gain as well).

Thanks Promitheus for this nice kit, and Pass Labs DIY, Nelson Pass and Wayne Colburn for sharing their great design.

and sorry Zen Mod, it may looks ugly to you but sounds just great with no hum or noise

 

[vinylkid58]

And the winner is?

Looks great BTW.

Jeff

 

[Algar_emi]

Thanks for the nice comment. These enclosures are recycled printer selection switch boxes. They were just too nice to trow away. But too small to mount both channels in just one box. This is when the idea to mount two boxes using some kind of spacer came in. I also needed some way to route the power connector, GND and power indicator, without disturbing each channel. This is why I mounted them on the central section.

And I wanted to make something that look different for a change. I did

 

[Zen Mod]

sorry , Algar , that was old post of mine ;

I certainly meant Fugly! ...... which means different etc. ;

same quality as your other works , including great pdf files you made in last years ...

 

[dubai2000]

What puzzles me that many (most?) people put those white Mundorf caps into their Pearls (and PSU). To my ears they absolutely ruin the quality of the unit and add some kind of mechanical harshness. Of course your milage will vary.....

 

[ernesternest]

What puzzles me that many (most?) people put those white Mundorf caps into their Pearls (and PSU). To my ears they absolutely ruin the quality of the unit and add some kind of mechanical harshness. Of course your milage will vary.....

Your proposal?

Thanks Ernst

 

[dubai2000]

Ernst,

I've tried a number of vintage caps (PIOs/MKVs), a 'lowly' Roederstein MKT (all more musical to my ears than those Mundorfs) but 'best' of all (to my ears): Russian PETPs. Of course YMMV as you've got different rooms, equipment and...ears .

 

[vinylkid58]

What puzzles me that many (most?) people put those white Mundorf caps into their Pearls (and PSU). To my ears they absolutely ruin the quality of the unit and add some kind of mechanical harshness. Of course your milage will vary.....

I just didn't know any better when I built my Pearl. I'm all for trying something else. Are the Russian PETP's you reference the K73-16's?

Jeff

 

[dubai2000]

Yes, those are the ones. At the moment they are my favourite caps - not ony in the Pearl.

 

[ernesternest]

K73-16

Ernst,

I've tried a number of vintage caps (PIOs/MKVs), a 'lowly' Roederstein MKT (all more musical to my ears than those Mundorfs) but 'best' of all (to my ears): Russian PETPs. Of course YMMV as you've got different rooms, equipment and...ears .

Thank you! I'll give it a try

Ernst

 

[vinylkid58]

Yes, those are the ones. At the moment they are my favourite caps - not ony in the Pearl.

Thanks.

Jeff