E.C Audio Finestra Preamp

mckaymckaymckay · 20th June 2011, 02:42 PM

Hey peoples,

Anyone know much about this pre amp? I aquired it not long ago and cant find any info at all on the web about it.

Its a fantastic preamp mind, dont use the phono stage as i have a heavy modified CA 640p which i use instead (from details posted on here).

Tx muchly!

mckaymckaymckay · 12th July 2011, 08:28 PM

No one?

Seems this 1986 preamp is abit of an enigma.

Itsmee · 17th July 2011, 08:23 AM

Some background on the designer

6moons audio reviews: Tom*Evans Audio Design Linear A

mckaymckaymckay · 17th July 2011, 08:35 PM

Yes, read that not long ago.. cant find much for this particular preamp though.

Im trying to work out what the circuit layout is and also what opamps are used, so i can do some upgrading to maybe discreate versions but cant find nothing!

All the opamps in the preamp seem to have heatsinks glued onto them, which is making it rather hard to see what they are. Also ive noticed every resistor in it is holco.

theophile · 18th July 2011, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mckaymckaymckay

Yes, read that not long ago.. cant find much for this particular preamp though.

Im trying to work out what the circuit layout is and also what opamps are used, so i can do some upgrading to maybe discreate versions but cant find nothing!

All the opamps in the preamp seem to have heatsinks glued onto them, which is making it rather hard to see what they are. Also ive noticed every resistor in it is holco.

Have you considered contacting Tom Evans Audio Design directly and enquiring whether Tom would be interested in assisting you?

Many audio designers will answer an e-mail that they consider interesting.

mckaymckaymckay · 18th July 2011, 10:08 AM

Yes, unfortunately before i posted here i sent him an e-mail asking about the preamp and whether he has any info on it, or remember what components he used.

Im still waiting for an e-mail back

mckaymckaymckay · 18th July 2011, 10:10 AM

Ive found yesterday 2 JFET opamps which i think power the phono stage. Cant see any circuit layout at all on the board and maybe will need to resort to testing with a multimeter for continuity between components to work out a circuit.

Werner · 10:32 AM

Here is a link to the patent filed in the EC days:

espacenet - Bibliographic data

The Finestra may, or may not, use this circuit.

In his later designs (Michell ISO, Argo, the TEAD stuff), Evans used
an opamp-wrapped-around-opamp trick that came from an application note: Analog Devices AN-107 (James Wong).

mckaymckaymckay · 18th July 2011, 10:52 AM

It does look like it may apply, as the main layout is 2x 8pin opamp, followed by a 16pin chip (maybe quad opamp?, no writing on it) and then followed by another 2 opamps.

mckaymckaymckay · 18th July 2011, 07:02 PM

This is the basic layout from what i can see. I dont believe any components are under the board.

20th June 2011, 02:42 PM	#1
mckaymckaymckay diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2010	E.C Audio Finestra Preamp Hey peoples, Anyone know much about this pre amp? I aquired it not long ago and cant find any info at all on the web about it. Its a fantastic preamp mind, dont use the phono stage as i have a heavy modified CA 640p which i use instead (from details posted on here). Tx muchly!

18th July 2011, 10:26 AM	#8
Werner diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Belgium	Here is a link to the patent filed in the EC days: espacenet - Bibliographic data The Finestra may, or may not, use this circuit. In his later designs (Michell ISO, Argo, the TEAD stuff), Evans used an opamp-wrapped-around-opamp trick that came from an application note: Analog Devices AN-107 (James Wong). __________________ bring back dynamic range Last edited by Werner; 18th July 2011 at 10:32 AM.

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12th July 2011, 08:28 PM	#2
mckaymckaymckay diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2010	No one? Seems this 1986 preamp is abit of an enigma.

17th July 2011, 08:23 AM	#3
Itsmee diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2009	Some background on the designer 6moons audio reviews: Tom*Evans Audio Design Linear A

17th July 2011, 08:35 PM	#4
mckaymckaymckay diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2010	Yes, read that not long ago.. cant find much for this particular preamp though. Im trying to work out what the circuit layout is and also what opamps are used, so i can do some upgrading to maybe discreate versions but cant find nothing! All the opamps in the preamp seem to have heatsinks glued onto them, which is making it rather hard to see what they are. Also ive noticed every resistor in it is holco.

18th July 2011, 10:08 AM	#6
mckaymckaymckay diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2010	Yes, unfortunately before i posted here i sent him an e-mail asking about the preamp and whether he has any info on it, or remember what components he used. Im still waiting for an e-mail back

18th July 2011, 10:10 AM	#7
mckaymckaymckay diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2010	Ive found yesterday 2 JFET opamps which i think power the phono stage. Cant see any circuit layout at all on the board and maybe will need to resort to testing with a multimeter for continuity between components to work out a circuit.

18th July 2011, 10:52 AM	#9
mckaymckaymckay diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2010	It does look like it may apply, as the main layout is 2x 8pin opamp, followed by a 16pin chip (maybe quad opamp?, no writing on it) and then followed by another 2 opamps.

18th July 2011, 07:02 PM	#10
mckaymckaymckay diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2010	This is the basic layout from what i can see. I dont believe any components are under the board.