Preamp kit $150-$300

[Frosteh]

Looking to either buy or build a preamp for max $300. 5 or more inputs. I've been looking at used ones on Audiogon and ebay, but I was hoping I'd be able to either build a comparable one for cheaper or a better one for the same price. Currently I'm looking at the Acurus LS-11 and the Emotiva USP-1. Any kits comparable to these in performance and/or price? Preferably rack mountable.

[Frosteh]

Bump?

[SirByrd]

If you are thrifty you can probably pull a DCB1 together with that many inputs.

[Pano]

Have a look at the price of 1U rack mount cases. You might try to find a used one!
Also, since you will be driving a DCX2496, a balanced output at a level of about +16dBu (5 volts) will be nice.
That can be done with opamps.

[linuxworks]

you can look at some combo of AMB a10 parts (delta1, delta2, lcduino1, + psu systems of your choice).

you could populate the delta2 with up to 8 ports; each one could be input OR output, your choice. its cpu controlled so consider the lcduino1 in the total system price ($50 to $100, roughly).

I have not seen any other preamp offer 8 ports that you can 'punch down' to either IN or OUT bus, at least like this.

ob disc: I was one of the designers

[linuxworks]

as for the kit part (sorry, forgot to talk about that) you can check with glassjar audio over the next few weeks or so; he plans to stock fairly full kits for the a10 preamp series (you can pick which boards or modules you want; its not an 'all or nothing' affair, btw). I know he's going to stock full resistor sets for the r2r ladder relay atten; and that's the lion's share of the parts ordering hassle right there.