to get a high-end phono stage, is it the design or the components that matters?

[jasonthegreat]

hi, I want to build a "high-end" phono-stage. I looked for different model design around here, but I'm starting to wonder, what makes a high-end phono-stage? Is it the design or the components use?

Can anyone recommend me a good and respected design to follow and also tell me where to put extra money on good quality components.


I never did any DIY, but feel ready to start and I have a couple of experimented people around who will help me during the process.

thanks for you help.

[zygibajt]

Originally Posted by jasonthegreat

hi, I want to build a "high-end" phono-stage. I looked for different model design around here, but I'm starting to wonder, what makes a high-end phono-stage? Is it the design or the components use?

Can anyone recommend me a good and respected design to follow and also tell me where to put extra money on good quality components.


I never did any DIY, but feel ready to start and I have a couple of experimented people around who will help me during the process.

thanks for you help.

Both and many many other factors as layout, vibration, material of enclosure/PCB cables, connectors... etc

In sum what makes hi end is the years of expirence, hard work and some talent.

you can have the schematics of the best phono stage or any other audio in the world (if such thing exist) and still build a poor one based on this.

And in 98% of DIY outcomes it actually is the case. Know from expirence with my DIY and hi quality, expensive (hi-end??) audio

[jasonthegreat]

wow thats scary, and isnt it a bit over the top?

I mean, if something is well soldered, I don't see, if components are good, how it can go bad. What do you suggest I do? get something already done?

98% of the time!?! thats extreme isn't it, well its sure surprising

[Helmuth]

Your right Jason if you build it good it isn't voodoo.

A good power supply plays a huge roll so as wiring and earth connection. You can easy make mistakes there and ruin the outcome.

See this threat.
Which DIY phono-stage gives great results?

[DF96]

Yes, even 'simple' things like exactly where the wires go (i.e. routing, as well as end connections) can matter. You learn this partly by experience, and partly by reading (of both theory and others' experience).

To be blunt, your first ever DIY is unlikely to be "high-end" unless you just assemble an excellent kit exactly as the instructions say. Better to learn with something simple - start with 'reasonably good' and see how it goes.

[bobrown14]

Try this one:

Hi-Fi RIAA Phono Preamp

Rod Elliott's P 06 Phono stage. You need a case, power supply PCB (from ESP), Phono stage PCB (from ESP). Then you buy all the parts you need. You can buy the best parts you need or not, up to you. You have the option of building in a power tranny or use a Walwart AC to AC power pack, again up to you. The reviews are good from folks that play a lot of vinyl as well. It's op amp based and you have a few choices for what chip to use if you like, and could even put in DIP sockets so you can change OP AMP chips etc.
If you decide to use a transformer then getting some help from someone that has experience (safety reasons) would be good, or use the Walwart power supply and DIY, or if you want you could use batteries (mod to power supply) as well.
Cheers,

Bob

[jacco vermeulen]

Originally Posted by jasonthegreat

the design or the components ?

The design, but the parts make it possible.

It's never been easier for a DIY to find and buy all the right parts, including fancy case works, plus loads of free schematics and info.
To start with the most challenging of analog circuits is risky.
Like diving in to swim across the Atlantic, without even having learned how to front crawl.

[6L6]

This would be a good place to start - RJM Audio - The Very Simple Phono Stage

[bear]

If ur phono stage is now in a receiver (for example) or an entry level preamp, then many of the things you can build using opamps may be a step up. Or not.

The choice of opamps, if you use them, is critical to the quality of the sound, and so the results. Sockets are a good idea, so you can swap them in and out and see for yourself.

What you will find depends on the rest of your system. Like what is your TT and cartridge? What are your speakers and the rest of your signal chain?

My opinion is to avoid designs of any sort that put the RIAA filter components in the feedback of a tube or solid state component. In general I think you can get better results with a passive equalization. You'll need more stages, and you have to worry more about gains and noise. Such is the price of better performance.

There are likely a number of phono preamps here on DiyAudio that fit that description... also another that is worthy of consideration is the jFet design by John Curl that has been discussed here in some detail. It is fairly simple, but sounds very good.

Erno Borbely has some excellent discrete designs as well.
He sells boards and parts kits, or was...

These are my opinions, others may or may not differ.

_-_-bear

[john curl]

Bear is 'right on' with his recommendations.