Suggest me a preamp for my F4!

giacomo_pagani · 20th September 2010, 12:43 PM

Hello folks, I'm a happy owner of an F4 which I built a few years ago. I really dig it, and I'm using an Audible Illusions M3A preamp.

They sound amazing to me, together, but even if the M3A is well known for its high ouput, it still isn't quite enough to express the full potential of the F4. I find myself turning the knobs full clockwise, and sometimes it just isn't "enough", or other times it makes the preamp itself distort a bit too much. I'm a bit sad, because I really like it, but it just isn't as usable as I'd like...

So, taking advantage of some upcoming spare time, I'd be willing to build an adequate preamp to drive the F4 at its full potential.

I've done some research but I'm not sure, and I've been a bit out of the scene in the last couple years, and that doesn't help either; it looks to me like the Pumpkin Preamp is the best shot. Is that so, or are there any other serious competitors, well suited for an F4?

Price is a bit of an object here, but I don't want anything that will make me miss the Audible Illusions... So, I just want to build something good. I hope it's possible to find a project which is both good sounding and easy to put together...

Thank you in advance for your help

Giacomo

Andy5112405 · 20th September 2010, 12:56 PM

I'm thinking the same thing with my Aleph4.

I don't want to introduce anything into the signal path that will destroy the beauty of my set up.

I am using an Arcam CD36 with a 100K Ladder Attenuator Passive Pre-Amp.

My idea is to build a VERY HIGH-END line amplifier but I'm hunting for ideas from the forums.

As far I can ascertain I won't go too far wrong with an AD797 Ultra Low Noise Op-Amp as long as I am very careful with layout and use a precision low noise power supply.

Pre-Amp designs other than RIAA designs seem to be very thin on the ground.

Any leads would be very helpful. NO TUBE DESIGNS PLEASE.

Marra · 20th September 2010, 01:44 PM

Why not try Salas's DCB1 buffer. I've just built one for use with my Aleph 5 clone and it takes nothing away in fact the detail and dynamics are superb. As you are using a passive pre I don't think you would be dissapointed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy5112405

I'm thinking the same thing with my Aleph4.

I don't want to introduce anything into the signal path that will destroy the beauty of my set up.

I am using an Arcam CD36 with a 100K Ladder Attenuator Passive Pre-Amp.

My idea is to build a VERY HIGH-END line amplifier but I'm hunting for ideas from the forums.

As far I can ascertain I won't go too far wrong with an AD797 Ultra Low Noise Op-Amp as long as I am very careful with layout and use a precision low noise power supply.

Pre-Amp designs other than RIAA designs seem to be very thin on the ground.

Any leads would be very helpful. NO TUBE DESIGNS PLEASE.

jimbo51 · 20th September 2010, 01:56 PM

F4 +

=

So I've heard.

Pumpkin preamp - More Boring Making Thread

chlorofille · 20th September 2010, 02:03 PM

Try Rod Elliot's P37A discrete SS preamp. I have one right now and it provides beautiful gain, crystalline-clear treble, and fantastic image precision. Don't expect warmth/relaxed presentation though. It is quite ruthless and will reveal everything.

It took me 2 hours to wire them point to point, and the components cost 5 bucks.
To date, it is the highest perfoming, lowest cost preamp I have ever seen. No need for audiophile parts.

Andy5112405 · 20th September 2010, 02:20 PM

Do you have any leads for the SALAS DCB1 BUFFER?

I'm not over keen on Rod Elliot's designs, they all seem to try to keep cost at a minimum with no real attention to detail. Rod, if that's incorrect, then please accept my apologies but the articles do nothing for me in their advertising.

Magura · 20th September 2010, 02:51 PM

A B1 for an F4 is not gonna fly, as you will have no gain from the B1.

As suggested earlier, the Pumpkin is the way to go. It is made with great attention to detail, yet without breaking the bank.

Magura

DaveM · 20th September 2010, 03:40 PM

IF you want to go with tubes there is the Impasse which was also built as a high gain pre to be used with the F4

Marra · 20th September 2010, 03:41 PM

Default Salas hotrodded blue DCB1 build

I hope this works Andy.

Marra

Marra · 20th September 2010, 03:43 PM

Sorry Andy the link did'nt work. Just search for the previous posts link

20th September 2010, 12:43 PM	#1
giacomo_pagani diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2007	Suggest me a preamp for my F4! Hello folks, I'm a happy owner of an F4 which I built a few years ago. I really dig it, and I'm using an Audible Illusions M3A preamp. They sound amazing to me, together, but even if the M3A is well known for its high ouput, it still isn't quite enough to express the full potential of the F4. I find myself turning the knobs full clockwise, and sometimes it just isn't "enough", or other times it makes the preamp itself distort a bit too much. I'm a bit sad, because I really like it, but it just isn't as usable as I'd like... So, taking advantage of some upcoming spare time, I'd be willing to build an adequate preamp to drive the F4 at its full potential. I've done some research but I'm not sure, and I've been a bit out of the scene in the last couple years, and that doesn't help either; it looks to me like the Pumpkin Preamp is the best shot. Is that so, or are there any other serious competitors, well suited for an F4? Price is a bit of an object here, but I don't want anything that will make me miss the Audible Illusions... So, I just want to build something good. I hope it's possible to find a project which is both good sounding and easy to put together... Thank you in advance for your help Giacomo

20th September 2010, 02:51 PM	#7
Magura diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Denmark, Viborg	A B1 for an F4 is not gonna fly, as you will have no gain from the B1. As suggested earlier, the Pumpkin is the way to go. It is made with great attention to detail, yet without breaking the bank. Magura __________________ Everything is possible....to do the impossible just takes a little while longer. www.class-a-labs.com

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20th September 2010, 12:56 PM	#2
Andy5112405 Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Torpoint	I'm thinking the same thing with my Aleph4. I don't want to introduce anything into the signal path that will destroy the beauty of my set up. I am using an Arcam CD36 with a 100K Ladder Attenuator Passive Pre-Amp. My idea is to build a VERY HIGH-END line amplifier but I'm hunting for ideas from the forums. As far I can ascertain I won't go too far wrong with an AD797 Ultra Low Noise Op-Amp as long as I am very careful with layout and use a precision low noise power supply. Pre-Amp designs other than RIAA designs seem to be very thin on the ground. Any leads would be very helpful. NO TUBE DESIGNS PLEASE.

20th September 2010, 01:56 PM	#4
jimbo51 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Melbourne	F4 + = So I've heard. Pumpkin preamp - More Boring Making Thread

20th September 2010, 02:03 PM	#5
chlorofille diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Christchurch	Try Rod Elliot's P37A discrete SS preamp. I have one right now and it provides beautiful gain, crystalline-clear treble, and fantastic image precision. Don't expect warmth/relaxed presentation though. It is quite ruthless and will reveal everything. It took me 2 hours to wire them point to point, and the components cost 5 bucks. To date, it is the highest perfoming, lowest cost preamp I have ever seen. No need for audiophile parts.

20th September 2010, 02:20 PM	#6
Andy5112405 Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Torpoint	Do you have any leads for the SALAS DCB1 BUFFER? I'm not over keen on Rod Elliot's designs, they all seem to try to keep cost at a minimum with no real attention to detail. Rod, if that's incorrect, then please accept my apologies but the articles do nothing for me in their advertising.

20th September 2010, 03:40 PM	#8
DaveM diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Vermont	IF you want to go with tubes there is the Impasse which was also built as a high gain pre to be used with the F4

20th September 2010, 03:41 PM	#9
Marra diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Near Lincoln	Default Salas hotrodded blue DCB1 build I hope this works Andy. Marra

20th September 2010, 03:43 PM	#10
Marra diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Near Lincoln	Sorry Andy the link did'nt work. Just search for the previous posts link

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