Preamp suggest, please.

[kacernator]

Hi,

I am planning to build HiFi line preamp. I have searched and read on this site alot. I want to use just the following tubes as I already have bunch of them: 12AX7, 12AU7, ECC88.

Can you please recommend very good sounding preamp with these tubes?

I have just build this one: http://hlava.webpark.cz/Predzes/preampecc83.gif

What about Aikido? Is it good, or it does have the type of sound which might not everyone like?

Thank you.

[Original Burnedfingers]

Trade some of your tubes for some 6FQ7's and 5687's. Use the 6FQ7 as the input tube.

Read the Aikido threads. Bas started one on a Aikido group buy and it shows schematics of the audio and power supply. You can build a flawless Aikido from just reading this thread.

The Aikido will outperform the schematic you listed.

[kacernator]

Unfortunately, I cant get those tubes in my country. Is the Aikido worth building with ECC82,3,ECC88 or are these not good sounding tubes for HIFI?

Thank you.

[Original Burnedfingers]

I'm going to get slapped on this one for sure.

I personally wouldn't use a 12Au7 for much of anything. The 6DJ8 or 6922 would make a nice input tube in my opinion.

Trade some 12Au7's to someone for some 5687's. Buy some 5687's off ebay.

[DougL]

Unfortunately, I cant get those tubes in my country. Is the Aikido worth building with ECC82,3,ECC88 or are these not good sounding tubes for HIFI?

There is nothing wrong with a 12AU7 / ECC82. However, since there are common tubes that match every characteristic and have better distortion, it does not have a strong following. Look up "fart bottle" in the search engine.

IMHO, an aikido is worth building with ECC82 or ECC88 tubes.
The ECC88 is very attractive as the CF tube in Aikido.

Let me ask, how much gain do you need?
If you need a buffer, look at Heretical. It uses ECC88 and looks to be very well designed.

An all ECC88 Aikido should have an gain of about 16.

I personally am building my Aikido with 6H6pi, which I got from eBay @ $4 each. 6N1pi and 6H30 are also very well respected choices.

Let us know a little more about your needs, and we can advise you better

HTH

Doug

[kacernator]

I dont know how much gain I need.
The preamp will be used in following configuration:

Line level signal (CD player, soundcard) --> Tube preamp --> solid state poweramp with line level input.

[analog_sa]

Originally posted by kacernator
I dont know how much gain I need.
The preamp will be used in following configuration:

Line level signal (CD player, soundcard) --> Tube preamp --> solid state poweramp with line level input.

Your current preamp seems to have a gain close to 90. Is it enough?

[kacernator]

On my current preamp I have volume set to 10 o´clock. So all ECC88 Aikido will not have enough gain, am I right?

Looking at the Aikido scheme, I have one more question: Is it OK to run TWO tubes from the same B+ supply capacitator? Is it better to have for EACH tube its own ps RC filter?

Thank you.

[euro21]

Try this PSU

[Original Burnedfingers]

On my current preamp I have volume set to 10 o´clock. So all ECC88 Aikido will not have enough gain, am I right?

How much gain do you need? I generally run my 6SN7/6SN7 Aikido and I believe the gain is 20 and its more than enough.