Tube Preamp Idea

mattthegamer463 · 7th February 2009, 07:02 PM

I want to build a 12AX7 based tube preamp, and since building the circuitry myself for the first time will be quite a lot of painstaking work, I decided to try to figure out some aesthetic qualities first. Here's an idea with a bit of an art-deco spin.

I want it to be small but I think by the time I'm done the unit will be quite a bit larger than I would like it to be. I'm just wondering about peoples thoughts on the design.

-Matt

6f6 · 7th February 2009, 07:23 PM

Where are you going to put the power transformer? I would not try cramming it all in that little box. I say this after having built a nice 6SL7 phono preamp, discovered that I had a bit of a minor hum problem, most likely due to the power transformer. I have yet to rectify the situation, but I sense that I will involve creating a seperate outboard PSU.

Peter M. · 7th February 2009, 07:30 PM

Cool design

what material are you going to use?

6f6 · 7th February 2009, 07:30 PM

Where are you going to put the power transformer? I would not try cramming it all in that little box. I say this after having built a nice 6SL7 phono preamp, discovered that I had a bit of a minor hum problem, most likely due to the power transformer. I have yet to rectify the situation, but I sense that I will involve creating a seperate outboard PSU.

makeb4break · 7th February 2009, 07:43 PM

looks like he's going for an external psu, no?

moulded plastic would be cool, but unfortunally rather expensive

12AX7 is a rather poor choice though (for what looks to be a line amp)

cheers,

mb4b

mattthegamer463 · 7th February 2009, 07:44 PM

The PT will be in a plain box down on the floor most likely, either that or in a matching separate box.

makeb4break · 7th February 2009, 07:49 PM

you could have one 12:230VAC trannie inside, thus making it possible to use a common 12VAC wallwart on the floor

CarlyBoy · 7th February 2009, 08:30 PM

Very cool, but I shudder to think how much the case is going to cost.. I also think *AX7 is too much gain for a line amp. That a SketchUp model..?

jrevillug · 7th February 2009, 09:16 PM

You could carve the case from stacked plywood, and then put a car-type gloss on it.

Of course, this would take a lot of effort to get the surfaces smooth enough, and you'd need to use lots of plastic body filler (P38/Bondo).

Just a thought.

mattthegamer463 · 7th February 2009, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jrevillug
You could carve the case from stacked plywood, and then put a car-type gloss on it.

Of course, this would take a lot of effort to get the surfaces smooth enough, and you'd need to use lots of plastic body filler (P38/Bondo).

Just a thought.

Thats an idea, but I was thinking along the lines of using a single piece of aluminum for the 4 sides, one for the top and one for the bottom, bending them all at the same curved angle and then putting them together. Won't be easy but I'm looking at the idea.

7th February 2009, 07:02 PM	#1
mattthegamer463 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2008	Tube Preamp Idea I want to build a 12AX7 based tube preamp, and since building the circuitry myself for the first time will be quite a lot of painstaking work, I decided to try to figure out some aesthetic qualities first. Here's an idea with a bit of an art-deco spin. I want it to be small but I think by the time I'm done the unit will be quite a bit larger than I would like it to be. I'm just wondering about peoples thoughts on the design. -Matt

7th February 2009, 07:30 PM	#3
Peter M. diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Østfold	Cool design what material are you going to use? __________________ Note to myself: Never again use fingers to check if there still is voltage left in a capacitor...

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7th February 2009, 07:23 PM	#2
6f6 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2006	Where are you going to put the power transformer? I would not try cramming it all in that little box. I say this after having built a nice 6SL7 phono preamp, discovered that I had a bit of a minor hum problem, most likely due to the power transformer. I have yet to rectify the situation, but I sense that I will involve creating a seperate outboard PSU.

7th February 2009, 07:43 PM	#5
makeb4break diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2009	looks like he's going for an external psu, no? moulded plastic would be cool, but unfortunally rather expensive 12AX7 is a rather poor choice though (for what looks to be a line amp) cheers, mb4b

7th February 2009, 07:44 PM	#6
mattthegamer463 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2008	The PT will be in a plain box down on the floor most likely, either that or in a matching separate box.

7th February 2009, 07:49 PM	#7
makeb4break diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2009	you could have one 12:230VAC trannie inside, thus making it possible to use a common 12VAC wallwart on the floor

7th February 2009, 08:30 PM	#8
CarlyBoy diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2006	Very cool, but I shudder to think how much the case is going to cost.. I also think *AX7 is too much gain for a line amp. That a SketchUp model..?

7th February 2009, 09:16 PM	#9
jrevillug diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2006	You could carve the case from stacked plywood, and then put a car-type gloss on it. Of course, this would take a lot of effort to get the surfaces smooth enough, and you'd need to use lots of plastic body filler (P38/Bondo). Just a thought.

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