Looking for a great DIY-Preamp for MICs (48v)

[TobWen]

Hi there,

this is Tobias from Germany.

I am interested in building a great tube-preamp for studio-recordings of 48V-Condensator-MICs

ATM I am jusing a 'Focusrite ISA 215' for recording.

I don't like the sound of the actual preamps ...
a mixture of transistor-amplification and tube-effect :-(

I am looking for 'fat' 60ies sound or the great sound of Neve.
Of course, everybody is looking for this and the marked gives it to me ... for $2500 minimum )

I have read many good things about the G9 by Gyraf.
Are there any other good DIY-projects?

Of course, I have read several posts in this forum, but nothing really 'kicked me now'

I have experience in soldiering, but I am not a electronic technician, like many guys on this board.
I do understand the advanced basics, but at first site, I am a nerd and a musican.

Best regards,
Tobias

 

[w00t]

Here's a schematic I have in my collection. Have forgotten the source to give credits to.

 

[TobWen]

thanks for the 9th (?) preamp in my collection

did you build it ? how does it sound?

 

[Pjotr]

Hi,

If you want to build a tube mic amp, at least start with a good mic input transformer. Jensen makes the best but it is also the most expensive. A good alternative less expensive is Sowter from GB.

Cheers

 

[TobWen]

I thought Lundahl is best?

... would be happy about any links for that ...

 

[Pjotr]

I am not that in tube amps for studio work, more in SS but used Jensen and most time Sowter because of the price. Jensen is really top. Have no experience with Lundahl myself, but what I’ve heard they are in the same class as Sowter.

http://www.jensen-transformers.com/
http://www.sowter.co.uk/
http://www.lundahl.se/

Cheers

 

[TobWen]

Thanks

perhaps you are into solid-state?
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&goto=lastpost&forumid=4

 

[Pjotr]

If you want to go for transformerless SS don’t bother but go for the BurrBrown INA 103. It outperforms a discrete MAT02 based mic amp IMHO and is much easier to build.

 

[TobWen]

I want to build several preamps and check its sound

As I said, I am not an electronic technician ;-(
I can only build preamps from schematics :-((

I can't develope it on my own.

 

[Pjotr]

Originally posted by TobWen

I want to build several preamps and check its sound

That is the only way to figure it out for yourself. But download the INA103 data sheet. There is a microphone amp application in it you can build straight away.

Cheers

 

[TobWen]

Hi,

I already have downloaded and read it (as far as I can understand it).

The problem is, it looks quite easy.

I can't understand, why something with only 10 parts can sound "like a dream"

You know, what I mean?

I am currently working on a "Focusrite ISA", which is still 1400 EUR on the market (used), and I can't trust 10 parts )

 

[Variac]

If it makes you feel better, there are many, many parts inside the chip! Seems like there would be no harm in trying it...

 

[rickcr42]

Mu stage tube pre

http://www.newmex.com/f10/micpre.html

solid state

http://www.newmex.com/f10/ssmicpre.html