need diy tube preamp (line-stage) recommendation and general tube advice - Page 2

Musiclover4 · 7th April 2002, 08:35 AM

stigla,
I am finally starting to take in everything you've said.

As you know, I'm on a really tight budget. I could maybe spend $150-$200 in addition to about the $200 I expect to get for my receiver, however $100 would be less of a stretch. For my needs, a tube pre and a decent solid state amp might be overkill and end up being just as expensive as a decent tube amp. I am thinking either a passive attenuator with a couple of inputs and an amp or an integrated tube amp just might be the best bet. Here's where it starts to get tricky, though. Can I make a decent tube amp or buy some decent vintage tube gear on ebay that would drive my speakers adequately in this price range? Although I have a small, 10 ft x 10 ft room, I tend to listen to pretty loud to rock, so I wonder how much amplification is necessary to maintain the slam of a solid state amp.

Basically, I want what you said. I just want something a little more lively and transparent, but not with the really rolled off top end and accentuated mids that tubes are often associated with.

stigla · 7th April 2002, 11:56 AM

I have little experience with old equipment and kits and stuff, but there are many old tube amps that are good performers and will reproduce your music wonderfull. But many amps are not. Please check around a good deal (reputation etc...) before you by an amp from e-bay.
About my "tube sound" statment; Well, many people actually LIKE the 'cigar' sound, and I am not to judge anyone. Thing is, often this 'vintage' sound comes from cheap / old / poorly designed amps. A good tube amp, will cost! But this don't mean there are no reasonly priced amps that sound good, and you are indeed able to make "scoops" at e-bay.

Check out this string: (at this forum)

"Thinking of building my first tube amp. Suitable projects?"

Good discussion is being held there.

About power; 98dB, hmmmm, around 30W of tube power (witch always seems to be alot more than it is) should be ok. I would'nt go for less than 30W.

Steve P. · 7th April 2002, 02:14 PM

please look in the Directory for a lot of TUBE PREAMP Kits.

A very good Kit is e.g. the WAD Pre II transformer coupled preamplifier with external PSU and Phono.

http://www.worldtubeaudio.com/

Peter M. · 23rd November 2005, 08:29 PM

7 volts from the dac, i would go for a TVC(transformer volume control) instead of an active pre, for best possible sound. Lively and dynamic even at low SPL.

Regards,
Peter

Peter M. · 23rd November 2005, 08:31 PM

oops very old thread

Joel · 24th November 2005, 02:19 AM

diyaudio is the only place on the net I've seen where people regularly reply to 3 or 4 year old threads. It's very odd! I wonder what the reason is?

7th April 2002, 02:14 PM	#13
Steve P. diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: europe	a lot of KITS available..... please look in the Directory for a lot of TUBE PREAMP Kits. A very good Kit is e.g. the WAD Pre II transformer coupled preamplifier with external PSU and Phono. http://www.worldtubeaudio.com/

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7th April 2002, 08:35 AM	#11
Musiclover4 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Omaha NE	stigla, I am finally starting to take in everything you've said. As you know, I'm on a really tight budget. I could maybe spend $150-$200 in addition to about the $200 I expect to get for my receiver, however $100 would be less of a stretch. For my needs, a tube pre and a decent solid state amp might be overkill and end up being just as expensive as a decent tube amp. I am thinking either a passive attenuator with a couple of inputs and an amp or an integrated tube amp just might be the best bet. Here's where it starts to get tricky, though. Can I make a decent tube amp or buy some decent vintage tube gear on ebay that would drive my speakers adequately in this price range? Although I have a small, 10 ft x 10 ft room, I tend to listen to pretty loud to rock, so I wonder how much amplification is necessary to maintain the slam of a solid state amp. Basically, I want what you said. I just want something a little more lively and transparent, but not with the really rolled off top end and accentuated mids that tubes are often associated with.

7th April 2002, 11:56 AM	#12
stigla diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Trondheim	I have little experience with old equipment and kits and stuff, but there are many old tube amps that are good performers and will reproduce your music wonderfull. But many amps are not. Please check around a good deal (reputation etc...) before you by an amp from e-bay. About my "tube sound" statment; Well, many people actually LIKE the 'cigar' sound, and I am not to judge anyone. Thing is, often this 'vintage' sound comes from cheap / old / poorly designed amps. A good tube amp, will cost! But this don't mean there are no reasonly priced amps that sound good, and you are indeed able to make "scoops" at e-bay. Check out this string: (at this forum) "Thinking of building my first tube amp. Suitable projects?" Good discussion is being held there. About power; 98dB, hmmmm, around 30W of tube power (witch always seems to be alot more than it is) should be ok. I would'nt go for less than 30W.

23rd November 2005, 08:29 PM	#14
Peter M. diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Østfold	7 volts from the dac, i would go for a TVC(transformer volume control) instead of an active pre, for best possible sound. Lively and dynamic even at low SPL. Regards, Peter

23rd November 2005, 08:31 PM	#15
Peter M. diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Østfold	oops very old thread

24th November 2005, 02:19 AM	#16
Joel diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Brooklyn, NY	diyaudio is the only place on the net I've seen where people regularly reply to 3 or 4 year old threads. It's very odd! I wonder what the reason is?

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