Tube Newbee Needing Guidance

TheDriver · 9th April 2006, 04:12 PM

I completed a gainclone about a year ago and I'm looking to replace it with a tube pre/amp. At the same time I'm enter the great world of vinyl, so a phono input would be needed.

The pre/amp will be running a pair full range Fostex F200a drivers in a enclosure by John K. Seen here http://www.audiocraftersguild.com/Xtreme/xtreme.htm.

With my room size and speaker efficiency, I'm thinking no less than 8 watts. Also, I would like to keep the total cost or both the pre and amp under $1500.

I'm open to finished new or used products, kits, and complete DIY designs. I highly appreciate any help at this point. As I am completely lost. If anyone knows of a good beginner tube primer / tutorial, listing the different tubes and their application, please let me know.

Thanks,
Matt

vt_229 · 10th April 2006, 02:42 PM

Where to start, the best place to start is here you are right now, the desire to understand. Try www.funwithtubes.com He has it set up like a highschool tutorial. It will not give you all the answers all but at least you will better understand the questions. Once you narrow down what type of amp you think will fill your need there all several great " kit" sellers and many more places that will help you build from the gound up ( much more rewarding and afforable) Check out the web page at www.VT52.com, he is into mostly single ended amps and has some excelent material on power triodes you will need to become familure with.

Alain Dupont · 10th April 2006, 02:56 PM

Matt,

All you need at John Broskie's site, one of the best !!!
http://www.tubecad.com/index.htm

Also: but in french... a great value site
http://www.ptsoundlab.com/tubes/amplis/tubesamp.htm

PS: Full rangers Fostex F200a go well with Class A Single Ended tubed circuits

Regards.

Alain.

dsavitsk · 10th April 2006, 07:13 PM

The biggest bang for the buck, in my experience, will be in the preamp. Using this with your gainclone will sound great. Adding a high quality power amp will likely sound better, but one step at a time is a good way to go.

A couple of neat and simply projects that you night consider are Pete Millett's low mu preamp (http://pmillett.com/lowmu_preamp.htm) and Jack Elliano's ultrapath (http://www.electra-print.com/ultrapath.html). These are both good beginner projects as they use minimal tubes and are fairly uncomplicated circuits to understand. There are lots of others, however. For an even easier project, Yeo's 5687 preamp is pretty good: http://diyparadise.com/simplepreamp.html

-d

9th April 2006, 04:12 PM	#1
TheDriver diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Iowa City, IA	Tube Newbee Needing Guidance I completed a gainclone about a year ago and I'm looking to replace it with a tube pre/amp. At the same time I'm enter the great world of vinyl, so a phono input would be needed. The pre/amp will be running a pair full range Fostex F200a drivers in a enclosure by John K. Seen here http://www.audiocraftersguild.com/Xtreme/xtreme.htm. With my room size and speaker efficiency, I'm thinking no less than 8 watts. Also, I would like to keep the total cost or both the pre and amp under $1500. I'm open to finished new or used products, kits, and complete DIY designs. I highly appreciate any help at this point. As I am completely lost. If anyone knows of a good beginner tube primer / tutorial, listing the different tubes and their application, please let me know. Thanks, Matt

10th April 2006, 02:42 PM	#2
vt_229 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: north texas	where to start Where to start, the best place to start is here you are right now, the desire to understand. Try www.funwithtubes.com He has it set up like a highschool tutorial. It will not give you all the answers all but at least you will better understand the questions. Once you narrow down what type of amp you think will fill your need there all several great " kit" sellers and many more places that will help you build from the gound up ( much more rewarding and afforable) Check out the web page at www.VT52.com, he is into mostly single ended amps and has some excelent material on power triodes you will need to become familure with.

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10th April 2006, 02:56 PM	#3
Alain Dupont diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Paris - France	Matt, All you need at John Broskie's site, one of the best !!! http://www.tubecad.com/index.htm Also: but in french... a great value site http://www.ptsoundlab.com/tubes/amplis/tubesamp.htm PS: Full rangers Fostex F200a go well with Class A Single Ended tubed circuits Regards. Alain.

10th April 2006, 07:13 PM	#4
dsavitsk diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chicago	The biggest bang for the buck, in my experience, will be in the preamp. Using this with your gainclone will sound great. Adding a high quality power amp will likely sound better, but one step at a time is a good way to go. A couple of neat and simply projects that you night consider are Pete Millett's low mu preamp (http://pmillett.com/lowmu_preamp.htm) and Jack Elliano's ultrapath (http://www.electra-print.com/ultrapath.html). These are both good beginner projects as they use minimal tubes and are fairly uncomplicated circuits to understand. There are lots of others, however. For an even easier project, Yeo's 5687 preamp is pretty good: http://diyparadise.com/simplepreamp.html -d