Heathkit WA-P2 preamp

[david_moechnig]

acquired a pair of Heathkit WA-P2 mono preamps a few years ago and they sat in a box because I wasn't sure what to do with them. I'm a tube noob and have never done any kind of tube project. I'm eventually going to buy one of Shannon's ST-35 boards but I'm still in the learning phase. I figured I may be able to Frankenstien these preamps together and make a decent or at least usable tube preamp. The schematic for this preamp can be found here http://www.angelfire.com/vt/audio/wa_p2_schem.gif These preamps use power off the matching amp which I don't have. I'd have to get some iron and build a power supply. Anyone have any thoughts or ideas on this or should I just start from scratch?

[SY]

Before you begin, see what the collector value is- if it's no big deal, then gutting and rebuilding is the way to go. But some of these old, mediocre preamps have astonishing value if left as stock as possible, and the proceeds can pay for a much nicer scratch-build.

[david_moechnig]

I was just checking ebay and they have been going for anywhere between $26 for 1 to $107 for a pair. The unique thing about these though is I have the original manuals/assembly instructions from the original builder with construction notes which may or may not drive the value up. The proceeds from the sale of these would pay for about 25% of the cost of a Bottlehead Foreplay. This is probably the direction that I will take because I know what I'm getting into with the Foreplay and someone else may appreciate the Heathkit units much more than I as I am wanting a stereo pre with it's own power supply.

[kevinkr]

Before you run off and trash these pre-amps, I just wanted to mention that they are pretty good sounding, particularly for the era. You might want to fix/mod them rather than gut.

Having just read your latest post you might even want to reconsider selling them. Twiddling two volume controls is not that inconvenient actually. (I do all the time.. LOL ) Powering them of course is the big issue.

I suppose though that the Foreplay might still be the best option when I think it out..

Good luck!