I have a pair of the original boards and chassis I bought quite a while ago that I’m just getting around to building. Can anyone suggest a preamp to use? My speakers aren’t terribly efficient at 92db/6 ohm if that makes a difference. I don’t tend to listen at loud volumes and my setup is near field in a small room. If I could get away with just a buffer like the B1 that’d be great, but I also have a 9pin aikido kit from glassware I haven’t built yet. Sources will be a TT thru a Bottlehead Seduction, CDP, or IQaudio Dac/raspi.
I know some people might not agree with me, but I won't recommend the B1 for use with the ACA. It is exactly the route I followed and I have 97dB speakers, but I find the volume lacking on some tracks. Rather build a preamp with some gain, like the AKSA Lender preamp. That's what I'll be building next.
My only concern with the Aikido is the gain. Even with something like a 12AU7 it’s in the 15dB range. The Aikido will be more time consuming in the fact I’d have to build a chassis. I’m definitely not married to tubes anymore though.
That’s interesting. I also saw an older design, the moosefet, that had a little gain and looked very simple.
Buying the B1 and Matched Jfets from PassDIY is pretty simple. You can pop it on the front of the ACA and try it with fairly modest outlay and minimal effort. Yes it’s possible/maybe probable that there are other solutions that might suit you better, but it’s such a simple build and it sounds so nice that you can always find a home for it.
If you want to minimize cost buy the kit without the chassis and build it up on a table and try it with a few bits of wire. My guess is that you won’t be disappointed.
If the situation is that you are ruminating over your first build then it’s simpler... build it, you will be delighted and even if it leads you on to a different long term solution it will have been worthwhile and something you can look back on
If you want to minimize cost buy the kit without the chassis and build it up on a table and try it with a few bits of wire. My guess is that you won’t be disappointed.
If the situation is that you are ruminating over your first build then it’s simpler... build it, you will be delighted and even if it leads you on to a different long term solution it will have been worthwhile and something you can look back on
Would an ACA with built in B1 sound better than an ACA with stand alone B1 because you skip the interlink so the signal path would be shorter?
Maybe, but in theory wouldn't it be better to have a shorter signal path? And skipping the interlink would be a cheaper solution because good interlinks are expensive.
best way for testing the theories is praxis
in praxis , actually transposing intellectual construction in physical domain , one can find nature of process is dominantly made of compromises ....... long line of decisions trading pluses and minuses
for instance - when making small integrated amp , usually there is no place/space enough to include elaborated shunt regulator for preamp/buffer stage ...... (some could say that there is no need for that
, contrary to mine stance ) , while in sttandalone unit you certainly have space for that
etc.
so , every construction , doesn't matter how big or small is , deserves entire book ..... smaller or bigger , even without even thinking of jeopardies of overthinking and overengineering , which is often when person on business end is lacking experience and/or sufficient knowledge
so .... start small , and build from that ; goal isn't just having something to sing , must important one is to have fun and keep gray cells occupied
important fact - to even became in situation of jeopardy of throwing a baby with bathwater , first you need to put baby in water ; only then , observing and thinking , maybe you'll be able to differentiate baby from water , then make appropriate decisions
in praxis , actually transposing intellectual construction in physical domain , one can find nature of process is dominantly made of compromises ....... long line of decisions trading pluses and minuses
for instance - when making small integrated amp , usually there is no place/space enough to include elaborated shunt regulator for preamp/buffer stage ...... (some could say that there is no need for that
, contrary to mine stance ) , while in sttandalone unit you certainly have space for that etc.
so , every construction , doesn't matter how big or small is , deserves entire book ..... smaller or bigger , even without even thinking of jeopardies of overthinking and overengineering , which is often when person on business end is lacking experience and/or sufficient knowledge
so .... start small , and build from that ; goal isn't just having something to sing , must important one is to have fun and keep gray cells occupied
important fact - to even became in situation of jeopardy of throwing a baby with bathwater , first you need to put baby in water ; only then , observing and thinking , maybe you'll be able to differentiate baby from water , then make appropriate decisions
Puuli Switching Power Supply Board 4A To 6A 24V AC-DC Power Module: Amazon.ca: Electronics
Sorry, I couldn't figure out how to link properly.
But i'm wondering if this is good enough for a 24v supply? Its cheap but i'm hoping it isn't too cheap that it will effect sound quality.
Sorry, I couldn't figure out how to link properly.
But i'm wondering if this is good enough for a 24v supply? Its cheap but i'm hoping it isn't too cheap that it will effect sound quality.
Hi mlapalme,
I've noticed some of these Meanwell SMPS are quire reasonably priced, for example:
LRS-150F-24 MEAN WELL | Mouser Canada
So something like that might be another option.
Dennis
I've noticed some of these Meanwell SMPS are quire reasonably priced, for example:
LRS-150F-24 MEAN WELL | Mouser Canada
So something like that might be another option.
Dennis
Just got my ACA kit, dumb question please
Hi all, my first post here. Received my ACA yesterday and I`m carefully assembling it now. Here`s my question: It`s about the Keratherm backing. Am I supposed to use the white peel off piece? I want to make sure I don`t burn out the transistors with too much heat. The white area peels off a darker beige backing that is perforated. I know it sounds dumb but....want to be sure. One build video shows the Keratherm plus thermal grease. I know that`s wrong. Thanks
Hi all, my first post here. Received my ACA yesterday and I`m carefully assembling it now. Here`s my question: It`s about the Keratherm backing. Am I supposed to use the white peel off piece? I want to make sure I don`t burn out the transistors with too much heat. The white area peels off a darker beige backing that is perforated. I know it sounds dumb but....want to be sure. One build video shows the Keratherm plus thermal grease. I know that`s wrong. Thanks