Hi everyone!
i've been using a simple PP integrated tubeamp for the last couple of years but was always curious how a FW amp would sound, so i've been reading up on it the last weeks and searching the internet. accidentally i came across a used F3 clone and after some research and a good talk with the owner i decided to buy it. From all the FW amps i was the most interested in the F4 but that can be a project for next time. I will receive the amp in a week or 2 and now must choose what pre amp to match it with.
I am a novice DIY'er, i have decent soldering skills but not much electrical knowledge. i do read alot here and slowly do start to learn more. my speaker setup for the moment is a pair of cabasse sloop M4 speakers, 94 db. sealed, 12 inch woofers and presumably, going of old documentation from cabasse, a minimum of 8 ohm impendance as you can see in the attached picture.
I am looking for a DIY project, that is not impossible to accomplish by a novice and that will be a good match with the F3 amp. Ideally also a match with the F4 for futureproofing myself.
The most cost effective option i was looking at is the B1 korg pre. i still have to go through the entire thread, but at first glance the impendance is low enough and it seems to sound pretty good.
other options i thought of where the iron pumpkin pre, and the BA3 pre. The pumpkin looks great and i've only read good things about it. other recommendations are more than welcome btw
cost is a factor, so a cheaper option that is suitable and sounds maybe a tad worse but still matched wel with the F3 will be preferred.
So, if anyone has some experience or has some input on which pre amp will be the best match with the F3, i will be glad to hear it 🙂
I do like to have a bit of a tube sound, but is does not have to be dripping in sugar. Details, imaging, smoothness and 3D soundstage are the things i'm looking for.
Thanks for the help
Patrick
i've been using a simple PP integrated tubeamp for the last couple of years but was always curious how a FW amp would sound, so i've been reading up on it the last weeks and searching the internet. accidentally i came across a used F3 clone and after some research and a good talk with the owner i decided to buy it. From all the FW amps i was the most interested in the F4 but that can be a project for next time. I will receive the amp in a week or 2 and now must choose what pre amp to match it with.
I am a novice DIY'er, i have decent soldering skills but not much electrical knowledge. i do read alot here and slowly do start to learn more. my speaker setup for the moment is a pair of cabasse sloop M4 speakers, 94 db. sealed, 12 inch woofers and presumably, going of old documentation from cabasse, a minimum of 8 ohm impendance as you can see in the attached picture.
I am looking for a DIY project, that is not impossible to accomplish by a novice and that will be a good match with the F3 amp. Ideally also a match with the F4 for futureproofing myself.
The most cost effective option i was looking at is the B1 korg pre. i still have to go through the entire thread, but at first glance the impendance is low enough and it seems to sound pretty good.
other options i thought of where the iron pumpkin pre, and the BA3 pre. The pumpkin looks great and i've only read good things about it. other recommendations are more than welcome btw
cost is a factor, so a cheaper option that is suitable and sounds maybe a tad worse but still matched wel with the F3 will be preferred.
So, if anyone has some experience or has some input on which pre amp will be the best match with the F3, i will be glad to hear it 🙂
I do like to have a bit of a tube sound, but is does not have to be dripping in sugar. Details, imaging, smoothness and 3D soundstage are the things i'm looking for.
Thanks for the help
Patrick
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Iron Pumpkin is not an option, but next best thing (made in same manner) is Iron Pre
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...ya-store-register-your-interest.390509/latest
darn cheap
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...ya-store-register-your-interest.390509/latest
darn cheap
Will have to go trough that thread cause i only read about the iron pumpkin, i do see that the iron pre has only 6db gain? shouldnt a bit more gain be better suited?
and pumpkin is not possible because its not easy to build or not a good match?
and pumpkin is not possible because its not easy to build or not a good match?
No need for more gain. The F3 doesn’t need that much for full output. But of course, it depends on the output voltage of your source.
Name your source(s) and we should be able to better calculate your gain needs. You might even end up with no need for preamp gain at all, in which case the Iron Pre without output xformer will do the job like no other option.
you said it is expensive for you, I have no objection for your criteria
build is easy, not bigger problem than assembling decent puzzle
my source is either my xiangsheng dac, with I think 2.2V output, or my bugle phono preamp.
if possible, it would be great to have a pre amp that will be able to drive the F3, and also be good to drive a F4 amp, as I will probably build it someday.
ok thats reassuring, I do like to puzzle 🤓
cost is a factor i consider, but sound quality is still a priority. I've read that people have had some problems finding a suitable pre amp for the F3 amp, so thats why i'm asking 🙂
what would be the cost difference between a Iron pre and the Iron pumpkin btw?