After several years building speakers I am considering building my very first “real” piece of equipment and beginner friendly preamp.
At first it will be paired with a Quad 405-2, but dow the road the power amp section could/will change all depending on needs and time.
The Nelson Pass B1 and the bottlehead Moreplay fit the bill, and would like to hear if anyone oof you had the chance to compare the 2 sound quality and build experience wise.
Thanks
At first it will be paired with a Quad 405-2, but dow the road the power amp section could/will change all depending on needs and time.
The Nelson Pass B1 and the bottlehead Moreplay fit the bill, and would like to hear if anyone oof you had the chance to compare the 2 sound quality and build experience wise.
Thanks
Thanks Jean-paul,
Trying to wrap my head around the link you sent.
My original question might have been to vague or plain wrong but ideally I would like to:
1. Add volume control to an amp
2. Add source selection
3. Learn about tubes
4. Improve troubleshooting (i assume there will be trouble)
from the link you sent I got the impression that a passive device would be preferable from a matching point.
I read that simple passives with 405s are considered a good combo, but I wouldn’t do much diy then.
Current main source is Mhdt istabul dac (output 2.6 v) but am planning to bring my turntable out of retirement, and something else might pop up
That Quad has an input sensitivity of 0,5 v
Trying to understand 🙂
Donmar77--
I was pretty intrigued by the B1 NuTube when it was first made available.
There are lots of posts about it on this forum that you should consult. It doesn't seem to me to be a "first time builder" project due to microphony. Also, there are several aspects that are very NOT tube-like to the components and build itself. I believe the NuTube is low voltage whereas most tube projects are high voltage. It may lend itself to PCB substrates / PCB-pin components that, again, you wouldn't normally use in a point-to-point wiring project a la a "classic" tube preamp.
Pete Millet has a few approaches to using the NuTube. Might be worth reading what he has to say, too: http://www.pmillett.com/
Bottlehead kits got me started building tube equipment. I think they're reasonably priced, have extraordinary build support, and decent documentation. It looks like the Moreplay uses a 6V6 so that should afford you plenty of tube rolling opportunities (note that I haven't looked at the product in-depth to confirm this!).
Hopefully others can chime in with good kits. I have also built an Audio Note Kit but wouldn't do so again--very disorganized, chaotic experience.
I was pretty intrigued by the B1 NuTube when it was first made available.
There are lots of posts about it on this forum that you should consult. It doesn't seem to me to be a "first time builder" project due to microphony. Also, there are several aspects that are very NOT tube-like to the components and build itself. I believe the NuTube is low voltage whereas most tube projects are high voltage. It may lend itself to PCB substrates / PCB-pin components that, again, you wouldn't normally use in a point-to-point wiring project a la a "classic" tube preamp.
Pete Millet has a few approaches to using the NuTube. Might be worth reading what he has to say, too: http://www.pmillett.com/
Bottlehead kits got me started building tube equipment. I think they're reasonably priced, have extraordinary build support, and decent documentation. It looks like the Moreplay uses a 6V6 so that should afford you plenty of tube rolling opportunities (note that I haven't looked at the product in-depth to confirm this!).
Hopefully others can chime in with good kits. I have also built an Audio Note Kit but wouldn't do so again--very disorganized, chaotic experience.
ELekits are pretty good. I built the TU-8200. The korg is a very nice preamp. Even though they are two different things, an amp and a preamp, I can't say which is a more significant piece in the DIY components lineup that I have.
If you are looking to learn about tubes (plural) then something with a standard vacuum tube and a socket may be the better option. The Korg is a unique animal.
Build both if you are able. I used a piece of weather stripping between the PCB board and the Korg Nutube which has taken care of microphonic issues for me. I tend to play at around 80-87db. Also, I just built a new chassis for my Korg preamp that has an open grate on top. So far so good.
Best of luck!
If you are looking to learn about tubes (plural) then something with a standard vacuum tube and a socket may be the better option. The Korg is a unique animal.
Build both if you are able. I used a piece of weather stripping between the PCB board and the Korg Nutube which has taken care of microphonic issues for me. I tend to play at around 80-87db. Also, I just built a new chassis for my Korg preamp that has an open grate on top. So far so good.
Best of luck!
I have built both the Moreplay and the Korg B1. They both sound very good, though I prefer the sound of the Moreplay. If you are a novice at building electronics, go with the Bottlehead. They sound great, the instruction manuals are excellent, and their forum is a great place to get help if needed
Debra
Debra
I have the Moreplay and the Korg B1. I would agree with debk that the Moreplay sounds better, especially if you upgrade the coupling capacitors and use a nice pair of NOS 6V6 tubes. I may actually prefer the Moreplay to my Cary SLP-03. It is a very nice preamp for the money and a straightforward build.
Thanks for sharing Paul,
sounds like the Moreplay not only is easier to follow but on top sounds very good to.
As I am an eternal procrastinator, I haven’t bought neither yet.
I settled on a Shiit Sys as a stopgap till I make up my mind.
Not much DIY, however I have to say that for 50 bucks I am very pleasantly surprised, and the Quad 405-2 s
sounds like the Moreplay not only is easier to follow but on top sounds very good to.
As I am an eternal procrastinator, I haven’t bought neither yet.
I settled on a Shiit Sys as a stopgap till I make up my mind.
Not much DIY, however I have to say that for 50 bucks I am very pleasantly surprised, and the Quad 405-2 s
Been through the Bottlehead 'stuff' years ago. In total honesty, It was an entertaining build mod adventure but the resultant sounds were Poorish.
Mid-Fi .. at best, all fanboy claims aside..
No ifs, ands or buts... Avoid it.
Have you actually listened to the Moreplay before you pan it? I have listened to it closely and I am telling you it is excellent and not just for the money assuming you have upgraded the tubes from the Russian ones they ship with. I'm not a fanboy and have no other Bottlehead gear and no attachment to the brand.
donmar77. I have a completed B1 Korg board that you can have, if you'd like it. The only caveat is that I used an octet of K170 jfets that I have since removed, but you could use the comparable J113's. I have the J113's that came with the board and can include those too. We'll just need to identify the resistor values that accompany them. It may be a confusing way to start, but let me know if you want.
If I understand correctly, the Moreplay is very similar to Salas' 6V6 line stage which I've built and sounds amazing. Someone recently created some PCB's so it's even a little easier now. It's not really a 'kit' though, so if you need prescribed step by step then the Bottlehead might be a better option for you. The thread is 4000 posts long over 15 years, so tried and true! Salas is a true gentleman, and there are a lot of helpful members on the thread as well
Wow Codyt, that is a very generous! Thanks for the kind offer.
Makes me sound a bit ungrateful, but I would prefer to try the build from scratch as a learning process and spare time hobby 🙂
cheers
If you measure the Vp of the J113's, I can send you the resistors. Conditions are +12V, Grounded Gate, 1 Meg Source to Ground, measure the DC voltage Across the resistor.
Nice! I’ll measure that stuff tmrw. I should have the resistors to send, but your help with values is appreciated 🙂