I wish to build an aikido linestage. Since I already have a tubedac with 3volt max output. I do not want to much gain. 12-15 db gain is what i am looking for.
It will be driving a solid state power amp. so no too high impedance.
I know that 12au7 tubes have a gain off 12 db. is there other factors that makes the total gain of a preamp?
And how is the reletian between input tube and output tube?
How do I calculate ore at least have an idea about what my impedance is.
I hope some one can help me ore give me some useful links.
It will be driving a solid state power amp. so no too high impedance.
I know that 12au7 tubes have a gain off 12 db. is there other factors that makes the total gain of a preamp?
And how is the reletian between input tube and output tube?
How do I calculate ore at least have an idea about what my impedance is.
I hope some one can help me ore give me some useful links.
Which power amplifier do you have? It's possible that you don't need any line stage gain at all.
It may be difficult to drive your amp with tubes.
It may be difficult to drive your amp with tubes.
"Input sensitivity: 1 V for 28.28 V, THX Reference Level"
> tubedac with 3volt max output
Seems like your DAC has 3 times the voltage needed to drive that power amp to a hundred Watts. Why do you want more gain?
I have consideret a buffer but I am afraid it wont have the sonic of a line stage. I might also at some point bi amp with tube and class d.
For me, the extra gain is nice for quiet recordings...
With 12AU7 in the Aikido, you'll get ~8V out for 1V in. As far as I know, there is no other dual triode with lower gain than that. I use 6N3 and get 11V out for 1V in.
Aikido gain equals first tube mu/2
With 12AU7 in the Aikido, you'll get ~8V out for 1V in. As far as I know, there is no other dual triode with lower gain than that. I use 6N3 and get 11V out for 1V in.
Aikido gain equals first tube mu/2
Then you only need a 10k stereo volume control pot, and you will have enough gain.
There will be no added noise with just the pot. The Akido will add noise, and also will
probably roll off the bass with the 30k amplifier load. Use the DAC's 600 ohm outputs.
Make sure whichever DAC you use, that it will not lose bass into a 10k load like the pot.
Many tube circuits will.
There will be no added noise with just the pot. The Akido will add noise, and also will
probably roll off the bass with the 30k amplifier load. Use the DAC's 600 ohm outputs.
Make sure whichever DAC you use, that it will not lose bass into a 10k load like the pot.
Many tube circuits will.
Last edited:
Yes you can. However, adding an unneeded gain stage, whether tube or ss, is not ideal.
Tubes are not very good for buffer stages, being by nature higher impedance devices.
Do you have (or need) a moving magnet cartridge tube phono stage? That's a possibility.
The added warmth that many seem to like in typical tube circuits is due to things like 2nd harmonic
distortion, or low frequency phase shift. When the tube circuit is properly designed, all that will go away.
The best tube circuits do not change the sound or add harmonics, rather they are more transparent.
Tubes are not very good for buffer stages, being by nature higher impedance devices.
Do you have (or need) a moving magnet cartridge tube phono stage? That's a possibility.
The added warmth that many seem to like in typical tube circuits is due to things like 2nd harmonic
distortion, or low frequency phase shift. When the tube circuit is properly designed, all that will go away.
The best tube circuits do not change the sound or add harmonics, rather they are more transparent.
Last edited:
Correct info. Many persist in adding superfluous stuff as there apparently MUST be extra gain by means of a tube in the chain aka the absolutely incurable "GAIN syndrome". As you post it will only lead to less optimal results like added distortion, added noise and a nervous volume control but that won't change a bit as it will be done anyway.
Last edited:
I only use roon.
I know have a grounded grid it makes my stereo sing. however I would like to try a design without feedback. and aikido seems best bang for the buck. I tried with and without the tube pre and . And to my ears it sounds best with tubes in the system.
Ok, remember though you may be trying to correct a problem by adding a compensating problem.
If you do like it better, that's fine. But, the DAC, amplifier, speakers, or room acoustics could be
the cause of the actual problems that you hear.
I use a ss phono stage, 10k volume control, tube power amplifier, and several kinds of speakers,
LS3/5A, Kef LS50, and Martin Logan ESL. There's enough gain, even with low efficiency speakers.
If you do like it better, that's fine. But, the DAC, amplifier, speakers, or room acoustics could be
the cause of the actual problems that you hear.
I use a ss phono stage, 10k volume control, tube power amplifier, and several kinds of speakers,
LS3/5A, Kef LS50, and Martin Logan ESL. There's enough gain, even with low efficiency speakers.
Last edited: