"Integrated" or "stand alone"

[RenegadeAmps]

While I'm gathering up all of my Xformers and power supply bits.... I'm wondering if I would be wise to build my Power amp (P-P stereo EL34) as a stand alone unit essentially from the Phase Inverter back to the OT perhaps with a single preamp stage. And then building a separate Preamp (Aikido or something... I keep seeing that name pop up way too often, must not suck.)

Or should I just simply do a more "integrated' type amp and go ahead and incorporate the pre, volume, and input switching all in one unit...

I'd appreciate some guidance by you guys that play with tube Hi-Fi stuff. This is my first dive into a homebrew Hi-Fi setup (I'm not even really a Hi-Fi enthusiast of anykind right now.)

 

[SY]

I like the idea of high quality integrated amps. These days, modern signal sources supply sufficient voltage that the preamp section can be little more than a volume control and source switch.

 

[RenegadeAmps]

Ok, since I'm leaning toward a traditional Williamson power amp with EF86 Driver and 12ax7 Phase Inverter... Would an additional Line Stage be practical at all?

I am debating in fact just picking up an integrated Preamp like one of the common Carver units or equivalents as they are not only reasonable, but I also get remote control volume, input switching and FM... etc... (I have a stand alone tuner, but might be willing to trade off in order to keep components at a minimum. and to be able to have remote functions.)

I know that if I go the integrated SS Preamp I'll not need a line driver.

But I'm also thinking that a Tube pre might be sweet and give it 3 inputs (CD/MP3/Tuner). (Got all the parts on hand for something like a stand alone 12au7 Aikido...) What to do... I don't know if the EF86 Driver in the Williamson would be enough to handle those sources without a separate preamp....

 

[SY]

Why wouldn't it? The Williamson and variants typically have a 1-2V sensitivity for full output. Your tuner, CD player, DVD, or what-have-you are almost certainly 2V or more output. A line stage is superfluous in that situation.

 

[RenegadeAmps]

Sweet... Good to know... My searches turned up jack when I was trying to find out how much drive the Williamson needed at input...

 

[anatech]

Hi SY,
But how about all the Sonic Holography circuits? DBx (outboard of course) and ... yes ...... graphic equalizers to smile at you. Then there are those room effects units.

You know, I am not adverse to well designed tone control circuits.

-Chris

 

[SY]

You'll need to turn in your Audiophile Hair Shirt for even thinking that.

 

[anatech]

Here baby, there mama, everywhere ..................

🙂 What's wrong with tone controls???

-Chris

 

[lndm]

I don't see why an Aikido stage couldn't be grafted in place of the first gain stage and direct coupled to the phase splitter. Though there was method in the way Williamson did things, this does sound interesting.

 

[Geek]

Hi SY,

These days, modern signal sources supply sufficient voltage that the preamp section can be little more than a volume control and source switch.

I dunno, my wife's last three TV's were barely capable of hitting 100mV line output full cranked (that last TV she had wasn't cheap either )

 

[phn]

I'm out of my depth here, but aren't a EF86 driver and 12ax7 phase inverter enough for a sensitivity of about 500mV? Isn't this what some Leak amps use (not quite sure about which 12xx7), and they all have a sensitivity of 125mV?

 

[SY]

Hi SY,



I dunno, my wife's last three TV's were barely capable of hitting 100mV line output full cranked (that last TV she had wasn't cheap either )

Get a new wife.

 

[anatech]

Hey Stuart,

Get a new wife.

Doesn't pay.

-Chris

 

[Geek]

LOL! I should have expected... 😉