Iron Pre Essentials Kits For The DIYA Store - Register Your Interest

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I've still got casework (a lot of casework) to do, and some RCA plugs in the post, but I've got a fully operational balanced version.

...and I inverted the volume pots.
 
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Zen, Patrick (and Papa for the Susy),

Just wow.

I gave it a quick run through some of my current listening favorites, including Marc Ribot's Aurora En Pekin, and I could tell when he was playing with the tone knob on his guitar. This with cold Alephs. Your efforts made me smile quite broadly today.

I'll re-square the volume and get the case in a better temporary condition and give it some long martini-contemplation time over the weekend.
 
I got my SE-kit.
It seems the High Ni core material makes a difference in data sheet compared with the 50% Ni version:
https://cinemag.biz/output/PDF/CMOQ-4.pdf

Edcor has a pure steel core. The only data I could find was this:
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0586/3830/3419/files/Plot_PC600-600.pdf?v=1626816454

Is it possible to describe the sound difference between the two?

more $ will give you more details

Cinemags are my fave, but Edcors are far from bad, even if cheapest

in case of these 3(4) options, your $ is not paying for BS, faaar from that
 
I will use the provided Cinemags!
The schematics PNGs prints nicely on A4 paper.
As I don't install any relays I will omit the dedicated PSU components for this.
If output is taken from JP1/2 it makes a nice B1-clone......
I will ask Gianluca for a special version chassis for my needs (e.g. a front panel without any holes other than the 4 mounting holes and a back panel with only one set of inputs).
 
speaking of Bal

with one input only, you can wire input either to input 1 pads (with shorts in place of K1) or leading input wires to end/ougoing pads of K1 ........ or directly to CCW & WIP pads, if omitting pot too

if using it Bal - Bal (SE) , do not forget shorts in place of K6 relay

if using it SE - Bal (SE), you don't need shorts in place of K6 relay, but you also don't need all components for negative phase buffer

Iron Pre just one SE in.png
 
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Hello IRON PRE-builders,

although I always need some help... :rofl: the build went on very smoothly.
I only recognized one little thing - I had to cut / grind one edge of the plastic foot of one CINEMAG transformer to R28.
That is an easy procedure for me. But that nice CINEMAG should sit flat on the pcb.

Zen Mod likes it tight?

I am still on a solderslingin' nightflight... greedy grabbing parts and destroying boxes - oh my

Cheers
Dirk 😉
 

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Hi Dirk -

Really nice call-out. Thanks! I just checked with 10 different CineMags, and they all overlap the pad for R28 just a bit. I thought it may be a manufacturing tolerance and you just got one with slightly bigger footprint. That spacing could be a bit more generous.

Great solution.