I was inquiring about a DIY preamp of commensurate quality to a Pass Labs and got a response from Wayne;
I would still like to go this route and have a different question. I ran across a Pass Labs XP-20 at a price I could not refuse. I bought it thinking I could use it while I am building/perfecting the BA 2018 based preamp and could use it for comparison.
The question is, if I build an all out version of the BA 2018 based preamp could it equal or possibly surpass the XP-20?
By "all out" I mean separate power supply and best available components and build methods.
I would still like to go this route and have a different question. I ran across a Pass Labs XP-20 at a price I could not refuse. I bought it thinking I could use it while I am building/perfecting the BA 2018 based preamp and could use it for comparison.
The question is, if I build an all out version of the BA 2018 based preamp could it equal or possibly surpass the XP-20?
By "all out" I mean separate power supply and best available components and build methods.
Thanks for the input. I hoped to get the unvarnished facts. Actually I hoped that it was possible. LOL But better to have the facts than to chase a ghost.
I have not heard the XP-20. I did hear the X-250.5. It was with an XP-12 preamp which has a toroidal design transformer with both an electrostatic and Mu metal shielding along with vacuum impregnating and epoxy fill. I will use a similar Xformer.
I have built a Pass Pearl II and am very pleased with it. The ZYX Omega X type (cryod crystal copper) low output. 0.24 mV. with the SB2 silver base cartridge may have something to do with that. I will be building a power supply for the PP II later this year. If I can get permission from my collaborator I will share the design here.
I have not heard the XP-20. I did hear the X-250.5. It was with an XP-12 preamp which has a toroidal design transformer with both an electrostatic and Mu metal shielding along with vacuum impregnating and epoxy fill. I will use a similar Xformer.
I have built a Pass Pearl II and am very pleased with it. The ZYX Omega X type (cryod crystal copper) low output. 0.24 mV. with the SB2 silver base cartridge may have something to do with that. I will be building a power supply for the PP II later this year. If I can get permission from my collaborator I will share the design here.
actually , it is possible ...... either building something similar or dissimilar , strictly speaking of SQ
though , to be able to do that , one need to be of kind not needing to ask exact question in forum
so , you're (still) in great position - you can buy one , use it with great joy ...... while having enormous fun building whatever you want and can
I think this is super important. Especially with a circuit like an xp-20. Tons of time spent getting things just where Wayne and Nelson want them. We diy-ers are just happy when we get a circuit to work.
Simpler power amp designs like an f5 or non-super symmetry or x designs are a little easier...throw a bigger, better transformer in there and some more/better caps and they can sound better than the commercial versions. Expecially with more bias. But the preamps have a lot of voodoo in them and are more complicated with regulation, volume control, etc all playing a role.
But luckily we can build lots of amps/preamps and try them all out and see what kind of topologies/designs we like. That’s the real beauty of DIY...the ability to try things and understand what we like and don’t like.
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