I just built myself an ACP+ with the Academy Audio VCX so I am selling my Korg Nutube b1. Wish I can keep it as an extra preamp but I need the money.
It has the below features:
Unit works and sounds really good. The only small issue I had with it was hiss I could hear with my ear 6 inches from the tweeter with my high efficient speakers. When I switch to Magnepans I couldn’t hear anything; I imagine speakers that are very high in efficiency will have a small hiss; with this preamp it is known to have this problem. Because of these I’m asking just $350 and I’ll ship for free CONUS.
It has the below features:
- 3 inputs
- 2 outputs
- Academy Audio LPS9 psu
- 5V meanwell switching wall wart
- Academy audio VCX Muses control
- standby switch
- volume control
- built according to the app notes but no relay added.
Unit works and sounds really good. The only small issue I had with it was hiss I could hear with my ear 6 inches from the tweeter with my high efficient speakers. When I switch to Magnepans I couldn’t hear anything; I imagine speakers that are very high in efficiency will have a small hiss; with this preamp it is known to have this problem. Because of these I’m asking just $350 and I’ll ship for free CONUS.
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Oh got it, thanks! Looking for a remote control solution for my Korg. Would you go with this one or there is something more interesting to explore?
This one is good but a bit tricky to implement. A lot of mods required to separate the audio ground from the signal ground.
As the guy who bought it partially out of curiosity and partially because he sold all of his remote controlled preamps without getting the next one finished, I can say I've struggled to implement an Academy Audio kit with the tube buffer that is next in line for completion. Not that I'm very patient.
I've been finding these to be pretty neat: https://www.ebay.com/itm/145322085041?var=444525872802 I got a couple for less from AliExpress, but I can't find them there right now. I like that they drop in in place of an existing pot. I don't like is that the display requires a pretty big hole, and a screw up in cutting that is what delayed my current pre project. Note that at least on the ones I got, there is a jumper to run them on 5V.
I was actually sitting on the couch last night pondering popping one of those into the B1 I was using because boy are those PEC pots I used in my younger days noisy. And then I saw this, and I've always wanted to try both the B1K and the Muses volume control.
Paul
I've been finding these to be pretty neat: https://www.ebay.com/itm/145322085041?var=444525872802 I got a couple for less from AliExpress, but I can't find them there right now. I like that they drop in in place of an existing pot. I don't like is that the display requires a pretty big hole, and a screw up in cutting that is what delayed my current pre project. Note that at least on the ones I got, there is a jumper to run them on 5V.
I was actually sitting on the couch last night pondering popping one of those into the B1 I was using because boy are those PEC pots I used in my younger days noisy. And then I saw this, and I've always wanted to try both the B1K and the Muses volume control.
Paul
I should also add that if you want an Academy pre PCB with the input selector that may or may not be injured, let me know.
Paul
Paul
Have you ever had a chance to listen the one from ebay? How does it compare to the classic alps that comes with Korg?
Not a big fan of displays in general tbh, I guess I can just not connect it?
Thanks so much for the info!
Not a big fan of displays in general tbh, I guess I can just not connect it?
Thanks so much for the info!
The one from Ebay looks identical to what I got other than that jumper that I may or may not be seeing right. I'm sure either that they are the same factory or that even if you get two from Ebay, they could well be different.
I've used them both on the test bench in a pre and in an partially assembled integrated that I had in the system for a bit. I didn't compare them to other controls on the same units. But both sounded good and behaved well. No unexpected noises. Unlike some other stepped attenuators I've used recently, the taper, at least in what I'd consider a normal range of use, seemed good and useful.
To my complaint about the display, I know it isn't unusual to have a big rectangular one. It'd be nice if it were blue or something with a smaller round hole, like the one above. If I were interested in digital things, I'd be looking for alternatives. The easy option is indeed to leave it out. But on a switch like this, unlike with a pot, you then don't get the visual reference for where it is at. And this one is still a lot smaller than some of those that come on many of the even cheaper Ebay stepped attenuator kits.
Paul
I've used them both on the test bench in a pre and in an partially assembled integrated that I had in the system for a bit. I didn't compare them to other controls on the same units. But both sounded good and behaved well. No unexpected noises. Unlike some other stepped attenuators I've used recently, the taper, at least in what I'd consider a normal range of use, seemed good and useful.
To my complaint about the display, I know it isn't unusual to have a big rectangular one. It'd be nice if it were blue or something with a smaller round hole, like the one above. If I were interested in digital things, I'd be looking for alternatives. The easy option is indeed to leave it out. But on a switch like this, unlike with a pot, you then don't get the visual reference for where it is at. And this one is still a lot smaller than some of those that come on many of the even cheaper Ebay stepped attenuator kits.
Paul
When I start experimenting with the Muses volume from academy audio, I had talked to the owner, Lenny, about the best way to cut a hole for the display. He had said to just trace it and cut a basic rectangle and if it wasn’t pretty, I could cover it with transparent black acrylic. I did not like that thought so I used my Greenlee punchout that I had been using for XLR and it made a large enough hole to see MOST of the display. I say most because when you go into the settings on the display you cannot see all of the letters in full, but if your standoffs are long enough you can see all you need from the sides to adjust your settings for the VCX. When you adjust the settings, you are not doing it from your listening position but right there where you can look from the side and still read the letters. The greenlee punches won’t work on 10mm but I was successful getting them to work on the 4mm galaxy with some muscle. Then you just cut your transparent black acrylic and glue it to the inside.
Here are pictures of my ACP+ I built with the academy audio VCX, BIB board, XRK’s Capmx, and a Sparkos discrete regulator. It’s my new favorite preamp and sounds fantastic on the F5M and M2x.
Here are pictures of my ACP+ I built with the academy audio VCX, BIB board, XRK’s Capmx, and a Sparkos discrete regulator. It’s my new favorite preamp and sounds fantastic on the F5M and M2x.
