Guys, really glad to be a part of the forum. To be honest, it's a bit intimidating around here with so much talent, but I wanted to take a stab at building an excellent sounding, simple, and super budget conscious preamp.
My sources are a CDP and phono preamp, so I want 2 RCA inputs. I owned a Adcom GFP-750 for awhile and I really like the sound in passive mode, so I figured it might be easier to build a passive preamp. I'm looking for the best sound though, so if that comes from building an active preamp, then so be it!
If their is a kit out there that you can recommend, I'd love a link. If it takes ordering a few parts, then great. I don't need a remote control. Just looking for something simple that sounds great and costs an amount that won't draw the gaze of the wife.
Thanks gents!
My sources are a CDP and phono preamp, so I want 2 RCA inputs. I owned a Adcom GFP-750 for awhile and I really like the sound in passive mode, so I figured it might be easier to build a passive preamp. I'm looking for the best sound though, so if that comes from building an active preamp, then so be it!
If their is a kit out there that you can recommend, I'd love a link. If it takes ordering a few parts, then great. I don't need a remote control. Just looking for something simple that sounds great and costs an amount that won't draw the gaze of the wife.
Thanks gents!
Where do I find all the parts for that kit? I've seen the massive thread on it and I'm scared to go through it. Is their a place where I can find instructions and parts?
The manual is here http://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/prod_b1_man.pdf, you can buy a PCB and matched JFETs here DIY Order Form. The rest of the components you can source from digikey or mouser.
The B1 is a perfect first project.
The B1 is a perfect first project.
Lightspeed LDR: DIY Lightspeed Attenuator - Passive LDR Volume Control (optocouplers)
Or perhaps the "updated" Lighter Note from here: Build An Amp
I'm thinking much of trying the Lighter Note kit as a passive pre-amp for my new DIY amp.
Or perhaps the "updated" Lighter Note from here: Build An Amp
I'm thinking much of trying the Lighter Note kit as a passive pre-amp for my new DIY amp.
Great, looks like this is the one I want to do. To be clear, from the link you posted all I would need is the B1 PCB plus 4 matched JFETS? Is their anything else I need from that website or will that get me going?
What are the Pearl 2 boards and do I need them?
Man, just checked this out now it's battle between the B1 and this. I guess it comes down to what sounds better. Can anyone comment on that?
6L6's B1 build thread
You can get the B1 buffer board if you only need 2 channels. There's a few other boards you can try as well in the forum store and in the group buy area. You might ask tea-bag if he has any B1 kits left.
You can get the B1 buffer board if you only need 2 channels. There's a few other boards you can try as well in the forum store and in the group buy area. You might ask tea-bag if he has any B1 kits left.
Ha! Somebody beat me to it! (linking to my thread...) 😀 😀 😀 😀
If you are interested in the B1, do read the manual first - http://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/prod_b1_man.pdf
And then look at my thread (In my signature) ((or click the link in the above post))
And then realize that my build is more complicated than 'stock'
If you are planning only 2 inputs you don't need the rotary selector switch like I have, a simple DPDT is made for the board.
You also don't need the regulated power supply, the B1 can happily run from a 18v wall wart, or even a pair of 9v batteries.
As for your question, what you need to buy from PassDIY, get the B1 board with the jfets. (The $40.00 one)
The Pearl 2 is a phonostage, and a frickin' fantastic one at that, but a much more advanced project. Build a B1 before trying to tackle the Pearl.
Yes, you will need to make an order for resistors and capacitors and such from Mouser or Digi-Key, unless you happen to have a good electronics store in your area.
PM me and I will happily guide you through this project. It's remarkably good sounding,a and you will be quite pleased with it when you are done!!
If you are interested in the B1, do read the manual first - http://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/prod_b1_man.pdf
And then look at my thread (In my signature) ((or click the link in the above post))
And then realize that my build is more complicated than 'stock'
If you are planning only 2 inputs you don't need the rotary selector switch like I have, a simple DPDT is made for the board.
You also don't need the regulated power supply, the B1 can happily run from a 18v wall wart, or even a pair of 9v batteries.
As for your question, what you need to buy from PassDIY, get the B1 board with the jfets. (The $40.00 one)
The Pearl 2 is a phonostage, and a frickin' fantastic one at that, but a much more advanced project. Build a B1 before trying to tackle the Pearl.
Yes, you will need to make an order for resistors and capacitors and such from Mouser or Digi-Key, unless you happen to have a good electronics store in your area.
PM me and I will happily guide you through this project. It's remarkably good sounding,a and you will be quite pleased with it when you are done!!
You could get this one if it's still for sale: Leftovers / For Sale - Merlin2069er's DIY Audio Projects
Minimum work for you. 🙂
If you want simple build the Lightspeed DIY. You could build one without matched LDR's just to check it out.
Minimum work for you. 🙂
If you want simple build the Lightspeed DIY. You could build one without matched LDR's just to check it out.
I may just have a finished homebrew B1 for sale.
I'm still testing its replacement at the moment so it wont be available for a week or two.
I'm only after a fraction of the component cost - around the £40.00 GBP mark.
It wont have the PIOs fitted but will have Audiophile Polyprops in their place. It's not cased and wont have the volume control.
It will have 110-240V mains transformer and PSU.
All you would need to do is fit it in a case with the input output sockets of your choice and (of course) a volume control.
I've been exceptionally pleased with this amp and have only just tried to better it with the DCB1.
Has anyone explained that the B1 is a ZERO gain Buffer amp.
It is perfect with a line level input but has no gain of its own.
I'm still testing its replacement at the moment so it wont be available for a week or two.
I'm only after a fraction of the component cost - around the £40.00 GBP mark.
It wont have the PIOs fitted but will have Audiophile Polyprops in their place. It's not cased and wont have the volume control.
It will have 110-240V mains transformer and PSU.
All you would need to do is fit it in a case with the input output sockets of your choice and (of course) a volume control.
I've been exceptionally pleased with this amp and have only just tried to better it with the DCB1.
Has anyone explained that the B1 is a ZERO gain Buffer amp.
It is perfect with a line level input but has no gain of its own.
Attachments
Thanks for the offer. I'm going to build the one in 6L6's thread and started ordering parts.
CD players have line level outputs correct? I know I'll need a phono stage for vinyl playback.
CD players seem to have adopted the 2V ouput level.
Other sources may be lower, Phono will definitely need a separate "RIAA Equalised" Gain Stage.
Valve pre's have their "followers" but do you want to go to the expense and frustration of changing the valves every few ****s.
I've left that as **** because some valves last weeks, some last for years.
Other sources may be lower, Phono will definitely need a separate "RIAA Equalised" Gain Stage.
Valve pre's have their "followers" but do you want to go to the expense and frustration of changing the valves every few ****s.
I've left that as **** because some valves last weeks, some last for years.
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I think I've mislead you.
6L6 is offering a B1 build, the same circuit that I'm offerring.
This is a very easy build that doesn't need much experience.
The B1 however has NO GAIN. 1V in = 1V out.
With a CD source, the 2V in is often enough to drive a Power Amp with only a volume control in the audio path.
Anything less that that will require an amplifying stage to boost the level to (ie 2V).
Phono needs the additional complexity of changing the frequency response to counteract the recording process.
6L6 is offering a B1 build, the same circuit that I'm offerring.
This is a very easy build that doesn't need much experience.
The B1 however has NO GAIN. 1V in = 1V out.
With a CD source, the 2V in is often enough to drive a Power Amp with only a volume control in the audio path.
Anything less that that will require an amplifying stage to boost the level to (ie 2V).
Phono needs the additional complexity of changing the frequency response to counteract the recording process.
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