Can anyone please recommend a DIY kit for a tube phono preamp? I have a Project carbon DC with the stock Ortofon 2M red, and am looking to “test the waters” with the world of tube amp building. I am hoping to find kit that is decent for a relative-beginner, which will allow me to get into the world of building with a reasonably minimal investment (<$200-400 if possible) and build my confidence enough to be able to work up to assembling a VTA ST-120.
I have experience with a soldering iron, used to build wiring harnesses for car aftermarket engine ECUs, and took a class in college electronics basics ~20 years ago), but am not comfortable enough to be given a schematic and nothing else. I am hoping to go with something that has “instructions” which are enough to help me learn the basics of tube building without being totally off the deep end. I was considering one of the phono preamps on tubes4hifi (since that’s where I plan to get the ST-120 kit later) but have read some horror stories about the gentlemen who works with the folks the phono preamp side of the business regarding bad/issues with components and not being willing to work with people (not a good first kit for newbies).
There are an overwhelming amount of schematics, forum threads, etc. but I’m having trouble navigating it all to be honest. Any specific recommendation that is a good starting spot for a beginner in this realm, will hopefully sound good and be worth keeping/upgrading down the road later would be most appreciated
So far, I've been looking at perhaps the Glass Ware Tetra Sans (GlasssWare Phono Preamps
Also, perhaps an ebay setup - Something like this EAR 834 clone
I was also looking at the Bottlehead reduction
I think the Tetra sans once I add the PS-1, transformer, chassis, tubes, it'll all be about the same price as the bottlehead reduction (without the integration upgrade). Wondering how the reduction would compare, with and without the upgrade, to the Tetra Sans.... so mamy places to look, any direction/recommandatoins for a relative electronics-newbie would be great!
I have experience with a soldering iron, used to build wiring harnesses for car aftermarket engine ECUs, and took a class in college electronics basics ~20 years ago), but am not comfortable enough to be given a schematic and nothing else. I am hoping to go with something that has “instructions” which are enough to help me learn the basics of tube building without being totally off the deep end. I was considering one of the phono preamps on tubes4hifi (since that’s where I plan to get the ST-120 kit later) but have read some horror stories about the gentlemen who works with the folks the phono preamp side of the business regarding bad/issues with components and not being willing to work with people (not a good first kit for newbies).
There are an overwhelming amount of schematics, forum threads, etc. but I’m having trouble navigating it all to be honest. Any specific recommendation that is a good starting spot for a beginner in this realm, will hopefully sound good and be worth keeping/upgrading down the road later would be most appreciated
So far, I've been looking at perhaps the Glass Ware Tetra Sans (GlasssWare Phono Preamps
Also, perhaps an ebay setup - Something like this EAR 834 clone
I was also looking at the Bottlehead reduction
I think the Tetra sans once I add the PS-1, transformer, chassis, tubes, it'll all be about the same price as the bottlehead reduction (without the integration upgrade). Wondering how the reduction would compare, with and without the upgrade, to the Tetra Sans.... so mamy places to look, any direction/recommandatoins for a relative electronics-newbie would be great!
