Round Two: Resistors
Have tested and installed the BA2018 resistors. Vishay/Dale, TE Connectivity, and Yageo supplied 0.1% parts (from DigiKey) and they were checked carefully as installed. See the attached spreadsheet for the specific values.
Seven of the 13 resistor classes were spot on. The remaining parts were within spec except for three lower values: 10, 27, and 33. I attribute the discrepancy here to the Fluke 115 MM being used. It has always been less accurate for low resistance values and extremely low ones require special measuring techniques.
The Premium PCB is now complete and will be tested and installed in the next day (see Jpeg below of the board). Will describe the audio setup and the media sources used for listening in the next post.
Stay tuned for Round Three later this week. I am most interested in whether there will be an audible difference and, if so, what that difference is.
Have tested and installed the BA2018 resistors. Vishay/Dale, TE Connectivity, and Yageo supplied 0.1% parts (from DigiKey) and they were checked carefully as installed. See the attached spreadsheet for the specific values.
Seven of the 13 resistor classes were spot on. The remaining parts were within spec except for three lower values: 10, 27, and 33. I attribute the discrepancy here to the Fluke 115 MM being used. It has always been less accurate for low resistance values and extremely low ones require special measuring techniques.
The Premium PCB is now complete and will be tested and installed in the next day (see Jpeg below of the board). Will describe the audio setup and the media sources used for listening in the next post.
Stay tuned for Round Three later this week. I am most interested in whether there will be an audible difference and, if so, what that difference is.
Attachments
Will you be experimenting with the caps, internal hook-up wiring, volume pot and power supplies? I would say these will all have a bearing on the performance of the pre-amp.
I intentionally compromised on the power supply, opting for 2x Meanwell +/- 15V dual output SMPS boards (PD-2515) for a dual-mono configuration all housed in a Nu-Tube galaxy Chassis (with AC in).
I am very happy with the performance of this system, the SMPS are very quiet and take up little room compared to transformer based supplies. I would be very interested to see the difference vs a Linear supply.
I intentionally compromised on the power supply, opting for 2x Meanwell +/- 15V dual output SMPS boards (PD-2515) for a dual-mono configuration all housed in a Nu-Tube galaxy Chassis (with AC in).
I am very happy with the performance of this system, the SMPS are very quiet and take up little room compared to transformer based supplies. I would be very interested to see the difference vs a Linear supply.
I’ve used the Meanwell PD-2515 in a phonostage with a pair of @Mark Johnson inline filters, “Amy Alice”.
Works fantastic! Highly recommended.
Works fantastic! Highly recommended.
@jonboylaw: My preamp build has been based upon dual linear power supplies in a separate enclosure, point-to-point wiring, Goldpoint attenuators (that rival ladder designs), and Grayhill selector switches. Transistor matching and high-res resistors should be the last refinements. 6L6 (=Jim) has assured me that the caps are not in the signal path and will not benefit greatly from upgrades. See the two attached JPegs.
Recommend you ditch the SMPS PSUs ASAP. Linear supplies are significantly better. Randy Thatcher (this forum) makes several boards available that will handle polar and bipolar requirements; he is, like Jim, a particularly fine professional.
Good luck. Have been listening to the Premium build this evening and will be providing an initial report tomorrow. News is good...very good.
Recommend you ditch the SMPS PSUs ASAP. Linear supplies are significantly better. Randy Thatcher (this forum) makes several boards available that will handle polar and bipolar requirements; he is, like Jim, a particularly fine professional.
Good luck. Have been listening to the Premium build this evening and will be providing an initial report tomorrow. News is good...very good.
Attachments
The more I play with (good) SMPS the more I disagree with this statement.
YMMV, of course.
Murata filter? I’m not familiar.
Ive tried AC mains filters, (on SMPS and linear, I think they are useful everywhere), Mark’s P089ZB, and AmyAlice, the SMD follow-up to P089ZB.
Ive tried AC mains filters, (on SMPS and linear, I think they are useful everywhere), Mark’s P089ZB, and AmyAlice, the SMD follow-up to P089ZB.
I believe you are comparing apples to oranges. 6L6 mentioned (good) SMPS, the SMPS in commercial over the counter products would be bad at best. I have not used any SMPS yet, but can see some adavantages. It is much easier to filter high fequency noise than line frequency noise being the advantage that stands out the most. The no voltage sag benefit would not be as important in a preamp or phone preamp application.
Round Three: Audio Analysis
Have now been able to compare a number of recordings in CD, vinyl, and reel-to-reel media and can report that the BA2018 Premium build with matched transistors and .1% resistors does, in fact, sound different than the stock version. Interestingly, you might find either version preferable based upon their characteristics. See the system being used in the JPeg below; it places emphasis on power supplies and conditioning with a PSU for each PCB in the stereo chain.
The first recording tested was Spyro Gyra's “Alternating Currents.” After hearing this with the stock BA2018, a second listen with the Premium PCB showed less noise and a markedly “smoother” quality. Presence and attacks were superb with both but the Premium version exhibited a controlled response that could be described as “natural realism.” Timbral accuracy was slightly better with the Premium PCB.
Then spent some time listening to 20 or so CDs, Records, and Tapes to get an overall feel for the Premium sound. By comparison to the stock version, “smooth control” was an appropriate adjectival description. Here are three specifics.
The Amadeus Quartet was the major classical string quartet in the 1960s and 70s; their recordings for DG were justly famous during their day. At that time, there was a preference among some string artists for very bright instruments. These sound harsh when played on poor systems and they become shrill and unlistenable when converted to digital.
Listened to identical vinyl and R2R recordings of Haydn's Emporer Quartet (DG 138886) and was impressed with how pleasurable the Premium PCB made the instruments sound. Still bright, still assertive, but, overall, listenable and pleasing. The increased timbral accuracy offered by the Premium build allows you to hear subtle shifts that occur throughout ranges and draws you into the performance – a very strong affect.
Secondly, checked out soundstage and orchestral density with one of my favorites: Kozeluch's “Sinfonia Concertante” for keyboard, mandolin, trumpet, and double bass (!). Concerted symphonies were an 18th-century form that developed along wth the symphony and solo concert using multiple solo instruments along with the orchestra. The 1977 EMI recording (4-channel no less) by ASMF is that rarity – a great performance matched with superb audio.
Kozeluch's work allows you to see how adept your system is at hearing soft instruments with loud ones. Poor systems blend the total sound image together and softer instruments get lost. With the Premium PCB in place, was able to hear, for the first time, the mandolin playing soft accompaniment to the piano in the solo sections. Also, the piano's timbre is painted by the Premium PCB with accuracy.
Third, listened with delight to one of the great analog recordings on R2R, Respighi's “Ancient Airs and Dances” by Dorati and the Philharmonia Hungarica (Mercury vinyl later offered in Dolby R2R version by Barclay-Crocker). This recording captures the orchestral string sound in splendid accuracy with all of the dynamic shifts Respighi was noted for. The Premium PCB conveyed the dynamics with great power and controlled smoothness– something lacking in lesser preamps.
An emphasis here on acoustic classical recordings because these show off the BA2018's capabilities. Popular CDs and vinyl sound great as well with the Premium PCB.
Now, finally, for this suggestion: you might like the stock version of the BA2018 as it has less of the Premium's smooth control and more of a hard-hitting punch. Build both versions and make up your own mind.
Want to thank 6L6 and mhenschel for suggesting matching and 0.1% resistor accuracy. The Premium build has turned out to be a successful alternative in my system and proves how brilliant this design by Wayne Colburn is – thanks again, Wayne.Your generosity brings many kinds of pleasure to the DIY community.
Have now been able to compare a number of recordings in CD, vinyl, and reel-to-reel media and can report that the BA2018 Premium build with matched transistors and .1% resistors does, in fact, sound different than the stock version. Interestingly, you might find either version preferable based upon their characteristics. See the system being used in the JPeg below; it places emphasis on power supplies and conditioning with a PSU for each PCB in the stereo chain.
The first recording tested was Spyro Gyra's “Alternating Currents.” After hearing this with the stock BA2018, a second listen with the Premium PCB showed less noise and a markedly “smoother” quality. Presence and attacks were superb with both but the Premium version exhibited a controlled response that could be described as “natural realism.” Timbral accuracy was slightly better with the Premium PCB.
Then spent some time listening to 20 or so CDs, Records, and Tapes to get an overall feel for the Premium sound. By comparison to the stock version, “smooth control” was an appropriate adjectival description. Here are three specifics.
The Amadeus Quartet was the major classical string quartet in the 1960s and 70s; their recordings for DG were justly famous during their day. At that time, there was a preference among some string artists for very bright instruments. These sound harsh when played on poor systems and they become shrill and unlistenable when converted to digital.
Listened to identical vinyl and R2R recordings of Haydn's Emporer Quartet (DG 138886) and was impressed with how pleasurable the Premium PCB made the instruments sound. Still bright, still assertive, but, overall, listenable and pleasing. The increased timbral accuracy offered by the Premium build allows you to hear subtle shifts that occur throughout ranges and draws you into the performance – a very strong affect.
Secondly, checked out soundstage and orchestral density with one of my favorites: Kozeluch's “Sinfonia Concertante” for keyboard, mandolin, trumpet, and double bass (!). Concerted symphonies were an 18th-century form that developed along wth the symphony and solo concert using multiple solo instruments along with the orchestra. The 1977 EMI recording (4-channel no less) by ASMF is that rarity – a great performance matched with superb audio.
Kozeluch's work allows you to see how adept your system is at hearing soft instruments with loud ones. Poor systems blend the total sound image together and softer instruments get lost. With the Premium PCB in place, was able to hear, for the first time, the mandolin playing soft accompaniment to the piano in the solo sections. Also, the piano's timbre is painted by the Premium PCB with accuracy.
Third, listened with delight to one of the great analog recordings on R2R, Respighi's “Ancient Airs and Dances” by Dorati and the Philharmonia Hungarica (Mercury vinyl later offered in Dolby R2R version by Barclay-Crocker). This recording captures the orchestral string sound in splendid accuracy with all of the dynamic shifts Respighi was noted for. The Premium PCB conveyed the dynamics with great power and controlled smoothness– something lacking in lesser preamps.
An emphasis here on acoustic classical recordings because these show off the BA2018's capabilities. Popular CDs and vinyl sound great as well with the Premium PCB.
Now, finally, for this suggestion: you might like the stock version of the BA2018 as it has less of the Premium's smooth control and more of a hard-hitting punch. Build both versions and make up your own mind.
Want to thank 6L6 and mhenschel for suggesting matching and 0.1% resistor accuracy. The Premium build has turned out to be a successful alternative in my system and proves how brilliant this design by Wayne Colburn is – thanks again, Wayne.Your generosity brings many kinds of pleasure to the DIY community.
Attachments
Much more importantly, you can see the audio doggy in the photo! 😊♥️
and these on pics are looking damn close to Eminence Alpha 6
one of rare Gems
kiss for Doggie!
one of rare Gems
kiss for Doggie!
Has anyone compared this linestage to the FE2022? I have an FE2022 with bipolar linear power supply and wonder how it compares to this preamp build with a similar PS.
Hello Sean H,
I have built the BA2018 linestage preamp and the FE2022.
Both are dual mono builds. Seperated PSUs for each channel (CRCRC-filter and regulators).
Both preamps sound really great. No big difference for me. Both are detailed, very good stereo imaging and bass control.
There are small differences to the ACP+, BA-3 preamp,...
My BA2018 is running on +-24 V DC, the FE2022 runs on +-20 V DC.
Both preamps are excellent. I think, that the FE2022 is a bit easier to build- especially for beginners.
The BA2018 built with the big Output-BJTs is also a great headphoneamp!
The FE2022 can also be a great driverstage in poweramps. My opinion... 🙂
Greets
Dirk
I have built the BA2018 linestage preamp and the FE2022.
Both are dual mono builds. Seperated PSUs for each channel (CRCRC-filter and regulators).
Both preamps sound really great. No big difference for me. Both are detailed, very good stereo imaging and bass control.
There are small differences to the ACP+, BA-3 preamp,...
My BA2018 is running on +-24 V DC, the FE2022 runs on +-20 V DC.
Both preamps are excellent. I think, that the FE2022 is a bit easier to build- especially for beginners.
The BA2018 built with the big Output-BJTs is also a great headphoneamp!
The FE2022 can also be a great driverstage in poweramps. My opinion... 🙂
Greets
Dirk
Thanks, Dirk! I appreciate that. Good to know and sounds like there is not a big difference. Your assessment of the sound matches mine as well for the FE2022. I really like it and sounds great with my BA3 power amp. My FE2022 isn’t dual mono but was thinking about converting it dual mono and see what I can gain there. But then had interest in the BA2018 as well but I’m more of a novice and sounds like it’s tougher. Thanks!
