I’m thinking about building one of the usual suspects on the Pass Lab forum. Specifically, I’m interested the Iron Pre, BA-3 pre, and Wayne's BA 2018, but any other suggestions are welcome.
I’m currently using a Vacuum Tube Audio SP14 tube pre in front of my SissySIT, and have used it with my M2C and M2x. It works very well with all of them, but want to try something else. Once I complete my F2J build my intention is to start on one of those preamps.
I have found that I like a preamp with gain. Buffer or passive preamp I feel they sound a little flat.
Any insight is greatly appreciated, because there are no bad ones.
I’m currently using a Vacuum Tube Audio SP14 tube pre in front of my SissySIT, and have used it with my M2C and M2x. It works very well with all of them, but want to try something else. Once I complete my F2J build my intention is to start on one of those preamps.
I have found that I like a preamp with gain. Buffer or passive preamp I feel they sound a little flat.
Any insight is greatly appreciated, because there are no bad ones.
The ACP+ sounds superb. It’s clean, very dynamic, and quiet. For preamp duties, lowering the bias current to 70mA reduces heat generation and sounds very good still.
Amp Camp Pre+Headphone Amp - ACP+
Amp Camp Pre+Headphone Amp - ACP+
Isn't this interesting? I had the same impression with my passive pre. It seemed like there was plenty of detail, but the sound wasn't as engaging. Fast forward to today l, and I've been restoring a Pioneer Exclusive C3 which has +-70V rails lol. I think they wanted to ensure enough juice for the phono inputs, and let everything else be attenuated down a notch.
Still, I've contemplated trying Wayne's BS linestage for fun, but an really trying to keep myself from collecting too many components until I have a house. Curious to hear what you decide to go with.
- B1TI would work on your gain structure, consumer line level being as it is at nominal 310mv RMS, just needs power amps to have similar sensitivity. Requiring resistor based attenuation of course in between, the benefit is you are more likely to hear what your source is actually providing , vs adding reactance.
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Chris,
Agreed that there needs to be a synergy between the different components in the systems, and that could help to eliminate the need for gain and additional things in the music chain that could influence the sound. I just keep coming back to liking how even a little gain sounds batter to me.
ZM,
B1T = B1 with Korg Triode?
Agreed that there needs to be a synergy between the different components in the systems, and that could help to eliminate the need for gain and additional things in the music chain that could influence the sound. I just keep coming back to liking how even a little gain sounds batter to me.
ZM,
B1T = B1 with Korg Triode?
B1T was limited run of Papa's B1 with autoformer for gain
as far as I know, not being sold
Pa obviously chickened, being frighten that he wouldn't be able to satisfy quantity demands
as far as I know, not being sold
Pa obviously chickened, being frighten that he wouldn't be able to satisfy quantity demands
B1T = I'm guessing that's the B1 w/ autoformer gain that Nelson talked about at Burning Amp 2017.
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My vote goes to the BA-3 pre. So simple to build and unbelievable sound. Currently edging out an 01a DHT pre.
ra7,
That’s impressive. I’m using a triode preamp and I know that DHT preamps have a lot of magic.
That’s impressive. I’m using a triode preamp and I know that DHT preamps have a lot of magic.
I'm partial to the Whammy, because it's the most configurable (via op-amp swapping). I've experienced huge benefits from swapping to a Muses01 op-amp in there, and I'm looking forward to trying the 02 and the Bursons, and then maybe figuring out which op-amp pairs best with which amp.
Any issue with transformers on the back of a B1 from PASSDIY? I remember ZM on the iron pre thread? Talking about version and jfet gender?
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Any issue with transformers on the back of a B1 from PASSDIY? I remember ZM on the iron ore thread? Talking about version and jfet gender?
Could the ba3 output impedance be lowered a bit by reducing the source resistors of the mosfets and increasing bias?
Will it degrade the sound quality?
It could be half way between a ba3 and a f5 headamp without counter reaction...
Stupid idea?
Will it degrade the sound quality?
It could be half way between a ba3 and a f5 headamp without counter reaction...
Stupid idea?