Best DIY Preamp II

[Vhond]

I know there's an old topic about this Best DIY preamp, dating almost ten years ago, but I am very curious if there's new input on this subject?

I am considering solid state.

One of the preamps mentioned over there is PassDiy
The last changes on that site date from 15 years ago (there seems to be no more progress)

How does the DIY stuff on that site compare to the commercial stuff like for instance https://www.passlabs.com/products/xp-12/?

And what about the stuff sold over here versus the real stuff

Or what about this?

 

[analog_sa]

Best for what?

Without the context of your system, expectations or budget the question is meaningless.

 

[Vhond]

Context: As a pre before a class D amp. (for streamer connected to a DAC, analog tuner, cd player)

RCA and or XLR inputs/outputs (not necessarily with phono input).

Budget is for discussion, but when I mention "best" it may cost some dimes ; )

 

[amplidude]

A bryston 26 clone might be a nice option, multiple inputs.

 

[Vhond]

@amplidude: It looks like the ones I Referred to in my starting topic click

But are they really good?

Same applies to this

 

[schiirrn]

So you need source selection, I assume attenuation, and a buffer at the output for low Zout, right?

 

[Vhond]

Yes, you're right.

 

[BesPav]

Proceed with this one. View attachment WP_The_G_word.pdf

 

[Vhond]

Haha , I've seen this article before ; )

And I've also seen this

 

[amplidude]

@amplidude: It looks like the ones I Referred to in my starting topic click

But are they really good?

Same applies to this

.haven't got a clue, to be honest, but I made the bryston 4bsst and it performs very nice, it's the same guy who cloned both. Think nisbeth a member here made the bryston 26 pre, might ask him of opinion

 

[Vhond]

I already asked him over here but he didn't have very additional to say other than 'good'

 

[schiirrn]

Yes, you're right.

Ok, so maybe instead of a game of luck where you choose one recommendation for "the best" how about a modular breadboard approach starting with a source selector switch, an attenuator (there's various approaches) and maybe the M2 kit from the diyaudiostore. Ditch the output boards and use the different buffers and see what you like best. Build a simple power supply with Jung/Didden Superregs at the output, or rather the power in for the boards, and you have something going.

 

[wynpalmer2]

How about this.
High gain opamp based preamp for low output MC cartridges. | Page 91 | Audiokarma Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums
Phono stage et all. Has a warp "elliptic" filter, line stage etc. Even an optional headphone amp.
Measures extremely well, including multi tone testing.
Subjectively it seems to be extremely well liked by those who have built it.

 

[Vhond]

Nice to follow but I don't need necessarily a phono stage.

 

[amb]

The α10 stereo pre-amplifier

 

[Vhond]

Also unfamiliar with, nice to see but how does it sound?

 

[amb]

Also unfamiliar with, nice to see but how does it sound?

Very good! But I’m biased because it’s my design. Lots of people have built it and the feedback has been great.

The most important part of the preamp is the volume control. The relay attenuator with 128 steps in 0.5dB steps provides almost perfect channel tracking. The relay-based input/output selector supports up to 8 stereo ports. All of this managed by a arduino-compatible processor with LCD display and IR remote control makes it a really sweet package.

 

[Vhond]

Thanks for your honesty (telling me that's your design) I am going to get more into it.

 

[amplidude]

Lots of people love the MEZMERIZE B1 BUFFER , add a ladder attenuator, and some nice signal relays

 

[amb]

I wrote:

The relay attenuator with 128 steps in 0.5dB steps provides almost perfect channel tracking.

Correction: up to 256 steps, not 128.