BTSB Buffer - SE/Bal to SE/Bal Buffer GB

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Just received SMD BTSBs in the mail today. Thanks for the fast turnaround. Have great plans for these little guys. Thanks for building them!

 

[xrk971]

Have fun building them. You are in for a real treat when you listen to them for the first time.

 

[xrk971]

In case anyone who is wondering if the BTSB works well with the Pass DIYA VFET lottery amp... yes, it works superbly. The VFET amp sounds really special, but only has 10dB of gain so it’s going to need some preamp help. I used mine at 14dB for 24dB gain overall and it’s sublime. If you want to drive it with your phone, you could select the 20dB gain setting even.

 

[von Ah]

Agreed!

My freshly wired up BTSB is playing well between my preamp and my VFET SE!

Started with +6db to test. May go up to 10 and see if that also works.

My main reason to add gain was to boost my vinyl playback. But everything could use a little more, so trying this route first. First record going on shortly...

 

[von Ah]

+10db is the sweet spot for now. Sounds great!

Thanks, X, for a great product! Cheers!

 

[xrk971]

Nice to hear that it’s working out, Vonah! Well done.


The label on that early verification build board is gain is in X scalar. Or 2x = 6dB, 5x = 14dB, 10x is 20dB. Looks like you got it maxed out.
We changed the label on the later ones to be dB.

 

[Vunce]

Nice setup von Ah!
My bionic vision tells me you have dip switches 2 and 5 closed, that is indeed 14dB

 

[von Ah]

Ha! Thanks. So, just to confirm, which direction of the dip switches ‘actuates’ that selection? Toward the output?

Would this not be 6db?

Edit: I understand now that I typed 10db when I should have typed 14.

 

[Vunce]

Yes, you have switches #1 and #4 ‘on’ which means they are closed. That corresponds to 6dB.
1&4 on = 6dB
2&5 on = 14dB
3&6 on = 20dB
All off = 0dB
The notes should be on the schematic

 

[xrk971]

On is to the right as labeled. You have 6dB setting.

 

[von Ah]

Thanks to you both. I’m happy with 14db with this setup.

 

[xrk971]

That’s what I am using too for the VFET.

 

[von Ah]

14db works well with my newly minted F5, too.

 

[xrk971]

Cool - you have been busy! An F5 literally weeks after the VFET?

 

[von Ah]

Sorry I missed this reply, X. Yes, I was on a tear of slinging solder to build amps.

The F5 goes back in rotation tomorrow morning. If I’m adventurous I’ll start my ACP+ build.

 

[wineds]

I made a 3d printed case for the TH BTSB. As XRK mentioned a very handy accessory to have on hand for connecting almost any source to any amplifier.

 

[Vunce]

Awesome little case you created for the BTSB, Wineds!!
Nice Job

 

[wineds]

Thanks. I'm still just a noob though. Only finished building the prusa a few weeks ago. Next job is the TPA 3255 amp.

 

[xrk971]

Nice work. Wineds! You have a 1.2 board with the layout error (these were free with the TPA3255 I think). Don’t forget to install R42/43 on a crossed configuration and that will get you the right channel SE output.

Thanks for sharing your awesome little case.

 

[wineds]

Thanks. Yes I crossed the resistors and put them on the underside of the board.