Hi.

I have zero electronics experience, background, etc. How does one go about building a tube or solid-state phono preamp, and if one did, would typically be better than a Radio Shack add-on SS phono preamp? (I don't know if those are still available in retail stores, but you can get them on eBay).

Thanks for any help.

Best,
Matt

there are sooo many choices out there but since this is the DIY forum..........
First I would not do a "scratch" build for my first project.Better to go with a pcb (unless tubed,then point to point wiring is fine).
First up is a new design by nelson pass.No I have not built this yet but considering the designer it should sound good.PCBs are available for fifty bucks,not real cheap but not too bad either

http://www.passdiy.com/preamps.htm

something a bit easier and cheaper-older design but updated at the bottom of the article

http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~mleach/...b77article.pdf (pdf file,right click and "save target as")

two stage design http://www.quadesl.com/pdf/icphono.pdf ,also a pdf file

Then there is this





straight from the linear technology app notes but on this pagehttp://www.tanker.se/lidstrom/eng/ (go to "readymade link) there is a really nice way to build it WITHOUT a PCB !

Another good one is over at the TNT website but it is down right now

many more out there but this should get ya started

Rick

oh,btw-I also have an old rat shack phono/mic preamp that i use.I did a parts upgrade and added an external power supply.Not too shabby

should add this alsohttp://www.deadwaxcafe.com/vzone/phonopre.asp

and when I find the link the La Pacifica single ended jfet amp

Bottlehead is about to introduce a tube phono stage.It has been eagerly anticipated on the bottlehead forums and should be on the market be the end of the month.If you have never assembled a kit,these are for you.I have assembled and modded over 20 bottlehead kits.They have the excellent Foreplay preamp(which can be easily modded to a great headphone amp) as well as the Paramour amps.Bottlehead has THE easiest to assemble kits I have used yet and they have a devoted group users and fans that will assist you entusiastically.http://bottlehead.com

...that sounds great. Do you have any idea how much it will cost for the kit? If it was like $99 or less, that would be great. Is a phono preamp a harder, easier or just about the same as a Foreplay as far as complexity/number of parts/build ease goes?

I do believe it when they say "no experience required," as it seems easy, like you said, and well-explained from the testimonials on the site.

Also, tuberoller, do the bottlehead products live up to the hype? Are they really that great?

Thanks,
Matt

The bottlehead stuff is great and is easily upgradeable.Doc Bottlehead says the phonostage will be $149.00 and orders will not be taken until the pictures are posted to the site.My dentist,who of couse has steady hands but not electronic skill,assembled a foreplay preamp and a set of Paramour amps in a weekend.it was his first go at DIY and he is now hooked.He recently completed a set of DIY cables and is working on speaker kit now.Give it a try,for the modest cost of $149.00 I think even if you completely screw up it won't be a big deal.I am sure you can do this.Good Luck