[juniperlater]

Is there a good DIY tube preamp? Possibly a kit that isn't terribly expensive <$200? Thanks!

 

[pinkfloyd4ever]

diyAudio Forums - B1 Buffer Preamp - Page 1

 

[dsavitsk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkfloyd4ever /img/forum/go_quote.gif diyAudio Forums - B1 Buffer Preamp - Page 1

I don't see any tubes -- nor, for that matter, do I see a good design. Anybody but NP released this design and it would be quickly forgotten as fraught with issues. He phoned this one in.

I'd look here instead: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...threadid=68267

 

[juniperlater]

I am not positive, but looking at those, it seems that I might not be smart enough for this project. I have only done a number of CMOYs to date. What about a kit?

 

[cfcubed]

Here's a few ideas, but very likely not meeting your budget (other than maybe last idea):

Transcendent Sound Grounded Grid... Yes its over 2X your budget, but it has good reviews, support, etc. It appears the kit of choice for <= $500 from what I read a while back.

Lighthouse Electric Pre - Don't know much about it, but it came up in my searches.

Something like this maybe not using premium parts... Also don't know much about it but it looks nice

Taking a DIY tube or tube hybrid design & adding parts to try to make it pass as a pre-amp (input selector, muting delay, etc). If that didn't work you would still have yourself a headamp

Good luck.

 

[juniperlater]

That transcendent looks awesome! Maybe I need to look in that direction.

 

[breakfastchef]

Check out the Bottlehead Foreplay III. The kits sound great, instructions very clear, and the online forum support is top-notch. Bottlehead.com I recently finished a Seduction phono-pre, a Foreplay III line stage and a pair of Paramount mono-block amps. Previeously I had built a few CMoys and made a passive line switch.

 

[digger945]

Aikido

(I am biased, you see).
Could possibly be built for less than $200 if you shop(glassware/yahoo kit does not come with xfmr or regulator, but they sell a regulator seperately).
The 24V would prolly be cheaper than a HV version.

 

[juniperlater]

Bottlehead is just so expensive. I LOVE the look and the simplicity, but I don't think I can justify the cost.

Where can I find more info on Aikido?

 

[cfcubed]

YES, Aikido & Bottlehead... How could I forget them? A very messy pile of tags & URLs in del.icio.us is one way

Wanting front-panel controls (& treb & bass that could be fully bypassed), I took a different route to spend $300+ on my pre; picked up a used AMC CVT 1030 ( reviews ) for like $175 delivered then added muting delay, some better caps, real tube sockets, tubes & ALPs pot...

This way I could tell the wife "It's less than $200!" when I bought it

Oh, the games we must play

 

[digger945]

The Tubecad Journal for info, articles, etc.
The Glassware Audio Design website/store for pricing, kits, parts, etc.

 

[juniperlater]

When I add everything to the cart (except the tubes) it comes out to $110. Does that sound right? It seems like I could get this one done in less than $200 if I get creative with the case. Right?

 

[juniperlater]

Or does this need a separate power supply?

 

[digger945]

Exactly which one are you referring?
None of the kits on Glassware come with PS's.
The low volt H-PS-1 regulator is $24 I think, but you need to add a xfmr to that.
The high volt PS-1 regulator is $74 I think, also need 1 or more xfmr's with that one, one for B+, one for heaters, or a combo xfmr with secondaries you need for both, and that will depend on the kit/tubes selected, as you may have 12V heaters or 6.3.
This is what makes the 24V aikido simpler, the heaters and B+ can be hooked to just one PS(6GM8 tubes may be hard to find at times).

 

[dcheming]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsavitsk /img/forum/go_quote.gif ... I'd look here instead: diyAudio Forums - Yet another 12B4 line stage, or is the 12B4 better than the Grounded Grid..... - Page 1

That looks like a very nice design. I'm in need of a good DIY tube pre design too so I'll have to read the whole thread. I really like how little there is in the signal path.

To the OP also check out the Decware Zkits. At $300 it's over your budget but still worth a look.