Kits and Transformers

[enzedone]

O.k

I've been looking for a couple of weeks now at maybe getting some kind of preamp kit. I have always wanted to give valves a go, but as stated elsewhere, the only thing I know about them is that they glow in the dark.

 

Some interesting sites I've found so far.

 

1) http://diyhifisupply.com/node/650

Whole kit including case and power supply. I really like the input selection and volume control, as this gives me plenty of options as well.

Price: $620USD :eek: top of my current budget.

 

2) http://www.transcendentsound.com/Transcendent/Transcendent_Sound_Grounded_Grid_Preamp.html

Whole kit including case

Price: $499USD within budget but don't really need a case. Someone mentioned on this forum about the under sized power supply.

 

3) http://www.elekit.co.jp/material/english_product_html/TU-875.php?page=1&ssi=1

Actually integrated amplifier.

Price: $700NZDish

 

4) http://www.decware.com/newsite/CSP2.html

Go to bottom of the page and select kit.

http://www.decware.com/zplates/zplatesp1more.htm

Price $298USD

Looks to be simple enough for an idiot like myself. Very limited with input selection though. I would have to add some kind of selector switch to give myself more options. Like this:

http://diyhifisupply.com/node/606

I think this is nice?

Price: $265USD

Total Price: $563USD plus shipping of course, and upper limit of my budget.

 

5) http://www.bottlehead.com/store.php?crn=220&rn=430&action=show_detail

Nice kit, but starting to get pricey

Price $514USD and then there's the upgrade kit on top of that if you get it all together.

Price: $265USD

Total Price: $779USD.............:eek::eek::eek: Blown budget divorce material.

 

6) http://glass-ware.stores.yahoo.net/aialls.html

This looks o.k but not really up on picking my own tubes.......Told you (they glow, that's all I know)

And wouldn't have a clue where to get a transformer from for the power supply.

Price: $210USDish.

 

7) http://www.hagtech.com/clarinet.html

I think this is too advanced for me at this stage. And very expensive for just a board and minimal parts (half kit).

Price: $500USD :eek:

 

8) http://cgi.ebay.com/Complete-Pre-amplifier-Kit-CAT-Convergent-SL-1-LS-26C-/290461411033?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a0d966d9

Don't know much about this guy (obviously) and not really up on valves to make a choice on which design to go for

Price: $50USD (board)- $500USD kit

 

Of course all of these incur postage.........

 

My biggest problem is the power supplies/transformers. As I wouldn't have a clue where to get these from here.

I need a good kit with good instructions and access to a transformer/power supply.

I have a case here at home, but do not want to go cutting this(holes in the top for valves) only to find that I've bought a cheap kit and it sounds like shit.:eek:

 

So......... any comments please

 

Brett.

[gortnipper]

At least the Bottlehead and the DIYHFS kits come with power trannies - you just need to specify a 240v version when ordering I guess.

[Owen Y]

Hi Brett,

What's your power amp & spkr system, & source? device/s?

 

Some quick comments...

 

DIYHifiSupply:

It is cheaper with just the regular vol control & cheaper again unassembled - USD473. Also has adjustable gain, up to 30dB.

 

Transcendent:

This GG pre has been built by at least a few people here & seems to give satisfaction.

 

Elekit TU-875:

Has full MC level phono included. Hybrid SS only for MC stage. Has trick SS psu, no tube rectifier (hmmm, black mark).

 

Decware Zen:

Doubles as headph amp. Gain not specified for linestage but is adjustable - handy. Good kit price.

 

Bottlehead:

aarond here has built the Foreplay, lowish gain (10dB?), inverts phase. Also has unconventional input vol pot cct, was sl tricky to get right, eliminate noise, IIRC.

 

Glassware Audio:

The Aikido is good (I've been listening to one recently). You would need not only a PTX ((figure on NZD150), but also case, vol pot, switches, sockets etc etc.

 

Hagtech Clarinet:

Some here uses this? Costly for bare pcb, unfortunately.

 

ebay CAT clone:

A complex cct for a linestage. Need to source socket hardware, case, switches... has remote control(?) & I like the R-core PTX.

 

 

I would build on a temp 'breadbd' first before installing in chassis.

 

Figure on GST being charged (on anything NZD400 or more, incl postage...will this go down to $333, come Oct?)

 

Power transformers can be wound here in NZ.

 

Keep us advised!

[enzedone]

This is starting to get very complicated.

Would like to get my TT finished as well.

No idea of cartridge, it will have van SME 3009 Series 11 Improved with fixed headshell.

Along with my CDP Marantz 52

Would also like to finish my Pass Labs F5 (this will drive my Mids & uppers) I will be bi amping the system. But haven't worked out what will drive the base speakers yet.

 

.........................shit, maybe I should forget all this valve fantasy stuff and go SS. Buy myself a cheap SS pre with phono stage and try to get something up and running....

[enzedone]

I am also of the thinking that someone like me should stick to one company for pre and Phono? Then at least they will match ok?

 

 

In that DIYHIFI kit? you see how the tube has been configured?

 

Would this heat up too much and possibly cause damage to the surrounding PCB and/or caps?

 

And something else while I think of it.

 

 

What Pre could I actually buy here for $800-$1000NZD that maybe just as good?

[Owen Y]

Should be no problem matching phono to a line pre.

 

As long as phono (gain etc) is chosen to suit cartr.

 

Line pres all have standard 47k-100k inputs.

[enzedone]

Decware Zen:

Doubles as headph amp. Gain not specified for linestage but is adjustable - handy. Good kit price.

 

The ZSP-1 has tons of gain. With 2 volts on the input you can expect to get 18 volts on the output with ultra low distortion.

 

 

So I've narrowed it down to these ones:

 

1) http://diyhifisupply.com/node/650

 

2) http://www.transcendentsound.com/Tra...id_Preamp.html

 

4) http://www.decware.com/newsite/CSP2.html

 

6) http://glass-ware.stores.yahoo.net/aialls.html

[gortnipper]

The Grounded Grid preamp has a quite popular following.

 

But the Decware looks interesting, too. Especially if you are a can man.

 

If I had any money I would consider this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=312799717

[enzedone]

 

gortnipper;131735 wrote:

The Grounded Grid preamp has a quite popular following.

 

 

 

But the Decware looks interesting, too. Especially if you are a can man.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I had any money I would consider this:

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=312799717

 

Can man? this all new terminology I'm gonna have to learn

 

This looks like a real pig to me......... I don't have schematics to rebuild this.

[Colton1553552741]

 

enzedone;131742 wrote:

Can man? this all new terminology I'm gonna have to learn

 

 

Headphones, I believe.

[enzedone]

Decware is $540NZD landed here plus taxes.. could be the one