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Amazing $50 3 Tube Preamp

Good prices.

Mine is the one with three tubes. I listened some tonight with Tung Sol 5670's and they are better than the Chinese tubes but the difference is less dramatic than I expected. The 5670 are shorter than the 6N3.
 
I think this is going to be right in my wheel house. I recently bought a vintage Sansui receiver and found that I loved the sound from it, it's an old 4000. Anyway, after watching it cleanly beat my near flagship avr, an Onkyo 876, in 2 channel audio, I got turned onto the tube sound. I found out the Sansui is one of the early models they made after switching to solid state that they voiced with a tube sound.

Anyway, any consensus on whether the 3 tube version is better than the 2 tube version of this preamp?
 
What I used was more like a decorative tray as it had no top.

If I hadn't found the top I used I might might have gone with thin plexi-glass lid like I did with the TK2050 amp. They will cut plexi to your dimensions at Lowes.
 
Say PG, Does the pcb have a place to wire the rca wires direct to the board? I looked at the pics but cant tell.
Thanks,
Mark
 
You can access where the board mounted RCAs are soldered in from underneath but that's way beyond what my limited abilities would allow. It would be my luck to have melted the pcb while trying.

Instead I knew I wouldn't damage anything by using RCA ends plugged into the inputs/outputs and soldered to the rear plate mounts.
 
Poultry, you've inspired me. Thank you!

It might take a while, but I have an idea of something cool that I am going to cobble together. In fact, I have two ideas. Will post them either here or in DIY once I get all the parts rounded up.
 
Glad to hear that, cogitech,

I hope they don't move this thread to DIY as it will die very quickly. It wouldn't be much of a challenge for the geniuses over there.

A-Wall, I did replace the Chinese tubes with vintage Tung Sols which made a difference but not drastic.
 
Poultrygeist said:
Glad to hear that, cogitech,

I hope they don't move this thread to DIY as it will die very quickly. It wouldn't be much of a challenge for the geniuses over there.
Click to expand...

I've often felt that there needs to be a place for those of us caught between the "just buy it" crowd and the hardcore DIY coneheads. A place where the hackers can get together and say "hey, look what I cobbled together!" People who like to build things and can solder a bit, but who don't have any real hopes of designing a new amp or DAC or a new back-loaded folded horn from the ground up. :D
 
Reviewing this thread it looks like there are several who have ordered this preamp ( hope you ordered the 3 tube model as maybe I can help if needed ). I look forward to seeing posts of your efforts here.

It's important to hook up the transformer correctly as a mistake will fry the preamp. The three tube model like mine took awhile to figure out as it comes with no instructions and no one could/would help me on the Guanzo thread under DIY.

It's reaffirming in these days of escalating prices to find something that affords a fun weekend and many future hours of listening enjoyment for the cost of a tank of gas.

And once you've put forth some effort and have ownership in a project like this it becomes even more special.
 
Poultry, I couldn't agree more.

I haven't ordered the preamp yet, but I am thinking the single tube model would be more suitable to the project that I have in mind. I might as well let the cat out of the bag and tell you that I plan to build a hybrid integrated with the single tube ("YJ 6N3") preamp direct-wired to a modified Lepai 2020B board. I may also integrate a USB DAC into the solution, and I plan to put the whole works into a handmade wooden chassis with nice toggle switch, visible tube (of course). A DIY office/bedroom USB tube amp of sorts.

My other project is a higher-end USB DAC solution, which will need to happen first if I want to integrate my existing DAC into the project I just described above.
 
I agree!

cogitech said:
I've often felt that there needs to be a place for those of us caught between the "just buy it" crowd and the hardcore DIY coneheads. A place where the hackers can get together and say "hey, look what I cobbled together!" People who like to build things and can solder a bit, but who don't have any real hopes of designing a new amp or DAC or a new back-loaded folded horn from the ground up. :D
Click to expand...


Couldn't agree with you more. Sometimes I get interested in things that are SO far over my head, it would take me ten lifetimes to get it figured out. And, the guys who are "hardcore" either can't or won't explain things to a dummy like me!

I enjoy stuff like this that doesn't cost a fortune, is fun, and sounds good.

I enjoy that Cheap and Cheerful portion of A.Circle alot.

Mark
 
Poultry........

I've been looking at these for a month or two also. I have a question and a suggestion.

Question: Is this preamp pretty quiet at "idle"? In other words, is there much self noise?

Suggestion: How's about a picture of the transformer wiring? Or a quick sketch might even be better.

Thanks.

Incidentally, I've built a Bottlehead Quickie and I don't know what people are complaining about. I find it to be great! But sometimes it's a drag to worry about the batteries so I got interested in this little cheapie preamp.

Mark
 
I'm planning to try out this unit, though I'm waiting for work to pick up before I start buying more stuff!

I did get an idea and ask about cigar boxes at the local shop, but alas, they were too small.
 
Blue #1 to #5 port (AC6.3)
Blue #2 to #4 port (AC6.3)
Blue #3 to #3 port (AC160v)
Black #4 to #2 GND port
Blue #5 to #1 port (AC160v)

The preamp is silent with the TK2050 and HE speakers.

picture.php
 
runnin,

Another good possibility for a box would be a designer box that fits over a box of tissues. Craft stores carry wooden boxes in all sizes and shapes. Wally World has some as well. A humidor box or jewelry box would work but probably too costly. A small drawer from a chest is an option.

Mine weren't boxes but wooden trays.
 
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