What do you think about tube pre-amp kits?

djduck · Feb 2, 2014

pdm4606 · Feb 2, 2014

wanna learn about stuff?

A kit is the best way to go. Don't forget the amp is only part of the project. Your power supply will be just as much a deciding factor as the preamp or amp portion. Lots of volts needed for tubes.
Amps needed for SS.

Paul

djduck · Feb 2, 2014

I have lots of microwave oven transformers with beefy primary coils. Those are really easy to make secondary windings to. I can make a coil with any output voltage needed.

gargamel · Feb 2, 2014

Well, the 6th one is a headphone amp. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong but I think that is not the same as a pre amp. And the last one isn't tube anything at all. Reviews for kits like those are pretty scarce. I was checking out some of the tube amp kits before and couldn't find much on them that wasn't coming from the people selling them. I'm not a tube guy, most of my tube exp is from guitar amps, and with that skewed perspective I would figure out what tubes you want and maybe that would give a good starting point in choosing a kit.

mhardy6647 · Feb 2, 2014

priced like a toy... but it is not a toy; it's a fine sounding if very basic preamplifier.
http://www.bottlehead.com/store.php/products/quickie-battery-tube-preamplifier

A couple of notches up the ladder, and held in high regard:
http://www.transcendentsound.com/Transcendent/Transcendent_Sound_Grounded_Grid_Preamp.html

Poultrygeist · Feb 3, 2014

Get the three tube model which sells for around $50. It uses the Matisse circuit which is excellent.

djduck · Feb 6, 2014

Thanks everyone! I think I'll go for the three bulb then.

shelly_d · Feb 7, 2014

You need to really know what you are taking on.

That power amp will require a power transformer and perhaps other power supply components (did not read enough to know if the P/S components are on the board). You will also need an adequate heat sink to keep it running well. You want to put a fuse in line with the power transformer, a trivial expense but the correct one must be chosen and the whole thing should be set up in an enclosure for safety.

The preamps will likewise need power transformers and possibly other power supply components. If you want more then one music source you will need multiple input jacks with appropriate switching, and a volume control to adjust the output of the system. If you don't have a symmetrical setup or otherwise need to adjust the left right volume you will need a balance control as well. An alternative to that is two mono volume controls that can be adjusted separately but that tends to be an inconvenient arrangement. You should also have this fused and in an enclosure for safety.

Not trying to discourage, just to point out the big items that need to be addressed to turn those "kits" into functioning audio equipment.

Shelly_D

Poultrygeist · Feb 8, 2014

If you select the 3 tube model with PS it's plug and play. I added an on/off switch and fuse.

djduck · Feb 8, 2014

I actually asked about a kit because I'm too lazy to design my own stuff. I have lots of transformers lying around, I'm thinking of using one of the two huge transformers that I salvaged for a Russian proprietary rack mount mono block amplifier. I'll hook them up later and see what voltages can I get from them.

What do you think about tube pre-amp kits?

djduck

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pdm4606

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djduck

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gargamel

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mhardy6647

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Poultrygeist

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djduck

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shelly_d

Not An Audiophool

Poultrygeist

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djduck

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