I think it's finally time for me to move on this excellent DIY Preamp.
It uses the Stereo Coffee LDR passive volume boards and incorporates a separate fully modded clone Musical Fidelity X-10D valve buffer, using a pair of 6922/E88CC valves and upgraded with top notch parts including Jantzen Superior Z-Cap capacitors.
This is the second one of these I had built according to my requirements by a friend with 35+ years of audio engineering experience. The first one is now in the hands of @JANDL100 of this parish if you want an unbiased view of the build/sound quality etc. This second one is in a slightly smaller case though and has the power supply in a separate unit to further help to reduce noise.
It has been wired up so you can connect it any which way you like, so you can use it as a straight LDR passive, a straight valve buffer or (my preferred way of using it) with the LDR first followed by the buffer, plus tube rolling opportunities too, so a bit of a tweakers dream.
The buffer runs in pure Class A I believe and has an output impedance of not a lot, so makes for a nice easy load for your amp/speakers.
It has 2 inputs (selected from the rear) and the volume is remote controlled. It is about 18 months old.
Have decided go 'no preamp' in both of my systems now, so biting the bullet and looking for some cash to bring forward a new DAC purchase.
Hard to price, but with the parts and labour costs I spent on it, I think £380 including free delivery (UK only) is about right. I do however hate risking couriers, so if you come and collect from me here in the East Midlands (near Melton Mowbray), it's yours for £350.
I think this is a very reasonable price for a unit based on the design of the Tortuga Audio LDR3000T which used to sell for $3k (and I would argue the components in this are higher grade too).
Any questions, just PM me.
Cheers
Karl
It uses the Stereo Coffee LDR passive volume boards and incorporates a separate fully modded clone Musical Fidelity X-10D valve buffer, using a pair of 6922/E88CC valves and upgraded with top notch parts including Jantzen Superior Z-Cap capacitors.
This is the second one of these I had built according to my requirements by a friend with 35+ years of audio engineering experience. The first one is now in the hands of @JANDL100 of this parish if you want an unbiased view of the build/sound quality etc. This second one is in a slightly smaller case though and has the power supply in a separate unit to further help to reduce noise.
It has been wired up so you can connect it any which way you like, so you can use it as a straight LDR passive, a straight valve buffer or (my preferred way of using it) with the LDR first followed by the buffer, plus tube rolling opportunities too, so a bit of a tweakers dream.
The buffer runs in pure Class A I believe and has an output impedance of not a lot, so makes for a nice easy load for your amp/speakers.
It has 2 inputs (selected from the rear) and the volume is remote controlled. It is about 18 months old.
Have decided go 'no preamp' in both of my systems now, so biting the bullet and looking for some cash to bring forward a new DAC purchase.
Hard to price, but with the parts and labour costs I spent on it, I think £380 including free delivery (UK only) is about right. I do however hate risking couriers, so if you come and collect from me here in the East Midlands (near Melton Mowbray), it's yours for £350.
I think this is a very reasonable price for a unit based on the design of the Tortuga Audio LDR3000T which used to sell for $3k (and I would argue the components in this are higher grade too).
Any questions, just PM me.
Cheers
Karl
Last edited: