Tube Amp or PreAmp Kit Experience? SS Kits?

[slipperybidness]

Anybody ever put together a tube amp and/or PreAmp? Either a kit or from scratch.

I see plenty of schematics and parts lists online. Also, I see at least 2 companies offering kits (bottle head and dynakit). Anybody ever used either of these?

Thoughts, comments???

Also, why don't you seem to see as many solid state kits out there? Is this much more difficult to deal with?

I am really considering building some of these just for the heck of it. I am not an electronics expert, but am a very technical person and often work on things that are far, far more complicated and cutting edge technology (such as X-ray generators, mass specs, electrochemical instrumentation, etc). I have basic electronics knowledge, and I see how a project like this would be fun and would bleed over into my job. As you can imagine, a large part of the analytical chemistry world is finding a way to take a very very small signal and amplifying it into a useful analytical signal.

 

[jinjuku]

Anybody ever put together a tube amp and/or PreAmp? Either a kit or from scratch.

I see plenty of schematics and parts lists online. Also, I see at least 2 companies offering kits (bottle head and dynakit). Anybody ever used either of these?

Thoughts, comments???

I have had passing interest but I always find me looking at the outlay of $$ and wondering what speaker I can build next

Also, why don't you seem to see as many solid state kits out there? Is this much more difficult to deal with?

Probably a couple of factors:

1. You can get solid state amps that perform great for not a lot of money.
2. The part count on a solid state amp could generally be an few orders of magnitude more than a Tube.

I am really considering building some of these just for the heck of it. I am not an electronics expert, but am a very technical person and often work on things that are far, far more complicated and cutting edge technology (such as X-ray generators, mass specs, electrochemical instrumentation, etc). I have basic electronics knowledge, and I see how a project like this would be fun and would bleed over into my job.

You just need some Soldering Iron Jiujitsu.

 

[slipperybidness]

You just need some Soldering Iron Jiujitsu.

Yup. Unfortunately I haven't ever done a lot of soldering. I guess my skill is passable, but I would want to perfect it before taking on this project. Guess that's part of the reason I'd like to build an amp myself-- to improve my soldering skills (again very much applicable to my line of work).

Any suggestions on an easier build to get my feet wet and practice my skill before I ruin a pricier build?

 

[slipperybidness]

One More Question

In general, what kind of sound quality can I expect from a DIY amp or pre? Near audiophile, passable, terrible? I think I'm gonna do it either way, just curious.

 

[jinjuku]

I would get some junk at good will and practice on it. As far as SQ on the DIY tube stuff I couldn't say.

I will venture a guess that with tube dating back to the 30's(?) that a lot of the designs are pretty much fleshed out. I don't see how it wouldn't perform to current tube standards.

 

[lsiberian]

You actually don't need soldering, and there are numerous kits available. Diyaudio has a whole section devoted to this.

I will be using the sure amp with the power supply.
4x100W @ 4 Ohm TK2050 Class-D Audio Amplifier Board 320-302
24 VDC 14.6A 350W Regulated Switching Power Supply 320-316

It comes with all you need to hook them up. No soldering required.

 

[Haoleb]

I've built the bottlehead foreplay kit. The original one. It was the first audio related thing I ever built way back when I was i high school. Great little kit that I upgraded over the years. The preamp in its state when I sold it was a great little preamp. You can definitely get audiophile performance from a DIY kit. The current foreplay preamp is as I understand it considerably better than the old one. There are tons of kits and DIY designs out there. The good thing about something such as a bottlehead unit is that they have excellent support to help you with any issues and you get a good platform that can be upgraded and modified down the road.

 

[slipperybidness]

I've built the bottlehead foreplay kit. The original one. It was the first audio related thing I ever built way back when I was i high school. Great little kit that I upgraded over the years. The preamp in its state when I sold it was a great little preamp. You can definitely get audiophile performance from a DIY kit. The current foreplay preamp is as I understand it considerably better than the old one. There are tons of kits and DIY designs out there. The good thing about something such as a bottlehead unit is that they have excellent support to help you with any issues and you get a good platform that can be upgraded and modified down the road.

That's the kind of info I needed, thanks. About how long ago when you originally built yours?

I just ordered a couple of books. Designing Power Amps and 80 Audiophile projects or something like those. And I just realized that friend's husband works in a pro gear repair shop

 

[GranteedEV]

I recommend building a pair of Hypex NC400 amps.

But don't go into any of this expecting magical sound quality. Amps are amps. Even if there's differences they'll be ultra subtle, unless the amp is an awful, inaccurate design (audiophile amps )

For improvements in SQ you need to be looking at speakers.

 

[Haoleb]

That's the kind of info I needed, thanks. About how long ago when you originally built yours?

I just ordered a couple of books. Designing Power Amps and 80 Audiophile projects or something like those. And I just realized that friend's husband works in a pro gear repair shop

It was around 2003 or so when I built mine. I think some of the allure to tube's vs SS when it comes to alot of DIY kits is the cool factor. At least that is a major consideration for myself. I just plain think they are cool to work on and to use. Solid state is just like.. some parts in a box. not as much fun as something that lights up and you can see it working.

 

[ski2xblack]

Amps are amps. Even if there's differences they'll be ultra subtle, unless the amp is an awful, inaccurate design (audiophile amps )

Part of the curiosity for some of us is to puposefully wade deep into the subjectivist waters. Sometimes, when the pieces somehow manage to come together, it's quite pleasant over there.

And as far as questionable activities go, it beats gambling or drinking.

 

[lsiberian]

And as far as questionable activities go, it beats gambling or drinking.

All things in moderation. A good glass of wine can be quite enjoyable.