Posted by manualblock [ 69.112.38.25 ] on June 19, 2006 at 20:03:52:

In Reply to: Dang! Shoulda got it Sat. posted by Shane on June 19, 2006 at 15:00:43:

I have an older model DIY phono stage that works on Batteries. It uses two NE 5534 signetics op-amp and a couple caps and resistors. It sounds about as good as a basic 200$ stage you might buy in a store. It ran me about 40$ to build. One thing is the two op-amps can be improved for a very cost effective upgrade and by using the battery power it has absolutely no hum whatsoever. It has a standard cart load and input resistance. With the new op-amps and the batteries i would say that brings it up quite a bit in quality. If you are interested in trying a cheap but good amp I can send photos of the circuit that would make it about as simple a project as you could build. If you upgraded the caps in the power supply and the RIAA circuit it just might break the audiophile barrier. I have used it off and on for about fifteen yrs so it has good reliability.
It was designed by an engineer that used to work for Harmon Kardon when they were a private company. I got the circuit as a member of the old Audio Society.
Hagtech has a similar design for sale but I think it runs closer to a hundred bucks. And that needs a power supply I believe.

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