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Hi Everyone. Second try at posting this. First time was a bit scrambled. Anyhow the phono preamp now is reality and I am happy with it. It has been a long road but IMO worth the many iterations and problems with it. It is quiet, has exceptional response (+/- 0.3 db 20HZ to nearly 30KHZ) and sounds quite lovely IMO. It does both MM/MI and LOMC (with built in Lundahl SUTs). If LSAF is a go and we feel safe attending it will be the main exhibit as all other gear is largely the same as in the past. I will probably bring my personal gear as opposed as kits just to add variety.
Sweet! That really looks nice, Bruce. Can't wait to hear it at LSAF 2020 in June!
Hi One thing that may not be obvious in the photos is this thing is big. 17 X 12 X 3. It weighs about 10 pounds. Since we wanted to have the best internal arrangement as was reasonable we spread things out. Customization is probably in the wind for users. Various Lundahl SUTs fit the same foot print and various step up gains are possible. Everything from 5 to 32. Various loadings are built in already. Some variation of coupling capacitors is possible. Some however are more sensitive to hum and may not be a good choice. The Russian K40Y-9s in the photos are paper in oil and sound quite nice IMO. Otherwise I would not use it in my system. We anticipate making the front panel distinctive as it is now rather industrial. Hopefully the virus doesn't scuttle the LSAF or scare folks away from visiting it.
In the future, would it be possible to make MM only phono version and no MC? Bad idea?
Certainly. All that needs to be done when it is assembled is leave out the Lundahl SUTs, delete a few resistors and it will be MM/MI only. That was in the plans from the start. It will also make it less costly (prices not yet determined) but the Lundahls add nearly $200 to the cost.
I am sure your new phono preamp is superior to Groovewatt, right! Also, a new name perhaps like Superwatt. You will think of something.
Hi, Yes. It is nameless at the moment. Suggestions are always welcome. For those of you with sharp eyes....you will notice that I have been trying different capacitors in it. One photo shows Russian K40Y-9 paper in oil capacitors the other shot shows some Audyn Caps Plus. My personal variations (earlier builds ) use Audyn True Copper Caps in one and the K40Y-9s in the other. All combinations sound great to my ears. Right now the edge seems to be for the K40Y-9s. A nice smooth but accurate sound. The Audyns are a bit more mellow to my ears.
Hi, Everyone, we have revised it a bit and the second generation is about 2/3 the size and even better (slightly) for S/N. They are really quiet. IMO same lovely sound. A third generation incorporating some internal component refinements is being assembled right now. It ought to be the same as the second, but in a more manageable size chassis. (12X8X3). We are crossing our fingers that nothing else gets in the way and they could be on the street for Christmas in limited numbers. I wonder though how many revisions the other companies do to get stuff suitable for market. Amps and line stages are easy. Phono preamps not so.
Have you made any progress? You worked so many, many years on this project, I like to see your efforts pay off. Hang in there and never give up.
Hi Yes there is progress. First couple items are being assembled this week. Still supplier and fabricator issues and the first few will be hand built by us. They will need to be thoroughly tested for performance before any can go out. No name or price yet. Cross your fingers that all comes together well. It has been a long road. BTW, I presently use a second gen prototype(modified to production mods) as my main phono preamp. The final ones are expected to be as noted even slightly better as the layout is a little different and can't be changed on mine.
When you are done with phono preamp,will you produce 2 phono preamp? The current one and the newer quieter one.
Hi, Most likely we will do both. The cost of the newer one will be a bit higher though as it uses some components that cost more and will need a larger chassis. We have not determined any prices yet as we are still beta testing. Additionally our costs to produce them are in flux now. Neither will be cheap. I don't know of any really high quality all tube phono preamps that are. We are uncertain if they will be initially offered as kits as well as built. The issue is predictability of the finished device. They have numerous components and actual soldering technique, component placement and wiring are really important. We don't want to be branded as a poor product because of a bad builder's technique.