How much $$ do bells and whistles add to preamp?


Hi All, I’m looking for a new preamp, but I don’t want or need things like home theater bypass, streaming, DAC, headphones, etc. Just a great preamp (maybe with phono). I’m looking at lots of models (Like Classe, Wyred4Sound, Peachtree, etc.) that come with lots of extras, and I’m wondering how much of the price devolves to those add-ons that I don’t want. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated, as usual.

rustler

Showing 1 response by drbarney1

I made my own with a tube rectified polypropylene filter capacitor pi filter choke power supply for both channels (crosstalk due to low series equivalence resistance of the final 100 microfarad filter capacitor a small fraction of an Ohm) so I don't have to put up with future replacement of electrolytic capacitors. I used this to feed both channels of NOS #26 Arcturus triodes. The transformer for both cathode heaters has to be center tap grounded to prevent hum. Mundorf cathode bypass capacitors and a capacitor output to the main amplifier and you are ready to go. Also an Alps 100k volume control sounds much better than a stepped attenuator. 

It is every bit as good and probably better sounding than anything you would pay thousands of dollars to buy and it has none of the embellishments you don't want.