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Phono Preamp-Nothing you like so Build your own?

If I'm going to have to spend more than a thousand bucks to get a phono preamp that I like, I'd just as soon build it myself. It will be less expensive and I'll be able to choose my own components to get the sound I like. Does anybody else feel that way, and if so, how did it work out for you?
Right now I'm leaning towards a solid state unit based on the OPA627 with PIO caps and a very regulated power supply.
heyraz
7 responses Add your response
salectric
751 posts
 
I highly recommend a tube design by Stephen Robinson. The circuit is described in detail on his website. It can be built for less than $1000 (or for much more depending on choice of capacitors).

http://www.izzy-wizzy.com/audio/preampnew.html
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,794 posts
 
Heyraz, if you are doing DIY I think you will find you can do a lot better than designing around an opamp. Have you looked at http://www.diyaudio.com?

Food for thought: if you set up a zero feedback circuit, even though it has the same bandwidth as a circuit with feedback, you will experience less ticks and pops.
salectric
751 posts
 
If you don't feel up to tackling a built-from-scratch project, there's always the Audio Note kit phono. I haven't heard it but it looks interesting and seems to be a good value.

http://www.audionotekits.com/M3PhonoStage.html
yingwang166
1 posts
 
Yes, I did. See my post at: http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/vinyl/messages/96/960681.html
jj2468
280 posts
 
Take a look at the K and K kits. I've built two and have been very pleased.
jrb25
44 posts
 
Bottlehead kits. I have the Seduction, around $500 with some upgrades and sounds great. The Eros is supposed to be significantly better, for $750.
jolen1aub
57 posts
 
I second the K and K phono amp kit ( max-out version).
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