Tube Preamp, uses 6sn7/6sl7. With or Without Phono; With or Without Remote Volume,

I have known about the design in the link for many many years, and once nearly pulled the trigger on the idea of having one.

There are quite a few locations that this Amp Design will be seen under discussion.

A friend is nearly completed their version which will have VT 231 Tubes on board.

I will get my opportunity to receive a demo' in the not too distant.

This can be a very cost effective method to receive a very high quality Tube Pre', that should make the end user very content.

https://darklantern.proboards.com/thread/2324/dual-mono-6sn7-aikido-preamp   

@elliottbnewcombjr 

I hope you are happy carrying out the Heimlich maneuver, it might be needed when you explain the SP05 and then the SLP 98 as the Budget Option.

I'll take a wild guess, that the Aikido Pre' is a design that is 4.5/5ths of one of the Cary models at at least a 10th of the cost. Add a really fancy casing and maybe a couple of extra $100 will be added.

I have last night been with a Cabinet Maker, who is to produce for me Two Boxes for my Balanced Pre' I am having Built. The Labour Charge is agreed at £250, I already own the Densified Wood, that is to be used.

I was hoping to be the first to have a D'fied Wood Carcass, but a DAC has already seemingly took that position. I'll settle for Second Place and the settle with the  concept 'Birds of a Feather Flock Together'.

As a side, I heard the Pre' as an almost finished Prototype on weekend passed, I am informed there are better quality RCA's and XLR's to be used, as well as a couple of Boutique Components, yet to be tried.

The Prototype was used in not owned system with a Value of approx' £70K, where the resident Speakers are Klipsch Jubilee Speakers. The experience of the Pre' in this system has been quite special, and the Builder made it known they were very confident there was a little more to be eked out.

The system owner wants one as well, they were 'Cheshire Cat' for the most of the demo'.

Both the Pre' Builder and system owner, had been to High End Munich 2023, and both made it known to all attendees, that not anything had been encountered at Hi End, that was a betterment to this Pre'. I will settle for that as a assessment.

A Reality Check, I can visit a UK Based Electronics Engineer, who has specialised in Sound Production for more than 40 Years, having worked with many many  Artists of whom some are well known, as well as Recording Studios/ Production Studios. The same individual has built a loyal customer base, spanning over many years, who are enthusiastic about Audio, of which I am one for close to 30 Years. 

This individual is one of the rarities and in my view, qualifies as being a Valve Guru, when it comes to these devices used in circuits.

I know for a Pre-Amp:

A Client could ask to be produced a Bespoke Circuit and Topology (probably £400 for the time and a simplistic Bread Board Layout to get the general feel).

The Parts List with a selection of Boutique Components and Tranx's designed for optimised performance 'if required', will come in at approx' £1500 as a expensive option.

The Chassis can cost anything from £100 - £600, the end user will determine how their chassis will aesthetically appeal, hence the cost variation.

The Pre-Amp will be built at approx' £45 per hour, with the overall build and extensive testing coming to a final build cost of approx' £1200-£1500 

The search to surpass a Unique for a Customer, Tailer Made Amp of this quality in the 'Off the Shelf' Retail World, will need a Budget of 3-5 x this outlay as the minimum. 

My suggestion to the OP is to have their friend evaluate the posts within this thread, and see where their is attraction to them, it is their monies about to be put up to be parted with.   

Also consider if buying used, oner that has a space within the Case to mount a Remote Operation VC.

Should add about £150ish to the cost if a good quality one if considered.  

@lewm I have always been careful about putting Individuals names on the Internet.

It do not put people in a place they do not intend on making themselves known in.

I have seen plenty of attacks on the matter of name dropping, which is in my view, can develop into exchanges that become very unsavoury and the content not good for anybody.

'Some', not all individuals, do not like competitors names dropped in spaces they consider they have the jurisdiction over. 

I am just finished responding to a situation where a very personal attack has been made on individuals within this very forum.

It is 'now known', I know somebody in the UK (London Region) who is time served and really know their stuff. Valves is not their limitation, but their knowledge of Valves has been the main attraction to their design/build services. It is this skill set that keeps their books full with projects that make the backlog on occasions close to a year, for which many (Professionals as Well), will wait out for their opportunity.

I am very approachable, I have received quite a few PM's where healthy sharing has resulted. On occasion  following a inquiry, I have supplied contact to individuals whom I refer to.

When I receive a PM requesting further info, I have contacted the individuals with a brief outline about a contacts inquiry. On their nod of approval, I have made contact details known.

This is the most considerate I can be to individuals who I have classed as friends for many years.

The reason for the Post is not promotional, it is a description to explain there are alternative routes to achieve a Pre-Amp' that the OP's friend can be made aware of.

It is one I have done in the past on more than one occasion and is also one I am taking part in at the present, so in my view, very worthy of a mention.  

A search has shown the most recent Ultraverve MkIII to be seen for sale sold in September 2022 for $1650.

To me and from what I know about this model, that sort of money seems to offer a very attractive device at a very competitive price to other options.