Now this looks like an interesting project

How To Build A BeagleBone Black MPD Music Server

Nice Little Hack

http://liliputing.com/2014/02/10-adapter-turns-chromecast-into-cheap-sonos-competitor.html

Bryston 2B-LP Power Amp

http://neworleans.craigslist.org/ele/3498815754.html

Bryston 2B-LP Power Amp

Beautiful amp but at $350 far from Tightwad status

E80F preamp

Looks like a very cool project: http://users.telenet.be/tony.de.lobelle/toon/E80F%20preamp.htm

The E80F preamp

      

Based on this schematic from the Svetlana website

http://diyparadise.com/web/projectsto-keep-you-busy-mainmenu-26/55?task=view

Simple 5687-based preamp

Do you fancy a simple DIY project? So simple and so cost-effective that it gives you the most bang for the buck? And let's stay away from popular (and hence expensive) audio tubes like 12AX7, 12AU7...


Here's 2 very simple linestage preamps. The first credit goes to Audio Note. It's called the Audio Note M7 preamp. The second is a modification of it by KLANS resident DIY guru, Mr. vt4c. Here's some reasons why this project is so mojo.


1. A very linear and inexpensive tube, the 5687. Some people question the pedigree of this tube. They are nuts. You can question Audio Note's decision to use it in the quarter-million RM Ongaku or their best selling M7 preamp! : )

2. Use of tube rectifier here. Yes! It just sounds better!

3. Some folks have used it to drive their mega-expensive solid state power amps and found that it improves the sound of their gear. At the price of this project (less than their interconnects), it's a no-brainer.

4. It's a simple enough project for you to cut your teeth on DIY. You can move on to greater things from here.

5. This is a really cheap project! I would estimate you could do this for less than RM250.


That's right. I love #4 as this project is a good/simple way for you to cut your teeth on DIY. Once you learn what works, and what doesn't, once you learn the cost-effectiveness of DIY, you can fly!

All right, which circuit?

Here is Audio Note's M7 preamp.





Here is vt4c's M7 preamp. There's actually a full write-up on The Star's DIY Den but there's no schematics there, so this should complement that page.

Other than the above, you need also the datasheet of 5687 and 6X4.

If you need the 5687, 6X4 tubes, sockets, capacitors and tagboard, you can get from me, from this page. If you need to build the power transformer, this vendor here can get one done for you at a very good price. I have no affiliation with this winder, so there's no middle-man charges here. Oh yeah, with end-bells as well.

Mr. Tan

Tonsin Components

30, Argyll Road 10050 Penang

Tel: 04-2644691 or 04-3703303

Fax: 04-2620169


Alternatively, you could also ask this vendor. I have more confidence with EKK as they flash test their transformers before handing over to you. Don't be suprised by this as almost all the local transformer winders I know of DO NOT run this test. They (the transformers, not the people) are ugly though as they don't come with end bells. Runs slightly hot but the voltages with load hasn't failed my expectations.


Miss H'ng

EKK Supreme Electronics

411 Jelutong Road

11600 Penang

Tel: 04-282 2897/282 2855

Fax: 04-282 2855


Sorry, I haven't tried other transformer winders. There's one I tried but opinion has been mixed, so I'll leave it as that.


A suitable power transformer specs will be 12.6V@2A, 6.3V@2A and 200-0-200V@100mA, for Audio Note's circuit. This is, of course, just a guide. You can definitely steer away from this. You could even use a single 6.3V@4A heater for both 5687 and 6X4 tubes though this isn't recommended.


vt4c's circuit specifies power trans of 350-0-350V@100mA, followed by 10H, 50uF, 10H, 50uF. Topology is shown below.


That's all to it! Simple enough? Think you can wire a transformer, a few resistors, few cap and 2 tubes correctly?


More information will be available on this page later.


Update on 6 January 2003:


I'm back! I'm more than back!


I built vt4c's circuit but with my own power supply. Here's the circuit:


Lesson learned from this project : Trust me, you'll appreciate this later.

This little project lays the path to DIY a simple power amp to go with this preamp.

Okay, but thought you mentioned that this preamp will cost less than RM250 to build? Well, you COULD get it down that low. Try to minimize bulk in the power supply. Maybe you want to just use a simple CRC filter ala Audio Note's circuit. You save 2 chokes. Instead of using the Alps volume pot, you could build a cheap stepped attenuator ala Bottlehead's Sweet Whisper from this article. You could use Auricap 1uF 450V at RM32 each as well. There you go!

I built it with whatever I have on hand though I'll say the sound will change somewhat if you take out the bulk from the power supply. I like chokes and I'll stick that in. Your milage may vary...

Coming soon! Photos and step-by-step (almost) tutorial on how to build this simple 5687 preamp.

Update on Jan 9, 2003: It's ready! How to build your own tube preamp.

Update on Apr 6, 2003: Preamp update!.

Tube Circuits

From a post on one of the DIY Audio sites:

"well, just thought I'd post a few of my findings here... this is a few day's worth of googling etc. it's pretty much a medley of smallish circuits, ranging from RIAA to line to headphone, but hey..


http://www.angelfire.com/electronic/...one_Amp-2.html
http://www.kta-hifi.net/projects/pre...amp/ots11.html
http://www.bonavolta.ch/hobby/en/audio/6dj8linp.htm
http://www.bonavolta.ch/hobby/en/audio/hiraga.htm
http://www.bonavolta.ch/hobby/en/audio/lindelin.htm
http://www.wkinsler.com/radios/6tubeamp1.html
http://www.dogstar.dantimax.dk/tubestuf/sapindex.htm

what do y'all think? i have a fascination for tubes, i just got my first
one a few hours ago from my good buddy tennisdude and it's
my preeeciouuuusss"

Human Eye and other cool visual valves

http://www.microsyl.com/index.php/2010/11/15/vintage-audio-spectrum-display/