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Thread: New Preamp

  1. #1
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    New Preamp

    I'm happy to be finishing up my next project, a zero-gain preamp using Tortuga's LDR and Broski's Aikido tube buffer.

    RDavidson helped with design and is getting one of them, his is made with spalted maple and natural aluminum metal parts, mine is maple burl with brushed copper front and top panels.

    I needed a buffer preamp and this one turned out great, I'm super happy with the way it sounds.















    Industry Affiliation:
    I own ZenWave Audio LLC
    zenwaveaudio.com
    "Integrity and Excellence in Audio"

  2. #2
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    Re: New Preamp

    Here's the spalted maple chassis:









    Industry Affiliation:
    I own ZenWave Audio LLC
    zenwaveaudio.com
    "Integrity and Excellence in Audio"

  3. #3
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    Re: New Preamp

    Me like. Very nice looking gear.
    Paul

  4. #4
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    Re: New Preamp

    I can't seen anything.


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    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  5. #5
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    Re: New Preamp

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    I can't seen anything.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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    Paul

  6. #6
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    Re: New Preamp

    No balanced outs?

    I love the appearance. I am so tired of black and silver. Did you design it, or build it from a schematic?
    Bud

    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
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    Three 20 amp circuits.

  7. #7
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    Re: New Preamp

    Nice job!


    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche

    2 Channel: Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE, Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2, Manley Mahi Monoblocks, DIY SEOS Waveguide/Dipole Bass Towers
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  8. #8
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    Re: New Preamp

    It looks amazing. Like Bud said above, it's nice to see something other than black and silver.

  9. #9
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    Re: New Preamp

    Very nice Dave! Can you talk about the USB port on the back? Is there a DAC in your new preamp too?
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  10. #10
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    Re: New Preamp

    WOW a real beauty!
    -----------------
    Brian

    Main System -
    Rotel RCD-1572 / Rega P3 > Luxman 505UX Mark II > Fyne Audio F502SPs > Synergistic Cables

    Secondary - OPPO 93 > VAC CLA 1 MKII Pre > Odyssey Stratos > Dynaudio Audience 82s > Tara Labs Cables


  11. #11
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    Re: New Preamp

    Thanks guys!

    No balanced outs, it's a SET preamp. If using a balanced source I'd use something like a Jenson isomax balanced to single ended converter, but I didn't want to build it into the preamp or simply short pin 3 to ground.

    There's no DAC, the USB input is to update the Tortuga LDR firmware.

    The electrical design is simply a Tortuga LDR to Broski's Aikido tube buffer. It also uses Broski's 12V linear regulated PS to power the LDR, and there are separate PS for the heaters, which can be set at either 12V or 6V so it can run 6SN7, 12SN7 or 12SX7, which Broski recommended so I have a pair to try out. The three power trafos are on the top sheet, the wood boxes are covers for a 12V and a 234V toroid. The center one is the 12V trafo for the tube heaters.

    The chassis is a variation on previous components I've built using figured maple and walnut corners, but it has been significantly improved by Ryan Davidson, who is responsible for industrial design and CAD. I did all the CAM, woodwork, final assembly, finishing, and wiring.

    The little wood box right in front of the filament trafo houses the remote sensor, having a remote control is awesome...
    Industry Affiliation:
    I own ZenWave Audio LLC
    zenwaveaudio.com
    "Integrity and Excellence in Audio"

  12. #12

    Re: New Preamp

    dave, I missed this, lovely bit of gear & great workmanship, really like the look of the copper aesthetics

  13. #13
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    Re: New Preamp

    Quote Originally Posted by bzr View Post
    dave, I missed this, lovely bit of gear & great workmanship, really like the look of the copper aesthetics
    Thanks! The copper and maple burl preamp is mine, but I have to give credit to Ryan for a great overall design. I've made other components along the same lines but this one's design is much more polished thanks to Ryan. Next up... speakers!
    Industry Affiliation:
    I own ZenWave Audio LLC
    zenwaveaudio.com
    "Integrity and Excellence in Audio"

  14. #14

    Re: New Preamp

    good work

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New Preamp

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