In a recent post I set a goal for myself of creating a couple of preamp designs that included both line stage and phono preamp circuits. The first of these builds is now underway! Because of the number of input and output jacks as well as switching and volume controls, I’m using a different style chassis than the all-wood apron approach in most of my builds. The face plate and rear of this enclosure are aluminum with wood (walnut here) used as accent panels on the sides.
I’m emphasizing the sleeker look by mounting all of the transformers inside the chassis. The power supply is mounted to a section of aluminum c channel that also serves to section off all of the AC power from the rest of the chassis (which will carry sensitive signal circuits). So far so good. We’ll know if the approach to shielding and layout is effective once it’s powered up and playing. Placement for the signal portion will be finalized after I’ve mounted the front panel controls into the 3/8″ aluminum flat. I expect that to be a bit of an adventure…
The generic circuit for this build is below (final values will be published once it’s tested). Tracing the path of a phono signal: the resistor loaded input stage feeds the RIAA correction filter which feeds a gyrator loaded output stage. I’m using a gyrator as a flexible load to allow for tube swapping as well as a low output impedance device to effectively drive the follow control that follows after the selector switch. The volume control feeds a transformer loaded 6H30.
The Edcor GXSE 15k:600 output transformers are an experiment here. Reading through others’ experiences and measurements, I think the 6H30 is going to be a suitable driver with good bandwidth if it’s given enough current. I expect to do some experimenting with loading the secondary.
All in all, this will be all 9-pin current production tubes and parts. If the execution works out as well in real life as it does on paper, it will be a great, relatively-affordable preamp build.
wauwatosa tube factory 