Passive preamp buzzing?

[Macca]

. And yes Ali, the autoformers are on the radar but WTF is everything so expensive!!!!!!

The really good stuff is expensive, and when you cost it you see why. No such thing as a free lunch. I figured out a while back that the only way I can afford the standard I want is to buy second -hand or DIY. It's shame but there it is. Of course there is a lot of expensive stuff that is just average. But it isn't hard to avoid.

The Autoformer passive Ali recommends building is the one I would go for. I agree with him it sounds better, or should I say, I preferred it, to the Music First Silly Money passive.

[Bigman80]

The really good stuff is expensive, and when you cost it you see why. No such thing as a free lunch. I figured out a while back that the only way I can afford the standard I want is to buy second -hand or DIY. It's shame but there it is. Of course there is a lot of expensive stuff that is just average. But it isn't hard to avoid.

The Autoformer passive Ali recommends building is the one I would go for. I agree with him it sounds better, or should I say, I preferred it, to the Music First Silly Money passive.

When I'm not trying to pay for a new tonearm, I will have a look. I'm sure Ali offered to wire it up for me too lol.

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

[pgarrish]

Well thanks guys for all the input. I understand next to none of it

Geoff, I F@cking love that weird preamp. And yes Ali, the autoformers are on the radar but WTF is everything so expensive!!!!!!

Depressed by my lack of funds, I have mutilated my own preamp.

Shoddy workmanship yes. Quality silver and copper cable - yes result ? Well, I am now convinced that a mono volume pot setup would get this little Frankenstein to about 90% of the GP. Crazy.

It's now only lacking that last /1000th of performance but the soundtage and separation is definitely a step behind. I am convinced another volume pot would add that so I shall try it when funds allow.


Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

I doubt two alps would do much if anything. You'd be better buying a stepped attenuator. No idea if the Vale things on ebay are any good, but a DACT switch is miles better than an Alps blue - I have a similar box to yours only mine is even uglier and the move to the DACT was significant, much more so than fancy shunt resistors, plugs, wire etc. I'd be tempted to install a common earthing point and run a dedicated earth from the alps and the switch to it (star earth) but you look to have done a nicer job than I did between the plugs and the earthing in a passive is vital.

[Bigman80]

I doubt two alps would do much if anything. You'd be better buying a stepped attenuator. No idea if the Vale things on ebay are any good, but a DACT switch is miles better than an Alps blue - I have a similar box to yours only mine is even uglier and the move to the DACT was significant, much more so than fancy shunt resistors, plugs, wire etc. I'd be tempted to install a common earthing point and run a dedicated earth from the alps and the switch to it (star earth) but you look to have done a nicer job than I did between the plugs and the earthing in a passive is vital.

DACT? Got a link?

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

[Firebottle]

Ooh, the makers not going to be happy

Have you connected the shields of the coax used to anything? Doesn't look like it.
You could have just pulled the centre conductor out and used that.

[pgarrish]

DACT? Got a link?

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

www.dact.com/html/attenuators.html

http://www.partsconnexion.com/controls_vol_dact.html

not sure where you can buy them in the UK. About £130 I think.

Re Alan's post - one option with multi core cable is to connect the shield to the earth of the plug but don't connect the other end.

[Bigman80]

Ooh, the makers not going to be happy

Have you connected the shields of the coax used to anything? Doesn't look like it.
You could have just pulled the centre conductor out and used that.

Haha sorry to butcher your work,Al. Nope just used the center. Last bit I did I realised I could remover the center lol. Typical.

Knowing I can ring you to fix it gave me the confidence to attack it lol

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

[Bigman80]

Cheers!

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

[Marco]

The really good stuff is expensive, and when you cost it you see why. No such thing as a free lunch.

I completely agree, but as long as the money has been spent where it matters most. Sadly, that's not always the case with some expensive stuff. It has to be expensive for the right reasons!

Marco.

[Lawrence001]

The potentiometer / stepped attenuator and the input selector i.e. switch contacts.

And the wires, box and solder. Oh yes and the feet. But I don't think the colour matters so much.

Sent from my NEM-L51 using Tapatalk