Nelson Pass B1 preamp build

[Wakefield Turntables]

I’ve got great respect for DIY gear. I’ve been wanting to build my own stereo for years! I’m sure it sounds just that extra bit better when you build it yourself. Nice thread and a great project!

Russell

better in most cases. Great thread BTW.

[brian2957]

I’ve got great respect for DIY gear. I’ve been wanting to build my own stereo for years! I’m sure it sounds just that extra bit better when you build it yourself. Nice thread and a great project!

Russell

+1 . Wish I had listened at school

[Bigman80]

Thanks Andrew!

Heres a pic of it now hum free (separation of the common earth on in and out puts has done the trick)

Wait, no it's back lol

[brian2957]

Well done mate

[walpurgis]

Glad you got it sorted Oliver. What's it sound like?

[Bigman80]

Glad you got it sorted Oliver. What's it sound like?

Geoff, the hum returned when I screwed the lid on. Not as bad but it's there. More investigation to do.

Soundwise, i am finding it preferable to the Slagle. As good as the Slagle is, the bass control wasnt really what I was looking for. After having a listen to some very good Solid state stuff, I really wanted to try and improve the bass.

After doing some reading and chatting with Al, we thought about trying a buffer such as the DCB1 in the Slagle. The other issue I had was Volume. My Phonostage has high gain so I couldn't get the volume low enough for evening listening. I decided to just go for an all new (ideas) pre instead.

I was a little hesitant to sell the Slagle but it's the only way I could finance the DCB1.

First impressions are, it was a wise move. There are some caveats, the RG316 isn't a cable I'd pick to wire the DCB1 but I didn't have an alternative. I've found that although it's a very revealing cable, it's a little harsh and etchy. This is apparent in the listening.

Bass control has improved massively and has far more slam. It's no deeper, frequency wise but just under better control now. The soundstage is massive, as it was with the Slagle and in relation to the treble, I can't really tell at the minute because of the cable. Once I've swapped the RG316 for UP-OCC the characteristics will change again so I'm not listening too critically.

I don't feel like I've lost anything by taking the gamble. So that's good news. I also expect it to improve with the new wiring.

[337alant]

Great job BTW Jamie

This Rane article has some interesting reading on grounding schemes

http://www.rane.com/note151.html

Alan

[YNWaN]

Oliver, I share your view regarding RG316 - bloody awful stuff for audio use.

[Bigman80]

Oliver, I share your view regarding RG316 - bloody awful stuff for audio use.

Seems very harsh to me. I like the insight it gives but I can get that with SPOTFIRE stuff.

Luckily, I have some of my cable of choice on the way. Cannot wait to get it done.

[STD305M]

Hi Oliver

Ive been following this Thread with great interest, as you know I'm in the middle of a DC-B1 turbo build, not easy for me as i have no idea about electronics but I'm learning very quickly.
Fortunately the board has the values of all the components. Iv tried where possible to order the best i can afford ie; vishay dale - Nichicon - Khozmo Series Attenuator Blah Blah Blah !!!
Ive taken advice from yourself and Mr Firebottle ( thank you both ) and done a massive amount of research online.
I will of course be needing a little more help to complete my project but have found working on my preamp very rewarding.
Lets hope it sound as good as it looks.

I cant wait to get it hooked up to my new Firebottle mono's when Alan completes them.

Regards Steve