Up front, I want to say this is the most transparent, best sounding preamp I've heard, period. To buy such a device with the parts quality this has would cost well over $2,000, imo. However, it has an electrical issue that needs resolution before it is fully functional. It is so good it is well worth repairing or having it repaired, but since I no longer have use for it I'll pass it along.
In 1991 Stereophile published a series of articles by one of their writers on the construction of a DIY buffered passive preamp followed by a series of design tweaks published in 1992.
Full info here:
https://www.stereophile.com/solidpreamps/54/index.htmlThis preamp was built in 1993. I believe it has all the design tweaks. It has 2 sets of rca inputs, selectable using the 3 position front power switch.
It has a very large toroidal transformer, multicap and relcap film caps, a very pricey Alps Black Beauty volume pot, Cardas RCA inputs.
I did not build it. The wiring and soldering work is very neat and precise.
It works fine with the volume set in one position, but turning the volume up or down creates a popping noise. There are articles online on cleaning this pot, but I can't say this is the issue. Overall this is a simple device, so troubleshooting and repair should not be very difficult or expensive. The documentation is also very detailed.
My $125 price includes shipping in the cont. US, and is firm.
This is a good way to get a top quality buffered passive preamp for little $.
Thanks for having a look!
