$2800 **NOW SOLD**
Wonderful custom DHT preamp and headphone amp using the Type 45 triode. It's a nicely evolved design and build by Radu Tarta with top notch 45 sonics and bullet proof performance. Here is his description:
"You are looking at a versatile preamplifier that can also drive headphones. I've used high quality parts and materials without compromise. The preamplifier uses the very linear super triode type 76 as a gain stage/driver. It is capacitor coupled to the final tube the famous type 45. The output transformer is Lundahl LL2765/30mA and the power supply has all Lundahl power transformer and choke. The filaments of all audio tubes are DC powered and the high voltage is tube rectified, using the 6BY5GA rectifier. The case is a very nice and sturdy built by Landfallsystems, all aluminum 1/8". This preamp has a very low output impedance and high current capability. The output impedance is about 45 ohms and it is useful to drive 100 ohms and higher impedance headphones. The max output power in headphone mode is about 1W on 120 ohms or 400mW on 300 ohms. The max output in preamplifier mode is 11Vrms. Total gain is about 15dB."
Some further notes:
It's one year old, and would be worth about $5K value if new based on the build and parts cost. In addition to the components mentioned above he used a premium TKD volume pot (same used by Lamm, Kondo and Audio Note) and Mundorf MCap Supreme output capacitors. See the internal picture for a detailed look.
It is currently configured for best preamp performance, and medium to high Z headphones (100 ohms and higher). It can easily be reconfigured to drive low Z headphones (optimal 32 ohm range for 900mW). The current wiring was my preference but if interested in low Z I can provide further info on this.
I'm raising funds to cover new speakers and will need to move to a passive preamp to better match their efficiency.
Here is Radu's website so you can see the quality of his work:
https://simplepleasuretubeamps.com/Thanks for your interest!
PS -- you can check my Audiogon feedback under Riz1
