DIY Dodd Buffer

TrungT · « **on:** 6 Apr 2010, 01:56 am »

I got my eyes all over this

http://doddaudio.com/diy.aspx

Group buy anyone?

jtwrace · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 02:00 am »

WOW!

Being an owner of a buffer, it's a no brainer at that price.

TrungT · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 02:06 am »

I just want a second, ... ok ... or ... third

"no brainer"

macrojack · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 02:30 am »

GEEE ZUZZZ - Look at all those parts. If you can build that, you deserve to save money. I found the ClassD amp kits intimidating.

TrungT · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 02:34 am »

"Look at all those parts"
No worry, it's only goes in one way.

rajacat · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 02:37 am »

Hmmmm....... I'll have to figure out if my Bolder SB3 full mods has enough gain to feed my modified Heathkit W5m monoblocks. I generally use an external DAC with the SB3. I'm certainly tempted; battery tube pre DROOL!!
-Roy

HT cOz · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 02:37 am »

My dream system is full of Dodd equipment!!!

Too bad it's only in my head. Lol

bundee1 · « **Reply #7 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 02:41 am »

Is this a tube preamp as well?

JoshK · « **Reply #8 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 02:52 am »

Quote from: bundee1 on 6 Apr 2010, 02:41 am

Is this a tube preamp as well?

technically no. preamp would imply amplification, as in gain, which as buffer by definition has none (ie gain equal 1, unity). It is about impedance transformation.

gld · « **Reply #9 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 02:52 am »

ABSOLUTELY!

It replaces your preamp. It does not provide any gain. This is the latest version of my tube buffer. I just thought some of you might like to do it yourself. It is exactly like my fully finished product only in kit form. You can purchase it in any way you want. It has 3 inputs and 2 sets of outputs and a set of record out jacks to be used for recording or driving a headphone amp or something like that.
This newest buffer uses only 1 tube now, it has a switchable filament voltage of 6 or 12 volts. You can use virtually any 9 pin minature tube in this amp as long as it has the same pinout as the 12AX7 tube. That's a huge amount of tubes.

All of them will work, but each 1 of them will have a different output impedance and therefore may not work well in your system.
A person could go out a buy a bunch of NOS tubes that nobody ever uses for a quarter apeice and give em a try. You'd probably get tired of trying tubes.
Anyway it runs on a 12 volt battery. This is probably the deal of the century!!

Gary

Mariusz · « **Reply #10 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 02:55 am »

Great kit and not bad price. But to advance for this rookie.
If someone has a lot of time on their hands and loves to sniff solder early in the morning...... SURE! Experiment with my money!

Mariusz · « **Reply #11 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 02:58 am »

Gary

would you consider a discount for larger quantity.
A group buy of some sort with feedback, impressions, build tips in one long thread?

Mariusz

S Clark · « **Reply #12 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 03:11 am »

The battery tube preamp is the best preamp out there at $2500, most of its circuit in available in the battery tube buffer at a killer price of $1000, and now the guts are available at $349! To step up quality wise you would have to spend...???

bundee1 · « **Reply #13 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 03:17 am »

Does this attenuate the volume?
My amps have 10kohm input impedance. Red Dragon Amp-1s. Will this pre work with it.

gld · « **Reply #14 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 03:23 am »

Yes, it does the same functions as a normal preamp it just has no gain. The source componets provide the gain. It has a volume control. The output impedance depends on what tube is being used. A 6DJ8 has an output impedance of 88 ohms in this circuit. A 12AX7 has 505 ohms output impedance. Some tubes will work well , some won't.
Gary

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #15 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 03:24 am »

If this was offered before I got my Pass B-1 boards and ordered all the crazy parts. Too bad. I guess need to stick with old man Nelson.

gld · « **Reply #16 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 03:34 am »

Ok guys. Let's do a group buy for AC members and let's do it for $325 and free shipping.

Free shipping in the lower 48 states.

For the AC members out of country you can still have the great deal you just have to pay for the shipping. This deal is for the Basic Buffer kit only. The options are not included. I am not stocking the parts for these. Everything but 1 part is very easy to get. The 1 part is usually a 3-4 week wait. I just want all to know upfront. We need to get as many sales as possible in order for me to be able to do this for this special deal.

Gary

gld · « **Reply #17 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 03:39 am »

bundee1 it will drive your Red Dragon's just fine!

Gary

Mariusz · « **Reply #18 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 03:45 am »

I would have help you with your Nelson if I did not comitte to the one that was covered in such a detail build by Wus..... .

Another kit is also in the works together with Mr.Nightshade.

So basicly, I am running out of cash but I would love to try Garry's kit since I have own his preamp ones before and it was a fine product (one of my top 3 favorite preamps ever).

With Nelson Pass possibly on the way soon, a little shoot out would be fun.

Cheers
Mariusz

Quote from: gld on 6 Apr 2010, 03:34 am

Ok guys. Let's do a group buy for AC members and let's do it for $325 and free shipping. Free shipping in the lower 48 states. For the AC members out of country you can still have the great deal you just have to pay for the shipping. This deal is for the Basic Buffer kit only. The options are not included. I am not stocking the parts for these. Everything but 1 part is very easy to get. The 1 part is usually a 3-4 week wait. I just want all to know upfront. We need to get as many sales as possible in order for me to be able to do this for this special deal.
Gary

Thanks Gary
I am in
PM your PP account.

Will have to dust off my iron.

Cheers
Mariusz

gld · « **Reply #19 on:** 6 Apr 2010, 03:50 am »

This kit may look imtimidating for some folks.

Trust me the instructions will be available as a downloadable PDF file on my website and they will be mostly pics, with instruction as needed. So if you can see you will be able to build the kit with ease!

And I'm always available to answer any questions.
If this kit catches on I will add other kits to the diy section on my website.
As always the quality will be top notch and the service will be excellent!
Most of all I will try and keep things as inexpensive as possible so everyone can enjoy building and using them.

Gary