Dylanl Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Anyone today make a kit that can be built? Like the old Dynakits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfogg Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Transcendant has the Grounded Grid kit, Welborne Labs has a couple of kits, AES has (or had) a pre-amp kit, DIY Audio Supply has a kit and I'm sure there are numerous others. Shawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-MAN Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Bottlehead could be just the ticket. http://www.bottlehead.com/et/adobespc/foreplay3/foreplay3.htm DM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I think the Bottlehead is a bang for the buck winner in DIY. The Transcendent sound GG preamp is a better preamp, I think. Erik Mandaville has built at least one of the GGs and he thinks it is VERY good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painful Reality Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 The Foreplay wins in the bang for the buck like Dee says. But it might be the more "touchy" to build as it's noise and hum level will vary greatly depending of the skill of the builder. More, say, than the stuff from Welborne and Transcendant. The new Foreplay was designed for the experiementer in mind. This can be a big plus if you think about swapping the tubes and experimenting with different circuits. Welborne wins in the look category. I can say that since I'm a World Reference in good taste. I'd put the ease of building of the Welborne preamp on a par with the Transcendent. Probably easier in the case you like working with a PCB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Mandaville Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 The price of the Foreplay has gone up. IMO, the Transcendent GG provides a greater chance of success the first time around. The Foreplay is a good preamp, too, but relies on more point-to-point wiring. If you want to try your hand at more traditional ptp wiring and lead dressing, I think the Foreplay would be a possibility. As was said, it will also probably take more time to 'get right' than the GG. I think the Grounded Grid is more natural sounding (purely subjective), and is essentially silent in terms of background noise, even with very efficient horn speakers. Good luck in your search, Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triode Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Build a Welborne DRD SET amp kit and you won't have to worry about building anything else. Yes, it costs a bit more than the other kits, but you can select your Choice of Wood Frame and other options. The DRD45 amp sounds simply stunning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Mandaville Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Triode: I agree the DRDs are nice amps, and they go together in a straightforward way. No dispute about their quality in the least. I think the question had to do with a preamp kit though, not a power amplifier. I've thought the Welborne Ultrapath (an important part of the preamp circuit was designed by the same guy who designed the DRDs) BP was kind of nice looking, and parts, build quality, and looks are always first rate with W-Labs. It's also gotten some pretty good reviews. Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triode Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Triode: I agree the DRDs are nice amps, and they go together in a straightforward way. No dispute about their quality in the least. I think the question had to do with a preamp kit though, not a power amplifier. I've thought the Welborne Ultrapath (an important part of the preamp circuit was designed by the same guy who designed the DRDs) BP was kind of nice looking, and parts, build quality, and looks are always first rate with W-Labs. It's also gotten some pretty good reviews. Erik Yup! - You're right! - Sorry bout that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Mandaville Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Triode: Of course no apology is needed! I think the DRDs are really great amps too! I understand where you're coming from on that. Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Here is another option for you http://www.mapletreeaudio.com/magic5.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny dB Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I myself built a Foreplay II about 18 mos. ago. Looks real pretty sitting on my shelf. It was a fun kit and if I ever pick up some monoblocks I might bust it out. Here's yet another option: http://www.audioelectronicsupply.com/cgi-bin/audioelectronicsupply.com/view_services.cgi?request=detail&dept_id=2&aisle_id=22&prod_num=AE-3_KIT I don't know how much that mapletree goes for, but it sure looks interesting... and expensive. You might want to try the diyaudio.com forum lots o' info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piranha Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Yo Johnny, How's it going? Long time no see around here. Missed you in Indy in June! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I myself built a Foreplay II about 18 mos. ago. Looks real pretty sitting on my shelf. It was a fun kit and if I ever pick up some monoblocks I might bust it out. Here's yet another option: http://www.audioelectronicsupply.com/cgi-bin/audioelectronicsupply.com/view_services.cgi?request=detail&dept_id=2&aisle_id=22&prod_num=AE-3_KIT I don't know how much that mapletree goes for, but it sure looks interesting... and expensive. You might want to try the diyaudio.com forum lots o' info. Johnny you want some Mono's to try out or just use for a while? I have some collecting dust. Only qualification is you have to stick around and post!! Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 The Mapletree is $480 in kit form and you can choose your color. But this would be harder to build the say a bottlehead. They sound darn good when done and have 3 topologies to boot. Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny dB Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 Wud up, Piranhaman? Yeah I've been MIA for a while. Works been a real bi'atch. I should be around more often now. Hopefully I'll be able to make it to next years gathering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny dB Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 I sure would Craig. What did you have in mind? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylanl Posted November 16, 2005 Author Share Posted November 16, 2005 Guys, the kit would pair up to my MKIII. Would that make any difference in your call? The MKIII have enough parts that they are to stock specs. Nothing fancy yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busterfree Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Another option would be a Decware Zen Plate Model ZSP1 from www.decware.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylanl Posted November 16, 2005 Author Share Posted November 16, 2005 Yes I lookked at that. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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