|   Bottlehead Foreplay Pre-amp | Hurbie
Apr 19, 2002 5:33 PM | | Hi, I am a newbie and just getting into tube components and have been reading up on the Foreplay line stage pre-amp and other brand kits. This might be a dumb question but are there not any treble or bass controls on these type of pre-amps? It seems that all there is as far as controls are volume and input select. And just exactly what does "line stage" pre amp mean? Thanks for your help!
Dave |
| re: Bottlehead Foreplay Pre-amp | Mwalsdor_cscc_edu
Apr 19, 2002 9:24 PM | | Congrats on considering joining our ranks. The Foreplay is supposed to be a real sweet deal. Cheap, plenty of mods and really great performance! No, it adhers to the Audiophile credo of less is best. Or the less junk you snake the signal through the better it will serve the music (assuming that the goal) so no tone controls.
A "line stage" does not include a phono section. "Line" inputs are for high level sources; CDs, cassettes.
MikE |
| Another n00ber buying one | Init6
Apr 23, 2002 5:10 AM | | I, too, am going to be buying a Foreplay soon. I don't think you can beat it for $150, and the price still sort of baffles me. Just a few more soldering experiences, and I think I'll be ready to build one. :)
I've been tossing this around with the guys in the Analog room, where I do my usual posting, and they've been all for this idea, too.
I'd have to use my NAD 3020A as a power amp until I can afford an Adcom or similar. This shouldn't be a problem, should it? Also, are there plenty of NOS tubes to replace the stock Foreplay tube with (I forgot which model it is, at the moment)? Does any one brand of that tube sound "best" in it?
Are the available mods, like the volume pot mod, etc. worth the extra money? How about the upgrade wire they sell, and the gold RCAs?
Also, any good sites regarding the building of the preamp besides the ones linked to the actual Bottlehead site?
Sorry to load y'all up with questions, but I wanna be well-informed before I start this project.
Thanks in advance! |
| Kool | Mwalsdor_cscc_edu
Apr 23, 2002 8:13 AM | | I've tossed around the idea of adding an active preamp IMS. I'm DAC-direct>SET amp via amp's volume control. The ONLY reason I was considering this was to add some gain but that is becoming less of an issue as the amp stabilizes. ForePlay tubes: 12au7 / 5814 / 6189 / 5963. VERY COMMON. There are tons of these tubes - new and vintage - out there, thought because it is such a popular tube type some types are expensive. But if you stick with the 5814s or 5963s they are cheap and plentiful. My favorite of all was the 1952 Hytron "D"-getter 5814 I got off Ebay for $10, but there is "NO BEST" its all relevant to the system and you.
The NAD should work out well with the ForePlay, though after getting a taste of tubes you may want to get a tube amp as well. Are you familiar with "tube components"? If not, you are in for pleasant surprise. All the questions you ask have been answered before, check the archives on http://www.audioasylum.com (Tube DIY / SET / Tube Asylum). Good luck.
MikE |
| Thanks, man | Init6
Apr 25, 2002 3:22 PM | | I'm reasonably familiar with tube "jargon" (difference between SET and ultralinear, extra maintenance issues, etc.). But yeah, I'm looking forward to the tube sound. I just bought the NAD 3020 (and I'm VERY pleasantly surprised with it), and I like using solid state for a little extra bass. I'll make my final decision on whatever once I've had the Foreplay for awhile. Got to brush up on my soldering skills first.
Thanks for the info on the various tubes it'll take!! |
| re: Bottlehead Foreplay Pre-amp | Hurbie
Apr 23, 2002 6:48 PM | | Thanks to you all for your replies. You have sold me on tubes! Now I just need to figure out which pre-amp to get! Thanks again.
Dave |
| Trying to push the foreplay, uall? | dr_no
Apr 28, 2002 6:06 AM | | Pretty obvious. Get bottlecaps for prizes? |
| Trying to push the foreplay, uall? | Hurbie
Apr 28, 2002 5:26 PM | | Hi dr no. I am researching which tube pre-amp kit is the best one to buy. Which one would you recommend? I just want to cover all of the bases. Thanks for your opinion!
Dave |
| Try? | dr_no
Apr 29, 2002 6:57 AM | | Might want to try Duncan Amp
http://www.duncanamps.com/ |
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