luvdunhill

check out the manual I posted above. It has everything you need, including very detailed instructions and even a bill of materials. I'd say that this would definitely qualify as a beginner project, as things are presented well in the documentation, and there is a large support forum for this particular project. I would say anything above the 0.4mV range would work, depending on how much gain you have in your preamp / headphone amp. I'd say that qualifies for most cartridges, as the ones that go lower (i.e. 0.24mV and less) do have alternative models in this range. I'm sure it will compete well with some units over the $1k (used) mark, but I wouldn't say all. For example, you can get an older Pass Ono for around $1k (used) that will sound better and perhaps some of the low end EAR tube phono stages might give this a run for its money (I personally wouldn't take the EAR over the Pearl, but many will argue with me on that point, so I give that example as simply another popular phono pre in this price range).

yes. it provides gain up to line level as well as the required RIAA equalization.

heh.. the Toshiba parts a D1G1S1xS1G1D1 from left to right. The LSK389 are S1D1G1 on one side (so snake the S1 between D1 and G1 and your good there) and S2D2G2 on the other (so snake G2 between S2 and D2). I'd recommend using zigzag sockets on the original 2sk389 socket to facilitate this, so you can get the new device situated in the socket and then plug the socket into the PCB and solder it. If you're less adventurous, just use a matched pair of the single devices.

close enough for government work

yes, that's the plan. I may be doing a group buy for the Linear Systems JFETs, assuming there is enough demand. These will work fine with these boards if you cannot come across the Toshiba parts.

Price will be $40 per stereo set, with a few dollars for shipping from Germany to me (depends on the number of people interested, probably around $4) and then a few dollars shipping from me to you. The board files are available, but I'd rather go this route personally. I'll close this IC on Friday 7/11/08 and collect money over the weekend.

it's a pretty straightforward project really. no circular hole tech skills needed.

wow, intense thread. Perhaps everyone should just listen to more music, have a beer or two, do some DIY.....or all three:

I agree with this. What do you think of using multiple DACs in a moving-average type of configuration, similar to what Accuphase does here: http://www.accuphase.com/model/pdf/dp-700_e.pdf

by changing what was there, based on stuff that wasn't there?

ya, good show.

looking at this again, I think it can support MC carts as low as 0.4mV or so...

yeah, it cannot really be made into a phono stage with balanced outputs...

I think this will fall on deaf ears here

service manual and BOM for Pearl: http://www.passdiy.com/pdf/pearlphono.pdf grawk: the Xono has a balanced output, yes, but it's not generated how you might think. Here's a schematic of the MM portion of the Xono (edit: not the exact circuit, but same topology): http://www.rstaudio.de/AlephOno/Rev2/AlephOnoMM.pdf The circuits are indeed different, this is a common misconception.

nah, just 2 needed for balanced operation

seller has plenty...

I think it's worthwhile, because it marginally ensures that the tube has actually been stuck in a tester

Perhaps for a plate loading resistor design, what what about a proper CCS loaded tube, which will behave much more linearly?

mmm. i might be interested in the 15' ers ..

actually, I found someone with a stash of the original PCBs sold by PassDIY. So, I'm going to go this route myself. I will inquire on how many they have. Also, if anyone is wanting to split a pair (the boards are mono, so 2 required for stereo) I'm up for that too as I'd like a single board for a mono preamp.

well, depending on how linear the tube is, this may not be an issue... just like matching BJT hfe using a DMM might be an issue. I know some tube vendors that will honor this request.

I'm considering getting a few Pass Pearl phono PCBs made up. Is there any interest here?

shipped some stuff too.... waiting for PartsConnexion to have a sale on stuff I actually need...