Altec 1566A: Mic
Preamp and Direct Box Kit
Alternatives to building
from scratch © April 2003 by Eddie Ciletti
Thinking about building,
but don't know where to start? Here are some tips...
OPTION-1
-
If you've barely got a budget,
no skills, minimal tools and even less time, may I suggest either of the
two tube preamps offered by Rolls
/ Bellari. The RP-220 and RP-520 are based on a real tube front
end, running on high voltage and not "starved," with an IC opamp output
stage. Rolls / Bellari even have scratch and dent models to choose
from. These are the most affordable real tube preamps on the
market. Start here and modify / upgrade later.
OPTION-2:
-
If you've got more money than
time and construction skills, consider buying the Dynaco PAS-series
tube preamp, available on e-bay. This is a Hi-Fi preamp with input
selector, phono preamp and tone controls that will provide a "house," a
power supply and circuit boards. The only "issues" are your modification
skills, expecially mechanical, specifically mounting the XLR and Instrument
connectors.
No matter how the Altec 1566
kit is approached, this is THE mini-electronics course for classic tube
circuits, a real tube preamp with real high voltage. You will learn
about electronics -- from power supply to audio circuits, vacuum tubes
and construction techniques.
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