Building the DAK Genera phono preamplifier

Thought afterwards I should add a preamble stating that I purchased this as would any normal user, receiving only my members discount which is available to any regular contributing member of this forum.

I purchased one of these after following the design process online here and reading the extremely favourable reports of a couple of members who had built it.

I felt like a straightforward DIY project and although I already own better (presumably ) products from the GSP line-up, there has been sufficient interest in this unit on another forum that I felt sure of being able to find it a good home for it once I had had a good play.

Several people here have already enquired about an audition once it is burned in.

Building the DAK Genera phono preamplifier from Graham Slee Projects

Ordering and delivery:

Packaging:

Contents of Kit:

Tools required:

The build itself:

Very much a "paint by numbers" job.

The position and identifying number of each component being marked on the PCB overlay apart from the power socket and output sockets (which will not go anywhere but the right place) - the polarity of electrolytic capacitors and of the diodes are also marked on the PCB.

I started by sorting the resistors, using the component list which gives values and board positions (eg R1A, R1B, R11, R12 56K ohm (qty 4)

Once they were all identified, I checked that all other components were present and correct.

I then assembled the feet and PCB standoffs and ground connector to the case.

Starting at the top of the list I proceeded to populate the board with all of the resistors and finished with the one inductor and the protection diode (not the LED).

That done, I rechecked they were all in their correct positions and turned the board over and soldered them all.

Pics do not show it (I started to get excited and forgot to take a good few and the quality of some that I did does leave something to be desired) but after soldering all the resistors, I then trimmed the excess leads using the side cutters.

I then soldered in the film caps one at a time, working from the smallest to the largest and again trimming the excess leads after soldering in position.

The voltage regulator and IC socket were then added, followed by the electrolytic capacitors, again working from smallest to largest and trimming the leads after soldering in position.

That left only the power and I/O sockets to be added along with the indicator LED and fitting the opamp in the IC socket.

Naturally I could not stop at that and I immediately connected it up to my Technics and Solo headphone amp and fitted an MM cartridge to the Technics, powered it all up and spun a record.

Now I have not been impressed with the AT95 previously, but it was all that was available to try and the K701 and VDH First Ultimate cables are ruthlessly neutral (IMO) but straight out of the gate I was greeted by music and a demure handling of surface noise (which is always exacerbated by headphones) with none of the brashness one often expects of new gear.

The unit remains powered on as part of the burn-in and I play a record or two as time allows to check progress.

Who knows, the AT95 may finally break in and I may learn to like it, it certainly gave a creditable rendition of my favourite Beethoven Violin Concerto (which is much abused and rotten with surface noise) being very listenable on the K701.

A most satisfying project that many could emulate without much difficulty.

Not a lot to add, my time with the Genera, whilst thoroughly enjoyable is now over.

It has now been packed off to its new owner 600 miles away.

Yesterday I had a couple of fellow audio enthusiasts around and we gave the little thing a thorough working out on all kinds of music to the complete satisfaction of all.

One brought a far-eastern origin phono stage of comparable cost (though physically much more imposing) for comparison, after two tracks, in his own words, his was colouring the sound and losing the plot at times while the Genera just gave what was on the record and never became flustered.

As a reality check before packing it up, I ran through a couple of classical favourites via the Genera and then plugged my Reflex into exactly the same setup and did not take more than a minute to hear both the family resemblance and why the Reflex is markedly more expensive.   With a relatively modest frontend probably more in keeping with the cost of the Genera, the Reflex was still able to show it a clean pair of heels, sounding more like a decent cartridge upgrade and lifting the bar all round.

In summary then, I found the Genera both a satisfying and straightforward DIY project and a thoroughly enjoyable and musically satisfying phono preamp.  Punching well above its weight, I would expect it to provide a decent upgrade from the builtin stage of many older integrateds.

Absolutely fabulous VFM - IMO of course.  

Graham is to be commended on bringing such great value and ease of construction to the DIY market.  

A thoroughly professional looking product that anyone would be proud to say they made themselves, even if the joy of ownership will be more in the listening afterwards.