DIY Audio questions and answers - Good pre-amp kit/PCB

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Good pre-amp kit/PCB

Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: DIY AUDIO
Forum Name: DIY Audio questions and answers
Forum Description: www.diy-audio-kits.com ... superb audio kits for experienced constructors
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5412
Printed Date: 26 Mar 2026 at 10:40pm
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Topic: Good pre-amp kit/PCB

Posted By: CageyH
Subject: Good pre-amp kit/PCB
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2022 at 10:13am

Continuing on my journey to have a DIY system (as much as practically possible) I am looking at building a pre amp.

I am just wondering if anybody has been down a similar path, and have any recommendations?

I want something I can fit a high quality stepped attenuator. Remote control would be nice, but not essential.

So a PCB that I can build into a case would be ideal.

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Kevin
European loan coordinator, based near Toulouse, France.
Funkified SL1200 Mk.II, BB3, Firebottle Kin , ADI-2 DAC FS, Modulus 686, PD-S703, Solo UL, Triangle Antal EZ

Replies:

Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2022 at 10:45am

I did mention I was working on such. I still am.

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That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps

Posted By: CageyH
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2022 at 12:27pm

I had forgotten.

Thanks for the reminder.

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Kevin
European loan coordinator, based near Toulouse, France.
Funkified SL1200 Mk.II, BB3, Firebottle Kin , ADI-2 DAC FS, Modulus 686, PD-S703, Solo UL, Triangle Antal EZ

Posted By: JohnG
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2022 at 4:53pm

you might like to consider how a pre-amp should be controlled?

It seems there is a strong argument for making the signal path Analogue, but providing some flexiblity for how the switching is done.
my choice would be to control it by a microcontroller (such as the Raspberry Pi Pico),
but you have suggestions of IR and switches already...

My rationale:

I have gone from an overly complex analogue (NAIM based) system and am in the process of migrating to just a digital streaming device and a record deck.
NB by streaming rather than go down the Spotify / etc. route I prefer to purchase digital albums, more or less directly from the artists via Bandcamp, and stream within the house
Simultaneously for various reasons we are going down the smart speaker / smart home route.
I think I'd rather just have a physical volume control only

Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2022 at 6:33pm

In the past I've worked with Holtek remote control chips as an alternative to regular remote controls. They are normally associated with garage door openers, but the RF side is easily replaced by IR transmitter and receivers (so as not to interfere with garage doors!)

I also have a liking for the old Armstrong 600 series input selector which was a precursor to the chip input selectors found in many of today's amps.

It may be possible to link the two ideas and do away with dodgy relays and wave change or rotary switches, and make it expandable for other forms of control.

I'll have to dig out my design work from a few years ago and think it over.

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That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps

Posted By: CageyH
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2022 at 7:23pm

JohnG wrote:

you might like to consider how a pre-amp should be controlled?

It seems there is a strong argument for making the signal path Analogue, but providing some flexiblity for how the switching is done.
my choice would be to control it by a microcontroller (such as the Raspberry Pi Pico),
but you have suggestions of IR and switches already...

My rationale:

I have gone from an overly complex analogue (NAIM based) system and am in the process of migrating to just a digital streaming device and a record deck.
NB by streaming rather than go down the Spotify / etc. route I prefer to purchase digital albums, more or less directly from the artists via Bandcamp, and stream within the house
Simultaneously for various reasons we are going down the smart speaker / smart home route.
I think I'd rather just have a physical volume control only

I want to leave "Pi"s out of it. I want a relatively simple device.

Source selection, I am happy with manual control as if I am listening to digital music, the source is selected on the DAC. I don't want to be messing around with software etc. in a pre-amp.

If I am listening to vinyl, then I don't need a remote to change source, as I can do that when I lift the tone arm.

I would like a SS preamp, as I already have a valve/hybrid device, which is probably the bottleneck in my system now.

As for the sound signature, I don't really want one. I want to hear the recording as it was meant to be.

Three inputs minimum would be good, but a variable and fixed level output are required. One for my amp, the other for the Solo UL.

-------------
Kevin
European loan coordinator, based near Toulouse, France.
Funkified SL1200 Mk.II, BB3, Firebottle Kin , ADI-2 DAC FS, Modulus 686, PD-S703, Solo UL, Triangle Antal EZ