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New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits

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Hello All,
Check out the website to see the new Kit1 Phono Stage kit that we are just introducing. We have been testing it for the last month or so and the sound for vinyl is amazing! Its using a modified Pre-amp phono board to drive the kit1 directly along with a higher end power supply ( tube rectified and regulated )
Its a great match with the kit1 as this phono - only pre-amp provides an input signal ideal for the line integrated Kit1 300B SET. Feel free to feedback comments
Regards
Brian Smith

http://www.audionotekits.com (Open in New Window)

Follow Ups:

Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits - MikeRanfft 13:54:42 07/01/05 (2)
HI Brian,
So I am clear and forgive my fuzzy brain here, is the new pre-amp kit just for phono? Or can this preamp be used for cd. I have read that a preamp for cd with the Kit 1 also betters cd replay on the Kit 1.
Thanks,
Mike
- Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits - AudioNoteKits 08:25:15 07/03/05 (1)
  Hi Mike,
  The new product is called the Kit1 Phono Stage. The reasoning is that you could plug CD player directly into the kit1 because it is a line integrated amplifier in other words a line pre-amplifier and a power amplifier all in one - With the Phono stage unit you can plug your phono souce into this unit and then straight into the kit1.
  It still works to plug a pre-amp into the kit1 but this eliminates the doubling up of pre-amp stages -
  Yes a line level pre-amp can modify the sound of CD - most people plug CD directly into the kit I believe
  Brian
  - Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits - MikeRanfft 11:37:43 07/03/05 (0)
    Thanks Brian, sure looks like a very high quality phono section, even in basic version. Congrats!
    Mike
Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits - Al 06:00:46 06/24/05 (13)
Brian,
What phone cartridges you've tested this phonostage/kit1 combination with?
Thank you.
- Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits - AudioNoteKits 12:50:34 06/24/05 (12)
  I have done all the math calculations for phono gain on the pre-amp
  (60db) and the phono only kit (43db) - Let me know what you have with the output impedence and voltage output and I can give you
  an estimation of the best pre-amp kit fit with the Kit1.
  I am currently using the AudioNote TT1 with IQ3 MM cartridge into the phono only pre-amp driving the Kit1 with staggering results!
  Regards
  Brian
  - Hey - RGA 22:07:21 06/25/05 (1)
    Are you guys going to have a turntable kit? It's kind of alluded to on your web-site? I should think a turntable kit would be the easiest thing to make -- provided it's all pre-cut :-) for us useless builders.
    - Re: Hey - AudioNoteKits 10:35:38 06/27/05 (0)
      I have enquired about a turntable kit but apparently a special rig is required to put them together so its not something we are going to do -
      Brian
  - Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits - Al 07:31:48 06/25/05 (7)
    Well, let�s just say that IQ3 is an entry level high output MM phono cartridge, not exactly the best for the test �
    Speaking about gain, in order to get full power from KIT1 and have some flexibility with volume control, about 0.5-0.8 V (better 0.8) should be provided by source device. It is in line with the most CD players and other AUX devices. To get the same level from phone with 43dB gain, cartridge should output 3.5-5.6 mV � another words it will work with MM cartridges or low output MC + transformer and lives most high/mid output MC cartridges out of the game. Another concern is �60dB� gain of the preamp. Actually phono stage of the preamp kit has even lover gain then standalone phone and output of the phono should much line level of the other sources (CD etc.) with bring us to the same 4 mV cartridges. Sure with the high sensitivity of kit1 it is possible to switch sources right in front of kit1 6sn7 and use the whole preamp kit as a phone stage with volume control, however signal/noise will be not that good.
    BTW, does anyone use preamp kit with MC cartridge and what are the results ?
    Thanks!
    - Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits - scarebus 13:07:06 06/25/05 (4)
      Hi Al,
      I use Koetsu R/W Sig Platinum, Shelter 411 typeII phono trans thru
      AN sig pre-amp and PQ sig plus. Koetsu's output is 0.3mv. I crank the
      volume on the PQ to max and control with the pre. My speakers are only
      85dB but I still have a lot of volume left. The sound is awesome. Switching to CD player, I don't have to adjust volume. But when using DAC kit1.1, its hooked up directly to PQ, by-passing pre. Then the
      volume is controlled through PQ.
      Chris
      - Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits - Al 15:09:07 06/25/05 (3)
        
        In Reply to: Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits posted by scarebus on June 25, 2005 at 13:07:06:
        
        Thanks Chris. Actually you setup things the way I�m planning to � use whole preamp kit as a phono stage (my cartridge outputs 0.5 mV) and use selector in from of Kit1. My current phono stage has 62dB gain and connected strait to Kit1.
        How�s signal/noise with your setup and what kind of tubes you�re using in the phono ?
        Thanks.
        
        Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits - scarebus 16:30:07 06/25/05 (2)
        
        In Reply to: Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits posted by Al on June 25, 2005 at 15:09:07:
        
        Hi Al,
        I really don't go set up my system calculating numbers of dB or
        SNR. Those figures are all derived from a machine measuring another
        machine's input/output and sensitivity. It is good to some degree, but the final choice will be your ears. If the sound is pleasing to you,
        then get that system, and upgrade it to the fullest as your bank account permits. When I first built the kit1 and compared to my old Haflers, I was amazed by the soft and clear sound. Ever since my kit1 has been upgraded to PQ sig plus. Way back in the forum you will see pics of my kit1 upgraded to kit1 sig, and recently pics of my PQ sig plus. I say its sig plus because it is silver hardwired with silver hook-up wires and silver PIO caps. I've used it about ten hours, and boy, its getting better each hour. Like Peter Q said, my Kit1 is better than standard AN P-4.
        My sig pre-amp is all siver wired. It has a slight hum in the phono
        channel when volume is increased very high, not not at normal listening level. Brian and Dave have modified the pre so that there
        is no more hum. I'm waiting for that upgrade kit to arrive. As I save
        more money, I will change the copper caps into silver caps. Will eliminate the tape, tuner RCAs and add extra phono jacks since I have two arms on my TT. Then upgrade my DAC 1.1.
        I use GE 6072 on my phono channel.
        
        Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits - Al 18:42:43 06/25/05 (1)
        
        In Reply to: Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits posted by scarebus on June 25, 2005 at 16:30:07:
        
        Well, obviously you�re right and only music is the final criteria not measurements � I guess we all know how 200W 0.0000001%THD and -120dB SNR sounds like.
        However, never mind how much we want to see this hobby as an art or religion, yet it is engineering in a big part. You see, 0.3mv cartridge and 40dB gain tube phono stage is not the best company and 7W SET amplifier and 85dB/w/m speakers is not an optimum too. It is not like this system can�t play music great and involving, but could it be that if you install good high output (3mV) MC cartridge and plug kit1 into 95dB speakers you will find that there are plenty of low level details that currently are obscured by noise and limitation of dynamic range?
        What I�m looking for is the answer to the ultimate question: what is the best way to spend limited (unfortunately) amount of money and get the best music out of existing and new hardware.
        By the way, in this context Kit1 TMHO is the best thing of all that I know. I�ve got mime back in 98, it replaced 5 times more expensive �politically correct high-end brand name� P-P tube amp. There was absolutely no competition in a way how Fitzgerald started to sing FOR ME or Heifetz started to play FOR ME vs. just music sounds somewhere in the room. Later I upgraded to Cu caps, tantalums (Shinkoh), black gates (FK and NX), big Alps volume control, Cerafines + bg standards in PS. That was another very right thing to do.
        Anyway, I�m sure Brian and Co will get preamp to the same highest level.
        Thanks Chris for your input. BTW I envy a bit your C-core transformers � that should be another big step up.
        
        Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits - scarebus 21:42:27 06/25/05 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits posted by Al on June 25, 2005 at 18:42:43:
        
        Al,
        I've had this PQ running for 15 hours and every time I turn it
        on I hear the sound much better in dynamics. Compared to Kit1 sig,
        the volume had increased also. Maybe the silver PIOs and the double
        C-cores ar doing the trick. My B&W 801s gives enough sound, of coarse
        with a 98dB Kit3, I only have to turn the volume slightly. That might
        be my next project down the line. I'm enjoying right now.
        Chris
    - Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits - felder0820 09:48:15 06/25/05 (1)
      I am using a benz H2(1.9mv) w/my sig preamp. There is plenty of gain, i have my kit 1 volume control set at 2 o'clock and i use the pre volume control. I have the cart. loaded at 22k. The sound is great, but im sure it will get better and better. The pre was completed 2 weeks ago.....Marc
      - Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits - Al 10:31:26 06/25/05 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits posted by felder0820 on June 25, 2005 at 09:48:15:
        
        Thanks! That should be a great sound.
        What�s you impression about signal/noise? Let�s say compare to master tape hiss on the 50s-60s records reissues by Classic/DCC/Analogue prod. Etc.
        How big is mismatch in levels when you�re switching to other source?
        Did you try to connect output of phone directly to the kit1, could be done from output to tape connectors?
        Sorry for the 1000 questions. Thanks again.
  - Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits - DRCope 06:11:03 06/25/05 (1)
    A lean, mean music machine. In the "nothin' you don't need, everything you do need to get the job done right kinda way," (NOT the sand amps and DD tt lean mean kinda way!)
    Is the Kit Phono a variant on the M1 RIAA or a different animal?
    Which arm have you got on the TT1?
    The IQ3 is a screamin' sleeper of a cartridge. Borrowing the square section titanium cantlever and stylus tip from the IO1 mc cart gives it a grossly unfair advantage over every other moving magnet I've ever heard, to say nothing of the bargain fave moving coils the press prattles on about endlessly . . .
    Keep your ears and your mind open.
    - Re: New Kit Available at AudioNoteKits - AudioNoteKits 11:21:50 06/27/05 (0)
      Hi Dave,
      We basically took the Pre-Amp kit Phono stage and modified the output tube and circuitry in order to drive a meter or so of cable.
      We also added in the M2 power supply - so it is somewhat of a completely different animal than the RIAA product.
      I think it will be a nice package to buy all at once- a Kit1 with
      the Phono stage for a package price - I'll put something on the web site soon
      
      RE my TT1 - I believe I have the basic arm but I do have the IQ3 cartridge -
      Brian

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