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Re: Hybrid line stage pre-amp

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In Reply to: Hybrid line stage pre-amp posted by Mike on December 12, 2000 at 06:24:06:

I built what is essentially the Welborne hybrid linestage (Alan Kimmel's design) that was featured in Glass Audio (1993 I think). I liked it better than the AVA 12AX7/mosfet design which I had borrowed. I later received a old copy of Welborne's design/mod catalog from a friend who was clearing out his library. Basically the cathode resistors were a lower value than what I'd used but was otherwise the same. It is a really nice design and I'd recommend it over the above AVA, various Counterpoint hybrid designs and (sorry Joe) the Curcio Daniel 2. Sort of a nice sonic middle ground between good SS and totally tube designs. Oh yes, it won't cost much to build one either. I strongly recommend you pick up a PCB FROM welborne as soon as they are available again.
Oh yeah, I like a all tube SSRP a bit better, but I still use Welborne/Kimmel linestage off and on, especially if I have a particularly "dark" sounding recording.

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Re: Hybrid line stage pre-amp Tony D. 13:59:45 12/12/00 (1)
I was looking through the Welborne Labs catalogue and design manual and I found mention of the "Complete Hybrid Linestage" and the "Complete Class-A Linestage". Neither of which I can find listed in the kits catalogue or anywhere else on the website for that matter.
Is the linestage you (tecnofossil) built one of these?

Thanks for any information.

Tony D.
- Re: Hybrid line stage pre-amp tecnofossil 17:33:10 12/12/00 (0)
  Go to the link at the bottom of the note or here:
  http://www.welbornelabs.com/catdownload.htm
  You can download the design/mod manual (you need the Adobe Acrobat reader to view it however...follow the info on the page)
  I initially built the hybrid linestage mentioned in Alan Kimmel's "Mu follower" article in Glass Audio. This design was basically the Welborne design which was offered until about 1998 I think (Ron...comment sir?) Once I got a look at the Welborne catalog/manual I saw the differences and incorporated them. I have since found a website where the author built a slightly modified version of the Welborne Labs hybrid linestage as a mic preamp with very nice results. If you are curious, here is the URL:
  http://laplaza.org/~fvuotto/micpre.html
  Hope this helps! -the fossil
  - Welborne Labs Download page
Re: Hybrid line stage pre-amp Mike 10:59:25 12/12/00 (1)
The reason why I'm asking is that one has shown up used and I'm trying to decide whether or not it would be a good buy, or whether I should go with a pure tube pre-amp. Right now I'm using a Nikko Alhpa 220 amp, that's about 17 years old. It's a great amp, but the matching pre-amp (Beta 20) leaves something to be desired. The old pre-amp is very bright sounding and grainy. I have Newform Research 645 speakers which are very neutral sounding. The combination of the amp/pre-amp is too bright for my taste and I'm trying to warm=up the sound a bit.
- Re: Hybrid line stage pre-amp tecnofossil 17:41:00 12/12/00 (0)
  If it is in good condition I'd go for it. What is nice about the design is that you can experiment with different tubes without much fuss. Obviously, if you try something that requires a 12 volt filament supply (the original tube recommended was a 6DJ8/6922 type...6 volt heaters) you will have to make another supply, but, with parts from Radio Shack I doubt it would cost 20 dollars unless you want tube rectifiers and such.
  -the fossil

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