DIY Front End 2022 Essentials Kit
- Description
Among the appreciations of DIYers is stuff that works simply, well, and cheap, not necessarily in that order.
This project is an effort to assemble these elements into a discrete gain stage that can be used as the front end for modest power amplifiers or as a general audio gain circuit.
For more information including the article PDF itself, please read the DIY Front End 2022 thread on diyAudio.
What's included?
- Each kit includes two circuit boards, providing for two channels
- 12 matched J113 JFETs
- 2 KSA992 bipolars
- 4 resistors matched to the JFETs
Customer Reviews
Easy to assemble. I may opt to bypass the output cap and adjust the DC offset so I installed the trimmer pot. The JFETS were not all matched but I screened them and found two sets of four so they should work out well. I used my own resistors and KSA992s. Nice boards. I will have them in an enclosure playing soon. Cheers.
Works, sounds, and measures quite good. Very happy with it.
Transparent, detailed gain without sterility. I would call it top notch to enhance without detraction or subtraction from virtues of the amp stage.
Single ended usage @ 36v, used with Pass DIY Sony single ended SK60 VFET, superb.
The FE2022 impresses me in four ways:
1. It has a balanced frequency response, reaching deeper lows without an excessive emphasis on upper bass. It also maintains a flat response in the presence and super high-frequency regions.
2. My build is exceptionally quiet, which enhances its ability to capture fine details, N + THD < -90dB with 48V SMPS
3. It shines in creating a realistic soundstage, with a black background that allows the sounds to stand out with clarity and precision.
4. Last but not least, it has a wide volume control range from 0 to 80 steps, making it highly functional. This is visually displayed and realized with an 10k APLS potentiometer. My build has max gain limited to 6dB, with R3 = R4 = 20k
I received the pcbs and the nicely matched J113 in the essential kit a few weeks ago.
I use it at the moment as a preamp. A very good sounding preamp! Not the drive capabilities like an ACP+,
close to the clarity and more analytic sound of Waynes Line Stage.
I am running it in dual mono configuration. I have built two PSUs (linear regulated after CRC-filter / +-20 V DC -rails) and it is very low noise.
It is a beautiful - simple circuit! I have put more efforts on the PSU. You get this at a bargain!
One possibility to avoid buying precious TOSHIBA or LINEAR SYSTEMS- JFets.
Your chance, if the next run is getting to the shop. Thanks to Nelson Pass and the DIYAUDIO STORE-team!
Enjoy the sound
Dirk
Being a 53 yr old newbie in the world of DIY Audio I have no idea what to say except it sounds great paired with the Mofo.