Bottlehead Forum
Bottlehead Kits => BeePre => Topic started by: Doc B. on December 22, 2020, 10:55:15 AM
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We are ready for your orders! New universal power transformer, greatly reduced microphony, easier to build, and audible improvements beyond the best version of the original BeePre once the upgrades are available (which will be soon). Our best estimate is that shipping of the new BeePre2 kits will begin in late January or early February.
https://bottlehead.com/product/beepre2-300b-preamplifier-kit/ (https://bottlehead.com/product/beepre2-300b-preamplifier-kit/)
Picture below shows a full tilt BeePre2 prototype with the future upgrades added. By the way, the manual link is not yet active. Will be ready soon.
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I just ordered one. When do you expect the upgrades to be available?
Thanks
Debra
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Josh and I shot the photographs for installing the upgrades, and he's chomping away at those manuals as we speak.
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Thank you Dr. Koloms! I'm very motivated to get the upgrades going ASAP. The new shunt reg/buffer upgrade moves the new version up a notch. The bass gets really punchy. I was quite surprised by it.
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I finished the first draft of the first manual yesterday. Today I've been cranking through my first pass read through, generating a parts list and assorted side files.
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Josh and PB both hammered on this one and deserve the credit for getting it together so fast.
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Thank you, David, and thank you, John!
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Thanks Alberto!
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Ah! I wanted to be the first!!! Order in!
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I look forward to the BeePre2 and the upgrades!
Have a great holiday
Deb
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Hah, you gotta be quick with all the veteran builders around here! Deb even beat out David, who has been first to order on nearly every kit we have released over the years.
We really, truly appreciate everyone's support! I think you are going to like this one. I was really surprised at what a step up the full tilt version is over my full boat original BeePre.
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Thank you, Ben!
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Thank you, David! Thank you, James!
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Thank you, Lee!
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Josh and I shot the photographs for installing the upgrades, ...
So all upgrades have been finalized and will soon be ready for purchase? I'm waiting for the "full package" purchase option. Looking forward to a shootout between my slightly tricked out BP1 and the fully upgraded BP2.
... And I already have the nascent idea of a hybrid BP1/BP2 that keeps the original idea of separate power supplies, but with bigger PTs to support the new design operating points and fil reg scheme. This would be a further mod to my BP1. I put way too much time into rebuilding and tweaking the BP1 to let it collect dust.
cheers and thanks, Derek
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Derek, you will be impressed with the BP2 :)
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Derek, you will be impressed with the BP2 :)
I'm sure I will. I'm particularly interested in learning about the cathode follower that drops the output impedance and how it ties in with the C4S and new attenuator resistors values. And any other new coolness involved.
Aaron - You write with assurance. Did you end up with the prototype? Id so, what are your impressions of it as compared to the BP1?
cheers, Derek
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Thank you, Thomas and thank you, Gideon!
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Hello
While I wait for the new Beepre 2, can I run my Kaiju directly from the Eros ii phono?
Best
AB
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No, neither the Kaiju or the Eros has a level control.
But if you want a temporary solution you could take a cheap rca cable and cut it in half and wire it up to a cheap stereo potentiometer
then install between the Eros output and the Kaiju input. This will hold you over until the BP2 is complete.
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Hi lee
Thanks for the reply. On my Kaiju I do have volume control. Actually 2 of them, one for left and one for right channel.
Am I missing something?
Best
AB
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OH I am sorry, I was not aware the Kaiju had volume controls(i do not own one) In your case just plug your Eros in and you will be fine.
My apologies again.
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No worries. I just thought I was missing something. I believe they are not real volume control but just balance pots. However they work as volume control in my case.
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The Kaiju level controls are linear pots, not logarithmic, so they get pretty twitchy at low levels. They are there to adjust the amp if you have too much gain in the rest of the system. But they will work, especially if you want it loud!
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Tried it out. It’s good! Can’t wait to put in line the beepre 2.
In terms of caps upgrade for the beepre2 I guess the only caps worth upgrading would be the 10uf 250v?
Thanks
AB
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Yes, swapping out the 10uF/250V caps is an option. I would recommend buying four.
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Oh 4 of them? I see only 2 in the manual. What other caps would be interested in swapping with the 10uf ?
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Save them for the second upgrade.
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Got it!!!
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Hello
I placed an order for the model2 when it was released. Are you going to have the upgrades available before you ship the first batch?
Best
AB
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The upgrade manuals are shot and I will be building out the upgrades on my BeePre to check over the manual. We will absolutely ship the stock kits before the upgrades are put on sale.
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We hope to be shipping the first kits by the end of the month. Parts have been coming in and getting prepped.
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Thanks!
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How different will it be to the original? Will it be mostly pcb with some point 2 point wiring? I have built other entry level preamp kits , how does this compare to them?
Thx
Neville
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The BeePre 2 definitely has a focus on simplifying the stock build. The wiring is 95% point to point, with one rather simple PC board with testing procedures to test the board on its own.
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@Doc B:
Will the intro pricing still be going when the upgrades first become available? If not, can I purchase the BP2 now, but have you wait on shipping it to me until the upgrades are available? I'd like to save a bit on shipping to Toronto.
Also: is there any chance I can buy a couple of the original BP1 filament shunt reg boards? I sent an email about this some weeks ago, but have not heard back. I really just want the boards, but I would be happy to purchase them with or without components, whatever might be easer on your end.
cheers and many thanks, Derek
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@Doc B:
Will the intro pricing still be going when the upgrades first become available? If not, can I purchase the BP2 now, but have you wait on shipping it to me until the upgrades are available? I'd like to save a bit on shipping to Toronto.
Also: is there any chance I can buy a couple of the original BP1 filament shunt reg boards? I sent an email about this some weeks ago, but have not heard back. I really just want the boards, but I would be happy to purchase them with or without components, whatever might be easer on your end.
cheers and many thanks, Derek
Bump. In case this slipped through the cracks.
many thanks, Derek
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Yes the price will go up as soon as we ship this first batch, which is starting to ship today. We will be out of the office for a couple days then back to shipping the rest on Friday. So the price will probably increase next week on Monday, Feb 1.
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Thanks Doc.
Can I buy the BP2 now, but have BH hold off on shipping until the upgrades are ready to ship?
Also, as mentioned, I'd be interested in purchasing a couple of the LM1085 filament reg boards used in the BP1 -- if you have a bunch in inventory that you no longer need.
cheers and many thanks, Derek
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Yes, we can certainly hold on to the kit for you. I'll have to check to see if we have any of the regulator boards left.
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Awesome. Order placed. I really appreciate you checking on the LM1085 boards.
cheers, derek
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Thanks Derek!
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Got my order placed, can't wait!
Thanks
Tim
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Woo Hoo! The Big Brown Truck cometh!
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We have just rolled in after a couple of days away at the beach. We'll be back at the packing bench tomorrow and we hope to get the next third of the orders out either tomorrow or Monday.
I was not able to locate any of the old boards Derek, sorry.
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Thanks for looking, Doc. No prob. I'll see if I can MacGyver a version of them.
cheers, Derek