Bottlehead Forum
Bottlehead Kits => Moreplay => Topic started by: Doc B. on August 18, 2020, 05:03:42 AM
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We're now taking orders for the Moreplay preamp kit. You can find the story, specs and pictures at the link:
https://bottlehead.com/product/moreplay-preamplifier-kit/ (https://bottlehead.com/product/moreplay-preamplifier-kit/)
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Just ordered mine, looking forward to assembling it. Hope everyone is staying healthy.
Cary
Semi Famous Cookie Baker
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Thanks Cary!
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Ordered mine too. Can’t wait!
Ben
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Thanks Ben!
As I expected these are going fairly quickly. We have sold 5 of the initial run of 15 in the first 18 hours. If you want in on this first run it's probably best not to wait too long to order. If you can't swing it right now, no worries. There will be more runs in the future.
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Man… I don’t need it but these kits are so fun to build. Maybe a nice garage pre. I’ll sleep on it.
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I’ll sleep on it.
Ouch! It gets pretty hot. By the way - Happy Birthday!
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Very nice little pre-amp. I built a 12AX7/6V6 power amp in a high school electronics class circa 1978. We sheared, punched and used a break to build a sheet metal chassis for it. It was a lot of fun. Eventually I gave the amp to a good friend of mine that turned it into a beautiful practice amp for his guitar. Naturally I got a bit nostalgic when I saw your announce for this amp.
Is it safe to assume that there will be Bottlehead enhancements forthcoming? i.e. Stepped attenuator, c4s etc.?
I fall into the category of not really needing another pre-amp but you have my attention. And with the lingering COVID restrictions your timing is impeccable.
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Upgrades are indeed planned!
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Uh, I am tempted too! But similar to others not in need for another pre-amp, still very happy with my EF3. What are the dimensions of the Moreplay? Thanks for coming up with yet another kit!
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Dimensions are the same as FP-3, but the controls are on the long side.
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I'm wanting to add a tube sound to my otherwise solid state system.
Would this be a good way to go about it? Running my speakers as well as low and high-impedance headphones is essential. My current system consists of an SMSL SP200, SMSL M200 and an Emotiva a100.
Thanks a lot guys!
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Hi Doc,
Are you guys also working on a new affordable poweramp that would go along with the Moreplay? I was looking for something similar to the Smash/Seductor combination. If so, what is the approx. time frame? I had originally planned on getting two Seductors and wiring them as monoblocks, but it got discontinued before I could pounce on a second Seductor kit...I have a maxed-out Smash that is looking for some buddies... :)
Thanks!
FS
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Running my speakers as well as low and high-impedance headphones is essential.
The Moreplay would sit happily behind your power amp, but it is not suitable for driving headphones.
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Ouch! It gets pretty hot. By the way - Happy Birthday!
Thank you!
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Hi Doc,
Are you guys also working on a new affordable poweramp that would go along with the Moreplay? I was looking for something similar to the Smash/Seductor combination. If so, what is the approx. time frame? I had originally planned on getting two Seductors and wiring them as monoblocks, but it got discontinued before I could pounce on a second Seductor kit...I have a maxed-out Smash that is looking for some buddies... :)
Thanks!
FS
I was wondering this myself! I missed out on the Seductor (and have been looking for one on the used market!). If I remember correctly that kit wasn’t a big seller, so maybe an “entry level†tube power amp just isn’t in the cards...
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The entry level amp has been the Bottlehead battle of the ages. I keep rejecting everything the guys come up with that is truly a budget price, I'm sure to their frustration. But we're not giving up.
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Thanks Doc. So what was wrong with the Seductor? Was it just low sales? I think that it is a great package, sounds very beefy when compared to my Stereomour. :)
I love it. And the use of affordable tubes really appeals to me. I would be reluctant to take out a second mortgage just to get another 45... ;) And the amp really heats my library too, which is a bonus in winter... :P
Cheers,
FS
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The entry level amp has been the Bottlehead battle of the ages. I keep rejecting everything the guys come up with that is truly a budget price, I'm sure to their frustration. But we're not giving up.
IMHO You hit a good price point with this pre-amp. I hope you sell a ton of them.
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Doc, PB,
Does the balance control have a center detent or are the wipers on a continuous track?
Thanks,
Chris/AB2KH
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It's continuous.
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Thanks Doc. So what was wrong with the Seductor? Was it just low sales?
Yes, sales were a little too slow to justify the space the inventory took up. And as we have worked to make our program more efficient in the past year (it's just Eileen and I packing kits these days and parts inventory has been beefed up considerably) we have to consider the best use of our more limited labor. That becomes more efficient when we can focus time spent on a good sized run of a single kit product rather than onsey-twosies of some of the slower selling products.
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I am the proud own of a Bottlehead Crack and I am intrigued by the Moreplay for my solid state headphone amp. Eventually, I want to get a speaker amp and use the Moreplay for that as well. For someone who is somewhat ignorant to the function of a tube preamp, what type of sonic change could one expect with this? Is it more volume? Clarity? Warmth? Thanks so much!
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If someone has a chance, I would love an answer to my questions above. I am having a hard time finding resources online, so I'd welcome the opportunity to learn from you. Thanks.
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Hmm, I had thought I posted an answer, but I suppose not.
The Moreplay isn't necessarily a good fit ahead of a solid state headphone amp, as the extra gain wouldn't be particularly helpful in any way that I could think of.
With a speaker amp (tube or solid state), then you would get some extra warmth and tubiness out of the Moreplay and the extra gain can be helpful as well if you need it.
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Hello, I’m excited regardless because of this piece. But is it an upgrade from the Quickie to the new Moreplay? My quickie started giving me fits and I am hoping this is a jump up.
Now I need to look back on how I finished they base for my stereomour l. I can’t remember🤔
Ben
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Yes it is a definite step up in terms of flexibility and ease of use. Sonically I would say they are equal with slightly different character. The Quickie is a little more lush and full bodied, the Moreplay is a little more resolving with extra good imaging. That said they are both tube preamps and are fundamentally more alike than different.
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Great to hear! I am looking for the most imaging I can get.
Thanks
Ben
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This kit is very attractive/exciting..
I listen to headphones (HD-650s) a lot on my S.E.X. 3.0 amp; I currently am using a Heron VTSP-1A preamp with the S.E.X. amp, and the two work very well together. I wouldn't expect the Moreplay to "outdo" the Heron - but I love building my own stuff and then upgrading it over time.
Two questions:
1. Would the Moreplay work well with the S.E.X. 3.0, particularly though the headphone output?
2. Could I add another input to the Moreplay later on if I wanted to (I run two turntables, a DAC, and a tuner)
Thanks and keep up the good work!
-Ed
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Sure, you could put a Moreplay in front of a SEX to get some extra inputs. Adding a fourth input to the Moreplay gets to be kind of challenging, but you could purchase a Goldpoint selector switch to get that done and get the extra position on the selector switch.
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Cant wait to get started!
Question: what is the function of the low value resistor in parallel with 2 crossed diodes and a capacitor in the power supply? Never seen an arrangement like that.
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That gives a little bit of separation between the audio ground and earth, which is especially helpful in avoiding noise if you plug a computer into the input of the preamp.
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Just received my kit today! I hope to paint the top plate tomorrow, weather permitting.
Cary
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Got mine yesterday. Packed perfectly, got all parts and have the base glued and can’t wait to get home today to start on the bell cover. It will be painted white and the base stained ebony just like my original stereomour.
Thanks Bottlehead. Love the hat too!!!
Ben