Crack with LDR preamp

jt · 4231

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Offline jt

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on: June 07, 2014, 05:47:51 PM
My favorite tube set is TS 5998 and TS 6F8G black glass, round plate. I also like rolling 12AU7 so I use an adapter. Like many others, I experience hum using adapters. I noticed hum was absent at MIN and MAX pot settings. So I decided to experiment with a preamp so I could leave the pot at MAX. I chose to go with an LDR (light dependent resistor) preamp when I came across this kit. It comes in three parts – an LDR board, controller board and potentiometer. All I had to do was just connect these three components and provide 12V power supply.

When I powered it up I was blown away. No more hum and a huge improvement in sound quality across the entire frequency range. Cymbals have more shimmer and bass drums have more attack. Each instrument seems to stand out in its own space. I could go on but suffice to say I am amazed that the Crack and T1 could sound so good with this upgrade.



Offline JamieMcC

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Reply #1 on: June 07, 2014, 10:42:55 PM
That's neat and I am pleased to hear of your experiences, I looked at the Lightspeed attenuator kit a little while ago do you have a link for the one you are using?

Cheers

Jamie 

Shoot for the moon if you miss you will still be amongst the stars!


Offline jt

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Reply #2 on: June 07, 2014, 11:48:44 PM
Hi Jamie,

I would gladly provide a link as long as it's ok with BH.

Cheers, Jay.



Offline Tubejack

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Reply #3 on: June 08, 2014, 04:19:52 AM

There are 10 types of people in this world,
Those that understand Binary and those that Don't!


Offline jt

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Reply #4 on: June 09, 2014, 01:25:20 PM
Hey Jamie,

Here's a link to the kit from down under:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Light-Dependant-Resistor-Single-input-Preamp-Kit-/291041024249?pt=AU_Electronics_Audio_Amplifiers&hash=item43c36598f9

Also here's a link to a forum with user feedback. There is a post where the LDR preamp is preferred over a Khozmo z-foil attenuator.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Light-Dependant-Resistor-Single-input-Preamp-Kit-/291041024249?pt=AU_Electronics_Audio_Amplifiers&hash=item43c36598f9

The designer Chris Daly also sent me some comments about rolling your own:
"LDR's are on their signal side are a variable resistor for unbalanced a L pad  with ability of resistance to 100k or more and as low as 40 ohms. To make them vary, a DC current is placed across the other two leads which are a anode and cathode which internally placed within the LDR is a LED.   

LDR's are a very reliable electronics part, however their tolerance of one LDR with its measured resistance (with the same applied current) being the same as the next is quite poor. The better LDR's for this purpose are the expensive sorted manufactured ones with the part number NSL32SR2S.

So for forum members to roll their own, could require to find 4 the same for a single input having to buy 20 or more LDR's and many patient hours matching them following that."

There are also other issues regarding current control to the LDRs which are not addressed in the roll your own design. Chris has his own solution for this.

You also get free upgrades if there are any future enhancements. What more could you ask for?



Offline JamieMcC

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Reply #5 on: June 09, 2014, 08:00:12 PM
Thanks looking forward to having a read of all the info after work

Shoot for the moon if you miss you will still be amongst the stars!


Offline jt

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Reply #6 on: June 09, 2014, 08:42:28 PM