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The Boozhound Labs JFET phono preamp kit

Redboy

Redboy

a few good watts
A thread on the Lenco Heaven forum tipped me off to the inexpensive and simple BHL phono preamp kit. It looked like such a good value that I ordered one, even though I've got no real need for another phonostage... I was attracted to the simple design, and I'm a real sucker for those Russkie caps! :)

I just finished building it. I haven't settled on a chassis for it yet, but I plugged it into the system after the solder cooled and fired it up. It works!

Too soon for judgment, but all indications are that it's a great preamp for the money.

Here's the Boozhound Laboratories site. If you've never been there, spend some time checking out his other stuff - Jason's DIY projects are great!

Pictures:

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Thanks for the tip, Nate. I've been mulling over several different kit options for a new phono pre. I'll be sure to add this one to the list (especially since it comes from Los Alamos, probably pre-radiated).

Nice pics, btw.
 
A buddy of mine turned me on to these guys. Only it wasn't a phono stage, it was a DIY 18" bass bin. I am very interested to see what you think of it Nate. I am trying to decide on a good phono preamp. Looking at a few and trying to find one for my Thorens set up. Seems like this will fit my budget if it is worthy.
 
watt said:
Thanks for the tip, Nate. I've been mulling over several different kit options for a new phono pre. I'll be sure to add this one to the list (especially since it comes from Los Alamos, probably pre-radiated).

Nice pics, btw.
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Thanks Carter. Check out the thread on Lenco Heaven for some more impressions of this kit, too.

hatrack71 said:
A buddy of mine turned me on to these guys. Only it wasn't a phono stage, it was a DIY 18" bass bin. I am very interested to see what you think of it Nate. I am trying to decide on a good phono preamp. Looking at a few and trying to find one for my Thorens set up. Seems like this will fit my budget if it is worthy.
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I've seen that bass bin project, Kyle - it looks kinda wacky! Good clean fun. :yes:

I'll post my impressions after I've had some more time with it. I should probably put it into some kind of box, too...
 
I'm using a basic 24V power supply that he sold for this kit, but I like the idea of a rechargeable battery supply if I end up using it a lot.

Saw the ski bike - I could be using that right now if I had one!
 
Thanks for the post, Nate. I have been looking for a reasonably priced phono pre lately. This might just fit the ticket!
 
ejfud said:
Oh, cool Nate!

Will it be in the system this weekend for a listen?
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Yes it will, Gary.

I've had this in continuous play for about six hours now, and I can hear changes in the sound already, and for the better.
 
Oh, that's super cool! I'm in need of a phono stage and I want to DIY it. I will have to decide between the Hagerman Bugle and this one. Thanks for sharing.
 
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Hey Nate,
Reading up a bit on the BHL one an the "l'Pacific" upon which it's based, about the only criticism I saw was that it was a bit lacking in soundstage compared to the hagerman Bugle. In all other respects seemed to outperform it. Can you comment on soundstage yet? I realize there's probably some break-in time needed as well. -Buck
 
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Hey Buck, it's too early to tell. I've also got another complicating factor, the step up transformer that I have to use with this pre to make it compatible with the DL103 I'm using. My regular phonostage is a dedicated MC unit. I wouldn't be able to tell you definitively right now how much of what I am hearing is affected by the SUTs.
 
Didn't see any of his kits currently available on the epay machine but he did have some matched jfets listed. I probably have most else needed for a scratch build so I grabbed the jfets for now. The kit does look super though. :yes:

Ive got a couple 12V/12 AH sealed lead acid batteries I can series for 24v. That's just a straight plug-in right or do I need to do something to limit current. Suppose a fuse might be a good idea.
 
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Very nice Nate. Did all the bits come with the kit? Was there a PS included or is that up to you? What are you going to do for a chassis? I always wanted to build a chassis out of faux marble (the stuff they use for counter tops...can't remember the name) with super tight seems then round it all up and polish it to look like just a chunk of marble sitter there.

Edit: Corrain.
 
jaymanaa said:
Since when are you running Edgars?:drool:
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Really? You don't remember helping me snag them out of Ron's basement? :D

Check this out:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=312137

djnagle said:
Very nice Nate. Did all the bits come with the kit? Was there a PS included or is that up to you? What are you going to do for a chassis?
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Thanks Dennis.

The kit includes the board, capacitors, resistors, and JFETs. The rest is up to you. Boozhound Labs sells a 24V power supply (read: wall wart) that I bought just because it was convenient. I think a nicer regulated power supply would probably be worth experimenting with. The RCAs and ground post I used are Vampires, and I'm still not sure what to do for an enlosure but I've got a stack of cigar boxes here that are starting to look kinda like phono preamps...
 
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Redboy said:
, and I'm still not sure what to do for an enlosure but I've got a stack of cigar boxes here that are starting to look kinda like phono preamps...
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If you go to a good sized HAM fest, you can find all sorts of really cool looking stuff with big knobs and all. Gut one of those and stuff it with the phono pre.....just a thought.
 
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