Top ten tube preamps

Atma,

It's a linestage. I already have a phono stage that is good down to .1mV cartridges, so I'm covered there.

Swampwalker,

I think it sounds great, probably because I made it to sound the way I like my music to sound. Next project is a 200+wpc SET to go along with it; I'm accumulating the parts now, with the transformers being the most challenging, but I've got a good line on those now. The LTspice simulations look great, at 218wpc with zero negative feedback.

The main character in the 200W SET saga:

The 833C

BTW, it's also a DHT, just a multi-kilovolt B+ version.

Ait- Ah, the famed 833C. WAVAC fans will be jealous ;-) Do you do the casework yourself? I'm thinking the amp will be quite breathtaking! And I am totally in awe of ee types who understand the technical stuff.

Emotive Epifania
Emotive Sira
Pathos InControl
Joule Electra
Nick Doshi

Swampwalker,

I do some of the casework, farm some of it out when it's past the level of my drill press and Greenlee punches. Chrome work is done by a local plating shop that usually does bumpers and exhaust pipes; they were amused when I told them what the plates from my preamp were for.

The 833 will be a true challenge, and I expect it to take the better part of this year to complete. When you're talking thousands of volts the parts are harder to find and a lot more expensive, and every connection must be triple-checked before the ultra high voltage gets anywhere near it. I'm still working out the safety systems to ensure no electrocutions or fires result.

That said, it should be fun!