[{"id":458658578715,"handle":"amp-camp","title":"Amp Camp","updated_at":"2024-05-01T12:02:39+10:00","body_html":"\u003cp\u003eThe Do It Yourself or DIY project is now commonplace. The satisfaction of doing it yourself as well as the often substantial savings available can be very satisfying. We see TV shows encouraging people to take on home renovations, an undertaking that is far more complex than building a tube amp. And now there is Amp Camp, a supervised workshop that guarantees your success!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAmp Camp caters for all hobbyists, from those who may never have lifted a soldering iron all the way to trained radio engineers and electricians. Amp Camp offers the tools and space, the highest quality kits plus skilled guidance and a comfortable environment in which to build.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmp Camp is an enjoyable build experience, providing instruction in mastering the skills and using the tools as you build your own tube amp. It is about the practical rather than the theoretical. The objective is to successfully build your own tube amp. Your first camp day therefore starts with a short course in Soldering for mastering the techniques and avoiding the pitfalls, which if not understood, may compromise the project’s outcome. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca name=\"_Toc141965439\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003eOnsite Facilities\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmp Camp offers a dedicated, air conditioned, purpose-built workshop facility complete with coffee and music as well as a sumptuous lunch, sourced from one of our favourite local eateries. We are in Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains, right next door to Falls Lodge which means we can offer residential Amp Camp. All instruction, tools and materials are provided as part of your Camp. All you need bring is enthusiasm!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo order your Amp Camp, add your chosen amp project to the Cart. Next, choose the matching Amp Camp Build Experience option for your chosen model and add that to the Cart. In the Notes field in the Cart, nominate two or three possible dates. We will contact you to confirm a selection.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eView a short video of Amp Camp below:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2023-08-24T16:42:15+10:00","sort_order":"manual","template_suffix":"amp-camp","disjunctive":false,"rules":[{"column":"tag","relation":"equals","condition":"Amp Camp"}],"published_scope":"global"},{"id":458646126875,"handle":"audition-equipment","title":"Audition Equipment","updated_at":"2024-05-01T12:02:39+10:00","body_html":"Review our portfolio of tube amps and loudspeakers any of which may be assembled for comparative auditioning at our listening facility in the Blue Mountains.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUse the inquiry form below to request further information, to describe your interest, preferred dates ...\u003cbr\u003e","published_at":"2023-08-24T13:09:17+10:00","sort_order":"manual","template_suffix":"audition-equipment","disjunctive":false,"rules":[{"column":"tag","relation":"equals","condition":"audition"}],"published_scope":"global"},{"id":455015465243,"handle":"elekit","title":"Elekit","updated_at":"2024-05-01T12:02:39+10:00","body_html":"","published_at":"2023-07-27T15:05:31+10:00","sort_order":"best-selling","template_suffix":"","disjunctive":false,"rules":[{"column":"tag","relation":"equals","condition":"Elekit"}],"published_scope":"global"},{"id":455014908187,"handle":"preamplifiers","title":"Preamplifiers","updated_at":"2024-04-24T11:07:37+10:00","body_html":"","published_at":"2023-07-27T15:02:26+10:00","sort_order":"best-selling","template_suffix":"","disjunctive":false,"rules":[{"column":"tag","relation":"equals","condition":"Preamplifiers"}],"published_scope":"global"},{"id":455015268635,"handle":"tube-amp-kits","title":"Tube Amp Kits","updated_at":"2024-05-01T12:02:39+10:00","body_html":"Secret Chord Analogue can help you upgrade to a high-quality tube amplifier without you having to sell your soul at the crossroads.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYou can experience incredible sound, and incredible value for money, by building your own tube amplifier from one of the meticulously designed DIY kits we sell.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsing a kit to build your own tube amp is easier than you might think. You don’t need any experience with electronics, or with a soldering iron, and we provide expert support every step of the way.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere are two kit manufacturers we highly recommend: Australia’s own RedRoo and Elekit, Japan’s finest. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBoth manufacturers use A-grade components and their kits come with everything you need, including crystal clear instructions – you’d have to try extremely hard to make a mistake.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs well as incredible sound and value for money, these kits come with a special bonus: the satisfaction of having built it yourself! You’ll be glowing like one of the tubes on your amp for years to come.\u003cbr\u003e","published_at":"2023-07-27T15:04:03+10:00","sort_order":"manual","template_suffix":"amp-kits","disjunctive":false,"rules":[{"column":"tag","relation":"equals","condition":"Tube Amp Kits"}],"published_scope":"global"}]
This is a preamplifier kit with a built-in phono equalizer amplifier (MM cartridges), configured with tubes for all the signal stages. (In these two respects it differs from TU-8500).
Circuit description
The CR type RIAA equalizer circuit, which is considered to have excellent sound quality, is used. Furthermore, all time constant capacitors are DC bias superimposed, which is considered desirable for sound quality.
In the flat amplifier, a quadruple volume pot is used interlocking the volume control and gain control. If the input sensitivity of the power amplifier is low or the level of the sound source is low, a high gain is required for the preamplifier. However, the disadvantage of a high preamp gain is residual noise at low volumes. To overcome this, the TU-8550 uses a volume-gain linkage system in which the gain is lowered when the volume is lowered and increased when the volume is raised.
Volume and balance potentiometers are from the highly regarded Alps Alpine RK271 series.
Power Supply
The B power is rectified by a fast recovery diode and a slow-start stabilised power supply with MOSFETs provides better quality than tube type rectification. The A power supply (heater power supply) is also a full DC current system using LDO regulators to thoroughly eliminate hum noise.
Overview
This is a preamplifier kit with a built-in phono equalizer amplifier (MM cartridges), configured with tubes for all the signal stages. (In these two respects it differs from TU-8500).
Tube complement:
12AU7 x 2 (Electro Harmonix)
12AX7 x 4 (Electro Harmonix)
Circuit description
The CR type RIAA equalizer circuit, which is considered to have excellent sound quality, is used. Furthermore, all time constant capacitors are DC bias superimposed, which is considered desirable for sound quality.
In the flat amplifier, a quadruple volume pot is used interlocking the volume control and gain control. If the input sensitivity of the power amplifier is low or the level of the sound source is low, a high gain is required for the preamplifier. However, the disadvantage of a high preamp gain is residual noise at low volumes. To overcome this, the TU-8550 uses a volume-gain linkage system in which the gain is lowered when the volume is lowered and increased when the volume is raised.
Volume and balance potentiometers are from the highly regarded Alps Alpine RK271 series.
Power Supply
The B power is rectified by a fast recovery diode and a slow-start stabilised power supply with MOSFETs provides better quality than tube type rectification. The A power supply (heater power supply) is also a full DC current system using LDO regulators to thoroughly eliminate hum noise.
Very good design for adding a gain port together with Volume Controller port.
It is a tube sound preamp that most people like perhaps.
One weak point on design is the Regulator's Heatsink for Tubes Filament is not big enough. It is very hot when in normal operation. If we use in a Summer time that will be overheat. End up in a long run may caused solder dry joint or creak solder on the Regulator IC.
M
Matthew Thomas
Having a Go
The TU-8550 preamp with phono kit was not cheap in anyway. A very high quality pre amp that would be very expensive as a complete unit. Very easy to follow and doing it in a group would be an advantage. The sound and feel of the unit is outstanding. Matt
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