okay so i can buy two kits and a psu for £100 or the dmp3 for £150. With a case and little bits (knobs, solder etc) they probably work out the same price. So i am wondering what you recommend, also i have little experience with diy electronics (i did put a light on my xbox controller ) so i was going to but some little vellman kits to play with.
Wow, there seem to be a lot of DIY threads popping up.
I'd get the JLM kits, without any shadow of a doubt. The type of sound you get out of them will depend on what opamp and tranny combination you use but all the ones sold by JLM are good.
If you need any support Joe (and his trusty sidekick Matt) are very responive to email or you can use the baby Animal thread over at the group DIY forum:
Kits are easy to build and are a good introduction to electronics. I had naff all experience or knowledge before I built my first kit and it worked out OK for me (with some help from the guys at group DIY).
I agree...Kits are a Great way to get you hands wet at electronix and there kits are very easy to build as the Documentation is very good and you will get a much better quality pre amp.....
The only thing I suggest before you start the Kit make sure your Soldering Skills are up to Snuff because some of the Traces on the PCB"s are very small and messy soldering will cause shorts which will cause you problems..Also you gotta know what Components are polarized and which aren"t so you put them in useing the Correct orientation (EG: Electrolytic Capacitors are Polarized but Ceramic and Poly Caps aren"t and Diodes are Polarized but resistors aren"t ect)...
I personally haven"t used a Kit myself as I like to work from scratch but I would like to try a couple channels of a kit when I get some money..(Which will be never....The life of a Starving Musician )...
Well good luck on your project and if you need any general electronix advice check out the Prodigy Pro Forum as there is lots of helpfull info on Building Amps and Pre amps and other electronix Info and they will help you out if you have a particular Problem......
Cheers
PS: Dont forget to get a Multi-Meter..(I got one that measures everything Includeing testing Capacitance, Diode"s, Transistors and Circuit Continuity for $8 + shipping on ebay)
JLM..no question...use good opamps and it will smoke the cheap stuff out there...Joe doesn't float any crap..the guy knows his stuff and is really helpful..
Look at the schematic and notice the similarities to another highly regarded pre?
(DAV anyone?)...SCA also has a transformerless double balanced kit for sale as well....