Become a Site Supporter and Never see Ads again!

Author Topic: $40 budget stealth noname pre: for noobs?!  (Read 5218 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline sunjan

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 2006
  • Gender: Male
  • Taping since 1988, 28 years of fine recordings...
    • Just a handful of stuff I put on etree
$40 budget stealth noname pre: for noobs?!
« on: March 24, 2009, 12:26:18 PM »
This surfaced on ebay recently:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370171960171

I don't expect the quality to be anything to write home about, but the price is hard to beat for noobs on a tight budget.

Since they offer shipping from several countries, you can avoid customs and long distance postage costs no matter where you live.
I don't think there are any other offerings where a noob in EU can get a stereo preamp incl. shipping for less than $50.

I've mailed a few question regarding gain (fixed or steppable?), plug-in power etc, which weren't covered in the FAQ.

One drawback is the odd powering option: one G27A 12V non-rechargeable battery. It remains to be seen how long the runtime is in a taper setting.

Technical data:
    * WIDE COMMON-MODE
    * LOW INPUT BIAS AND OFFSET CURRENT
    * LOW NOISE en = 15nV//Hz (typ)
    * OUTPUT SHORT-CIRCUIT PROTECTION
    * HIGH INPUT IMPEDANCE J–FET INPUT STAGE
    * LOW HARMONIC DISTORTION : 0.01% (typ)
    * INTERNAL FREQUENCY COMPENSATION
    * LATCH UP FREE OPERATION
    * HIGH SLEW RATE : 13V/ms (typ)

The line-in preamp is built with high speed J–FET input quad operational amplifiers incorporating well matched, high voltage J–FET and bipolar transistors in a monolithic integrated circuit. The devices feature high slew rates, low input bias and offset currents, and low offset voltage temperature coefficient.


Mics: A-51s LE, CK 930, Line Audo CM3, AT853Rx (hc,c,sc),  ECM 121, ECM 909A
Pres: Tinybox, CA-9100, UA5 wmod
Recorders: M10, H116 (CF mod), H340, NJB3
Gearbag: High Sierra Corkscrew
MD transfers: MZ-RH1. Tape transfers: Nak DR-1
Photo rig: Nikon D70, 18-70mm/3.5-4.5, SB-800

Offline rsimms3

  • Trade Count: (10)
  • Taperssection All-Star
  • ****
  • Posts: 1489
Re: $40 budget stealth noname pre: for noobs?!
« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2009, 08:37:38 PM »
sunjan you find some of the coolest stuff!

+t
FOR SALE - Check HERE

Offline sunjan

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 2006
  • Gender: Male
  • Taping since 1988, 28 years of fine recordings...
    • Just a handful of stuff I put on etree
Re: $40 budget stealth noname pre: for noobs?!
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2009, 03:43:03 AM »
sunjan you find some of the coolest stuff!

Too much time to kill at work, drooling at ebay stuff   ;D

Now we need a noob on a tight budget, that can take the plunge and test this POS. ;-)
Mics: A-51s LE, CK 930, Line Audo CM3, AT853Rx (hc,c,sc),  ECM 121, ECM 909A
Pres: Tinybox, CA-9100, UA5 wmod
Recorders: M10, H116 (CF mod), H340, NJB3
Gearbag: High Sierra Corkscrew
MD transfers: MZ-RH1. Tape transfers: Nak DR-1
Photo rig: Nikon D70, 18-70mm/3.5-4.5, SB-800

stevetoney

  • Guest
  • Trade Count: (0)
Re: $40 budget stealth noname pre: for noobs?!
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2009, 10:16:52 AM »
But _IF_ any noobs happen check out this thread and give some thought to buying this ebay preamp, you should also consider going to Chris Church AKA Church Audio and give some thought to buying one of his recycled 9000 or 9100 preamps for about the same price!!!  See link below.

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,110146.0.html
« Last Edit: March 25, 2009, 10:24:41 AM by tonedeaf »

Offline sunjan

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 2006
  • Gender: Male
  • Taping since 1988, 28 years of fine recordings...
    • Just a handful of stuff I put on etree
Re: $40 budget stealth noname pre: for noobs?!
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2009, 06:21:42 PM »
But _IF_ any noobs happen check out this thread and give some thought to buying this ebay preamp, you should also consider going to Chris Church AKA Church Audio and give some thought to buying one of his recycled 9000 or 9100 preamps for about the same price!!!  See link below.

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,110146.0.html

Neat! I didn't really see the used CA preamps being advertised anywhere, but if they're available it's a lot better value for money.
Although buyers in EU would still need to calculate customs on top of that, which might add another $40 or so on a bad day :-P

Mics: A-51s LE, CK 930, Line Audo CM3, AT853Rx (hc,c,sc),  ECM 121, ECM 909A
Pres: Tinybox, CA-9100, UA5 wmod
Recorders: M10, H116 (CF mod), H340, NJB3
Gearbag: High Sierra Corkscrew
MD transfers: MZ-RH1. Tape transfers: Nak DR-1
Photo rig: Nikon D70, 18-70mm/3.5-4.5, SB-800

Offline digifish_music

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection All-Star
  • ****
  • Posts: 1016
    • digifish music
Re: $40 budget stealth noname pre: for noobs?!
« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2009, 04:59:54 AM »
Ha, the first demo track at ebay matches your sig-pic...

http://www.gaurshop.com/ebay/mp3/linemic/1.mp3

:)
- What's this knob do?

nameloc01

  • Guest
  • Trade Count: (0)
Re: $40 budget stealth noname pre: for noobs?!
« Reply #6 on: March 28, 2009, 01:34:43 PM »
"
Now we need a noob on a tight budget, that can take the plunge and test this POS. ;-) "


LOL

Offline Nixoo

  • Trade Count: (5)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 119
  • Gender: Male
Re: $40 budget stealth noname pre: for noobs?!
« Reply #7 on: March 28, 2009, 06:41:09 PM »
If the this actually has gain steps, you'd be able to add zero gain and use it as a batterybox to power your mics? That's pretty interesting. Size of an CA-ugly, price of the ol' battbox. Good lookin' too!
Sunjan, have the gotten back to you about the adjustable gain?

Please, someone buy this and convince me I need one too *grin*.
Recorders: Edirol R-09, Zoom H2
Mics: Soundman OKMII Pop, AT853 (4.7k mod), DPA4061, CA11 Cards, CA11 Omi, CA14 Cards
CA-Ugly 2 preamp, SP BB, CA BB
Photo/Video: Panasonic TZ40, Panasonic LX100, Canon 550D

Offline Scooter123

  • "I am not an alcoholic. I am a drunk. Drunks don't go to meetings."
  • Trade Count: (9)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 3774
Re: $40 budget stealth noname pre: for noobs?!
« Reply #8 on: March 29, 2009, 11:39:20 AM »
Spy Shop and its internet retail shop make all sorts of microphones, croakie mounts, and other stuff suitable for stealth.  I haven't tried any of them, but based on their price, they are either an incredible bargain or low end stuff. 

Regards,
Scooter123

mk41 > N Box  > Sony M-10
mk4 > N Box > Sony M-10

Offline Church-Audio

  • Trade Count: (44)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 7571
  • Gender: Male
Re: $40 budget stealth noname pre: for noobs?!
« Reply #9 on: March 29, 2009, 11:57:50 AM »
My reaction is why does he need a quad opamp for a stereo preamp, especially with limited gain control?  But anyway, 15nV/rtHz is not particularly low noise, ~ -113dBA maybe.  Could be quieter than some inputs, maybe not all though.

I also expect Chris could build this fairly easily using his existing circuit, it's just a matter of the battery and battery access in the case.  These little 12V A27s have a mere 22mAh life, vs. 625mAh for a 9V.  At least I would think about using an A23 instead, that's 55mAh.

My favorite one is this "LOW HARMONIC DISTORTION : 0.01% (typ) " um yeah at what input voltage :) lol..
for warranty returns email me at
EMAIL Sales@church-audio.com

Offline sunjan

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 2006
  • Gender: Male
  • Taping since 1988, 28 years of fine recordings...
    • Just a handful of stuff I put on etree
Re: $40 budget stealth noname pre: for noobs?!
« Reply #10 on: April 01, 2009, 06:32:01 PM »
If the this actually has gain steps, you'd be able to add zero gain and use it as a batterybox to power your mics? That's pretty interesting. Size of an CA-ugly, price of the ol' battbox. Good lookin' too!
Sunjan, have the gotten back to you about the adjustable gain?

Finally got an answer from the seller. Seems that he has a very foggy notion about the specs.
Mic plugin power? 6-12V! ::)
Gain? Yes, freely adjustable.
Range? Umm, maybe +60dB or so? No kidding?!  ::)

Given these answers, you can't really trust any of the other specs mentioned. He's probably just making them up along the road...

For usage as a bbox, you'd probably still would have to figure out another battery type to power it like mshilarious mentioned, because of the weak runtime of that 12V batt.
Mics: A-51s LE, CK 930, Line Audo CM3, AT853Rx (hc,c,sc),  ECM 121, ECM 909A
Pres: Tinybox, CA-9100, UA5 wmod
Recorders: M10, H116 (CF mod), H340, NJB3
Gearbag: High Sierra Corkscrew
MD transfers: MZ-RH1. Tape transfers: Nak DR-1
Photo rig: Nikon D70, 18-70mm/3.5-4.5, SB-800

 

RSS | Mobile
Page created in 0.113 seconds with 35 queries.
© 2002-2024 Taperssection.com
Powered by SMF