Preamp module from Ebay is great!

[V-bro]

I have ordered a preamp module from Ebay which works pretty nice.

It has nicely solder really thick dual layer fibre boards, a bunch of input switching relays that can be remotely switched or with a rotary switch knob. There are also led outputs to place on the front panel of your amp along with some text like "CD", "AUX", and four more... There are more nicely done details, like next to some of the header connectors there is a slot in the PCB where you can route the flatcables directly through to the bottom! Also there are Sanyo caps used, an Atmel AT89C51 microcontroller and nice Takamishawa relays for the source selection.

The nice thing about it is that when you switch to another input it will first turn the volume knob all the way down, then switch to the other input and turn it up a little again to be adjusted further to your own liking. During this procedure the led will blink until it is ready and set on the other input. The down side to it is that it takes a little long to switch inputs. The plus is that the led will switch quick, so you at least will quickly know what input you have chosen.

Another small down side is that it is a 100Kohm potentiometer that is being used, but I'd figure it can be swapped for a lower value. It is a fine quality ALPS and I know http://www.selectronic.fr sell these motorised in ALPS blue quality. I have chosen the four channel version, but there is also a six channel version allowing to be used for a 5.1 full active system. Or use the four for a biamped stereo system and the six for a triamped three way stereo system.

I still have to feed it some audio, so maybe the 100K value is not so bad, we'll see! Stay tuned!

Oh, here it is:
http://cgi.ebay.com/4-way-Motorized-...item35a4e14beb

Here's some more remote kits sold by the same shop:
http://stores.ebay.com/DIY-Gene_Remo...34Q2ec0Q2em322

I basically have bought the cheapest first, but I have also ordered a V02 module yet to arrive, I'll let you guys know what I think of that one!

Oh and I gotta hand it to this guy, he answered all my email really quick and sent me the kit really quick as well!

------For first power-up testing don't have the large power supply caps installed yet!!!------

[V-bro]

I just thought of it if you want to use it as stereo 50K log you can simply parallel the pot channels because there are four 100K channels. If you take the six channel version you can even parallel into 33K stereo!

[teflondon]

I just thought of it if you want to use it as stereo 50K log you can simply parallel the pot channels because there are four 100K channels. If you take the six channel version you can even parallel into 33K stereo!

I will have to be sure and remember this.

[Rasped]

What are the news with this V-Bro? any listening so far? How is the sound?

[V-bro]

Hi, well I had no time to put it to use so far. About the sound, it should not sound much different than a passive pot and selector. Basically it isn't much more than that, only with a bit of logic stuff added for the remote functions and rotaty encoder....