FS: Bigbottle Audio BB3 Tube Phonostage
jdjohn
Posts: 3,161
I am the original owner of this phonostage. I purchased it in 2022, as a hand-made, custom-built unit, made by a chap (Oliver/Ollie) in the UK, under the dba of Bigbottle Audio. I posted about it a couple of years ago here: https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/196639/big-bottle-audio-bb3-tube-phonostage?utm_source=community-search&utm_medium=organic-search&utm_term=bb3 This unit is spec'd for 120ACV, so it's all-good for usage in the US.
The BB3 is basically the Mk3 of his/Ollie's custom-designed tube phonostage. It utilizes two PCC88 tubes, and one ECC83/12AX7 (or optionally, a 6N2P) tube. Stock tubes included are two Matsushita for the PCC88 sockets, and one PSVane ECC83.
Below are some recent pics of the front and back, but please refer to the link above for more pics of the piece.
I like the simplicity and spaciousness of the chassis interior. There are no dip switches, inside or out - just one MM/MC flip switch on the rear panel, which basically adjusts gain. The amount of gain is dependent upon the tubes installed, so there is no 'official' gain spec.
The rear panel includes a pair of RCA jacks, labeled as (lower case) 'L' (both right and left; top and bottom), which are dedicated to impedance loading plugs for the MC phonostage. The lowercase 'l' stands for 'loading'.
Capacitance on these units (really only for MM carts) is customized to the specific build, and this one has a capacitance load of 97pF, which was the lowest Ollie could do (per my request). The Audyn caps in the signal path are no joke, but they can be upgraded/replaced by the user, if desired.
Additionally, there are a few forum discussions about these BB3 phonostages on diyaudio and audioaddicts, if you are so inclined to investigate. Apparently, there are a few mods that can be done to these units.
I will add, that my geographic location has always made me a victim to RFI from a nearby FM radio transmitter. However, RFI was NOT an issue with this unit, which was quite a relief. Perhaps, tube components make RFI less-likely to be a problem, or, perhaps, simply having more operating space inside the chassis provides adequate shielding. Either way, I've had zero RFI with this phonostage.
Having said all that, the tube 'sound/distortion' is present with this unit (when you put your ear up against a speaker/driver), so please be aware of that. But, I think the simplicity of the circuit minimizes the sound, and IMO, people accustomed to tubes will not have an issue with it. But make not mistake: this is not solid-state 'quiet'.
Getting back to tubes included: naturally, tube rolling is an option. In addition to the stock tubes (previously mentioned), I also have a few vintage tubes I have tried with this unit, and can include.
I'm looking for $1,000 (firm), and will include shipping to forum members who are in the lower 48, and are in good standing, with at least 200 posts. I can accept Paypal F&F, Venmo, or Zelle.
The BB3 is basically the Mk3 of his/Ollie's custom-designed tube phonostage. It utilizes two PCC88 tubes, and one ECC83/12AX7 (or optionally, a 6N2P) tube. Stock tubes included are two Matsushita for the PCC88 sockets, and one PSVane ECC83.
Below are some recent pics of the front and back, but please refer to the link above for more pics of the piece.
I like the simplicity and spaciousness of the chassis interior. There are no dip switches, inside or out - just one MM/MC flip switch on the rear panel, which basically adjusts gain. The amount of gain is dependent upon the tubes installed, so there is no 'official' gain spec.
The rear panel includes a pair of RCA jacks, labeled as (lower case) 'L' (both right and left; top and bottom), which are dedicated to impedance loading plugs for the MC phonostage. The lowercase 'l' stands for 'loading'.
Capacitance on these units (really only for MM carts) is customized to the specific build, and this one has a capacitance load of 97pF, which was the lowest Ollie could do (per my request). The Audyn caps in the signal path are no joke, but they can be upgraded/replaced by the user, if desired.
Additionally, there are a few forum discussions about these BB3 phonostages on diyaudio and audioaddicts, if you are so inclined to investigate. Apparently, there are a few mods that can be done to these units.
I will add, that my geographic location has always made me a victim to RFI from a nearby FM radio transmitter. However, RFI was NOT an issue with this unit, which was quite a relief. Perhaps, tube components make RFI less-likely to be a problem, or, perhaps, simply having more operating space inside the chassis provides adequate shielding. Either way, I've had zero RFI with this phonostage.
Having said all that, the tube 'sound/distortion' is present with this unit (when you put your ear up against a speaker/driver), so please be aware of that. But, I think the simplicity of the circuit minimizes the sound, and IMO, people accustomed to tubes will not have an issue with it. But make not mistake: this is not solid-state 'quiet'.
Getting back to tubes included: naturally, tube rolling is an option. In addition to the stock tubes (previously mentioned), I also have a few vintage tubes I have tried with this unit, and can include.
I'm looking for $1,000 (firm), and will include shipping to forum members who are in the lower 48, and are in good standing, with at least 200 posts. I can accept Paypal F&F, Venmo, or Zelle.
"This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
Comments
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bump for the new week"This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon -
Price drop to $800"This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon -
Bump"This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon -
Price drop to $700"This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon -
Sold elsewhere"This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon