FS: Welborne Labs Ultrapath BP Tube Pre-Amp - Battery Powered
dorokusai
Posts: 25,577
Welborne Labs Ultrapath BP Tube Pre-Amp - 9/10 - Bubinga Wood/Black - *SOLD* to SolidSqual
If you're looking for a true high-end pre-amp, this is it. Not to mention, battery powered so there's no possiblilty of AC line interference. I've used this for a few weeks and it's been ultra-quiet and alot of fun. The build quality is top notch and the woodwork is absolutely beautiful.
Take some time to read about this unit in the link provided above.
The unit was built by Welborne Labs, Jack Eliano and was NOT a kit, although it's available in that form. It has about 230 hours on it and is <1 year old.
Amperex Bugle Boy tubes are included as well as the standard 12aH batteries AND the optional 20aH batteries for longer playtime. The standard 12aH battery offers about 3 hours of playtime. The unit comes standard with a battery charger/AC power supply w/ all neccesary cabling neatly dressed in techflex style braiding. I tossed some Dynamat into the AC/DC Charger as it was a little hollow sounding and since its made of plastic, it needed some tweaking.
I was also impressed with the documentation provided as it's extensive to say the least. Welborne describes the entire build, including complete component level schematics of the various stages in incredible detail in a 49 page Owners Manual. It comes with remote control and uses a trick 60 step attentuator design that includes it's own 26 page documentation describing various options and other aspects of the pre-amp guts.
Specifications:
Frequency Response - 10 to 70Khz (+0, -2dB)
Harmonic Distortion - .045% @ 1V output, .07% @ 5V output
Voltage Output - 5.5V rms maximum
Gain - 10dB
S/N Ratio - ~90dB (tube dependent)
Voltage - 115/230Vac 50/60Hz
Input Impedence - 20kohms
Output Impedence - <600 ohms (<300 ohms headphone)
If you have any questions or comments, drop me a line. I can't include shipping on this, since the batteries make it fairly heavy but I get great rates and it will be packed to withstand a nuclear blast. I may ship it in two boxes for safety. Thanks for reading.
Includes: Pre-Amp in Bubinga Wood, Bugle Boy Tubes, Power Supply/Battery Charger, Original Packaging, 12aH & 20aH 6V Batteries, Original Documentation and all necesary cabling.
S599PBULW
If you're looking for a true high-end pre-amp, this is it. Not to mention, battery powered so there's no possiblilty of AC line interference. I've used this for a few weeks and it's been ultra-quiet and alot of fun. The build quality is top notch and the woodwork is absolutely beautiful.
Take some time to read about this unit in the link provided above.
The unit was built by Welborne Labs, Jack Eliano and was NOT a kit, although it's available in that form. It has about 230 hours on it and is <1 year old.
Amperex Bugle Boy tubes are included as well as the standard 12aH batteries AND the optional 20aH batteries for longer playtime. The standard 12aH battery offers about 3 hours of playtime. The unit comes standard with a battery charger/AC power supply w/ all neccesary cabling neatly dressed in techflex style braiding. I tossed some Dynamat into the AC/DC Charger as it was a little hollow sounding and since its made of plastic, it needed some tweaking.
I was also impressed with the documentation provided as it's extensive to say the least. Welborne describes the entire build, including complete component level schematics of the various stages in incredible detail in a 49 page Owners Manual. It comes with remote control and uses a trick 60 step attentuator design that includes it's own 26 page documentation describing various options and other aspects of the pre-amp guts.
Specifications:
Frequency Response - 10 to 70Khz (+0, -2dB)
Harmonic Distortion - .045% @ 1V output, .07% @ 5V output
Voltage Output - 5.5V rms maximum
Gain - 10dB
S/N Ratio - ~90dB (tube dependent)
Voltage - 115/230Vac 50/60Hz
Input Impedence - 20kohms
Output Impedence - <600 ohms (<300 ohms headphone)
If you have any questions or comments, drop me a line. I can't include shipping on this, since the batteries make it fairly heavy but I get great rates and it will be packed to withstand a nuclear blast. I may ship it in two boxes for safety. Thanks for reading.
Includes: Pre-Amp in Bubinga Wood, Bugle Boy Tubes, Power Supply/Battery Charger, Original Packaging, 12aH & 20aH 6V Batteries, Original Documentation and all necesary cabling.
S599PBULW
CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
Post edited by dorokusai on
Comments
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There sure are some fine amplifiers available in the flea market that would match up quite nicely with this pre-amp.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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Cool preamp, for sure. Tubes on DC is uber quiet.
The standard batteries are IN the case, like the Dodd Battery pre. Someone should snag this up at this price, insane.
Cheers,
RussCheck your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service. -
Just a pic.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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Price reduced for enviromental reasons.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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Interesting piece of gear.
Have you run any of the higher plate voltage equivalents in it (6DJ8, 6922, 7308)? If so, can you comment on the sonic differences if any? -
Mike - No I haven't found anything to dislike about the current tube compliment to worry about it. I would imagine the sonics to be a little different but nothing miraculous.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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PM Sent
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I'll email you a little later, thanks for the PM.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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Cool
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Still available? Price? Does it have the headphone output option?
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$995, still available. The headphone output tap is present but it hasn't been wired to a headphone jack.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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PM Sent. I want it.
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Sold, thanks Michael. See you in email.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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SolidSqual, FWIW, I have played with the 6GM8 tubes quite a bit. So a friendly advise, don't waste money on tube rolling. To the best of my knowledge and experience, most, if not all, 6GM8's were made by Amperex. They could be made in different plants (Germany or Holland) but don't sound different enough for my rusty ears. Also, the circuit for 6GM8 has too low plate voltage to run 6DJ8, 6922, or 7308. It is a degradation to drop these tubes into this preamp because this circuitry won't provide the optimal operating points of the higher voltage brothers. The Ultrapath circuitry is very nature and transparent. You will hear new "goods" and "bads" of the source that you didn't hear before, you are warned :-) You have scored a great deal!!
BlueMDPicker, the 6GM8 has the typical Amperex 6DJ8/6922 sonic signature. I will say closer to 6DJ8 than 6922 - more fluid in mid and a touch shy on the bottom.
-fredv- -
Fred - Great comments, thanks for posting them.
Welborne Labs has an excellent selection of 6GM8 available for rolling, if that ever becomes the case. Like I said to Mike, the Bugle Boys in it now are wonderful but I know how folks like to play and YMMV, as always.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Hi Mark,Fred - Great comments, thanks for posting them.
Welborne Labs has an excellent selection of 6GM8 available for rolling, if that ever becomes the case. Like I said to Mike, the Bugle Boys in it now are wonderful but I know how folks like to play and YMMV, as always.
What are you doing at this hours? Watching me outside :-)
I have all those 6GM8's listed at Welborne site, all are Amperex rebranded!! If somehow SolidSqual needs a replacement later or do want to try a different one, go for the lower price one. One of the best kept secret, Amperex quality at dirt cheap GE price :cool:
-fredv- -
Fred - No, just working doubles and I'll have to hit your house tomorrow
I know about the Amperex, much like Fisher branded Telefunken. You know most tube rollers like to collect so he'll be ok.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Hey Guys,
Thanks for all the feedback. The info. regarding the tubes give me quite a lot of comfort to know I can by any old Amperex out there. This was not the case with my RA metis. It took e quite a while to find the right tube that was both quiet and dynamic. Ultimately, I found two, the Sylvania 6sn7GTA and the Brimar CV1988. Unfortunately, the Sylvania is failry hard to find with specs good enough for preamps and the Brmar is next to impossible to locate! I'm pumped. I love tubes, but finding the right ones is a pain. The Metis was an amazing preamp, but god tube-rollng was mandatory! -
Payment Sent.
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Hey SolidSqual,
Not sure you still have the Metis, this is the best 6SN7's that I have listened. So far, I have not found anyone selling this except this ebay seller who always sells 2 at a time.
-fredv- -
I'm actually trying to unload the Metis, unless I can find a good reason to keep it and the Welborne. Anyone got a good reason for me?
Fredv - Are you the same guy who makes the Signal Cables? If so, you are my hero! -
Hee hee, I wish, but I am notSolidSqual wrote: »Fredv - Are you the same guy who makes the Signal Cables? If so, you are my hero!
Good luck with your sale on the Metis.
-fredv- -
Solid - I just found something black on top of my 2CH rig....the remote control. It's going out Priority Mail tomorrow...sorry. It will probably be there at the same time UPS rolls into your town.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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Haha . . . isn't it a remote-only preamp? I would have bummed out had you discovered this later. Now worries man, I got Finals coming up and no time to listen to music anyway. I appreciate the notice.
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It figures...I was thinking about it all day and when I got home, plain as day...sitting on the CDP. FOOK!
The small batteries are fully charged and I think you are correct, it's remote control driven. I'll get it to you faster.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
God this amp is gorgeous . . . what I wouldn't give for a remote . . . I hooked it up to my system to see what it would sound like in the component line. Shocking! It's dead frickin' quiet. Quite a difference from anything I have ever heard. I mean dead silence. I put my ear up to the tweeter and thought I heard a hizzing, then I realized it was my own breathing! God I am excited. Where is that remote. I need to turn this baby up . . . Thanks for the excellent deal dorokusai.
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It should have been there yesetrday but my postman acted as if he didn't know what a pre-paid label was and left it in the box until the next day.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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No worries. I've got a lot of studying done this weekend because the remote is not here. You have done me a favor my friend.
By the way, your packing technique is off the frickin' hook. I thought the preamp was going to be an enormous monster when it arrived. By the time I dug the unit out of the quicksand of styrofoam pellets and cut through the 50 million layers of bubble wrap, I stepped back to look at this little box of wood and metal . . . my girlfriend walked by and said, "awww it's cute." haha. -
congrats on your new toy !
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:cool: -
SolidSqual wrote: »No worries. I've got a lot of studying done this weekend because the remote is not here. You have done me a favor my friend.
By the way, your packing technique is off the frickin' hook. I thought the preamp was going to be an enormous monster when it arrived. By the time I dug the unit out of the quicksand of styrofoam pellets and cut through the 50 million layers of bubble wrap, I stepped back to look at this little box of wood and metal . . . my girlfriend walked by and said, "awww it's cute." haha.
LOL. I have a reputation to uphold....and it ain't much but I can pack gear. The remote will be there tomorrow. I really liked the simplicity of the aesthetics and the wood is gorgeous.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
