Summary of JFET Moving Coil (MC) Pre-Preamp Kit
The Boozhound Labs JFET Moving Coil (MC) Pre-Preamp Kit is a minimalist JFET-based MC pre-preamp PCB kit that provides about 30 dB gain. The kit includes the PCB, passive components, Russian K40Y coupling capacitors, Nichicon Muse filter caps, and four standoffs; users must supply a chassis, 12–24 VDC power, and connectors. Its small parts count lets experienced builders assemble it quickly, and it measures about 4 x 2 x 1.625 inches with standoffs.
Parts used in the JFET Moving Coil (MC) Pre-Preamp Kit:
- Printed circuit board (PCB)
- 2SK170 JFET
- Passive resistors
- Passive capacitors
- Russian K40Y paper-in-oil coupling capacitors
- Nichicon Muse electrolytic filter capacitors
- Four mounting standoffs
- Other small passive components to populate the PCB (unspecified)
I received the Boozhound Labs JFET Moving Coil (MC) Pre-Preamp Kit a while back and I promptly assembled the small circuit board. I’m a sucker for a simple kit and a hot iron. That is where it all stopped. The circuit board remained complete and laying about for a few years. Recently I required another MC stage because the tube moving-magnet (MM) preamp I had just completed did not work all that well with the Jean Hiraga MC stage I had been using for years. It appeared the Hiraga had too much output and was over-driving the tube stage.
So I needed another MC stage.I borrowed a friends Denon MC step-up-transformer (SUT) unit. The system sounded better with the SUT driving the tube MM stage but also sounded a bit dull. This finally pushed me to complete the Boozhound Labs MC Pre-Preamp kit.The Boozhound Laboratories JFET Moving Coil Pre-preamp kit includes PCB and all passive components to populate the PCB. Four Stand-offs for mounting the PCB are included. You have to provide your own chassis, power supply (12-24VDC), and various connectors. The Boozhound Laboratories JFET Moving Coil Pre-preamp kit features:
- Minimalist circuit using the 2SK170 JFET;
- ~30dB gain;
- Russian K40Y paper-in-oil coupling capacitors;
- Nichicon Muse electrolytic filter capacitors;
- nice quality PCB (made in USA);
- circuit requires external 12-24VDC power supply (batteries work well);
- Assembled dimensions (height with included standoffs): 4 x 2 x 1.625 (inches).
The MC PrePre kit only has a handful of components and for the practiced DIYer the whole soldering chore can be over in less than an hour
For more detail:
JFET Moving Coil (MC) Pre-Preamp Kit
- What does the Boozhound Labs JFET Moving Coil Pre-Preamp Kit include?
The kit includes the PCB, all passive components to populate the PCB, Russian K40Y coupling capacitors, Nichicon Muse filter capacitors, and four standoffs. - What do I need to provide to complete the kit?
You must provide a chassis, a 12–24 VDC power supply (batteries work well), and various connectors. - What JFET does the circuit use?
The circuit uses the 2SK170 JFET. - How much gain does the pre-preamp provide?
The pre-preamp provides approximately 30 dB of gain. - What are the assembled dimensions with standoffs?
The assembled dimensions with included standoffs are about 4 x 2 x 1.625 inches. - Is the PCB quality good?
Yes, the kit includes a nice quality PCB made in USA. - How long does it take to assemble the kit?
For a practiced DIYer, soldering can be completed in less than an hour. - Are batteries an acceptable power source?
Yes, batteries work well as the external 12–24 VDC power supply.
