Bottlehead Eros

[Rockman Rock]

Months back a friend brought his Bottlehead Reduction phono preamp with Integration upgrade over. I really liked the sound, so I was going to build one. Carl even heard it when he was here for Axpona. 

Aaron said get the Eros and we can compare them. So I did. In the next few weeks we'll hook up and do the compare. Mine is a stock build but they do supply some nice parts with the Eros. The Eros (50dB gain) is like $200 more then the Reduction/Integration upgrade (40dB gain). It sports two EF86 tubes used in microphones for first gain stage, a 6DJ8/6922/7308 output tube and one 12BH7 voltage regulator.

Ah, nothing like a cluttered bench, a hot iron and the smell of Cardas Quad Eutectic solder! Paint used on top plate is Rust-Oleum gloss enamel.





I either like burn in or I had some trouble on start up..



I have a LOMC (AT33PTG/II, .3mV). I use my diy two speed Cinemag SUT to boost the gain. Low speed has ~26dB of gain so I end up with 76dB total. I like a min of 70dB with LOMC carts. It sounds pretty good right off the bench!. Once I get some time on it, I'll stick some nicer tubes in it than the supplied ones. I also need to work on my wood working skills.....
 

[schwarcw]

Looking good Rockman! 

First class DIY workmanship.  Aaron's Bottlehead sounded fantastic.  I'm guessing this will take it up a notch.  I think Bearjew was contemplating a DIY phono stage.  He should consider this one. 

Melody Gardot is crooning you!

I see that wood case could also be used for kindling LOL!

[Rockman Rock]

Thanks Carl! How's this for a base? Pic of my crotch..........................walnut. Just one coat of Tung oil. My woodworking friend Aaron fooled me. He said it was Tongue oil, go to a tattoo parlor for it...

[Resident]

Now that looks really nice.  I love that base.  Good job.

[Rockman Rock]

Thanks! I routed some material out between the corners for that footer look and added some spikes. Still oiling, but almost done.

[schwarcw]

Looking good Rich!  How does it compare to other phono preamps that you have used?

[Rockman Rock]

Hey Carl! It compares really well! Lots of changes in the system over the years so no direct compare, except with Aaron's Reduction/Integration upgrade and that Pro-Ject phono box I have.

The Eros has incredible bass (even better than the Krell Reference SS stage), not bloated or exaggerated. Nice smooth midrange and airy, open highs. Not overly warm sounding, just right for me.  Melody sounds wonderful!

[schwarcw]

Man that wood grain is so rich and deep.  Beautiful swirls and color!  I am spurtin wood here myself LOL!

[Rockman Rock]

All fini!

Inside...



Outside pic....

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

Just beautiful.   Congrats.

[schwarcw]

WOW!  Just wow!

Do you need some tube dampers?

[Rockman Rock]

Thanks for the kind words!

Do you need some tube dampers?

Dampers? Air dampers?    If yous got some extras....sure! I have some Herbies but not enough and they are kinda pricey. They have a couple O rings each on the tubes in my ARC Ref 3. Never took 'em off to hear a difference. I am making an extra wide top shelf for my VTI rack. The Eros will sit next to turntable then.

One last detail a gold plated Cardas ground lug. The paint was hard enough (baked on from heat!) to finally wax the black...