I'm new here, so maybe I'm off base, but a phono amp w/ standard mm 47k input; required gain (40db?- probably requires 12AX7's?); 2v output; optional volume control for those who want to drive an amp directly.

2nd choice (while I'm at it  ;D) a tube dac; 2v output; again- optional volume control for CD-only guys.

Make 'em look just like Plates (and/or CSP's).

3rd choice (hell, I'm on a roll here  :P) a line router with 4 inputs and 2 outputs (MAD has one). Imagine: Phono on input #1; Tuner on input#2; Tape Deck on input #3 (yeah, tape deck  :o); and CD (or dac) on input #4. Then on output #1: your Plate pre or CSP); and on output #2: your headphone amp or a line to your tape deck. (output switchable)

What about it?  

(this is fun..)

WEEZ

I wish the plate had not increased in price so much. $250 is much less of a DIY venture than $380.  But I guess good sound is for the well funded. I'm wondering what part(s) experienced that dramatic of an increase.

A dac that accepts a usb input would be great.  Hook the computer straight to the dac and on to the radials.

craig

[quote author=WEEZ  link=1061610565/75#76 date=1105062527]I'm new here, so maybe I'm off base, but a phono amp w/ standard mm 47k input; required gain (40db?- probably requires 12AX7's?); 2v output; optional volume control for those who want to drive an amp directly.

WEEZ [/quote]

Weez,

At one point there was a "no brainer phono preamp" on the bleeding edge of release along the lines of your wish list, which is along the lines of my wish list, also. ¡Yo quiero!

I'm not sure if it was a plate project or not, but the idea vanished, like a midsummer night's dream.

I hereby revive that dream.

Karl

Weez,

My understanding was that the "no brainer phono preamp" was very near release, but that there was a hum problem that plagued the final design.

Karl

I wish for a ZenMic pre kit.  Because of budget constraints many people who have project studios at home use one of the many cheap ($40-$200) micpre's that are out there.  A lot of these units that do have a tube in them often sound like crap when the gain is turned up or they add a bunch of noise (or both).  A single channel, balanced (XLR) ZenMic kit would be a big hit with both home and pro recordists.  Phantom power would be nice, a good VU meter would be useful, and a unity setting could be helpful for inserting into effects loops.  With such a huge market in the recording business I can see this unit easily becoming Decware's primary product if it is as high quality as everything else that you guys make.  I'm sure that once word got out professional studios would buy them up like hotcakes.  Such a product could put Decware on the radars of a lot more people out there.

Hey, so WHAT ever DID happen to that no brainer phono pre? that was several months ago...  ???