Modding a PAIA tube pre?

[Art Houston]

Over at Prosoundweb, there is an article for modifying a PAIA two channel tube mic preamp. Supposedly, this is available as a kit, and can be modified to improve its performance.

Has anyone used this preamp?
Has anyone made the mods?
Is this a good idea for me to get back up to speed in electronics before moving on to more advanced work?

Ideas?

[alk509]

Hey Art,

Originally posted by Art Houston:
Over at Prosoundweb, there is an article for modifying a PAIA two channel tube mic preamp. Supposedly, this is available as a kit, and can be modified to improve its performance.

Yeah, it's available as a kit from PAIA. Their kits are pretty good and the instructions guide you through every step of building. However...

Originally posted by Art Houston:
Has anyone used this preamp?
Has anyone made the mods?

I haven't tried a modded TMP, but the original sounds like sh*t, IMHO. It's hard for me to imagine a few mods improving the sound to the point where the thing is usable. It would certainly take some major redesigning. Then again...

Originally posted by Art Houston:
Is this a good idea for me to get back up to speed in electronics before moving on to more advanced work?

It probably is a good idea if you want to get up to speed in soldering, troubleshooting stuff, etc., but I would go for one of the many other pre-amp projects on Group DIY for which you have to make a PCB and stuff... It's more fun and you'll probably end up learning more, quicker.

Try Peter C's Green mic pre or Jakob's stuff.

Peace,
Al.