Solid state preamp buffer | SSPB.V4
$224.00
The SSPB.V4 Solid State Preamp Buffer is an optional add-on daughter board for the ePot.V4 LDR preamp attenuator/controller board that turns the passive V4 into an active preamp with adjustable gain. The buffer board gives the V4 more sonic authority via a robust current drive while the adjustable gain provides the option of boosting the loudness of the unity gain passive V4. The SSPB plugs into the V4 using the same sockets normally occupied by the plug-in LDR module. The LDR module plug plugs into the SSPB instead such that we end up with a 3-layer cake of printed circuit boards. The SSBP is a direct coupled solid state buffer with an op amp input stage with adjustable gain followed by a discrete class A JFET output stage. The output stage is direct coupled with a manually adjustable trim pot to achieve near-zero DC offset.
Available on backorder
A solid state buffer with optional gain
The SSPB.V4 Solid State Preamp Buffer is an optional add-on daughter board for the ePot.V4 LDR preamp attenuator/controller board that turns the passive V4 into an active preamp with adjustable gain.
The buffer board gives the V4 more sonic authority via a robust current drive while the adjustable gain provides the option of boosting the signal level of the unity gain passive V4 for those systems that simply need gain to achieve desired loudness.
The SSPB plugs into the V4 using the same sockets normally occupied by the plug-in LDR module. The LDR module plug plugs into the SSPB instead such that we end up with a 3-layer cake of printed circuit boards with the V4 board on the bottom, the SSPB board in the middle, and the LDR module as the cherry on top.
The SSBP is a direct coupled solid state buffer with an op amp input stage with adjustable gain followed by a discrete class A JFET output stage. The output stage is direct coupled with a manually adjustable trim pot to achieve near-zero DC offset.
Power supply options
The SSPB.V4 buffer is powered by the same 5 volts as the ePot.V4 and passes this primary power on to the ePot.V4 preamp controller board. By default, the SSPB runs its 5 volts through a switching DC-DC boost converter to create the +/- 12 volt split voltage needed for its active input and output stages.
The SSPB has the option to instead have its 5 volts, +12 volts and -12 volts be supplied from an external power source. Tortuga Audio plans to offer an optional external low-noise linear power supply for the combined ePot/SSPB.V4 as a high performance alternative to using more common switched mode power sources. When powered externally, there are jumpers on the SSPB that must be manually relocated to enable the use of optional external power.
What’s included?
The following items are included by default with each SSPB.V4.
- The SSPB.V3 board with installed DC-DC converter
- Power supply source jumpers set to use the internal DC-DC converter
What’s not included that you also need?
The following items are required but are already present and available from your existing ePot.V4 board:
- Plug-in LDR module
- JST type power supply plug
SSPB.V4 technical manual
Tortuga Audio’s online product documentation system (“Docs”) provide a technical manual for for the SSPB.V4 describing the hardware and operation of the buffer in combination with the ePot.V4 board.