What is the SSBM.V4? The SSBM.V4 is a solid state audio buffer module that plugs into the ePotPi.V4 Stepped Attenuator & Preamp Controller board in order to convert the V4 from a passive to an active preamp/attenuator. The purpose of an audio buffer is to act as a current or energy amplifier. An energy amplifier…
About this manual This manual is being frequently edited and updated and is subject to change without notice. This manual describes the design basis, hardware and operation of the LPS5.V4 linear power supply. The LPS5.V4 is a classic linear power supply that provides up to 1 amp of clean 5 volt DC power. It’s designed…
About this manual This manual describes the design basis, hardware features and interfaces of the ePot V4 LDR attenuator & preamp controller, generally referred to as the V4. This manual is being frequently edited and updated and is subject to change without notice. The control and operation of the V4 is covered in a separate…
Commissioning information for setting up a new or replacement ePot.V3 Max board
Tortuga Audio preamp owners can initiate self-calibration of their installed LDRs on demand in order to maintain optimal performance and initialize any new replacement LDR.
Describes the physical hardware and installation of the ePot.V3 Max (the “V3” or “Max” ) electronic stepped attenuator & remote controlled preamp controller
The following information is for Tortuga Audio preamps based on the V2 preamp controller with a 7-segment LED display. If you have a V25 preamp please consult the main page for a separate section on V25 controls. Identifying a V2 preamp Some V25 preamps also use 7-segment displays. There are 3 ways to tell if your…
Application The following information is for Tortuga Audio preamps based on the V25 preamp controller with the OLED display. If you have an earlier model that uses the original 7-segment display, please consult the menu for a separate section on V25 control with 7-segment display. The Apple remote The following information is for Tortuga Audio…
The Tortuga Audio Remote is a custom 15 key infrared remote transmitter that uses the NEC IR protocol and is powered by 2 AA batteries. The Tortuga Audio Remote has the following control functions: Power: Toggles the LDRx power on if off, and off if on. Raise (Volume Control Mode): A brief press will raise the…
Tortuga Audio’s LDR preamp attenuators & controllers have the unique ability for users to change their input impedance to optimize their performance.
About this manual This document primarily describes the physical hardware and installation of the ePot.V3 Mini (the “Mini” ) panel mounted electronic stepped attenuator. The detailed operation and control of the Mini will likely be covered in another manual once it’s ready. What is the ePot.V3 Mini? The ePot.V3 Mini (the “Mini” ) is a…
The following information is for Tortuga Audio preamps based on the V25 preamp controller (released April 2017) with 7-segment LED display. If you have a preamp with the newer OLED graphic display please consult the main page for a separate section on V25 controls with OLED display. The Apple remote The Apple Remote shown below…
Tortuga Audio LDR stepped attenuators allow for user adjustment of input impedance from 1k-100k to optimize preamp performance.
Instructions and firmware files for updating the firmware for the V3 series of stepped attenuators and preamp coantrollers
The rotary encoder Different than a potentiometer Encoders differ from conventional potentiometers in the following ways: Encoder control functions Encoders with V25 preamps with OLED displays have the control functions listed below. The encoder is unique in that it is the only way to cause the preamp to enter into remote “pairing” mode to pair…
Application The files below are for use solely with various Tortuga Audio preamp products that use the V2 or V2.1 preamp controller boards. Use the appropriate firmware version for your model. If you select the wrong version for your preamp no harm will come to your unit. However, it may not work properly and will…
LDRs can fail yet are easily identifiable and replaceable with socketed plug-in LDR modules.
A DIY preamp controller/attenuator  The LDR3x (aka the “V1”) is a preamp controller in the form of a partially populated 2.5 inch by 4.7 inch printed circuit board that is marketed to the do-it-yourself (DIY) audio enthusiast who wishes to build their own preamp. Insofar as the LDR3x lacks a power supply, controls or enclosure…
Who should read this section? If you’re new to Tortuga Audio preamps and/or you are considering updating the firmware of your V25 based preamp for the first time, then we recommend you read this section first. If you’re a tech savvy audiophile who everyone comes to for help with their computers then you can probably…
Overview This manual provides a basic overview of the hardware and operation of the LDR3000T tube preamplifier. Because the LDR3000T preamp is built around the V25 preamp controller, detailed operating instructions are available in the online documentation on the V25 controller. Enclosure box The enclosure shown in the photo above is composed of 2 identical…
The RCA jack Single-ended audio means there’s only a one audio signal referenced to ground per channel. RCA jacks are used for single-ended audio. The wiring of single-ended RCA jacks is relatively simple. There are 2 connections to the RCA jack: 1) The center pin carries the actual audio signal; and, 2) The outer shell…
What is the SSPB.V2? The SSPB.V2 is a 2-stage solid state preamp buffer kit that employs a high quality audio op amp input (voltage gain) stage followed by a JFET output (current gain) stage. The input stage op amp can operate at unity gain or can optionally provide a modest amount of gain (voltage amplification)….
Overview As of June 2021 and release of firmware version 2.2.3 or above, the V3 Max electronic stepped attenuator & preamp controller is capable of balanced audio attenuation using a pair of Max boards. Wiring for balanced audio attenuation can be challenging for the simple reason that it’s more complex than wiring single-ended RCA audio…
3 pin XLR wiring Balanced audio signals typically use XLR type 3-pin connections. XLR wiring is unavoidably more complex than single-ended RCA. First, you are dealing with three (3) terminations per channel; two signals (pin 2 and pin 3) plus one shield/ground (pin 1). Next, you have both male (output) and female (input) type connectors…
An IO board for the LDR3x (V1) The IO3 (input/output) Relay Board can be interfaced with the LDR3x Preamp Controller Board (versions 1 or 2) to enable switching between up to 3 audio input signals. There are 2 versions of the IO3 board: the original IO3.1D and the current IO3.2A. Pictures of both versions are…
Variations The following instructions are intended for the LDR3.V25K Passive Preamp kit. Earlier versions of this kit included dual 7-segment displays. These were later replaced with the newer OLED display. The instructions herein have information for both display types. A balanced version of this kit was also offered. There are references to a balanced version…
The OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display assembly combines a 3.2 inch, 256 x 64 pixel OLED graphic screen with a custom adapter board, a rotary encoder, and an infrared receiver module to create an integrated OLED display assembly for Tortuga Audio’s LDR stepped attenuator and preamp controllers.
The OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display assembly combines a 3.2 inch, 256 x 64 pixel OLED graphic screen with a custom adapter board, a rotary encoder, and an infrared receiver module to create an integrated OLED display assembly for Tortuga Audio’s LDR stepped attenuator and preamp controllers.
The 7-segment LED display was used by the V2 and early V25 preamp controllers. This display was eventually discontinued and replaced by the current OLED display. Unfortunately they are not mutually compatible.
Operation overview The TPB.V1 Tube Preamp Buffer (the “Buffer”) is simple to operate insofar as it’s either turned on or turned off and there are no other controls involved aside from the optional ability to control turn on/off via an external 12 volt trigger input. Operation is the same for either the single-ended version (shown…
Notifications
