DIY Preamp Components

Electronic Stepped Attenuator | ePot.V3 Max
$249.00
The ePot.V3 Max (the “V3 Max” or just “Max”) is a chassis mounted electronic stepped attenuator and preamp controller board for the DIYer, designer or OEM. The V3 Max provides 2-channel, 100 step stereo volume control, input switching for up to 6 sources, remote control, and optional (but highly recommended) high contrast OLED display with a menu driven interactive user interface. The V3 Max is an analog volume control device run by a software driven 32 bit ARM microcontroller. The audio signals are not manipulated in the digital domain. Analog audio signals passing through the V3 are optically isolated from any power source. There is no active gain stage and there is no active output/buffer stage. Each audio signal sees only 2 resistors (light dependent resistors – LDRs). The LDRs control volume by reducing the voltage of the incoming audio signal. By this definition the V3 is inherently a passive volume controller. By itself, the Max can be used as a passive preamp. When mated to a downstream gain and/or buffer stage the ePot.V3 Max becomes the attenuator/controller of a high performance active preamp. The Max is the successor product to Tortuga Audio’s popular LDR.V25 Preamp Controller. The V3 series represents Tortuga Audio’s 5th generation of of audio attenuation technology designed around light dependent resistors (LDRs).

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ePotPi.V4 Max | Electronic Stepped Attenuator
$275.00
Accepting Pre-Orders | Only $50 deposit required now
We will invoice you the balance due when the product is released and ready for shipment later in the 2nd quarter. Secure your spot in the queue now!
The ePotPi.V4 is a software driven electronic stepped attenuator and preamp controller, that when equipped with appropriate power supply and OLED display module can function as a full featured, remote controlled passive preamplifier, and when equipped with an optional solid state buffer board, can functions as an active preamplifier. Like all Tortuga Audio preamp controllers, the V4 employs light dependent resistors (LDRs) as the sole means for for audio attenuation (volume control). No mechanical potentiometers or switched mechanical attenuators are used. The V4 represents the 5th generation of Tortuga Audio LDR based passive preamp attenuator and controller and builds on work that began over 15 years ago.

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Remote control
$20.00 – $40.00
Apple remote (retired in 2023) Function remote Nettech remote

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Electronic Stepped Attenuator | ePot.V3 Mini
$150.00
The ePot.V3 Mini (the “Mini” ) is a high resolution panel mounted electronic stepped attenuator that offers exceptional sonic performance with advantages that no mechanical attenuator can match including a high resolution 100 step volume control, local & remote control, channel balance adjustment, muting and optional menu driven high contrast OLED display.

The V3.Mini enables the audio hobbyist, professional designer or OEM to build or refurbish passive or active audio preamps that rival the performance of some of the best high end preamp equipment available today regardless of price.

While you can purchase the Mini “bare” without an attenuation module, we pre-select a plug-in LDR (light dependent resistor) attenuation module by default but you can opt for a discrete resistor attenuation module instead, or opt for both. The two module types are interchangeable.

The graphic OLED Display Module (sold separately) integrates with the V25 to provides an easy and intuitive user control experience through an interactive menu driven control interface designed around the 7-button Apple remote.

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LDR attenuation module | V3 & V4
$49.00
The quad LDR Module works only with the V3/V4 series of Tortuga Audio preamps and preamp attenuator/controller. Click here to check out the single LDR Module for the V2/V2.5 series preamps/controllers. The quad LDR module was first released along with the ePot.V3 series Mini and Max preamp controller & stepped attenuator models. The newer V4 series controllers uses the same quad module. An LDR module is usually purchased at the same time as a Mini or a Max preamp controller board, however, the quad LDR attenuation module can be purchased here separately.

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OLED display assembly
$175.00
The OLED display assembly is a high contrast 256 x 64 pixel white-on-black graphic OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display for use with Tortuga Audio’s V25, V3 and V4 series preamp attenuator/controllers and related Tortuga Audio preamps.

The OLED display assembly provides an easy and intuitive user control experience through an interactive menu driven control interface designed around the 7-button Apple remote.

The display assembly includes a custom adapter board with installed infrared (IR) receiver module and a header for connecting an encoder module. All cabling is included. The unit is fully tested and ready to go and requires no assembly per se.

Please note however that mounting hardware is not included and is entirely up the buyer.

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LDR Module | V2 & V25
$19.00
This LDR Module is a replacement part for the V2 & V2.5 series of Tortuga Audio Preamp Attenuator/Controller boards. This LDR Module is NOT compatible with the V3/V4 series attenuator/controllers – click here for the V3/V4 series LDR Module.

LDR Modules can be easily removed and replaced and plug into any of the four primary LDR locations on the preamp controller board plus also for input switching on the V25 board.

It’s important to orient the LDR Module properly. The white dot on the LDR Module should be the same side as the white dot on the controller board.

Replacing an LDR Module should only be necessary if the LDR preamp controller exhibits a significant permanent shift in channel balance or a channel stops responding to volume changes. If these problems can’t be resolved by running an Auto-Calibration cycle or if the controller board hangs during an Auto-Calibration cycle, then probably at least one LDR Module requires replacement.

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Encoder Module
$19.00
The encoder module is a rotary encoder with integral push button mounted on a small PCB with a 4-pin header and a 6-8 inch 4-pin cable . It comes fully assembled and ready to use. Use the cable to connect directly to any V25, V3 or V4 controller board, or to the OLED display adapter board.

The encoder module is normally included as part of the OLED display assembly which you can purchase here, but we also offer it as a stand-alone item in can you need a replacement for any reason.

Since inception, all Tortuga Audio preamp controllers and other preamp products have utilized a rotary encoder with integral push button as a means for manually controlling the preamp device. While limited in control functionality as compared to using an infrared remote control, the encoder has typically provided a means to control volume, power on/off, mute/unmute, channel balance, and even select between audio input sources.

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