Shop

Build your own preamp!

The following components are available for the DIY and OEM communities to design and build a passive or active preamp using light dependent resistor (LDR) volume control technology

ePot.V4 bundle

$523
V4 board with LDR module installed
OLED display assembly front view with cabling and encoder
quad ldr module2 - side view
Apple remote alternative | the "Function" remote

The V4 bundle combines a V4 electronic stepped-attenuator and preamp controller board together with its companion OLED display module, rotary manual encoder, and infrared remote, all for a 15% discount over purchasing these individually. 

Everything we offer by way of the V4 system is included in the bundle. However, please be aware that the V4 bundle is NOT in any way a complete turnkey preamp kit. 

Items included in the bundle are also sold individually. 

Find out more

ePot.V4 attenuator & preamp controller

$289
V4 board with LDR module installed
V4 preamp controller LDR module install diagram
quad ldr module2 - side view
V4 preamp board with solid state buffer module - back end view
V4 preamp board with solid state buffer module - front end view
V4 preamp board with solid state buffer module - right side view

The ePot.V4 is Tortuga Audio’s 5th generation LDR preamp controller — the result of over 15 years of developing an alternative to conventional volume control for DIY audio enthusiasts and audio OEMs.

The V4 is a complete platform for building a full-featured, remote-controlled preamplifier — passive by default, or active with the optional SSBM.V4 buffer board. A high-contrast OLED display provides real-time feedback for volume, balance, input selection, and system status.

Volume is controlled entirely by light dependent resistors (LDRs). No mechanical potentiometers. No stepped attenuators. No mechanical contacts in the signal path.

Find out more

SSBM.V4 solid state buffer module

$224
ePotPi.V4 Rev B buffer board prototype pcb
solid state buffer module - without LDR mdoule
V4 preamp board with solid state buffer module - right side view

The SSBM.V4 is an optional buffer board that plugs directly into the ePot.V4, turning it from a passive attenuator into an active preamp.

A buffer acts as a high-impedance firewall between your volume control and amplifier. It doesn’t make audio louder — it’s a current amplifier, not a voltage amplifier. What it does is preserve the energy and dynamics of the original recording, especially when driving longer cable runs or lower-impedance amplifier inputs.

The SSBM.V4 is direct-coupled with high input impedance, low output impedance, and adjustable gain defaulting to unity. For best performance, pair it with a higher quality 5V linear power supply.

Find out more

OLED display assembly

$175
OLED display assembly front view with cabling and encoder
OLED display assembly with encoder attached
EastRising OLED display dimensions

A 256 x 64 pixel, high-contrast white-on-black graphic OLED display designed for use with Tortuga Audio preamp controllers and finished preamps.

The display provides an intuitive, menu-driven control interface built around a 7-button Apple or compatible remote. Volume, balance, input selection, and system settings are all managed through clear on-screen menus.

The assembly includes a custom adapter board with an installed infrared receiver, an encoder header, and all cabling. Fully tested and ready to connect — no assembly required.

Find out more

Quad LDR module

$49
quad ldr module2 - top view
quad ldr module2 - side view
quad ldr module 2 - end view

A quad LDR module with two pairs of LDRs — one pair per audio channel, each forming a voltage divider for volume control. One module provides full two-channel stereo attenuation.

Required for all V3 and V4 series controllers. Typically purchased as part of the ePot.V4 Complete System but available separately as a replacement.

Find out more

Single LDR module

$19
LDR Module

A single plug-in LDR module for the V2 and V25 series preamp controllers. Two modules per channel form a voltage divider for volume control — four modules total for stereo.

The LDRV2 is available here as a replacement part for existing V2 and V25 owners.

Find out more

Function remote control

$40
Apple remote alternative | the "Function" remote

The Function remote replaces the silver Apple remote, which is no longer in production. It’s an infrared remote that works with all V4 series controllers and preamps.

Well-constructed with a quality feel, responsive button action, and a simple layout that maps directly to the V4’s menu-driven interface. 

Find out more

Encoder module

$19
Tortuga Audio encoder with cable
Tortuga Audio encoder - top view
Tortuga Audio encoder - bottom view

A rotary encoder with integral push button, mounted on a small PCB with a 4-pin header and cable that connects directly to the OLED display adapter board.

The encoder is included with the OLED display assembly but is also available separately as a replacement part.

The encoder provides hands-on manual control of volume, power, mute, channel balance, and input selection. For full control functionality, pair it with the infrared remote.

Find out more

Encoder module

$19
Tortuga Audio encoder with cable
Tortuga Audio encoder - top view
Tortuga Audio encoder - bottom view

A rotary encoder with integral push button, mounted on a small PCB with a 4-pin header and cable that connects directly to the OLED display adapter board.

The encoder is included with the OLED display assembly but is also available separately as a replacement part.

The encoder provides hands-on manual control of volume, power, mute, channel balance, and input selection. For full control functionality, pair it with the infrared remote.

Find out more

New products coming!

We are currently working on offering an updated finished preamp product and perhaps also a complementary tube buffer. When these future products become available, you’ll find them here.

Under Construction graphic

Out of production

The legacy items listed below are no longer in production or sold by Tortuga Audio

LDR3x.V2 preamp controller

$259
Tortuga Audio LDR3x.V2.1 Preamp Controller
ldr3x.v2 replaceable ldr modules

This is a legacy product and is no longer produced or sold by Tortuga Audio. 

The LDR3x.V2 passive preamp controller is designed with light dependent resistors (LDRs) for building a remote controlled passive or active preamp. The V2 replaces the very popular V1 series controller. 

Find out more

LDR6 passive preamp

$1,295
LDR6 Passive Preamp - front/back panels
The LDR6/LDR1 infrared remote
View of LDRx highlighting control knob & edge of front panel

This is a legacy product and is no longer produced or sold by Tortuga Audio. 

The LDR6 passive preamp was Tortuga Audio’s first product released in October 2012. The LDR6 handled up to 6 switchable single-ended stereo inputs and had dual parallel outputs. 

The LDR6 used the original version of our LDR attenuation technology that as of 2026 is now in its 5th iteration and is referred to as the V4 series since the series started with V0. 

Find out more

Encoder module

$19
Tortuga Audio encoder with cable
Tortuga Audio encoder - top view
Tortuga Audio encoder - bottom view

A rotary encoder with integral push button, mounted on a small PCB with a 4-pin header and cable that connects directly to the OLED display adapter board.

The encoder is included with the OLED display assembly but is also available separately as a replacement part.

The encoder provides hands-on manual control of volume, power, mute, channel balance, and input selection. For full control functionality, pair it with the infrared remote.

Find out more