turning amp into preamp

bryanonbass · #1 08-14-2011, 06:24 PM

so I have a trace elliot head that has given me nothing but trouble. The last thing that blew was the power transformer. so instead of shelling out a bunch of cash I I had my tech pull that out of the amp to and set it so I could use it as just a preamp.

Running great except I am getting sick of carrying 2 pieces of gear (power amp rack and preamp rack) and I'd like to put the trace head into a rack with the power amp. It would be great to even convert it down to 1 rack space like the traditional vtype preamps. but not sure that is possible.

The trace head is pretty big and could probably be cut down in size but I know nothing about that stuff.

Any suggestions on what to do and more importantly who can do it?

i totally stole this picture from johnnfastfinger, just for reference.

Jeff Scott · #2 08-14-2011, 06:46 PM

Don't waste your money, buy yourself a nice preamp, instead.

**B-string** · #3 08-14-2011, 06:51 PM

The only "hard" part would be the graphics for the front panel.

bryanonbass · #4 08-14-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-string

The only "hard" part would be the graphics for the front panel.

Really? Cause I don't care about the graphics

KramerBassFan · #5 08-14-2011, 08:13 PM

Why not just sell the amp or buy a brand new pre amp?

bryanonbass · #6 08-14-2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KramerBassFan

Why not just sell the amp or buy a brand new pre amp?

Don't think anyone would buy this. That's why

Jazz Ad · #7 08-14-2011, 08:32 PM

It should be pretty easy. The preamp and power amp are on separate boards and the preamp one is rather small.
Trace sold the preamp as a rackable unit.

Now, these amps are sought after so even if it doesn't work very well it should sell easily.

M0ses · #8 08-14-2011, 08:33 PM

Just ask your tech. He's clearly willing to do that kind of thing.

T-Bird · #9 08-14-2011, 10:21 PM

Hi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by M0ses

Just ask your tech. He's clearly willing to do that kind of thing.

^This.

If the face plate is less than 17 1/2" IIRC, fabriricating a lid and rack ears isn't difficult.

If smaller enclosure is the requirement, and if he has an access to a milling machine or a hefty engraver, drilling and slotting the face plate of a scrapped 1RU net router for example isn't all that hard. Takes insane amount of time though, so it sure is cost probhivitive if he charges premium.

Other option would be to gut that power amp and install the guts to the Trace box.

By far the cheapest and easiest would be to cut Your losses and sell the gear as-is, but You do know that already

.

Regards
Sam

bryanonbass · #10 08-17-2011, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

^This.

If the face plate is less than 17 1/2" IIRC, fabriricating a lid and rack ears isn't difficult.

If smaller enclosure is the requirement, and if he has an access to a milling machine or a hefty engraver, drilling and slotting the face plate of a scrapped 1RU net router for example isn't all that hard. Takes insane amount of time though, so it sure is cost probhivitive if he charges premium.

Other option would be to gut that power amp and install the guts to the Trace box.

By far the cheapest and easiest would be to cut Your losses and sell the gear as-is, but You do know that already

.

Regards
Sam

so any idea what a good price for my amp would be in its current condition?

fdeck · #11 08-17-2011, 04:52 PM

Instead of mounting the preamp in a rack, buy a switchmode power amp and mount it in the head.

bryanonbass · #12 08-17-2011, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdeck

Instead of mounting the preamp in a rack, buy a switchmode power amp and mount it in the head.

interesting. any suggestions?

murphy · #13 08-17-2011, 11:46 PM

Passinwind · #14 08-18-2011, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryanonbass

so I have a trace elliot head that has given me nothing but trouble. The last thing that blew was the power transformer. so instead of shelling out a bunch of cash I I had my tech pull that out of the amp to and set it so I could use it as just a preamp.

A preamp still needs a power transformer to work. Sure it wasn't the output one?

BassmanPaul · #15 08-18-2011, 10:56 AM

Why not just drop a new transformer into the V4??? Seems like the best idea to me.

JoshuaTSP · #16 08-18-2011, 11:14 AM

I have a 300h with some sort of issue.....you should sell yours and buy mine to convert to a preamp.

It would be at a very discounted rate.

nashvillebill · #17 08-18-2011, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Why not just drop a new transformer into the V4??? Seems like the best idea to me.

I agree.

Unless the V4 has an inherent design problem, which I seriously doubt, it seems bizarre that the tech cannot fix it properly. Tube amps ain't rocket science.

At the risk of being rude or insulting, perhaps its time to take the amp to a tech who actually knows what he/she is doing.

Again, tube amps ain't rocket science.

bryanonbass · #18 08-20-2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

A preamp still needs a power transformer to work. Sure it wasn't the output one?

i may have used the wrong term.
Whatever the big heavy thing that gives the amp its juice.
Thats what blew.

bryanonbass · #19 08-20-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Why not just drop a new transformer into the V4??? Seems like the best idea to me.

its not a v4 its a v-type 600h and i can't find the transformer anywhere.

bryanonbass · #20 08-20-2011, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nashvillebill

I agree.

Unless the V4 has an inherent design problem, which I seriously doubt, it seems bizarre that the tech cannot fix it properly. Tube amps ain't rocket science.

At the risk of being rude or insulting, perhaps its time to take the amp to a tech who actually knows what he/she is doing.

Again, tube amps ain't rocket science.

actually my tech is pretty darn good and is well respected but more importantly this is not a tube amp. It has a tube preamp, but solid state power section.