Preamp Project with NEC UPC 1032

[reubensm]

Hi all, does anyone have any experience with the NEC UPC 1032 H? It was quite popular in cassette tape head preamplifiers and ceramic phonostages, back in the day. I have a couple of them lying around and was wondering if they could be put to good use.

 

[Fantastic]

The data sheet appears to indicate a minimum gain of 33dB. So maybe it's unstable below that. So this would mean it was optimised for low level signals from a phono stage or tape head. Output is also limited to under 1.7V. Beyond that it clips.
Not suitable as a line level preamp as they exist today. The SQ is also questionable. If you have loads of free time you could play around with it. If you seriously want to make something with it, maybe you can skip the idea.

 

[sarith]

Used mainly on tape head pre. It is compatible with LA3161/3160

 

[reubensm]

Yes, I guessed so. Better to skip the idea.

 

[Fantastic]

If you really want to experiment with circuitry for a preamp, try discrete preamps using 'simple' circuitry. Rigorously follow the KISS principle. You know that of course....Keep It Simple Stupid.....for those who may not have come across it.
Some simple circuitry can sound surprisingly good.

 

[omishra]

Once I built LA3161 based pickup amp for acoustic guitar for one friend. And that guy used microphone as input then output fed to line in computer for guitar recording purpose. It sounded nice.

 

[reubensm]

yes indeed OM, why I brought up this topic is that when in college I had a DIY cassette deck running with a playback head-preamp based on this IC. It sounded very good. Later on, my BPL CWX79 music system featured a ceramic phonostage with the same IC. That too sounded quite nice. Guess I'll give it a shot after all

 

[quad]

I built a LA3161 tape head preamp too, back in the day, as Reuben said.
Probably still have it lying around somewhere.
It sounded pretty decent then, but were really limited by the
tapes/recordings we had.