Here’s the spot where an amp designer would put pages of text to try to convince you that their amp is the greatest thing since sliced bread. We don’t believe in all that hype. So we’ll try to keep this short and simple.
The “Rocket” is a great sounding preamp. Intentionally designed to have a minimalist circuit, short signal paths, zero feedback, high gain, excellent frequency response, and low distortion numbers. We also designed it so it would only require two tubes. You can get it with one of our recommended tube sets, or roll your own with one of the many compatible tubes. Leaving sound tweaking to the components that really matter. After all the “Tubes Are The Amplifiers”!
One more thing. We designed this preamp as a kit first, and put a huge amount of time and effort into making it our easiest to build Kit yet. Making it an excellent choice for beginners and veterans alike. But if you’re not confident or don’t have the time to put one together, we’re happy to assemble one for you.
Note because “The Rocket” is a high gain preamp it’s not suitable as a “Buffer” or to add “Colour” to your existing system. It’s not recommended that you plug it into another gain stage (eg. integrated amplifier), or you’ll end up with two gain stages in series, which will result in an increased noise floor.
Cheers and Have Fun Building!
-Jim & Charles
bmanone1962 (verified owner) –
My experience as a Test Builder For The Mellow Tone Amps Universal 6N1P Preamp “The Rocket”.
Building The Rocket preamp was straightforward, using the step-by-step videos provided by Mellow Tone Amps on YouTube. I only had one assembly delay; waiting for the proper crimping tool to arrive so the 3 terminals in the kit could be properly crimped. This was my first time building a kit amp (although I have a lot of experience successfully repairing solid state preamplifiers and power amplifiers) and everything went together without any mistakes. All the parts needed were included in the kit including a few spares (thanks for the extra female spades).
After completing the assembly I tested the voltages first without the tubes installed and then with the tubes installed, voltages were in the high end range due to 124 VAC coming into my home. Upon passing the tests above I had my first listen and it sounded great and I’m confident that I’m going to be happy with it. Later the next evening I got an email from Jim and Charles that a couple of the test builders had problems with a 60/120hz hum that’s going to require a fix. Two days later they sent out an email with a grounding mod procedure with pictures. I immediately made the modification as describe and the noise is gone.
So how does it sound? The first system I tried The Rocket in was near field two channel setup paired with a Yamaha Professional Series Natural Sound Power Amplifier Model P2200, Realistic Minumus-7 speakers, FIIO R11 R2R DAC – USB input from SufacePro8 using foobar2000 music player. The Rocket replaced the FIIO R11 R2R preamp function in this setup. I immediately noticed the sound stage widened and deepened between the speakers. I was also hearing more of the music, sounds just seem to materialize out of space between the speakers with good placement. Where before with the FIIO as the preamp the music seemed more concentrated in the center between the speakers. I also notice an extension of the high and low frequencies. The Rocket preamp was a huge improvement to the listenability of this small system.
The next system that I am currently using The Rocket preamp is in place of a Schiit Freya (original version, not +) Balanced Tube Preamp, paired with a Yamaha Natural Sound Stereo Power Amplifier B-2x, Jean Marie Reynaud Trente speakers, SVS SB12-Plus subwoofer, and Schiit Bifrost Multibit Unison USB DAC – USB input from Window 11 PC using foobar2000 music player. The speakers are about 7 feet 6 inches apart with the listening position about 4 feet from each speaker. The image is wide past the speakers and is deep past the front wall. All the instruments are placed across the sound stage width and depth with each appearing in its own unique space. The vocalist seems to be singing their music for you personally, filling the room with their concert just for you. The tone seems to be perfectly balanced across the frequency range with nothing being lost or overly emphasized; it is just right with nothing being added or lost. I am hearing more in all the music I have played thus far, it’s like I have a new music library to listen to.
The Rocket preamp doesn’t have all the functionality of the other preamps that I have, but it is more musical and out preforms and provides more musical joy than all of them. I recommend this preamp for anyone that want to have more enjoyment with their music experience. Other preamps that I currently have and have tried in my system in order of preference: Schiit Freya Balanced Tube Preamp; Yamaha Natural Sound Stereo Control Amplifier CX-2000; Yamaha Natural Sound Stereo Control Amplifier C-6; Yamaha Natural Sound Stereo Control Amplifier C-45.
jahozafat (verified owner) –
What an amazing service Jim and Charles provide to the audiophile and kit building community. I can’t fully put into words how important it is that there are people willing to put in this much work to help us feel a part of our audiophile journey. It feels so great to be able to listen to a piece of equipment I put together myself. The best part is that it sounds better than anything else I’ve purchased prebuilt. Before this I had heard the terms audiophiles use but didn’t understand or necessarily believe that some even existed. I’m still not good at explaining the differences I am hearing but I definitely hear them. It’s more that I miss them when they’re not there.
The building experience is absolutely amazing. The videos Jim and Charles put together are so well done. I find myself watching the build series for their discontinued kits just for fun. I wish I had the time and money to build and listen to them all.
The Rocket kit looks great, feels great and plays great! It was the second kit I built from Jim and Charles and I couldn’t be happier.
Jim even gave me advice on my first turntable. It’s that kind of hands on personal touch that makes me appreciate what they do. I’ve learned so much from this experience and can’t thank Jim and Charles enough.
-Gary
edward.wingrowicz (verified owner) –
First, hats off to Jim and Charles for quickly resolving the ground loop issue.
Their solution was quickly implemented once they sent out the email with instructions.
Yes, all the sound quality box’s can be checked in terms of improvements in:
Bass
Midrange
Attack
Decay
Resolution
Tonality
Sound stage
Imaging
Noise floor
When compared to the number of more expensive preamps I have had owned in the past.
The Rocket preamp pairs well with Class AB or Class A Power Amps.
I tried a few borrowed Class D Power Amps which produced sound quality
that was inferior to Class A and Class AB overall.
I am an avid tube roller. Hence I was delighted to find out from Jim and Charles that the V1 tube
had a lot of compatible tubes aside from the 6N1P. I tried the Amperex 6922 Holland Gold Pin – D Getter, which gave a bit more clarity and detail. I ended up using my favorite the
Western Electric JW2C51 which requires a 5670 to 6922 Adapter. This brought up the overall sound quality a notch.
The real feedback usually comes from my family. Given that I’m a Bill Evans fan and my wife and kids hate jazz, I was pleasantly surprised that no one complained when I raised the dB level. This usually causes them to ask me to reduce the volume or close the door to the basement. The next day my daughter was humming one of the Jazz tunes I played the night before. That’s a first!
This was my first build as a Test Builder and I thoroughly enjoyed the build experience thanks to the support from Jim and Charles.
-Edward
jasonweiser59 (verified owner) –
Now that I have both the Modern Line Universal Phono Pre and The Rocket preamplifier I can’t stop listening. I have a lot of gear. This is now what I choose to keep up front. So fabulous, you can’t go wrong. I was a Test Builder for the Universal Phono Pre and I also built The Rocket. I started listening to the Phono Pre through a Conrad Johnson pv11 preamplifier. I was super impressed. I thought that the Conrad Johnson was a superior preamp and I was going to be happy. Then I installed The Rocket. Now the Conrad Johnson is for sale. Like I said you can’t go wrong. I’m listening right now which is what prompted me to write this second review. I’m missing a lot of sleep lately. Can’t stop listening. Both kits were super easy to build. If you have even the minimal of skills you can do it. There’s no rush, take your time. My last word for this review is thank you gentlemen. You have improved the quality of my musical life!