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Post by raddistribution on Feb 9, 2023 12:50:33 GMT -6
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA: having introduced its three-model-strong PBR patchbay series (with gold-plated contact points as well as being built ‘Black Lion-tough’ with black-anodized aluminum faceplates that also make for a matched and sophisticated look) late last year, boutique audio company Black Lion Audio is proud to augment said series with the all-new PBR TT — nesting 96 audiophile-grade gold-plated TT connectors and 12 audiophile-grade gold-plated DB25 connectors in a single rack space suitable for the most robust routing imaginable — as of February 9… An audio patchbay efficiently connects all the inputs and outputs of outboard gear into one centralized hub, so studio users can quickly ‘patch’ — read: route — one device to another without the inconvenience of squeezing themselves behind racks of gear to unplug cabling connected directly to a particular device to reroute it to another device, then reversing the laborious process afterwards. Accessible patchbay-based patching is all well and good, yet surely studios are all about maintaining audio quality throughout every signal chain involved. Indeed, Black Lion Audio has been trusted for years for modifying the best gear and making it better, building upon this legacy to design and launch its own products to widespread critical acclaim, and now augmenting the PBR patchbay series launched late last year with the all-new PBR TT. As a patchbay built for the most demanding of studios, PBR TT is loaded with 96 TT connectors — grouped 1 through 48 in two rows (A and B) — on its front faceplate and 12 DB25 connectors — grouped 1-8, 9-16, 17-24, 25-32, 33-40, and 41-48 in two corresponding (A and B) rows — on its rear; all are audiophile-grade and gold-plated. Per-module mode-switching is accessed via recessed switches in the top panel for configuring normalization modes, marked clearly as NON NORMALLED (ISOLATE), NORMAL (GROUND BUSS), and HALF NORMAL (VERTICALLY STRAPPED). All are rated to 10,000+ operations. Additionally, a grounding connection is positioned to the rear. Reason has it, then, that Black Lion Audio’s team of engineers have worked tirelessly to ensure that PBR TT delivers genuine quality through-and-through. The 12 DB25 connections are securely mounted to an internal steel backplate to prevent wear from frequent reconnections, while every TT jack is a custom-made Black Lion Audio gold-plated connector for ultimate performance. Put it this way: with PBR TT, Black Lion Audio has surely succeeded in creating a patchbay in a single rack space that is suitable for the most robust routing imaginable as well as being built ‘Black Lion-tough’ with a reinforced steel chassis and black-anodized aluminum faceplates that also make for a matched and sophisticated look — one which clearly looks set to capture the eyes and ears of the most discerning and demanding studio owner out there! PBR TT is available to purchase via Black Lion Audio’s growing global network of dealers/distributors (https://www.blacklionaudio.com/dealers) with a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) of $799.00 USD and an SSP (Suggested Selling Price) of €1,065.00 EUR (including VAT). For further information, please visit the dedicated PBR TT webpage here: www.blacklionaudio.com/store/patchbays/pbr-tt/ |
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Post by Martin John Butler on Feb 9, 2023 12:56:58 GMT -6
Sweet! If I ever need a patch bay again, I'll look here first.
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Post by svart on Feb 9, 2023 13:03:06 GMT -6
Ouch. 800$? I buy used TT patchbays for less than 100$ on Ebay.
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Post by dreamsambas on Feb 9, 2023 13:11:04 GMT -6
Price is a good amount lower than similar products by Switchcraft and ADC
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Post by drbill on Feb 9, 2023 13:27:32 GMT -6
Love my ADC's. IME, they last an entire lifetime. I wonder how much - it at all - better the BL TT's are. Maybe Seth can speak to that. Would be nice if they made an ELCO version as well. As common as they are, I HATE D-Subs.
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Post by EmRR on Feb 9, 2023 13:30:35 GMT -6
I'm thinking about the debate around gold plated connectors.....
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Post by drbill on Feb 9, 2023 13:32:56 GMT -6
I'm thinking about the debate around gold plated connectors..... What's the debate Doug? Not familiar with it.... Gold plated has always seemed to be better in my applications.... |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Feb 9, 2023 14:02:26 GMT -6
I'm thinking about the debate around gold plated connectors..... What's the debate Doug? Not familiar with it.... Gold plated has always seemed to be better in my applications.... While gold is a great conductor, it is a soft metal and can wear off because of constant make and break connections. |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Feb 9, 2023 14:04:04 GMT -6
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA: having introduced its three-model-strong PBR patchbay series (with gold-plated contact points as well as being built ‘Black Lion-tough’ with black-anodized aluminum faceplates that also make for a matched and sophisticated look) late last year, boutique audio company Black Lion Audio is proud to augment said series with the all-new PBR TT — nesting 96 audiophile-grade gold-plated TT connectors and 12 audiophile-grade gold-plated DB25 connectors in a single rack space suitable for the most robust routing imaginable — as of February 9… An audio patchbay efficiently connects all the inputs and outputs of outboard gear into one centralized hub, so studio users can quickly ‘patch’ — read: route — one device to another without the inconvenience of squeezing themselves behind racks of gear to unplug cabling connected directly to a particular device to reroute it to another device, then reversing the laborious process afterwards. Accessible patchbay-based patching is all well and good, yet surely studios are all about maintaining audio quality throughout every signal chain involved. Indeed, Black Lion Audio has been trusted for years for modifying the best gear and making it better, building upon this legacy to design and launch its own products to widespread critical acclaim, and now augmenting the PBR patchbay series launched late last year with the all-new PBR TT. As a patchbay built for the most demanding of studios, PBR TT is loaded with 96 TT connectors — grouped 1 through 48 in two rows (A and B) — on its front faceplate and 12 DB25 connectors — grouped 1-8, 9-16, 17-24, 25-32, 33-40, and 41-48 in two corresponding (A and B) rows — on its rear; all are audiophile-grade and gold-plated. Per-module mode-switching is accessed via recessed switches in the top panel for configuring normalization modes, marked clearly as NON NORMALLED (ISOLATE), NORMAL (GROUND BUSS), and HALF NORMAL (VERTICALLY STRAPPED). All are rated to 10,000+ operations. Additionally, a grounding connection is positioned to the rear. Reason has it, then, that Black Lion Audio’s team of engineers have worked tirelessly to ensure that PBR TT delivers genuine quality through-and-through. The 12 DB25 connections are securely mounted to an internal steel backplate to prevent wear from frequent reconnections, while every TT jack is a custom-made Black Lion Audio gold-plated connector for ultimate performance. Put it this way: with PBR TT, Black Lion Audio has surely succeeded in creating a patchbay in a single rack space that is suitable for the most robust routing imaginable as well as being built ‘Black Lion-tough’ with a reinforced steel chassis and black-anodized aluminum faceplates that also make for a matched and sophisticated look — one which clearly looks set to capture the eyes and ears of the most discerning and demanding studio owner out there! PBR TT is available to purchase via Black Lion Audio’s growing global network of dealers/distributors (https://www.blacklionaudio.com/dealers) with a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) of $799.00 USD and an SSP (Suggested Selling Price) of €1,065.00 EUR (including VAT). For further information, please visit the dedicated PBR TT webpage here: www.blacklionaudio.com/store/patchbays/pbr-tt/Can we see a photo of the switching jacks? |
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Post by kcatthedog on Feb 9, 2023 14:19:35 GMT -6
I thought gold for no oxidation ?
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Post by drbill on Feb 9, 2023 14:42:48 GMT -6
I thought gold for no oxidation ? Yup. Exactly. ericn - yeah, I get the softer metal part. Makes sense. In real world experience, I've never had a problem with that, but I can see that if you plug / unplug something a hundred times a day, over 10 years you might have a problem.  |
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Post by kcatthedog on Feb 9, 2023 14:50:32 GMT -6
Maybe a deeper problem ? |
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Post by EmRR on Feb 9, 2023 14:56:36 GMT -6
All depends on the base metal under the gold, and the thickness of the gold. Silver plate on a standard XLR will oxidize but it's the same conductivity either way. Wears less than gold. You could debate this endlessly.....but I kinda think gold plate XLR's are an unnecessary extra expenditure for no proven benefit, so gold as a selling point does nothing for me and glosses over more important mechanical considerations.
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Post by drbill on Feb 9, 2023 15:08:25 GMT -6
All depends on the base metal under the gold, and the thickness of the gold. Silver plate on a standard XLR will oxidize but it's the same conductivity either way. Wears less than gold. You could debate this endlessly.....but I kinda think gold plate XLR's are an unnecessary extra expenditure for no proven benefit, so gold as a selling point does nothing for me and glosses over more important mechanical considerations. Are normal XLR's silver plated Doug? I always thought (A**umed) they were nickel. |
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Post by EmRR on Feb 9, 2023 15:21:48 GMT -6
All depends on the base metal under the gold, and the thickness of the gold. Silver plate on a standard XLR will oxidize but it's the same conductivity either way. Wears less than gold. You could debate this endlessly.....but I kinda think gold plate XLR's are an unnecessary extra expenditure for no proven benefit, so gold as a selling point does nothing for me and glosses over more important mechanical considerations. Are normal XLR's silver plated Doug? I always thought (A**umed) they were nickel. Switchcraft are silver plated nickel. Mechanical - the big bucks get you better metal and surrounding bits. Exhibit A - the fatigue failures you expect with 1/4" patch bays using typical plastic encased jacks, either the plastic becomes pliable or the metal fatigues since it doesn't take that many years usage for them to go funky. |
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Post by stratboy on Feb 9, 2023 15:40:58 GMT -6
Does this mean the hardware market is doing well? I think so and am interested in others thoughts. My thinking is that you don’t bring a patch bay to market if there isn’t hardware to hook up to it…
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Feb 9, 2023 17:57:04 GMT -6
Does this mean the hardware market is doing well? I think so and am interested in others thoughts. My thinking is that you don’t bring a patch bay to market if there isn’t hardware to hook up to it… Maybe, here is the thing RAD’s brands have excellent acceptance through MI channels, MI dealers only access to ADC, Switchcraft etc is through distributors like PROCO FDW etc. A typical MI dealer isn’t going to push anything above a Generic made in China Modular TRS bay. So in that market they can dominate. More and more all but the very highend dealers and installers really don’t get TT and the advantages over that $100 bay. Now here is the other 1/2 of this they are going to get their dealers to stock TT cables, that may be the really hard part. |
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Post by winetree on Feb 9, 2023 22:33:13 GMT -6
Ouch. 800$? I buy used TT patchbays for less than 100$ on Ebay. 45 years latter I'm still using over 10 of those $100.00 Switchcraft TT Patchbays in various Racks. All Mogami cables are directly soldiered to the Jacks and shrink wrapped. Patch cables made with soldiered Switchcraft TT plugs. No unnecessary connections. No problems. |
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Post by allbuttonmode on Feb 10, 2023 3:26:37 GMT -6
Redco's patchbays are $599. I've been really happy with them.
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Post by thehightenor on Feb 10, 2023 7:07:21 GMT -6
That's a very good looking patchbay - if it's as well made as it looks then
it looks to be a good buy.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Feb 10, 2023 10:24:35 GMT -6
Ouch. 800$? I buy used TT patchbays for less than 100$ on Ebay. 45 years latter I'm still using over 10 of those $100.00 Switchcraft TT Patchbays in various Racks. All Mogami cables are directly soldiered to the Jacks and shrink wrapped. Patch cables made with soldiered Switchcraft TT plugs. No unnecessary connections. No problems. There is an ancient patchbay my uncle pulled from a Telco install that dates back to at least the 30’s I still use just because it redefines vintage. It all comes down to the Jacks. |
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Post by musicminister187 on Mar 29, 2023 22:28:35 GMT -6
Not sure why but Sweetwater has the 96 black lion patchbay as a 48-point. I’m trying to figure out if the A/B labeling of the rows of DB25’s at the back are the usual ins and outs. Why is it labeled as 48-points Someone help me here plz.
Ps: Sweetwater era I guess, checked the black lion website and it’s a 96-point.
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