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Post by tonycamphd on Oct 9, 2015 8:50:41 GMT -6
indiehouse "That's really great of you to offer to replace the T4B for a faster version, but does that mean shipping it back to you in Chile? Just thinking about the shipping costs to get it to you and back" T4B's are very easily swappable with no calibrating. Ward can u take a pic of the inside and post? We can get a lot of info from a pic. Glad ur digging it!
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Post by EmRR on Oct 9, 2015 10:00:24 GMT -6
Doesn't Kenetek have one that's switchable?
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Post by dandeurloo on Oct 9, 2015 10:01:55 GMT -6
Drip opto's are the switchable versions.
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Post by tonycamphd on Oct 9, 2015 11:17:56 GMT -6
Drip opto's are the switchable versions. I had no idea this existed, are they switchable by lead to a front panel switch? or do you have to de lid and touch the T4B? thanx
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Post by jcoutu1 on Oct 9, 2015 11:32:23 GMT -6
Drip opto's are the switchable versions. I had no idea this existed, are they switchable by lead to a front panel switch? or do you have to de lid and touch the T4B? thanx The Opto is gone. Info from Drip about a year ago...
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Post by dandeurloo on Oct 9, 2015 13:27:44 GMT -6
He has opto 6. Just email him.
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Post by Ward on Oct 9, 2015 19:41:28 GMT -6
indiehouse "That's really great of you to offer to replace the T4B for a faster version, but does that mean shipping it back to you in Chile? Just thinking about the shipping costs to get it to you and back" T4B's are very easily swappable with no calibrating. Ward can u take a pic of the inside and post? We can get a lot of info from a pic. Glad ur digging it! I'll need to un-rack it, but yes, I'll definitely do that. I'm so glad the burn-in I gave it did the trick with the sound. Now I have only to get a faster T4 cell.
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Post by maq3396 on Oct 11, 2015 20:10:09 GMT -6
The T4Bs from both Kenetek and Drip are single action. The Drip Opto 6, I believe, uses two distinct T4Bs per channel and you switch between them depending on which speed you would like.
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Post by kcatthedog on Oct 12, 2015 3:40:05 GMT -6
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Post by stam on Oct 17, 2015 8:00:21 GMT -6
I am considering offering a second small and final batch of the SA-2A with a few upgrade options for those who missed out. They would be ready in January and at the same pre-order pricing of 790.00, stock price will be again 990.00
There will be 3 opto options, Drip´s slow and medium slow on one side and an optional upgrade for 100 dollars that will include a Kenetek T4B, an upgraded output capacitor, an emphasis screw on the faceplate and a RCA 12AX7 NOS tube. The upgrade includes parts and labour.
If anybody is interested just let me know and I will add you to the list, they will probably go quick and I can confirm this is the last batch of them.
Thanks!
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Post by forgotteng on Oct 21, 2015 18:58:10 GMT -6
For all those interested, Stam just announced another run of SA-2A at entry pricing.
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Post by svart on Oct 21, 2015 20:05:46 GMT -6
I never liked my LA2A on bass. I love it on vocals though. it lives on the vocal insert though..
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Post by Ward on Oct 22, 2015 5:37:48 GMT -6
I am considering offering a second small and final batch of the SA-2A with a few upgrade options for those who missed out. They would be ready in January and at the same pre-order pricing of 790.00, stock price will be again 990.00 There will be 3 opto options, Drip´s slow and medium slow on one side and an optional upgrade for 100 dollars that will include a Kenetek T4B, an upgraded output capacitor, an emphasis screw on the faceplate and a RCA 12AX7 NOS tube. The upgrade includes parts and labour. If anybody is interested just let me know and I will add you to the list, they will probably go quick and I can confirm this is the last batch of them. Thanks! I'm interested again!! My SA2a is getting better and better sounding all the time. Despite your hard work, Josh, they DO recquire additional burn-in time. Then they really start to perform and work right. Of coursse, I could love to have an emphasis knob on mine as well as a faster T4 cell.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Oct 22, 2015 7:47:19 GMT -6
I am considering offering a second small and final batch of the SA-2A with a few upgrade options for those who missed out. They would be ready in January and at the same pre-order pricing of 790.00, stock price will be again 990.00 There will be 3 opto options, Drip´s slow and medium slow on one side and an optional upgrade for 100 dollars that will include a Kenetek T4B, an upgraded output capacitor, an emphasis screw on the faceplate and a RCA 12AX7 NOS tube. The upgrade includes parts and labour. If anybody is interested just let me know and I will add you to the list, they will probably go quick and I can confirm this is the last batch of them. Thanks! So for $890, it'll come with 3 T4B cells that you can switch between, upgraded cap, emphasis screw, and NOS tube? Shipping included?
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Post by svart on Oct 22, 2015 8:10:52 GMT -6
this is certainly making me think of getting another LA2A, even though I'm not sure I need one... I'll trade a converter for one!
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Post by indiehouse on Oct 22, 2015 8:11:51 GMT -6
I am considering offering a second small and final batch of the SA-2A with a few upgrade options for those who missed out. They would be ready in January and at the same pre-order pricing of 790.00, stock price will be again 990.00 There will be 3 opto options, Drip´s slow and medium slow on one side and an optional upgrade for 100 dollars that will include a Kenetek T4B, an upgraded output capacitor, an emphasis screw on the faceplate and a RCA 12AX7 NOS tube. The upgrade includes parts and labour. If anybody is interested just let me know and I will add you to the list, they will probably go quick and I can confirm this is the last batch of them. Thanks! I'm interested again!! My SA2a is getting better and better sounding all the time. Despite your hard work, Josh, they DO recquire additional burn-in time. Then they really start to perform and work right. Of coursse, I could love to have an emphasis knob on mine as well as a faster T4 cell. Just adding my experience here. I knowingly took a risk on this, however, Josh was always pretty prompt to answer my emails (even after having received my payment), and I was shipped my compressor as promised. So far, there hasn't been any major malfunctions. A couple thoughts: There was an issue with ventilation holes (or lack thereof) in these units. Apparently, the cases he ordered didn't have the ventilation cut out, but he sent them out anyways. I caught something about it on Facebook, urging everyone to drill their own ventilation holes. Shit happens, I get that. I would have preferred either A) he took care of this and drilled ventilation in the cases prior to shipping (as he admitted to knowing about this before shipping) or B) email everyone who bought one explaining the situation and advice on how best to proceed, as this would be the most direct and personal method of communication to ensure that everyone who bought one is informed. A Facebook post is not the way to handle this, in my opinion. Admittedly, this won't be a big deal for me to fix, I have the tools and I'm pretty handy. Can't speak for everyone, though. He's offering a second and "final" batch. Good for him! (Though, he promised the last batch would be the final run, and he wouldn't be making anymore). Feels a little like a hardline sales tactic. "No more units will be made, ever! (until the next run)" But like I said, good for him. Seems like the initial run went well, mainly positive feedback coming in. If the product is moving, why the hardline "scarcity" sales tactic? I wish the release time wasn't so slow, and I hate the fact that there is already a new and improved unit. I mean, I've barely had this for a month, and now there's an upgraded unit with a faster release cell, dual opto cell option, upgraded output cap, upgraded tube and an emphasis control (albeit for an extra hundred bones). Random question, are these Stam's pretty much just a Drip build? Seems the new batch is in line with the new Drip Opto 6, with the switchable dual opto cells. Also, I don't understand the preorder and regular pricing scheme. Seems like he is pushing to get everything sold on preorder in the first place, before he even commences to ordering parts and building (which I totally understand, in terms of ordering parts for bulk discounts). But wouldn't that negate the need for 2 different prices? Seems like another sales tactic. On a related note, I also don't like the Paypal fees asked for in addition. I get that Paypal fees suck, but build that into your price, man! I never bought from a 'company' that asked for Paypal fees on top. One more thing, shipping is a bitch from Chile! $130! I'd never return this if it broke or I didn't like it. Round trip shipping would kill. So, if there is a problem or if it ever develops a problem, you better be handy or know someone who is. Ok, so there are my thoughts. The compressor sounds great and functions fine. Josh was really great to deal with. Always responded to my emails in a decent amount of time. The compressor was packaged well and made a safe journey from Chile. I think all in, it was around $1K for an LA-2A clone. Not sure what you could DIY for that. Maybe the new Drip Opto 6? It's a great price for a pre-built clone, anyways! I have no idea how it compares to an actual LA-2A, vintage or modern.
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Post by LesC on Oct 22, 2015 8:16:42 GMT -6
I've ordered one with the upgrades. At this price, I just couldn't hold out any longer. I think I have a buy-stuff-virus immune deficiency.
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Post by forgotteng on Oct 22, 2015 13:07:16 GMT -6
I understand where your coming from on a couple of these points however here is my perspective. I like that Joshua is a normal dude like me trying to get his thing happening. He is not a huge corporation, he does not run a factory operation. When he put out the initial offer he had no idea and couldn't have known how many people would come on board. He gave me an incentive to take a chance. Great deal, with the ability to break up the payments for a cool piece of gear. In my economy I wish everyone sold gear like this. Not often to I have thousands of dollars cash in liquid form to buy gear spreading it out is a huge win for me. Yea Paypal fees did hurt and shipping was not fun but overall I like the model. I personally was not expecting an exact replica of an LA-2a I was interested in an LA-ish piece that had some character and vibe. Granted I have 17 channels of outboard compression and too many plug ins to count. I plug stuff in turn some knobs and if it's not cool in 2 minutes I move on to the next. So I loved what I heard I don't expect it to be awesome on everything I put through it. I respect guys that can sit around and compare gear and discuss the nuance and similarities in one piece versus another and how exact it is. But, my world is not theirs. I'm thankful that clients and friends took a chance on me when I was starting to engineer and claiming to mix. I'm more than happy to take a chance on guys like Joshua. And I promise you in 10 years, I'll have a better story of a cool compressor than any of my first clients had on mixes that I did for them. With love and respect, and as always, just my opinion today.
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Post by forgotteng on Oct 22, 2015 13:09:28 GMT -6
Wow guys and Ward especially, I'm sorry for how this formatted my comments as apposed to Ward's My response starts from; "I understand where your coming from"
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Post by LesC on Oct 22, 2015 17:51:31 GMT -6
Wow guys and Ward especially, I'm sorry for how this formatted my comments as apposed to Ward's My response starts from; "I understand where your coming from" You can edit it if you wish. Just cut out your response, and paste it after the box surrounding Indiehouse's response.
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Post by stam on Oct 23, 2015 12:59:06 GMT -6
I would like to clarify a few things if I may:
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Post by stam on Oct 23, 2015 13:01:03 GMT -6
A) There is no issue with ventilation holes. I recommend and like my gear to always have ventilation. This is optional and not mandatory, there are several brands (some great ones as well) with tube gear without any ventilation. Units will work fine without it and so will the SA-2A. This said, I rather it would have a few holes for better airflow, so If you can drill a few, then great, if you can´t you will be fine.
B) There are no hardline sales tactic. I made a batch of 130 units, ordered all parts, as the parts arrived I kept getting more emails for one so I decided to order a further 50 units to complete these new orders, hence a second batch and yes, final. I want to move on to other products.
C) There is no dual opto cell option and if you open the unit you will be able to see that my LA-2A has nothing to do with Drip´s LA-2A. I designed my own PCB´s based on the original schematic and so did Greg most likely.
D) The upgrade is optional and if you don´t like the slow release I can change your T4B for another one with a faster release. All you have to do is email me. You can also upgrade your existing unit to a RCA 12AX7 and Kenetek T4B. Your unit might already have a RCA anyways.
E) I made it clear to everyone with regards to Paypal fees, every vendor charges me with them and unfotunately in Chile these are 5.4%, I would literally make almost no money at all at the price I am selling. The pre-order scheme allows me to help finance parts and allows people to get a 200 dollar disccount which is more than fair for both parties. About 12 guys ordered in stock and payed 990 dollars.
Thanks!
Joshua
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Post by Ward on Oct 26, 2015 8:49:07 GMT -6
I have no complaints. None whatsoever. I want a faster T4 cell because of my personal tastes in LA type comps - I work with a lot of very dynamic vocalists, myself being the worst! . But there's nothing wrong with the stock T4. To Joshua's point A A) There is no issue with ventilation holes. I recommend and like my gear to always have ventilation. This is optional and not mandatory, there are several brands (some great ones as well) with tube gear without any ventilation. Units will work fine without it and so will the SA-2A. This said, I rather it would have a few holes for better airflow, so If you can drill a few, then great, if you can´t you will be fine. Mine is in a rack with equipment on either side of it, no ventilation holes drilled, and has no heat issues whatsoever.
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Post by indiehouse on Nov 22, 2015 20:22:58 GMT -6
Meant to update this awhile ago. Checking in to say that I'm still rocking my stam SA-2A. It's a great and very useful piece. Well done, Joshua! Wishing you success, man.
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Post by winetree on Dec 22, 2015 21:41:28 GMT -6
Updated the output capacitor on the SA2A with a Mundorf Supreme. It was a lot bigger than I thought but I made it work. Also updated some other caps. I can't leave anything alone. Attachment Deleted
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