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Post by M57 on Dec 22, 2016 17:32:07 GMT -6
@bradmcgowen - If I'm going to consider API - that is definitely the box. Thanks! Even with a DB-25 snake hanging out the back, I'm pretty sure it comes in under $500. But as @jcoutu has mentioned, the Lindell racks have more than enough juice on the rails. What it comes down to at this point is build quality. I'm considering my options ..including keeping my money in my pocket.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 15,014
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Post by ericn on Dec 22, 2016 17:58:43 GMT -6
@bradmcgowen - If I'm going to consider API - that is definitely the box. Thanks! Even with a DB-25 snake hanging out the back, I'm pretty sure it comes in under $500. But as @jcoutu has mentioned, the Lindell racks have more than enough juice on the rails. What it comes down to at this point is build quality. I'm considering my options ..including keeping my money in my pocket. From talking to a tech who has seen a number of the Lindell Racks cross his bench it is my understanding that the problem is that while on paper the OEM power supply meets the spec, what the actual PSU in the unit can normally put out is another matter! Other manufacturers have had similar problems on all kinds of gear before, the big problem in this case is the product with the OEM not putting out the spec'ed current is the product is a power supply for a combination of unknown modules so it needs to truelly deliver !
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Post by winetree on Dec 22, 2016 19:03:19 GMT -6
Capi's rack is $320 and Dan's P.S. is $75.00 = $395 + shipping = < $40.00 per slot. If you can solder a cord you can assemble the rack. You won't find a beefier rack. Better EDACs, XLR connectors, and a heavier duty mother board than API.
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Post by Johnkenn on Dec 22, 2016 19:12:21 GMT -6
Capi's rack is $320 and Dan's P.S. is $75.00 = $395 + shipping = < $40.00 per slot. If you can solder a cord you can assemble the rack. You won't find a beefier rack. Better EDACs, XLR connectors, and a heavier duty mother board than API. Oh - so Dan's PS will power one of the 11 space racks?
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Post by tasteliketape on Dec 22, 2016 19:15:29 GMT -6
Capi's rack is $320 and Dan's P.S. is $75.00 = $395 + shipping = < $40.00 per slot. If you can solder a cord you can assemble the rack. You won't find a beefier rack. Better EDACs, XLR connectors, and a heavier duty mother board than API. Oh - so Dan's PS will power one of the 11 space racks? Yes Dan had his power supply running on his Capi racks . But yes it powers only one rack. Not being a diy guy I thought I could build the rack . From what several people have said the rack build is pretty simple. But I don't trust myself with the power supply.
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Post by winetree on Dec 22, 2016 19:21:10 GMT -6
Oops, "Capable of powering (8-10)" API's is only 8 slots
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Post by jcoutu1 on Dec 22, 2016 19:33:34 GMT -6
Ha. So Dan's won't power the full 11 slots, but this is the one being recommended over the Lindell featuring extra power per slot. Go figure.
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Post by gouge on Dec 22, 2016 19:41:54 GMT -6
where is dan selling his psu? didn't know of this option. would like to check it out.
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Post by Johnkenn on Dec 22, 2016 19:50:33 GMT -6
Oh - so Dan's PS will power one of the 11 space racks? Yes Dan had his power supply running on his Capi racks . But yes it powers only one rack. Not being a diy guy I thought I could build the rack . From what several people have said the rack build is pretty simple. But I don't trust myself with the power supply. Me either. I built a pre and an eq, but I think I'll leave the ps to someone else
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Post by Johnkenn on Dec 22, 2016 19:52:21 GMT -6
It does kinda look like a wall wart
Btw - if I have more than ten 500 series units, for stereo recording, check me into rehab.
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Post by gouge on Dec 22, 2016 20:01:22 GMT -6
ok saw it on his page and relised there is a link on the first page of this thread.
$185 for a 3 space rack and power supply. that is a great entry. 3 space racks are fairly useful because you can setup a pre/comp/eq channel strip.
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Post by tasteliketape on Dec 22, 2016 20:18:05 GMT -6
I sent Dan an email asked about the 8-10 space just to clarify from him. From previous email with him I believed it would power all 11 spaces . But I could be wrong
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Post by tasteliketape on Dec 22, 2016 20:42:27 GMT -6
Ok just had a response from Dan , says it will power all 11 spaces of the Capi box that is how he uses his . Also recommended his D.C. Filtering box to go with it .
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Post by winetree on Dec 22, 2016 22:28:29 GMT -6
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Post by M57 on Dec 23, 2016 6:10:58 GMT -6
Nice site. ..if I only knew how to use a soldering iron.
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Post by kevinnyc on Dec 23, 2016 13:31:49 GMT -6
How did I know this would evolve into a warning and a love-fest for the higher-end stuff? FWIW, I'd be OK with a smaller box. The more I think of it, I can't see needing more than 6 spaces for my little home studio and home brewed recordings. The Lindell 506 and the Fredenstein Bento 6 both come in well under $400. Regarding resiliency and tight connectors, I'd probably end up racking stuff up once, throw it on a table and never move it again. We're talking LIGHT duty. Yeah, you get what you pay for, but if I'm spending $650+ for a box with nothing in it, and the major reason is for pre-amps (not to mention that I have to explain to my wife why an empty box costs $750), I might as well save a few more pennies and get a nice 19" rack'o preamps or a channel strip of some sort. I was toying with the hybrid idea and having 500 series stuff is probably the only way I could afford to make that happen, but if I never leave the box once I get in there I doubt I'll lose any sleep. I bought a Lindell 506. Shortly after the warranty elapsed it failed. I went to the store I purchased it at and they had no idea how to help me. They gave me the number of their importer/distribute r who never called me back then the number of a repair place several hours north of NYC... They told me they were a music store but had a guy who sublet space from them who did repairs and would I just call back when he was there... I finally did what I should have done from the get go.....buy CAPI and sleep well at night... The Lindell currently functions as a door stop.
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Post by rowmat on Dec 23, 2016 13:36:38 GMT -6
Two CAPI 11 space racks and a CAPI dual floor power supply here.
Before I bought the CAPI's I waited almost a year for the Lindell 510 10 space rack to materialise but eventually gave up as it was plagued with delays.
I also finally decided that I didn't want a rack with an internal power supply as I have seen several reports of noise related issues with internal supplies often with the modules mounted nearest to the power supply.
The fact that the Lindell was rather quickly 'upgraded' to the MK2 version that included an "Upgraded External no-noise Universal Power Supply" tells me I dodged a bullet in not buying the original MK1.
Verdict? - Glad I went with the CAPI's.
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Post by M57 on Dec 23, 2016 13:46:49 GMT -6
I bought a Lindell 506. Shortly after the warranty elapsed it failed. I went to the store I purchased it at and they had no idea how to help me. They gave me the number of their importer/distribute r who never called me back then the number of a repair place several hours north of NYC... They told me they were a music store but had a guy who sublet space from them who did repairs and would I just call back when he was there... I finally did what I should have done from the get go.....buy CAPI and sleep well at night... The Lindell currently functions as a door stop. If I was to get the Lindell, I'd likely get it from Sweetwater or other reputable dealer (and make sure there's a warranty). My experience with electronics has been (and this maxim has served me very well for many decades) if it works well for the first 12 months it will likely work just fine for the next 12 years.
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Post by kevinnyc on Dec 23, 2016 14:06:19 GMT -6
My mistake in presuming Sam Ash would be a reputable dealer...
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Post by dandeurloo on Dec 23, 2016 14:59:41 GMT -6
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Post by rocinante on Dec 24, 2016 20:28:30 GMT -6
I had an old Brent Averill rack that was a pita. I think most racks work pretty well now. I have an API rack that was cheap and works great. Funny my Brent Averill is the best one ive had so far. I had the Lindell 506 but with no way to rack it and potential issues I traded up for an api. Lindell had some mistakes and compatinility issues that they fixed supposedly. My next rack will be capi.
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Post by Johnkenn on Dec 24, 2016 20:47:14 GMT -6
Apparently I had an old power supply that would basically flip a breaker when a slot hit it too hard
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Post by stratboy on Dec 25, 2016 11:08:03 GMT -6
My experience with Lindell is different from some here. I never would have been able to afford to get into 500 gear if not for the 506 rack and two 6x preamps. I got them from War at Zenpro. One of the pres didn't work right out of the box. I got help from War, the distributor, Tobias himself, and the module was fixed promptly by the upstate repair shop someone mentioned. The Lindell rig, with a couple of added modules served me well for a couple of years; now I've moved up to a Fredenstein Bento 10, only because I got a better price at the time than the Lindell 510. So, M57, all the other guys are right about value and quality, but if you are low on dough, I think Lindell and dbx is a fine way to get into 500, which is going to lead you into some really cool sonic adventures, IMO!
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Post by Guitar on Dec 25, 2016 15:39:46 GMT -6
My API 500V is good but not great, the plus and minus 16 Volt rails are slightly off from "perfect 16." It has not been an issue in real world use, but even the API rack can have some issues. I would think that the CAPI would be a very good bet these days. The cheaper Lindells and APIs also look good and it's always raw and rugged in real world usage. I don't think there is any perfect solution to end all things. Just use your best judgement and hope for the best. Hardware is always a crapshoot in this way.
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Post by johneppstein on Dec 26, 2016 12:36:01 GMT -6
This isn't opinion, it's fact. A box is NOT "just a box". Power supply is key and some of the inexpensive boxes do not have power supplies that meet the minimum spec specified by API - in which case it may not power some modules, may cause degraded performance of some modules and could conceivably even be a fire hazard if heavily loaded. Fact huh? Which box doesn't provide power that meets the minnimum spec? The Lindell is rated at 500 a per slot, which is over spec. Note that I am NOT trashing Lindell, or any other specific company (although if I happen to run across evidence - about anyone - I'll post it), but just because a company prints a specification in their promo lit does not necessarily mean that their gear actually meets that spec or, in the case of something like a 500 rack, will meet the published spec with all channels driven at full capacity. I don't have access to a source of various brands of 500 racks and modules right now, nor do I possess the neccessary equipment to perform adequate testing anymore. It would be interesting if somebody with the prerequisite equipment would conduct such testing and post the results.
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