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Post by bluegrassdan on Feb 7, 2019 20:38:09 GMT -6
External power supply, Jensen transformers, NOS tubes...
...what more could you ask for?
How about FOUR in one box!?
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,933 
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Post by ericn on Feb 7, 2019 22:10:39 GMT -6
External power supply, Jensen transformers, NOS tubes... ...what more could you ask for? How about FOUR in one box!? A freebie😁 |
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Post by javamad on Feb 8, 2019 0:47:34 GMT -6
Looks like a killer set up! A well thought out design too.
For pricing I guess the Manley Force would be a reference?
Some sound samples would help .. if you ship it to Ireland I can make demos for ya :-)
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Post by stormymondays on Feb 8, 2019 2:57:37 GMT -6
I’m going to need to rethink my whole studio for this!!! I’m out of rack space and out of I/O!!!
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Post by rob61 on Feb 8, 2019 7:50:48 GMT -6
Very nice work Dan! Just curious, did you "upgrade" your Artur ribbon mics yet with his new transformers? If so, was there any discernable difference?
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Post by stormymondays on Feb 8, 2019 8:11:22 GMT -6
Alright, I figured out how to make this fit in my studio without heavy rearranging of the racks/patchbay. Its outputs could go into the front inputs of my RME Fireface 802. The combi mic/line inputs have an extra 6dB of gain but it's really clean so I don't think it will detract from the sound, compared to plugging them into the straight line inputs. And I can buy an extra 4U rack for it.
I'm saving up for it already!!! Any idea when it will be available? My next big recording session is in about one month...
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Post by Martin John Butler on Feb 8, 2019 8:38:52 GMT -6
What does it sound like? Is it based on any of the classic circuits?
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Post by bluegrassdan on Feb 8, 2019 8:55:01 GMT -6
Looks like a killer set up! A well thought out design too. For pricing I guess the Manley Force would be a reference? Some sound samples would help .. if you ship it to Ireland I can make demos for ya :-) The Manley Force is a hybrid design with no output transformers. Kind of a different beast. |
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Post by jcoutu1 on Feb 8, 2019 8:58:15 GMT -6
That thing reeks of quality. I love it.
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Post by dreamsambas on Feb 8, 2019 9:32:49 GMT -6
Beautiful!
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Post by sirthought on Feb 8, 2019 9:43:35 GMT -6
What sort of price are you thinking?
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Post by bluegrassdan on Feb 8, 2019 10:28:23 GMT -6
Very nice work Dan! Just curious, did you "upgrade" your Artur ribbon mics yet with his new transformers? If so, was there any discernable difference? The RM-6 mics that I have include the new transformer. Not sure how the old ones sound, but these sound great. I like them a lot. |
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Post by bluegrassdan on Feb 8, 2019 10:50:34 GMT -6
This prototype is built in a modushop case. I am working with a local metal fabricator to design a 16 gauge steel chassis for this. That will take a little time to figure out if it's worth the effort and price.
This design was first inspired by the Hamptone preamp article with some changes along the way. I believe the design shares some common features as the Jensen cascade follower schematics and a garden-variety input gain stage. The most significant sonic impacts have been using the NOS General Electric 5-star 6072 tubes, using any of the NOS GE or RCA 12BH7s to drive the output, and the Jensen input and output transformers, which are definitely worth the added cost. Of all the transformers I've tried, the Jensens are special. It's quite incredible what they have done in designing them.
It's not exactly like anything else on the market, but similar true-tube, non-hybrid 4-channel preamps would be:
DW Fearn VT24: $9,150
Thermionic Earlybird 4: $6,699
Even most of the two-channel tube preamps are in the $2,500 - $5,000 range.
So, it won't be cheap. But it also won't sound cheap!
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Post by notneeson on Feb 8, 2019 17:01:44 GMT -6
I don’t like cheap sound, but tawdry is A OK!
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Post by bluegrassdan on Feb 9, 2019 6:12:19 GMT -6
And a real audio sample.
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Post by matt on Feb 9, 2019 8:48:15 GMT -6
To my ears, the difference is not subtle. Sounds beautiful- warm and articulate with ribbon mode engaged, and still excellent without. Makes me want one!
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Post by Martin John Butler on Feb 9, 2019 9:18:04 GMT -6
Wow, that sounds great Dan, great vocal too.
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Post by Vincent R. on Feb 10, 2019 22:19:57 GMT -6
Really sounds nice.
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Post by Mister Chase on Feb 11, 2019 0:50:32 GMT -6
Your work is great, Dan. If I was good enough to make money at this, or was a wealthy man, I would certainly have a bunch!
And yes, Jensen's are ridiculous. They are of course in my Hardy, as well as some other gear I've had. They were also excellent in the Hardy-ish Hairball Gold pre's. There is just something about them.
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Post by Mister Chase on Feb 11, 2019 1:18:53 GMT -6
There is a bold mid "nose" to my worn ears in the normal mode, then the whole thing opens up in ribbon mode. Lovely!
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Post by bluegrassdan on Feb 14, 2019 21:55:34 GMT -6
Ok, Gents,
Here is just one more...
This time with KM84s, a FLEA 47, and 1176 on vocals.
Padding the inputs for a clean tone.
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Post by brewer on Feb 14, 2019 22:09:29 GMT -6
Ok, Gents, Here is just one more... This time with KM84s, a FLEA 47, and 1176 on vocals. Padding the inputs for a clean tone. Incredible! |
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Post by Martin John Butler on Feb 14, 2019 22:10:17 GMT -6
Wow Dan, that sounds fantastic! And you sound great too!!
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Post by hadaja on Feb 14, 2019 23:13:39 GMT -6
So lets start the ball rollong and say $1500 in parts and casings and say $1000 in labour costs and marketing so i think $2499 sounds good price point or am i dreaming?
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Post by drumhead57 on Feb 15, 2019 1:02:51 GMT -6
That sounds really great, Dan. Good pickin', good singin', and that mic pre looks terrific. Nice work!
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