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Post by gar381 on May 25, 2020 21:03:12 GMT -6
How would a pair of these do on mixbuss. Sounds like they have the clarity and warmth best of both worlds? Or would the 918 be a better fit? I think both are nice for a mix bus. I love the 918 best but the OA10 is quite nice as well. At this point for me, this is a subjective question. I would say give them both a try and report back what your ears tell you. Gary
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Post by gar381 on Nov 23, 2019 20:39:49 GMT -6
Thanks guys for all your thoughts and help!! I will send my buddy the link to this thread. I know he will appreciate all the advice from this wealth of knowledge here. Gary
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Post by gar381 on Nov 21, 2019 0:38:21 GMT -6
Hi Guys
I need help for a friend of mine. He is an old guy like me and in the old days He was a great hammond player.
He has a B3 and a 122 tall boy that has been sitting in his living room for the last 20 years un-played. These days its a conversation piece and a place to show off family pictures. This setup is located in Sandusky Ohio.
Last time he used it it worked fine but as not been turned on for at least 20 years. It has the bass pedals and the Hammond moving dolly. He can't find either the power cable and leslie cable. He will be moving to a down sized house in the next year or so and needs to find out what his setup is worth and will be looking for a buyer.
Any Ideas on Value?? Anyone interested ??
Thanks guys
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Sphere
Nov 8, 2019 15:41:20 GMT -6
Post by gar381 on Nov 8, 2019 15:41:20 GMT -6
I got to make a couple records on this specific console when it was located in Upstate NY years back. Absolutely the best thing I've ever tracked on. Those graphics are so sick. That Sphere Eclipse A now belongs to a buddy of mine in Chicago at Shirk Studios. I designed several upgrades to that particular desk that Shirk has implemented in this guy. Balanced Receivers are now on all line level inputs plus 8 Balanced line level direct outs. gar381interests.com/Shirk_Receivers.jpg That desk is very well maintained and is now a total sonic monster !! Plus all those 920 graphic EQs are indeed killer. Gary Attachments:
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Sphere
Nov 7, 2019 18:41:19 GMT -6
Post by gar381 on Nov 7, 2019 18:41:19 GMT -6
Got the preamp this morning, and had a chance to mess around a bit this afternoon. I dig it! It's very different than my Electrodynes. I have to do some more proper recording with it, but here's a few immediate impressions..... The first thing I noticed was that the gain staging is different than my other pres. The pads are really useful. For example I just stuck my m160 in front of a little valve jr. The Electrodyne without a pad was on the first click which is 40 db of gain, with the output attenuator at 0. I got a nice full rich sound. The Sphere doesn't have an output knob, but I set the input till my meters were peaking about the same as the Electrodyne. When I hit playback the Sphere was distorting in a pretty unpleasant way. I engaged the 15db pad, and adjusted the gain. Boom. Nice pretty sound. Less bottom than the Electrodyne, but not lacking bottom in any way. Just tight. I also noticed the Sphere seemed to have more sparkle than the Electrodyne. Not like bright ugly sparkle, but like more of the harmonics pointed towards the upper end of the frequency spectrum. I could see doing very little eq'ing if I stacked a bunch of tracks with it. I also tested both pres with an SE T2 condenser on my voice. The results were pretty similar. The Sphere was nice and clear and sparkly, and the Electrodyne was a little noisier with that syrupy thing that I dig so much about it. I did engage the 30db pad and crank the gain on the Sphere and it was a pretty awesome sound. I think I wanna try that with some rock vocals. These were really informal tests. Just messing around, but I really dig it so far. It's a unique sound, and that's kind of what I was looking for. Once I record some proper stuff I'll post up samples. gar381 here with Just a quick note .... The original M1200 (5 transistor version) /M1200B (6 transistor version) cards were un balanced but they will drive a transformer. Using the Sphere 7393PC or the modern Jensen JT123SLPC (same transformer BTW) wired 1:1 will work fine. A note on the pads... The -30db switch is a true pad before the Sphere 7341 Input transformer. The -15db switch is not really a pad. This switch drops the gain of the M1200s DOA by 15 db and that is located after the Sphere 7341 input transformer. These are my favorite pres but then I am biased lol Gary
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Post by gar381 on Oct 9, 2019 17:50:14 GMT -6
I just got an email from a guy who's main business is commercial VO work. "I just wanted to report back to you on the OA-10's in the Lola. I'm really digging it a lot for VO. I like the wee bit more bite and how it's still very smooth and detailed. It's perfect now for narrative work. I'm definitely going to keep them in there."Thanks Mark It's nice to know how people are using these. Gary
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Post by gar381 on Oct 5, 2019 15:16:21 GMT -6
Hey Gary, Just made my first one of 4! Easy build really. One thing. I think R4 on the silkscreen should be reversed. That way they are alternating like the others. Not a huge thing obviously but just letting you know! Thanks Blackdawg I think even though its 12 transistors, its one of the easiest builds of all my DOAs. Easier and not nearly as tight a build as my gar2520. I agree about R4. Maybe down the road if I do another board revision. When I build these I just flip it around and not pay much mind to R3 & R4 on the silk. (see my overhead pic) Let me know how these guys sound to your ears. Gary
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Post by gar381 on Sept 11, 2019 20:27:29 GMT -6
Silver solder? Does it really matter? What solder are you using? My personal preference is "Kester 44 63/37"(SN63PB37.. .031") I have been using this stuff for decades. I have never found better and I have tried everything. When you buy my assembled gar DOAs from CAPI, that is what was used. Best Gary
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Post by gar381 on Aug 18, 2019 17:01:11 GMT -6
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Post by gar381 on Aug 8, 2019 21:22:21 GMT -6
They are both nice. Different colors I really like the new guy a lot.
Gary
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Post by gar381 on Aug 8, 2019 19:11:02 GMT -6
Introducing the garxxxx(OA10) These started out as an experiment here at the shop, Hence the original garxxxx moniker. These turned into My version of an OA10, an old early 70s German DOA. The original OA10 was a 9 pin rectangular box with 2 Different versions of output transistors and were externally Freq. Comped. This DOA was designed to be operated up to +/- 22v. My German OA10 expert buddy told me that the Originals were not very particular as to what transistors and Diodes they used. My version is a standard 2520 pin out with internal freq. comp. Built in. It uses all modern parts and will run fine at +/- 15v thru The 51x standard of +/-24v. (All of my protos were burned in for 3 weeks at +/-28v and still ran cool) PSU decoupling is also on board like all my gar DOAs. These Will drive 2503 style of transformers with ease. To my ears, the garxxxx is not as open/flat/clean as the gar918 top to bottom but is still very nice and smooth in a very good way. I love the warmth and presence of the lower mids without them being at all muddy. Much warmer than all my other gar DOAs. My Guitar beta tester loves the garxxxx in an API style pre for guitars. My other beta tester loves this guy for vocals, bass and a general all around for mic pre duties. To Jeff’s ears… “Yes the low end warmth is what got us about it too. So thick and hefty without being pillowy or flabby. I think it will rule for kick and bass. We also like the smooth top end.” I will be interested to hear what others think about other Uses summing, EQs, Line amps etc. Feel free to post Your thoughts in the garxxxx(OA10) support thread At GroupDIY. These will soon be available at the CAPI store in both kits and un-stuffed pcbs. Best, Gary
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Post by gar381 on Jun 8, 2019 16:10:11 GMT -6
Hi Guys and gals Just wanted to thank everyone who has supported Jeff and me for the last 10 years with the gar series of op-amps. THANK YOU !! Gary
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Post by gar381 on Feb 9, 2019 17:20:00 GMT -6
Nice looking work dogears. Best of luck with this Gary
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Post by gar381 on Dec 16, 2018 17:01:46 GMT -6
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Post by gar381 on May 9, 2018 16:15:04 GMT -6
Just a quick thought from my ears here at the BI Test Kitchen ...
Not as mid forward as my gar2520 Not as clean as my gar918 Not quite as warm/thick as my gar1731
garAM10BC... A MUCH more polished lower mid range than any of my other offerings. Should help with mud buildup In a mix. These have a very nice vintage sound about them that will work on lots of sources. It's just yet another audio colour and besides working on 16V rails, its a nice 24v option as well for 51x.
Gary
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Post by gar381 on May 4, 2018 22:09:26 GMT -6
Very nice looking work winetree How do they sound?? Gary
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Post by gar381 on Feb 5, 2018 23:05:38 GMT -6
Get a working Tektronix 465 or 465B on ebone for $100-$200. Great for anything Audio and will probably last you for the rest of your life.
Gary
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Post by gar381 on Jan 11, 2018 21:42:50 GMT -6
Advent 4005. Using 4 of them in the corners of my 5.1 surround. Sound fabulous.
In the shop I got a pair of Tri-amped JBL4333. (McIntosh 2105 Low/Dynaco St70 mid /BGW 100 Hi/ Crossover Pioneer SF850)
In the living room, A pair of Micro Acoustics MA1.
All great sounding classic systems.
Gary
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Post by gar381 on Dec 29, 2017 22:05:03 GMT -6
Anything in the CAPI line !! But then again I am a bit biased... GARY
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Post by gar381 on Nov 29, 2017 16:13:06 GMT -6
Because of Jimi I am and always will be experienced, truly. Happy Birthday! The man Changed my life forever by changing the whole concept of music for me and I'm not even a guitar player. Happy birthday my hero... Meet you in the next life but I'll try and be late! Gary
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Post by gar381 on Nov 9, 2017 14:17:02 GMT -6
Go for it !! I got an ATR102 1/4" and love it. Sounds as good as my AG440-2B and handles tape much better. BTW.. I also got a parts machine in the store room..nice to have but not really necessary. The boys in York PA can always help with parts. atrservice.com/about-us/Gary
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Post by gar381 on Oct 17, 2017 21:29:59 GMT -6
Really NICE work EmRR !! Gary
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Post by gar381 on Oct 9, 2017 15:38:44 GMT -6
BTW..
The Pres are located at Studio In Chicago.
I am planning on making a run of these at some point whenever the work here at the Test Kitchen slows down but at this point these are on the back burner.
Gary
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Post by gar381 on Oct 8, 2017 19:45:57 GMT -6
Hi Guys and Gals Here is a project I just finished up for a client of mine here at the BI test kitchen. It's based on a Sphere Eclipse C Mic pre. SEE PIC IN 1ST POST The pre section uses a Cinemag custom built Sphere 7143PC Input trafo and a garSPA-62 DOA. It has 54db of gain in 5db Grayhill switchable steps. There are both 20db and 30db pads just like the original Eclipse C pre plus phase and phantom switches unlike the original Eclipse C. The Hi pass section is a sweepable 20hz-240hz 2 pole filter and uses a gar6220 DOA. The filter is hard bypassable. This is the outer knob of the dual-concentric pot The output section is a combo Fader amp and Line amp. It has a Fader followed by a gar6220 DOA with a fixed gain of 10db. This is the inner knob of the dual-concentric pot. The output trafo is a Jensen JT-123SLPC which is the same trafo as the 7393PC Used in a real Sphere Line amp. Sad news.. My customer has a run of hard times and has been forced to sell these guys. It's a shame because these are great pres and he loves the hell out of them.
He is willing to let the CAPI 51x rack with CAPI PSUs and all 10 pres go for $5500. This is a great deal !!
If anyone is interested get a hold of me and I will get you guys together
In Sphereness...
Gary
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Post by gar381 on Jun 18, 2017 15:59:17 GMT -6
Couldn't agree more about Cinemag: The way they're run, the products, and the pricing, all of it is exceptional. A special company. Big Thumbs Up to David !! He is real good to me and is fun to and knowledgeable to talk to. Gary
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