|
|
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 |
|
|
|
Post by winetree on Aug 8, 2019 20:00:30 GMT -6
How do these compare to the AM10s?
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
Post by Blackdawg on Aug 9, 2019 8:02:06 GMT -6
Cool! Two more to get for my shoot out.
|
|
|
|
Post by mhbunch on Aug 10, 2019 4:07:50 GMT -6
Of course right after I order 8 am10 for my electrodyne console build!
Great work as always can’t wait to try some out.
|
|
|
|
Post by gar381 on Aug 18, 2019 17:01:11 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by winetree on Aug 18, 2019 17:10:48 GMT -6
Just order 10 kits.
Also got the High Nickel transformer to use with OA10 in a VP25.
Should be great on bass and kick.
Might be awhile before I build and test them.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blackdawg on Aug 18, 2019 18:13:01 GMT -6
Just ordered 4 kits! Looking forward to them.
|
|
elcct
Full Member
Posts: 36
|
Post by elcct on Aug 20, 2019 11:15:29 GMT -6
I also ordered some pcbs to experiment :-)
|
|
|
|
Post by Blackdawg on Oct 5, 2019 1:25:07 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!
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
Post by Blackdawg on Oct 5, 2019 22:00:05 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 Definitely did the same on mine! Haha I was just think if a new builder was doing it, it might be confusing. It was an easy build though. Lot of transistors but still easy to stuff. I think it's the easiest tota lly through hole one I've made possibly. Cant wait to hear them! |
|
|
|
Post by Guitar on Oct 7, 2019 13:39:53 GMT -6
Love the GAR XXXX
They live in my NK72DI preamps
they are good in an API preamp but they are GREAT in the five fish.
glad these are for sale now
I will avoid detailing the sound in too many verbs for the sake of sanity but I hear this one as being kind of tight and more transparent than some of the other DOAs. The sound to me is "Lean and mean."
It has quickly become a favorite around here.
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
Post by Guitar on Oct 9, 2019 17:52:51 GMT -6
Yeah I hear that bite also, and the detail, that's a good description! The word smooth is a bit meaningless to me however. It means something but it could mean any number of things. I guess people usually mean an even frequency response. Which ideally any good gear would have.
|
|
|
|
Post by deehope on May 25, 2020 12:42:10 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?
|
|
|
|
Post by deehope on May 25, 2020 13:18:50 GMT -6
Also. Is this doable for like a 4th build? I'll be building a diyre cp5, colour pallete, and then a pair of diyre opamp colour modules to house these.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blackdawg on May 25, 2020 20:25:40 GMT -6
Op amps are challenging because of the space. It's very tight and easy to do bad joints or bridge joints.
If you have some op amps that you did not make to use for testing that's always recommended. That way you can eliminate the rest if the circuit as being a problem.
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
Post by deehope on May 26, 2020 11:27:01 GMT -6
Thx for the responses guys. Which of the 2 is the biggest sounding? 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 |
|
|
|
Post by tasteliketape on May 26, 2020 13:05:38 GMT -6
I have four of the gar 0A10’s coming this week . I’m will be trying them in a capi vc528 ml2 pair and also in a capi sumbus
|
|
grantb
Junior Member
Posts: 97
|
Post by grantb on May 26, 2020 18:59:43 GMT -6
I love OA10s in my CAPI BT50s. I haven't done any swapping because they sound so sweet.
|
|
|
|
Post by deehope on Jun 5, 2020 13:55:03 GMT -6
Is there anyone that sells preassembled 0A10 or 918s?
|
|
|
|
Post by Blackdawg on Jun 5, 2020 15:43:59 GMT -6
Is there anyone that sells preassembled 0A10 or 918s? Gary might himself. Not sure. Several DIYer shops would build them for you. I'd offer too but currently just too busy with other projects. Bender has built kits for people on here and reverb a lot. |
|
|
|
Post by deehope on Jun 6, 2020 20:01:13 GMT -6
Is there anyone that sells preassembled 0A10 or 918s? Gary might himself. Not sure. Several DIYer shops would build them for you. I'd offer too but currently just too busy with other projects. Bender has built kits for people on here and reverb a lot. thanks. Is bender on this site? |
|
