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Post by kcatthedog on Mar 21, 2020 15:29:52 GMT -6
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Post by porkyman on Mar 21, 2020 18:29:58 GMT -6
I have one I didn’t build. You have to get the toroid just right or it’s pretty noisy. If you build one plan on shielding it or putting outside the box or else it’s more of a pain than it’s worth. Sounds rad though.
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Post by Blackdawg on Mar 22, 2020 2:36:52 GMT -6
I have one Mike built and 2 kits to assemble.
Dr bill has a pair as well.
Not sure you can get the boards anymore or not. I believe some of the parts from the bom aren't available either.
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Post by kcatthedog on Mar 22, 2020 2:47:43 GMT -6
Ya that is what I was worried about!  |
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Post by kcatthedog on Mar 22, 2020 2:49:32 GMT -6
Chris at Audioscape has a 2 channel 19 inch unit in development , which I am sure will be killer, so diy seems a bit of a pain potentially?
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Post by craigmorris74 on Mar 22, 2020 8:59:29 GMT -6
I built a stereo version, and although I'm not a DIY pro, I took my time and it turned out great. Sits in the rack next to a vintage unit and sounds fantastic.
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Post by Blackdawg on Mar 22, 2020 10:10:34 GMT -6
Chris at Audioscape has a 2 channel 19 inch unit in development , which I am sure will be killer, so diy seems a bit of a pain potentially? Depends on the final price. The 500 unit is 799. So a stereo 19" could be 1500-1900. Diy I think for the serpent runs around 800-1000 |
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Post by drbill on Mar 22, 2020 14:12:31 GMT -6
Dr bill has a pair as well. Yup. 4 channels. It's a desert island comp for sure. Kind of a "do it all" comp for me. I can use it on pretty much anything, but it never seems to get to the mix bus as they always get used on individual elements inside the mix. For me it's mUCH more useful than any of the Neve variants of compressors. |
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Post by drbill on Mar 22, 2020 14:15:58 GMT -6
Chris at Audioscape has a 2 channel 19 inch unit in development , which I am sure will be killer, so diy seems a bit of a pain potentially? Depends on the final price. The 500 unit is 799. So a stereo 19" could be 1500-1900. Diy I think for the serpent runs around 800-1000 Yes. But it's an extensive build, and to the best of my knowledge, as mentioned earlier, there are no more available. Of course, Mike has been saying that for awhile, but at this point, I think it's a done deal. If you don't have the kit / parts already, you're going to have a hard time sourcing one. I have great expectations for the Audio-Scape version, but I'm pretty stocked on 3a's at this point. Especially with the LA500A's from JLM. Although I might consider offing those in favor of the AS ones. The LA500a's are huge sounding though... Different. As for price.....I paid $1800 or so to have Dan D build me one, and over $2k for the second that I bought from Sal. $1500-1900 is a STEAL!!! |
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Post by Blackdawg on Mar 22, 2020 19:03:04 GMT -6
Depends on the final price. The 500 unit is 799. So a stereo 19" could be 1500-1900. Diy I think for the serpent runs around 800-1000 Yes. But it's an extensive build, and to the best of my knowledge, as mentioned earlier, there are no more available. Of course, Mike has been saying that for awhile, but at this point, I think it's a done deal. If you don't have the kit / parts already, you're going to have a hard time sourcing one. I have great expectations for the Audio-Scape version, but I'm pretty stocked on 3a's at this point. Especially with the LA500A's from JLM. Although I might consider offing those in favor of the AS ones. The LA500a's are huge sounding though... Different. As for price.....I paid $1800 or so to have Dan D build me one, and over $2k for the second that I bought from Sal. $1500-1900 is a STEAL!!! The one I bought that was made by Mike himself I got for I think $1600. parts aren't super cheap but not terrible. Most parts are find able but I guess I'll find out soon. I think the PCBs are still FS on his site actually because I was about to pull the trigger on another kit but bought the kit from indie he sold instead. Im looking forward to the AS one as well. Be some good options between AS, JLM, and Serpent for a 500 LA3A. Im excited to have 6 SA3As because i LOVE the La3a and im sure i'll use it all over the place. Hoping to make one with Elma switch for bus work maybe. |
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Post by svart on Mar 23, 2020 21:59:25 GMT -6
Wow. Those prices. I built a stereo pair for like less than 400$. The only hard part is finding the EL panels.
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Post by kcatthedog on Mar 24, 2020 2:15:06 GMT -6
Wow. Those prices. I built a stereo pair for like less than 400$. The only hard part is finding the EL panels. ya I remember Svart, thought the serpent prices were a little high too ! |
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Post by Blackdawg on Mar 24, 2020 8:57:25 GMT -6
The transformers and meters and knobs from hairball alone are almost $500
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Post by svart on Mar 24, 2020 9:10:30 GMT -6
The transformers and meters and knobs from hairball alone are almost $500 I bought meters from eBay for a few bucks. I used edcor transformers since they're just for balancing, and the sidechain transformer is just a tapped speaker voltage transformer you can buy for 15$. |
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Post by bram on Mar 24, 2020 14:35:25 GMT -6
I have one Mike built and 2 kits to assemble. Dr bill has a pair as well. Not sure you can get the boards anymore or not. I believe some of the parts from the bom aren't available either. I've been sitting on the serpent PCBs and front panels for awhile - other than the EL panels, what parts are hard to get now? |
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Post by Blackdawg on Mar 24, 2020 16:18:52 GMT -6
I have one Mike built and 2 kits to assemble. Dr bill has a pair as well. Not sure you can get the boards anymore or not. I believe some of the parts from the bom aren't available either. I've been sitting on the serpent PCBs and front panels for awhile - other than the EL panels, what parts are hard to get now? Transformers for hairball seem to go in and out of stock a lot. Not sure why. I think some of the original transistors and resistors which aren't hard to substitute. I have 2 kits to build and one with most the parts. Will find out soon! Just what I have read from others who have done the build. |
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Post by rob61 on Mar 24, 2020 16:59:41 GMT -6
Here is my build. A great all arounder. |
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Post by bram on Mar 24, 2020 20:37:31 GMT -6
Here is my build. A great all arounder. Doesn't look like the picture made it in. |
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