Nice thread!
Just wanted to chime in to correct stated assumptions before they have a chance to become internet dogma:
Both transformers in the Two-V are proprietary models, made specifically for me here in the USA.
Good eye on the input, svart! I believe that is the same black enclosure on my input that's used on Ed's 10468 clone sold by Hairball, but it is, indeed, a different transformer design inside (not just because it is pcb mounted either -- the winding structure is different). I worked with Ed on the design, and he recommended I have Altran build it. Given the housing I assume they also make his 10468 clone, though to be clear this too is an assumption... I didn't ask Ed about it.
As for the output, it is also made for me by Altran, and it is also a custom design, though I worked directly with Dave at Altran myself to develop it and went though a few revisions before we finalized the design.
I am very much a huge fan of the old Neve circuits, but I wanted a different character from the iron than what they and their cloners use. These amp stages respond wonderfully to the level and content of the incoming signals, but the usual iron seems to be a one-trick pony (good trick, for sure, but I wanted that and more). The intentions for my iron were:
1) I wanted the larger-than-life, authoritative, driven sound that people love this type of circuit for when tracking drums, cabinets, and other heavy stuff, plus
2) I specifically wanted it to offer a more delicate character capable of a gentler touch when working with more intimate sources
3) I wanted to have a distinct, dynamic character that feels 'alive' rather than mushed or saturated -- a strong visceral response that jumps out of the speakers, and
4) I wanted to be able to use the preamp, overdub after overdub, without the low-mid buildup that requires sifting through and filtering at mixdown.
So I needed iron that offers a vintage, but lively dynamic character that would compliment a more versatile gain arrangement giving it the ability to do what people love the old Brit class-A stuff for, but open up the range for much greater creativity. Many folks will only buy one 'good' preamp to do all their critical tracks with their personal rigs, so I wanted to offer something that gives people the ability to realize more of what's in their heads when working with different sources and styles.
This is precisely the feedback I've been getting from everyone, and, in fact, Tape Op is about to print a review where the reviewer said the Two-V was the first preamp he had used for all-day overdub sessions (with a diverse set of sources) without feeling a desire to reach for any other unit, something he said he hasn't done since the 90's when
one good preamp was all he had.
Okay, enough bloviating. Just wanted to clarify.
Carry on!
Joel
