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Post by jacobamerritt on Aug 30, 2023 14:15:27 GMT -6
First choice is by far Stam Audio SA2A, but the budget isn't there now, so I'm leaning towards the Lindell LiN2A. Had a pair of Klark Teknik's, couldn't return them quick enough. They need to create a Stam Card (credit card!) I've been using the KT-2As with solid results... Curious what made them unusable for you. I have a Lindell 17xa I really love as well! |
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Post by averagebear6 on Aug 30, 2023 14:32:54 GMT -6
Glad you like your KT's. The KT LA2A clones seem a lot better than their Pultec clones..
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Post by hadaja on Aug 30, 2023 15:48:38 GMT -6
Since receiving my $102,000 medical bill, and having to pay for 20% of that, I've been using the UA 176 plug-in. Damn, it's REALLY good. The Retro 176 is becoming my GAS compressor lately. Ouch , Ay , Aie, Autsch, Ahia, uwtsh. in any language this amount of $$$$$ is painful. Sorry to hear. |
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Post by jacobamerritt on Aug 30, 2023 15:58:45 GMT -6
Glad you like your KT's. The KT LA2A clones seem a lot better than their Pultec clones.. Ah, I thought you had the KT2As... I had the KT pultec clones as well for a little bit. Didn't work out for me either. |
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Post by notneeson on Aug 30, 2023 17:35:53 GMT -6
First choice is by far Stam Audio SA2A, but the budget isn't there now, so I'm leaning towards the Lindell LiN2A. Had a pair of Klark Teknik's, couldn't return them quick enough. They need to create a Stam Card (credit card!) I've been using the KT-2As with solid results... Curious what made them unusable for you. I have a Lindell 17xa I really love as well! I swapped in a Kenetek opto-cell in my KT for kicks. Totally unnecessary, but fun. |
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Post by jacobamerritt on Aug 31, 2023 0:00:16 GMT -6
I've been using the KT-2As with solid results... Curious what made them unusable for you. I have a Lindell 17xa I really love as well! I swapped in a Kenetek opto-cell in my KT for kicks. Totally unnecessary, but fun. Ive considered this, how much of an improvement did it make for you? 10%? 25%? |
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Post by notneeson on Aug 31, 2023 9:54:12 GMT -6
I swapped in a Kenetek opto-cell in my KT for kicks. Totally unnecessary, but fun. Ive considered this, how much of an improvement did it make for you? 10%? 25%? Man, that’s such a good question. I was completely unscientific about it so it’s really hard to say. I’ve been troubleshooting and getting used to my new space for a few months so the timing of the mod makes it hard to have a great gut check on this. I’ll chime back in if I can get some quality time with the box. It was kind of just a fun thing to do. (Have been tracking without compression since I sussed out that my Quad Eights needed a recap and haven’t hooked everything back up since my main chain is in the shop). |
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Post by Ward on Aug 31, 2023 10:53:58 GMT -6
I swapped in a Kenetek opto-cell in my KT for kicks. Totally unnecessary, but fun. Ive considered this, how much of an improvement did it make for you? 10%? 25%? I can't speak to the Lindell, but as you are probably aware units like the stam and Audioscape are way higher quality . . . With the stam SA2a, Josh hooked me up with Bill at Kenetek and I got a couple of his T4 cells, both different as previously mentioned. The slower one was a 10% improvement but the faster one (because it's what I was looking for) was like 33% improvement over an already great compressor. And it is WAY better than my Universal Audio ones that I considered clones at best until they were rebuilt to original Teletronix specs. |
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Post by ericn on Aug 31, 2023 12:09:37 GMT -6
Ive considered this, how much of an improvement did it make for you? 10%? 25%? I can't speak to the Lindell, but as you are probably aware units like the stam and Audioscape are way higher quality . . . With the stam SA2a, Josh hooked me up with Bill at Kenetek and I got a couple of his T4 cells, both different as previously mentioned. The slower one was a 10% improvement but the faster one (because it's what I was looking for) was like 33% improvement over an already great compressor. And it is WAY better than my Universal Audio ones that I considered clones at best until they were rebuilt to original Teletronix specs. The biggest issue with the dirt cheap clones is pots and switches, ironically the original KT’s were better than average but they seam to have found a cheaper components. Most of the modders don’t address this because a mid grade Bourns or Alps isn’t sexy. |
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Post by notneeson on Aug 31, 2023 15:29:11 GMT -6
Ive considered this, how much of an improvement did it make for you? 10%? 25%? I can't speak to the Lindell, but as you are probably aware units like the stam and Audioscape are way higher quality . . . With the stam SA2a, Josh hooked me up with Bill at Kenetek and I got a couple of his T4 cells, both different as previously mentioned. The slower one was a 10% improvement but the faster one (because it's what I was looking for) was like 33% improvement over an already great compressor. And it is WAY better than my Universal Audio ones that I considered clones at best until they were rebuilt to original Teletronix specs. I went with the one Bill recommended for vocals. I want to say fast, but I’m not sure. I use the reissue UA all the time. It’s completely useful but so is the KT. So are ADLs. I guess I’m not that picky about optos. Haven’t met a bad one yet. Would seriously consider the audioscape. Kinda done with Stam hype. His gear is fine. Lots of fish in the sea and life is short. Anyway, you know what sound great on line input? My group buy TNC Neve clones. As in, I’m happy to use them on the master bus, they are that good. And yet, I still want a Silver Bullet. |
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Post by notneeson on Aug 31, 2023 16:01:37 GMT -6
I can't speak to the Lindell, but as you are probably aware units like the stam and Audioscape are way higher quality . . . With the stam SA2a, Josh hooked me up with Bill at Kenetek and I got a couple of his T4 cells, both different as previously mentioned. The slower one was a 10% improvement but the faster one (because it's what I was looking for) was like 33% improvement over an already great compressor. And it is WAY better than my Universal Audio ones that I considered clones at best until they were rebuilt to original Teletronix specs. The biggest issue with the dirt cheap clones is pots and switches, ironically the original KT’s were better than average but they seam to have found a cheaper components. Most of the modders don’t address this because a mid grade Bourns or Alps isn’t sexy. This is precisely what the late, great Oliver Archut said as well when he was servicing the group buy stuff for TNC. |
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Post by ericn on Aug 31, 2023 16:19:26 GMT -6
The biggest issue with the dirt cheap clones is pots and switches, ironically the original KT’s were better than average but they seam to have found a cheaper components. Most of the modders don’t address this because a mid grade Bourns or Alps isn’t sexy. This is precisely what the late, great Oliver Archut said as well when he was servicing the group buy stuff for TNC. While this is not a new problem nor did it originate with Chinese clones, it is a pet peeve. Nothing like going cheap on the only parts that literally physically wear out! Then let’s say 10 years from now you need a replacement you find out it was some weird value, or taper, or pin out or combination that really crappy 50 cents pot requires an expensive replacement. The thing is I completely understand the guy in accounting saying “ we can save x per unit with this pot” what I don’t understand is nobody saying “ but pots and switches are the only parts that wear out! |
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Post by niklas1073 on Sept 1, 2023 2:38:07 GMT -6
This is a discussion I really enjoy to read. I agree and value ericn’s point in build. We often discuss sound difference and determine the value based on that. Is the sound difference twice as good to justify the the double or triple cost of a cheap clone vs a boutique for example. But that is not the whole truth. I find myself often feeling one of the low budget ones feels expensive for what they are and a 3 times more expensive feels reasonable in price considering parts used, quality of labour, great personal after purchase service and what not. Knowing this unit will last generations in everyday use. Nowadays I think there is a great midway, if we talk about la2a between the chinese and the teletronix. When you are in the 1500-2000usd range you will find a build that equals of supersedes the high price units and sound wise you are in the ball park. So it’ not always even that the jump has to be huge to great quality built hardware.
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Post by ericn on Sept 1, 2023 11:01:24 GMT -6
This is a discussion I really enjoy to read. I agree and value ericn’s point in build. We often discuss sound difference and determine the value based on that. Is the sound difference twice as good to justify the the double or triple cost of a cheap clone vs a boutique for example. But that is not the whole truth. I find myself often feeling one of the low budget ones feels expensive for what they are and a 3 times more expensive feels reasonable in price considering parts used, quality of labour, great personal after purchase service and what not. Knowing this unit will last generations in everyday use. Nowadays I think there is a great midway, if we talk about la2a between the chinese and the teletronix. When you are in the 1500-2000usd range you will find a build that equals of supersedes the high price units and sound wise you are in the ball park. So it’ not always even that the jump has to be huge to great quality built hardware. Nickolas, I think one of the reasons this bugs me so much is that I think back 41 years to 14 year old me hunting through the stacks of used gear trying to find something special. Quite often this meant grabbing that Audio Arts or EV-Tapco with scratchy pots, riding my bike to Popkey Electronics and buying a replacement pot or some Caig and bringing it back. While the new generation has a huge selection of cheap new gear, I know the 14 year old’s are still digging in the used bins and trying to bring back a Behringer is like trying to bring back Jerry Garcia. It’s not an environmental thing, it’s more of a an emotional thing but I hate seeing gear end up in landfills! |
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Post by copperx on Sept 1, 2023 12:01:53 GMT -6
I've been using the KT-2As with solid results... Curious what made them unusable for you. I have a Lindell 17xa I really love as well! I swapped in a Kenetek opto-cell in my KT for kicks. Totally unnecessary, but fun. Huh, it never occured to me before to use a LA2A style comp on a kick; I might try it. Do you heavily eq before the compressor? |
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Post by notneeson on Sept 1, 2023 12:18:20 GMT -6
I swapped in a Kenetek opto-cell in my KT for kicks. Totally unnecessary, but fun. Huh, it never occured to me before to use a LA2A style comp on a kick; I might try it. Do you heavily eq before the compressor? Hah, I meant “for fun.” That said, modded LA4 can be cool on bass drum, so why not give your opto a whirl. I came across that combo almost by accident years ago. It definitely does a thing and the clip indicator will def go off. |
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Post by 000 on Sept 1, 2023 21:05:58 GMT -6
I swapped in a Kenetek opto-cell in my KT for kicks. Totally unnecessary, but fun. Ive considered this, how much of an improvement did it make for you? 10%? 25%? Swapped the opto-cell and tubes in mine. I’d say the difference was quite significant. The kenetek has a much smoother compression quality where the stock sounded more hard and rigid. Vintage tubes gave it a fatter/darker sound. To me it sounds like a different piece of gear. Still doesn’t quite hold up to much more expensive pieces - but is very useable. |
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Post by niklas1073 on Sept 2, 2023 6:02:55 GMT -6
I swapped in a Kenetek opto-cell in my KT for kicks. Totally unnecessary, but fun. Huh, it never occured to me before to use a LA2A style comp on a kick; I might try it. Do you heavily eq before the compressor? The question was not for me, but I can chime in as I use regulary La2a on kick. I usually track my kick with a D12vr thru 1176 or non compressed, and then pair that mike with a fet47 style mic thru an La2a clone with some 2dB gr. Then I usually add some slight compression in mixing, but they sit pretty solid as is. Works great. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2023 8:38:46 GMT -6
Ive considered this, how much of an improvement did it make for you? 10%? 25%? I can't speak to the Lindell, but as you are probably aware units like the stam and Audioscape are way higher quality . . . With the stam SA2a, Josh hooked me up with Bill at Kenetek and I got a couple of his T4 cells, both different as previously mentioned. The slower one was a 10% improvement but the faster one (because it's what I was looking for) was like 33% improvement over an already great compressor. And it is WAY better than my Universal Audio ones that I considered clones at best until they were rebuilt to original Teletronix specs. Optical sensors are hit or miss. Maselec said they got worse which is why they discontinued their compressors temporarily. They stockpiled parts for years to build 60 MLA-2. I’ve long suspected that the UA “reissue” hardware was built to sell plugins. Ua and bomb factory started the subpar emulation market. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2023 8:41:45 GMT -6
I can't speak to the Lindell, but as you are probably aware units like the stam and Audioscape are way higher quality . . . With the stam SA2a, Josh hooked me up with Bill at Kenetek and I got a couple of his T4 cells, both different as previously mentioned. The slower one was a 10% improvement but the faster one (because it's what I was looking for) was like 33% improvement over an already great compressor. And it is WAY better than my Universal Audio ones that I considered clones at best until they were rebuilt to original Teletronix specs. The biggest issue with the dirt cheap clones is pots and switches, ironically the original KT’s were better than average but they seam to have found a cheaper components. Most of the modders don’t address this because a mid grade Bourns or Alps isn’t sexy. Biggest issue with Chinese gear usually isn’t the switches. They’ll use alps just to say they use it. It’s the junk capacitors, fake opamps, careless circuit design, and zero quality control post solder reflow. |
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Post by ericn on Sept 2, 2023 9:59:07 GMT -6
The biggest issue with the dirt cheap clones is pots and switches, ironically the original KT’s were better than average but they seam to have found a cheaper components. Most of the modders don’t address this because a mid grade Bourns or Alps isn’t sexy. Biggest issue with Chinese gear usually isn’t the switches. They’ll use alps just to say they use it. It’s the junk capacitors, fake opamps, careless circuit design, and zero quality control post solder reflow. While Alps makes some very good products, the make so many different ones at different price points, they have really expanded into the cheap market taking full advantage of their good name. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2023 10:44:45 GMT -6
Biggest issue with Chinese gear usually isn’t the switches. They’ll use alps just to say they use it. It’s the junk capacitors, fake opamps, careless circuit design, and zero quality control post solder reflow. While Alps makes some very good products, the make so many different ones at different price points, they have really expanded into the cheap market taking full advantage of their good name. Yes. I think it's more like they are willing to sell off pots with poorly matched resistive strips for dirt cheap and also miniaturized their pots and faders with poor granularity. Some of these supposedly pro products are worse than a Tascam eq. |
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