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Post by bricejchandler on Apr 10, 2024 5:22:30 GMT -6
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Post by EmRR on Apr 10, 2024 5:32:50 GMT -6
Yes, I remember that being one of the options. Don’t even remember what’s in mine.
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Post by bricejchandler on Apr 10, 2024 5:40:13 GMT -6
Yes, I remember that being one of the options. Don’t even remember what’s in mine. Thanks for the reply, I'm not sure what it is doing in there? do you think it has a negative influence on the sound and would it be better to replace them with another opamp? |
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Post by matt@IAA on Apr 10, 2024 7:30:34 GMT -6
Looks like a 5534. In a API 525 there are three amps - one input which is also the compressor voltage controlled amp (FET in its feedback loop), one driving the sidechain and doing the de-ess filtering, and one driver being the output transformer. I doubt you’ll hear much difference in the second position, but the output will color as pushed and the voltage controlled amplifier in the first position might if it is adding a lot of gain. I wouldn’t think a 5534 would make anything sound worse.
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Post by bricejchandler on Apr 10, 2024 7:50:24 GMT -6
Thanks a lot, though I have to admit that almost all of that went totally over my head haha!!
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Post by okcrecording on Apr 10, 2024 14:01:24 GMT -6
I have a some similar experience here, not directly with the CAPI FC526, but how IC and discrete opamps can differ. Years ago, when I wanted to dip my toes into the 500 series world, I purchased 2 single knob Old School Audio preamps that were essentially API topology with an IC opamp. I liked how they sounded, but didnt completely get me into that API territory. I looked into whether the OSA opamps could be easily swapped with API/CAPI opamps and sure enough they are direct replacements. I ordered some DOA PCB socket sets from CAPI and widened the pads for each socket, soldered them in and I could easily swap the opamps to test the differences.
Long story short, the difference between the two opamps were small. That said, the only difference I did "possibly" observe with the IC opamps, they seemed to have a slightly faster response or didnt (for lack of a better term and I will await the lambasting) have as much "give" as the discrete opamps. The CAPI discrete opamps had a slight "give" to the sound. The IC's to my ear sounded harder. Not harsher, but how the opamp responded to the source material.
I cant say that one was definitively better than the other, or that they were vastly different. But honestly as with most things audio, it depended on the source being recorded and mics used that drove my preference. I was not a fan of the IC opamps for guitars and vocals. But, they didn't prevent me from capturing some great sounds. Ultimately, I ended up leaving the CAPI opamps in, but that could easily be cork sniffing bias.
Main takeaway, the IC opamps will be fine, plus you can always change them later. The CAPI kits come with the DOA PCB socket sets and you can change them easily by popping the old opamp out and inserting a new one. I currently have a 10 space 500 series rack loaded with CAPI preamps and swap the opamps all the time depending on the sound I am going for. (you might already know this)
Hope this helps.
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Post by notneeson on Apr 10, 2024 18:11:28 GMT -6
Recovering discrete snob here. I have to say, stuff like vintage Trident TSM preamp and EQs and the AEA pres really show that topology isn't the end all be all of good sound.
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Post by fishnmusician on Apr 10, 2024 19:25:20 GMT -6
GAR 1731
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Post by doubledog on Apr 11, 2024 7:22:15 GMT -6
sounds like maybe you did not assemble this FC526? If you decide to get some other CAPI OpAmps (or from somewhere else), you may want to consider getting them pre-assembled too (if you haven't done it before). There are a lot of pretty tiny parts and it's easy to get something installed backward or create a solder bridge (that you can barely see) and then they are also not easy to fix because they are so small. (yes, I say from experience, and I've done quite a bit of soldering). But once you have the assembled OpAmps, they are super easy to swap around and then you could decide which you like at which position (and for the most part they can pretty universally be swapped around - you won't blow it up at least by swapping)
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Post by bricejchandler on Apr 11, 2024 7:48:43 GMT -6
sounds like maybe you did not assemble this FC526? If you decide to get some other CAPI OpAmps (or from somewhere else), you may want to consider getting them pre-assembled too (if you haven't done it before). There are a lot of pretty tiny parts and it's easy to get something installed backward or create a solder bridge (that you can barely see) and then they are also not easy to fix because they are so small. (yes, I say from experience, and I've done quite a bit of soldering). But once you have the assembled OpAmps, they are super easy to swap around and then you could decide which you like at which position (and for the most part they can pretty universally be swapped around - you won't blow it up at least by swapping) Nope! I just saw if for sale online and was wondering what those opamps were, I'd never seen anything like them in Capis, I've owned a lot of Capi stuff and a ton of different opamps for them but I'd never seen those Ic things, and was wondering if they affected the sound. Anyway, the compressor sold before I could make an offer ! ( it was pretty cheap ) |
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Post by bricejchandler on Apr 11, 2024 7:53:16 GMT -6
I have a some similar experience here, not directly with the CAPI FC526, but how IC and discrete opamps can differ. Years ago, when I wanted to dip my toes into the 500 series world, I purchased 2 single knob Old School Audio preamps that were essentially API topology with an IC opamp. I liked how they sounded, but didnt completely get me into that API territory. I looked into whether the OSA opamps could be easily swapped with API/CAPI opamps and sure enough they are direct replacements. I ordered some DOA PCB socket sets from CAPI and widened the pads for each socket, soldered them in and I could easily swap the opamps to test the differences. Long story short, the difference between the two opamps were small. That said, the only difference I did "possibly" observe with the IC opamps, they seemed to have a slightly faster response or didnt (for lack of a better term and I will await the lambasting) have as much "give" as the discrete opamps. The CAPI discrete opamps had a slight "give" to the sound. The IC's to my ear sounded harder. Not harsher, but how the opamp responded to the source material. I cant say that one was definitively better than the other, or that they were vastly different. But honestly as with most things audio, it depended on the source being recorded and mics used that drove my preference. I was not a fan of the IC opamps for guitars and vocals. But, they didn't prevent me from capturing some great sounds. Ultimately, I ended up leaving the CAPI opamps in, but that could easily be cork sniffing bias. Main takeaway, the IC opamps will be fine, plus you can always change them later. The CAPI kits come with the DOA PCB socket sets and you can change them easily by popping the old opamp out and inserting a new one. I currently have a 10 space 500 series rack loaded with CAPI preamps and swap the opamps all the time depending on the sound I am going for. (you might already know this) Hope this helps. Thanks for the detailed review. I'll stick to discrete opamps then, plus like you say it just opens up so many possibilities for different sounds. I don't have any Capi stuff anymore , but I used to have Red Dots everywhere, thinking about picking up some comps and eq again. |
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Post by christopher on Apr 13, 2024 22:47:29 GMT -6
Looks like a 5534. In a API 525 there are three amps - one input which is also the compressor voltage controlled amp (FET in its feedback loop), one driving the sidechain and doing the de-ess filtering, and one driver being the output transformer. I doubt you’ll hear much difference in the second position, but the output will color as pushed and the voltage controlled amplifier in the first position might if it is adding a lot of gain. I wouldn’t think a 5534 would make anything sound worse. when you zoom in it says “DO NOT drive a transformer with this PCB!” A little scary… why not? Should we be worried? |
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Post by matt@IAA on Apr 14, 2024 13:05:38 GMT -6
Nah, just that typically an API design has a 1:2 or even 1:3 step up transformer. If you have that connected to a 10k load, not a huge deal - the op amp would see the load divided by the square of the turns ratio. So in 1:3 the 10k “looks like” 1111 ohms. Not a huge deal. But if it’s a 600 ohm load? 66 ohms will make most any IC op amp fart out.
A 5534 can drive max 38 mA, so that would be 2.5V max into that load. That’s +7 dBu max. But it wouldn’t sound good doing it. No fires or anything though.
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 14, 2024 13:11:36 GMT -6
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Post by jsteiger on Apr 14, 2024 13:29:54 GMT -6
The "receiver" amp is a -6dB amp at the input. Not a huge influence tonally but it does make a difference. The "VVR" amp is where the gain reduction takes place and a little more influential but neither is as influential as the output amp which happens to be a gar1731 in this case. This is the first Rev of the FC526. We made the IC to DOA adapter so folks could save a few bucks over 3 discrete opamps. We recently did a small run of this style comp for a buddy who loves them with the 3 amps. His are loaded with CA-0252s across all spots. |
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