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Post by Blackdawg on Feb 12, 2019 13:45:33 GMT -6
Well funny you should ask.. So i have a pair that are stock output Trannys and IC opamps. And a pair with 2503L Output trannys and stock IC op amps(NE5532P) For output opamps I have mainly used Brads Rogue5 Opamp. However.. I am in process of doing a large shootout of opamps. Right now i have the following: gar2520 gar1731 garAM10 gar910c Rogue5 REDD5 SS2590 APP992e Id like to add more to the list but this is plenty to start. That and I kind of like that they are all in the same general price point of $40 or less. I need to get some Hairball 990s in there too. I also plan on trying the OPA1612 in the input and probably a APP992DIP as well. So Im going to make a PT session for this and share it when its done. Then you'll be able to hear the difference in opamps and transformers yourself. I've only just begun this with burning in the opamps. So i don't have a ton of experience with the other opamps yet. I will say the Rogue5 is a great choice though. Its punchy and extended. So...eventually, I will have a lot to say on the opamps! haha Just not 100% yet. Hit a few kinks with a bad part in the new 2503L pair and I just got the replacement so should be starting in on the comparison this week. If I send you some of my in-house M2 op amps would you include em in your shootout? I can send you pcbs and a bom or solder up a pair. Oh man I have some I think! I forgot about them. I will include them for sure. Just have to order the parts. I'll do that tonight |
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Post by matt@IAA on Feb 12, 2019 13:54:59 GMT -6
Blackdawg The ones I sent were QE, they'd be essentially identical to the garAM10. The M2 is different entirely. I'll send you some PCBs.
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Post by Blackdawg on Feb 12, 2019 14:49:39 GMT -6
Blackdawg The ones I sent were QE, they'd be essentially identical to the garAM10. The M2 is different entirely. I'll send you some PCBs. Ahh gotcha. Well cool, be glad to hear them and try it out! Well I'll do the QE too since I have them. |
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Post by jeromemason on Feb 12, 2019 23:20:18 GMT -6
I ended up going between Brad's Rogue opamps and Scotts SL1731's. Both are really great but I ended up leaving the SL1731's in there. I also reached out to Hairball about their "Raindog" Opamps they use in their Bronze Elements mic pre's. They don't have them listed for sale, but said they would sell them for $40 each. From what they told me, those really get you the tone of the input stage of LA-3A's, so I've thought about getting a pair. But, I use mine on the Mixbuss so I'm not sure I'd want that tone across my whole mix, but it'd be a cool experiment.
One thing I'll throw in here, I recently had a Dangerous Compressor in here and when I had the EQ's engaged it really messed with the openness and width of that compressor, not sure why, but it was night and day. I wanted to see what my old setup sounded like compared to the no EQ/Dangerous Comp setup and man, when I put those EQ's back in and pushed them into my custom SSL type buss comp there was pure magic. I re-printed all the mixes and sent them to the producer and his exact words were "Don't fuck with your buss anymore, keep what you've got, the difference is incredible." So, that saved me $3,000. I'd love to try more Opamps, but all I've got are the ones above and Gar2520's, Gar1731's and SL Red Dots and none of those did what either Brad's or Scotts 1731's have done. Both of those Opamps have just the right tone for the mix buss, very open and detailed and a very punchy low-end. Just running the mix through the circuit, no EQ gives it a vibe that I can't work without.
Blackdawg, did you ever get the OPA1612's in? That makes a massive difference in terms of fidelity, it's pretty remarkable for an Opamp that everyone says is doing "nothing."
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Post by Blackdawg on Feb 13, 2019 0:17:35 GMT -6
I ended up going between Brad's Rogue opamps and Scotts SL1731's. Both are really great but I ended up leaving the SL1731's in there. I also reached out to Hairball about their "Raindog" Opamps they use in their Bronze Elements mic pre's. They don't have them listed for sale, but said they would sell them for $40 each. From what they told me, those really get you the tone of the input stage of LA-3A's, so I've thought about getting a pair. But, I use mine on the Mixbuss so I'm not sure I'd want that tone across my whole mix, but it'd be a cool experiment. One thing I'll throw in here, I recently had a Dangerous Compressor in here and when I had the EQ's engaged it really messed with the openness and width of that compressor, not sure why, but it was night and day. I wanted to see what my old setup sounded like compared to the no EQ/Dangerous Comp setup and man, when I put those EQ's back in and pushed them into my custom SSL type buss comp there was pure magic. I re-printed all the mixes and sent them to the producer and his exact words were "Don't fuck with your buss anymore, keep what you've got, the difference is incredible." So, that saved me $3,000. I'd love to try more Opamps, but all I've got are the ones above and Gar2520's, Gar1731's and SL Red Dots and none of those did what either Brad's or Scotts 1731's have done. Both of those Opamps have just the right tone for the mix buss, very open and detailed and a very punchy low-end. Just running the mix through the circuit, no EQ gives it a vibe that I can't work without. Blackdawg, did you ever get the OPA1612's in? That makes a massive difference in terms of fidelity, it's pretty remarkable for an Opamp that everyone says is doing "nothing." Oooo interesting about the raindog opamps. I've almost purchased those pre amps several times to get to play with them. I love la3as. I'll reach out to Mike tomorrow and ask to order a pair perhaps. I haven't done the opa1614 opamps yet. But they are in the mail. I'm excited to hear all the different tones I'm about to experience haha Also going to try the APP992DIP which should be cool. Sparkos labs makes a discrete DIP8 opamp too I might try. I've only ever got to hear Scott's red dots and they were certainly more punchy then gar2520. I just don't want to shell out 60 bucks a pop haha especially if I like them a lot! The VF600 is intriguing to me too.. So many things. Totally nerding out about opamps. Love it haha Brad also has a new opamp coming out called the Rogue2 apparently. Supposed to be super open and clean. I really want some..but I'm not in the cool kids club to get some demo units. Hopefully be out in the next year or so. Great to hear these EQs still work well for you. I still really like them too. |
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Post by professorplum on Feb 13, 2019 13:43:11 GMT -6
I ended up going between Brad's Rogue opamps and Scotts SL1731's. Both are really great but I ended up leaving the SL1731's in there. Hey jerome, I tried looking up the SL1731s but only finding 2510 + 2520 on his website. Am I missing something or does someone else sell them? Also wondering what transformer are you using with them? May have missed you mentioning earlier in thread... |
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Post by jeromemason on Feb 13, 2019 14:23:42 GMT -6
I ended up going between Brad's Rogue opamps and Scotts SL1731's. Both are really great but I ended up leaving the SL1731's in there. Hey jerome, I tried looking up the SL1731s but only finding 2510 + 2520 on his website. Am I missing something or does someone else sell them? Also wondering what transformer are you using with them? May have missed you mentioning earlier in thread... I'm not certain.... You may need to email Scott to ask for an invoice? |
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Post by Blackdawg on Feb 13, 2019 14:33:26 GMT -6
I ended up going between Brad's Rogue opamps and Scotts SL1731's. Both are really great but I ended up leaving the SL1731's in there. Hey jerome, I tried looking up the SL1731s but only finding 2510 + 2520 on his website. Am I missing something or does someone else sell them? Also wondering what transformer are you using with them? May have missed you mentioning earlier in thread... Yeah i just looked on CAPIs site, used to be able to get them there but it says to contact Steve directly for individual sales now. Only available through capi kits otherwise. He is using the 2503L transformer on the output. |
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Post by Blackdawg on Feb 13, 2019 15:12:44 GMT -6
Ordered a pair of the Raindog op amps jeromemason there were $50 each. Most i've spent so far on op amps.. Anyways, figured they probably aren't a good call for EQs on a mix bus. However, i have 2 DIYRE OLA5 compressors with the vintage output...and i have a feeling that these will be great in those no matter what. So it will be fun to compare them with the shoot out im planning to the others, but likely will end up in those compressors. OPA1612s ordered too. This will be fun! |
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Post by Blackdawg on Feb 19, 2019 21:23:50 GMT -6
990s built. Raindogs are here too and my OPA1614s showed up prefabbed.
Will do a burn in for the 990s then I'm going to start printing files!
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Post by professorplum on Feb 25, 2019 13:08:01 GMT -6
990s built. Raindogs are here too and my OPA1614s showed up prefabbed. Will do a burn in for the 990s then I'm going to start printing files! Looking forward to hearing how the 990s stack up against the others |
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Post by Blackdawg on Feb 25, 2019 14:24:49 GMT -6
990s built. Raindogs are here too and my OPA1614s showed up prefabbed. Will do a burn in for the 990s then I'm going to start printing files! Looking forward to hearing how the 990s stack up against the others Me too! Lots of op amps to hear! |
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Post by Blackdawg on Feb 25, 2019 14:55:02 GMT -6
990s built. Raindogs are here too and my OPA1614s showed up prefabbed. Will do a burn in for the 990s then I'm going to start printing files! Looking forward to hearing how the 990s stack up against the others Interesting thing about the HB 990s.. Had them in to try out. No signal on one of the EQs. Huh. Odd. Swapped the amps. Same side didn't pass signal. Okay..swap EQs. Follows the EQ. Cool. Swap Op amps. Works! Damn. Well figured it out. Due to how the 990s have the coupled diode on the back of the Transistors, they contact the transformer. The one that worked only did due to the op amp not getting pressed flat. I had to put a strip of Electrical tape on the back side to sit between the transformer and the transistors so they would not contact. Works great now. Still thats a bit of a bummer. I don't think its the 990s fault. I will likely let Peterson know so he can move the transformer a touch towards the end pins. Looks like he would have room for it and only needs like 1mm. |
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Post by professorplum on Mar 6, 2019 13:52:06 GMT -6
Well figured it out. Due to how the 990s have the coupled diode on the back of the Transistors, they contact the transformer. The one that worked only did due to the op amp not getting pressed flat. I had to put a strip of Electrical tape on the back side to sit between the transformer and the transistors so they would not contact. Works great now. Thanks for the info - something to consider if I decide to go with those 990s in the units. How did you feel about the sound with them? |
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Post by Blackdawg on Mar 6, 2019 15:10:35 GMT -6
Well figured it out. Due to how the 990s have the coupled diode on the back of the Transistors, they contact the transformer. The one that worked only did due to the op amp not getting pressed flat. I had to put a strip of Electrical tape on the back side to sit between the transformer and the transistors so they would not contact. Works great now. Thanks for the info - something to consider if I decide to go with those 990s in the units. How did you feel about the sound with them? I let Peterson know and he is going to change the PCB board. So at some point it won't be an issue. I actually just used them with OPA1612 opamps as well with the 2503 transformers on a project. Was very nice for what I was working on. Im excited to hear all these different options. |
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Post by matt@IAA on Mar 22, 2019 8:23:24 GMT -6
Thanks for the info - something to consider if I decide to go with those 990s in the units. How did you feel about the sound with them? I let Peterson know and he is going to change the PCB board. So at some point it won't be an issue. I actually just used them with OPA1612 opamps as well with the 2503 transformers on a project. Was very nice for what I was working on. Im excited to hear all these different options. Any testing done yet? I'm really excited about this testing. |
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Post by Blackdawg on Mar 22, 2019 9:56:28 GMT -6
I let Peterson know and he is going to change the PCB board. So at some point it won't be an issue. I actually just used them with OPA1612 opamps as well with the 2503 transformers on a project. Was very nice for what I was working on. Im excited to hear all these different options. Any testing done yet? I'm really excited about this testing. Alas. No. Im drowning in editing at work. Going on a much needed vacation next week thank god. Then..I will start burning tracks! Im pretty excited about this myself. Your Op amp has sparked a lot of thought from me after hearing some examples. Its clean but not at the same time. Looking forward to how it stacks up. |
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Post by dagogo on Aug 10, 2020 19:46:22 GMT -6
This thread can't be over can it?! Reminds me of a certain John Sayles movie...
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Post by plinker on Oct 28, 2020 19:50:39 GMT -6
ping...
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Post by Quint on Nov 25, 2020 15:31:03 GMT -6
Did anybody ever compare this DIYRE pultec to the one from Sound Skulptor (EQP501)?
The DIYRE one seems cool, but I'm wondering how much I'm gonna wish I had some of those additional frequencies that other pultec clones have, like the Sound Skulptor?
The sale price for the DIYRE right now is nice, but the normal price is about what it costs to get the SS kit.
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Post by Blackdawg on Nov 25, 2020 15:43:43 GMT -6
Can't say I have. I don't have a Sound Skulptor product at all actually, should probably remedy that.
JLM also makes a 500 series pultec kit if you're shopping around.
I still very much like my DIYRE EQP5s. I use them a lot.
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Post by Quint on Nov 25, 2020 15:55:13 GMT -6
Can't say I have. I don't have a Sound Skulptor product at all actually, should probably remedy that. JLM also makes a 500 series pultec kit if you're shopping around. I still very much like my DIYRE EQP5s. I use them a lot. And you don't feel like you're missing those other frequencies? What sources do you use your EQP5s on? |
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Post by rowmat on Nov 25, 2020 15:59:16 GMT -6
Can't say I have. I don't have a Sound Skulptor product at all actually, should probably remedy that. JLM also makes a 500 series pultec kit if you're shopping around. I still very much like my DIYRE EQP5s. I use them a lot. The JLM PEQ has a selectable hi-shelf option which looks useful. |
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Post by Quint on Nov 25, 2020 16:08:05 GMT -6
Can't say I have. I don't have a Sound Skulptor product at all actually, should probably remedy that. JLM also makes a 500 series pultec kit if you're shopping around. I still very much like my DIYRE EQP5s. I use them a lot. The JLM PEQ has a selectable hi-shelf option which looks useful. I wish they sold that one as a kit. |
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Post by drbill on Nov 25, 2020 16:23:26 GMT -6
Can't say I have. I don't have a Sound Skulptor product at all actually, should probably remedy that. JLM also makes a 500 series pultec kit if you're shopping around. I still very much like my DIYRE EQP5s. I use them a lot. And you don't feel like you're missing those other frequencies? What sources do you use your EQP5s on? Caveat - I don't think I'm a hard core pultec fan. But I've got 3 pairs - AudioScape, DIYRE, and the Klark Teknik's. When I reach for a pultec (which is often times after I reach for other standard style EQ's), the DIYRE always seems to come in 2nd or 3rd. For whatever it's worth. For Elec Gtrs, the KT wins often. For vocals or busses the AS seems to get the nod. Kick drum too. Certainly the DIYRE is a great product, but for whatever reason, I end up other places often. |
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