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Post by lcr on Mar 18, 2018 17:49:25 GMT -6
Anybody used? Heard? Thoughts?
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Post by Tbone81 on Mar 18, 2018 19:36:18 GMT -6
I talked with the new-ish owner a while back and he told me they're now winding their own inductors (possibly their own trannies too, don't remember). I'm betting they sound great, the EQ on the original was definitely a strong point.
I happen to be selling a 7602 Mkii Xmod - with the carnhills if your interested. Only selling because I have way too many pres and am currently buying a house.
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Post by jacobamerritt on Nov 14, 2022 1:59:24 GMT -6
Bump
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,107 
Member is Online
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Post by ericn on Nov 14, 2022 10:01:05 GMT -6
The original Chameleon Labs was a dead on copy of a Chandler PCB, at least they didn’t keep the Chandler markings. Since then Nobody has been able to get their act together as far as distribution and product delivery. That Space in the market has also been taken over by Warm.
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Post by Vincent R. on Nov 14, 2022 11:03:25 GMT -6
I've always been curious how these measure up to BAE or AMS-Neve.
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Post by jacobamerritt on Nov 14, 2022 13:13:13 GMT -6
The original Chameleon Labs was a dead on copy of a Chandler PCB, at least they didn’t keep the Chandler markings. Since then Nobody has been able to get their act together as far as distribution and product delivery. That Space in the market has also been taken over by Warm. Im talking the 7603 specifically. Its now made in the USA and they wind their own inductors. |
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Post by recordingengineer on Nov 14, 2022 13:50:42 GMT -6
Based 100% on all the samples I’ve heard online:
I seemed to enjoy the 7603 on a lot, a lot; at least when it comes to the EQ. To me, the only thing that compares is the Heritage HA-81A. I seem to prefer both of those over the Shelford on toms. I also seem to prefer the HA-81A on acoustic guitar more than the Shelford and I like the Shelford on acoustic guitars a lot, a lot. I think the HA-81A is cool on bass too.
Based on actual use:
The Shelford is a great all-arounder and kicks ass over most anything on male vocals.
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Post by jacobamerritt on Nov 14, 2022 16:08:34 GMT -6
So, I messaged Chameleon Labs to see what the state of the company is- Marek Stycos now manages the company... He also is president of Dangerous, and was involved with Phoenix Audio when they came to the US.
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Post by the other mark williams on Nov 14, 2022 23:16:25 GMT -6
So, I messaged Chameleon Labs to see what the state of the company is- Marek Stycos now manages the company... He also is president of Dangerous, and was involved with Phoenix Audio when they came to the US. Well, I have to admit you’ve got me interested now, Jacob. Keep us in the loop if you get ahold of one. |
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peezy
Full Member
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Post by peezy on Nov 15, 2022 1:05:26 GMT -6
So, I messaged Chameleon Labs to see what the state of the company is- Marek Stycos now manages the company... He also is president of Dangerous, and was involved with Phoenix Audio when they came to the US. Well, I have to admit you’ve got me interested now, Jacob. Keep us in the loop if you get ahold of one. I have a chameleon labs 7603 xmod with the carnhills used it tonight actually. I also have a bae 1073. They are similar but the 7603 is a bit more modern. The eq is great on the 7603. Its a bit more open then the 1073 but still has that transformer saturation grit. I would just have to say it's less vintage sounding. Excellent Preamp. |
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Post by Vincent R. on Nov 15, 2022 5:54:02 GMT -6
When I was at the beginning of my mic search I found myself and Emily at a studio in Brooklyn trying out a Peluso 2247LE. Those Peluso’s were the it mics at that moment; only moderately expensive, built well, with vintage vibe. I got to talking with the engineer who I had arranged the session with. They had a Trident console, but also a rack of (8) 7602 X-Mods, and he swore by them. Them and his Lynx Aurora converters. That place had such a nice room too.
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Post by plinker on Nov 15, 2022 20:20:53 GMT -6
The original Chameleon Labs was a dead on copy of a Chandler PCB, at least they didn’t keep the Chandler markings. Since then Nobody has been able to get their act together as far as distribution and product delivery. That Space in the market has also been taken over by Warm. Im talking the 7603 specifically. Its now made in the USA and they wind their own inductors. I dug in a bit on this and it appears that they are now being made oversees. The back panel says “designed and engineered in Washington.” Not that it matters much to me, but it certainly would be nice if they were made here. Zzounds has them for $499. |
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Post by jacobamerritt on Nov 16, 2022 1:40:28 GMT -6
Im talking the 7603 specifically. Its now made in the USA and they wind their own inductors. I dug in a bit on this and it appears that they are now being made oversees. The back panel says “designed and engineered in Washington.” Not that it matters much to me, but it certainly would be nice if they were made here. Zzounds has them for $499. Talking to Marek, there was a run years ago made overseas. Now the 7603 is in the US, but some other products are still overseas. He’s moving everything back from Asia to the US/Mexico if I understand correctly. |
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Post by kcatthedog on Nov 16, 2022 4:28:31 GMT -6
$699 on their website, but $499 at Zzounds: good deal !
An excellent overview video, plus he explains, essentially all parts of the unit, what they do and why they were designed the way they were: their sonic benefits. It seems everything was designed in house: purpose built: sounds very well designed and impressive.
at $499, (two for a grand) with the eq and trannies , plus free ground shipping in US, I'd say this pre (70 db of gain 1) is a steal !
Damn my tax bill !
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Post by Johnkenn on Nov 16, 2022 10:46:26 GMT -6
Impressive video
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Post by Tbone81 on Nov 16, 2022 11:24:38 GMT -6
At $500 its worth it for the eq alone…assuming they sound as good as the older mkii xmod’s…the eq was really fantastic on those
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Post by kcatthedog on Nov 16, 2022 12:03:40 GMT -6
The build /parts quality seems very high, bet its a fine sounding unit.
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Post by plinker on Nov 16, 2022 12:05:53 GMT -6
Yes! I wish he had gone into the custom, discrete opamps, and the rationale behind them. |
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Post by jacobamerritt on Nov 16, 2022 12:28:01 GMT -6
Yes! I wish he had gone into the custom, discrete opamps, and the rationale behind them. I think he does in some other videos. That one was already 15 minutes long of a (cool) nerd sitting in a workshop. Probably enough for most attention spans  |
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Post by jacobamerritt on Nov 16, 2022 12:38:59 GMT -6
Ugh... I have GAS bad these days. Just bought two. Marek said he can't even build 'em for $499 a piece. Now someone go buy my stuff in the classifieds  |
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Post by kcatthedog on Nov 16, 2022 12:51:46 GMT -6
Must be strong! |
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Post by Vincent R. on Nov 16, 2022 15:29:29 GMT -6
I think if I were going to pick one up I'd still go for the XMod option. I don't see them on Zzsounds anymore, standard or XMod.
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Post by kcatthedog on Nov 16, 2022 15:32:27 GMT -6
Why: have you heard a direct comparison: just curious ! |
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Post by jacobamerritt on Nov 16, 2022 15:34:54 GMT -6
I think if I were going to pick one up I'd still go for the XMod option. I don't see them on Zzsounds anymore, standard or XMod. I havent heard them first hand, but the general consensus in reviews and so forth seems to be the XMod difference is fairly negligible for the cost. |
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Post by kcatthedog on Nov 16, 2022 15:35:43 GMT -6
You could always order the carnhills and instal them yourself ?
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