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Post by dandeurloo on Feb 4, 2014 23:26:10 GMT -6
The UA remakes all sound like butt compared to originals or a good clone like the serpent models. Small component choices make a world of difference. The serpent stuff is built right and sounds right.
The T4b are different then the originals because of the optical cells. But it is not worst. In fact most guys that have heard vintage units and my la3a's or la2a's using them prefer my units. So, I think the t4b's aren't the big difference. I think it's the use of cheap parts and transformers that make the UA's sound bad.
In any case the chimera sounds great.
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Post by grummy on Feb 5, 2014 1:50:07 GMT -6
I just finished some work that had me slammed for about six months. Just coming up for air. Durring that time I managed to order some things. Among those things is a JLMLA500 kit. I have yet to build it and try it as of yet but once I do I'll share my thoughts. Never having worked with a real LA3A or 2A I won't be able to comment on if it sounds anything like. From what I understand the JLM LA500 isn't an exact clone. Pretty sure it doesn't even use T4bs. That said it's described almost as a little bit of both 2A & 3A. All that matters to me is it does something that I like and can make use of often. It should fit my bill. I want something quick, easy to set up, but hard to screw up, for tracking stuff like (guitars, vocals,and bass most of the time). My 527s are nice, but they always require a bit of tweaking. One thing that seems to be universal with all these 2A & 3A designs is that they never require a load of fussing. I just took a chance on it cause the clips I heard on line seemed nice. Also it seems like it can do things my current hardware comps can't. Not sure how long before I can get around to putting it together but hopefully soon. I was going to say IGS Audio had an LA3A in 500 series too, but looking on their site they just did two takes on the 3A in 500 series. One of which is a two space unit that incorporates tubes like the 2A. Looks cool but I guess ever so slightly off topic being that they are LA2A designs. Here's the slightly off topic link: www.igsaudio.pl/en/product/500-modulesONE LA500, and the Photon 500 are their stabs at the LA2As. |
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Post by lolo on Feb 5, 2014 8:32:02 GMT -6
I have a JLM LA500 and its a killer Comp.
However the Chimera looks frikkin awesome.
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Post by Ward on Feb 5, 2014 10:06:06 GMT -6
From what I understand, the modern made opto cells are faster than the old school ones, that may be the diff in behavior, but a grain of salt, I'm no expert on the 3a.. You can buy different T4 cells (long or short bodies, faster or slower response) and with some patience, swap them out and tailor your LA3a's response. The thing to remember about T4 cells is not just the release time but the recovery time to get to neutral gain. That's part of the charm, tone and smoothing. |
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Post by winetree on Feb 5, 2014 12:47:24 GMT -6
I've been using these Urei's for 33 years. The 3a's have been my goto Comp for vocals, they've been used on everything. The 1176s are "D" versions, back in the day I'd use them for preamps. Lots of Love  |
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Post by littlesicily on Feb 5, 2014 13:40:45 GMT -6
I've been using these Urei's for 33 years. The 3a's have been my goto Comp for vocals, they've have been used on everything. The 1176s are "D" versions, back in the day I'd use them for preamps. Lots of Love That pic brought a tear to my eye... all the UREI's in one place... such a thing of beauty. |
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Post by Ward on Feb 5, 2014 19:45:23 GMT -6
I've been using these Urei's for 33 years. The 3a's have been my goto Comp for vocals, they've been used on everything. The 1176s are "D" versions, back in the day I'd use them for preamps. Lots of Love Does the 1178 still get any love? |
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Post by Bob Olhsson on Feb 6, 2014 12:13:51 GMT -6
1178 and LA 4 never got much I'm aware of.
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Post by drbill on Feb 6, 2014 12:41:10 GMT -6
My 3A love (and too some extent my 2A love) has never extended to any of the newer versions. Not sure why. Have not had much chance to use them, and never really found a NEED. |
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Post by Ward on Feb 6, 2014 13:57:03 GMT -6
1178 and LA 4 never got much I'm aware of. i understand the 1178 loneliness, but I dearly love my LA4 on bass! |
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 8, 2014 20:01:32 GMT -6
I always kind of considered the Brute to be LA3A ish...
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Post by geoff738 on Feb 8, 2014 20:20:46 GMT -6
I always kind of considered the Brute to be LA3A ish... That's an opto right? Aren't you selling yours? Cheers, Geoff |
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 8, 2014 20:37:31 GMT -6
Already sold it...yes, opto...It's a great compressor - I just invested in your avatar...
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Post by littlesicily on Feb 8, 2014 20:42:44 GMT -6
There was a Serpent SA3A on ebay and no one bid... think they were asking $2495...don't know if that was good or bad price.
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Post by tonycamphd on Feb 8, 2014 21:34:14 GMT -6
There was a Serpent SA3A on ebay and no one bid... think they were asking $2495...don't know if that was good or bad price. You can't get the sa3a anymore so? On the price, I think I paid between $8-$1k for my DIY. It's exactly the same as the chimera circuit wise( if anyone is wondering) you could buy 2 chimeras for that used eBay price. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 8, 2014 21:42:03 GMT -6
I swear I've seen UREI LA3As cheaper than that...
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Post by geoff738 on Feb 8, 2014 21:56:22 GMT -6
Already sold it...yes, opto...It's a great compressor - I just invested in your avatar... You don't say! Cheers, Geoff |
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Post by Ward on Feb 8, 2014 22:14:22 GMT -6
I swear I've seen UREI LA3As cheaper than that... LA3As on average sell for $1500 used, vintage or reissue. That's the 2013-2014 (so far) going rate... but I predict they'll go up this year as there is a resurgence in interest in the units. |
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Post by tonycamphd on Feb 8, 2014 23:39:28 GMT -6
I swear I've seen UREI LA3As cheaper than that... In fairness, I forgot to mention the sa3a is stereo, my first thought was dude was asking too much considering the chimera price. |
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Post by dandeurloo on Feb 9, 2014 7:39:46 GMT -6
Yeah, Sa3a is stereo unit so consider that. But we now need to consider the price of a pair of Chimera's. That is really hard to beat!
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Post by littlesicily on Feb 9, 2014 10:44:31 GMT -6
Interesting that Serpent discontinued the 19" La3a to go 500 series and the opposite with the 1176. Wonder why?
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Post by tonycamphd on Feb 9, 2014 11:28:35 GMT -6
Interesting that Serpent discontinued the 19" La3a to go 500 series and the opposite with the 1176. Wonder why? I think mike would have liked to stay with 500 on both, obviously the 500's have a better price point considering no PSU circuit is needed(once u have a rack), but mikes a no compromise kinda guy, he was able to put a true LA3A+ circuit in a single 500 slot chimera, the splice was too much of a shoehorn job for a 500.. I believe the 500 splice was about $500+ less than the rack splice, for the aforementioned reasons. |
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Post by Ward on Feb 9, 2014 11:42:39 GMT -6
There was a Serpent SA3A on ebay and no one bid... think they were asking $2495...don't know if that was good or bad price. That's pricey for a clone!! You can get a stereo pair of LA3As for about 2500-2800. In great condition at that. $2000 would be a fairer asking price for the SA3A. $1800 and I'd be interested. |
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Post by littlesicily on Feb 9, 2014 11:50:36 GMT -6
There was a Serpent SA3A on ebay and no one bid... think they were asking $2495...don't know if that was good or bad price. That's pricey for a clone!! You can get a stereo pair of LA3As for about 2500-2800. In great condition at that. $2000 would be a fairer asking price for the SA3A. $1800 and I'd be interested. No one bid on that auction so I think all agreed with you on that. I thought the price was high, too. |
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Post by dandeurloo on Feb 9, 2014 12:29:10 GMT -6
1800 to 2k would be a great price for a SA 3a built by a good builder. They sound really great.
I think Tony was right about the reason for going to the 19" rack for the Splice. Someone needs to post a picture of the inside of it in 500 series. They are a extremely complicated builds and some great engineering. I think part of the problem was that in order for him to make any profit he would have had one of the most expensive 500 single space modules largely due to assembly cost. He has more room in the rack to do the build plus less psu restrictions allowing for assembly prices to come down to something that is sustainable.
That is my educated guess.
BTW, have you seen the gut shots of the Chimera. That is no walk in the park as far as layout and engineering. The Splice 500 was well beyond that, some really impressive work.
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