BTW: I think the faceplate would say "Made from API 312 Components' on the front. The newer ones now say made from Avedis opamps or something like that.

The real early ones are really obvious that is was converted to 500 rack.

quote:

Originally posted by Jacl Daniels:
BTW: I think the faceplate would say "Made from API 312 Components' on the front. The newer ones now say made from Avedis opamps or something like that.

The real early ones are really obvious that is was converted to 500 rack.

Thanks for all that great info. When you say the "early ones," how long ago was Averill making them?

Maybe 15 years or more.

It will look like this one but most likely with a Blue PCB and an original API 2520 amp. This was his second version with his own amp.

I can't see the front plate, but it doesn't look like that part of it has changed much. Which part is the PCB?

Ah, sorry. The PCB is the printed circuit board. Is is the clear/white fiberglass board in this picture holding the opamp and transformers. It is identical to the original API 312 card. The 312 card is the preamp only version of the 528 channel strip. The original 312 cards were used in a card cage where 8 could be mounted at a time. It was basically an early version of an API lunch box. Brent modified the cards to fit the newer 500 style lunch boxes by adding the front panel and the aluminum mounting plate. The old ones from Brent say "Made from original API 312 parts". The new ones say "made from AVEDIS opamps". Even to this day, the only difference between the two are the opamp, and the output transformer. The input transformer is still made by the same company, tho some say they don't quite sound the same as the original Jensen. But for the most part they are the same. There is a difference in sound in the opamp and output transformers. The old API ones sound smoother, mean'r and not nearly as mid forward as the new stuff. They are still mid forward compared to say an old NEVE preamp, but the newer API stuff is way exagerated.

If your good at DIY, there is a API 325 line card on ebay right now. They sell for about $150 to about $225 each. If you buy that card, add a Jensen input transformer ($60) and a power supply, you will have the identical circuit to the original API 312 preamp. It will sound killer. I have 5 of these cards, and converted them all to API 312 preamps. This is quite an easy project and only needs a low-med amount of electronic knowledge. I think for less than about $400 you could have a killer vintage API preamp with the sound you desire. But you got to have the skill to complete the project.

JD

quote:

If your good at DIY, there is a API 325 line card on ebay right now. They sell for about $150 to about $225 each. If you buy that card, add a Jensen input transformer ($60) and a power supply, you will have the identical circuit to the original API 312 preamp.
JD

I just took a look at it. It doesn't look like one of the earlier 2520 opamps to me though. It looks like it says "Made in USA" across the bottom. Shouldn't it say "Melville, NY" or "Huntington, NY"?

Look again. The Meville is at the top of the amp. USA at the bottom.

quote:

Originally posted by Jacl Daniels:
Look again. The Meville is at the top of the amp. USA at the bottom.

Actually, it looks like it says "Datronix" and "Reston, VA" across the top so I think that puts this one in the 1978-1985 period rather than the 1966-1978 period.

Maybe, I didn't look that close. You would still be capturing that vintage sound with this set up. Sometime in the mid 80's things changed. For the most part the rev 1 and 2 opamps are darn close in sound.

JD

quote:

Originally posted by Jim C:

quote:

Originally posted by Jacl Daniels:
Look again. The Meville is at the top of the amp. USA at the bottom.

Actually, it looks like it says "Datronix" and "Reston, VA" across the top so I think that puts this one in the 1978-1985 period rather than the 1966-1978 period.

If I'm looking at the same eBay auction you're talking about, the item description paragraph states that the 2520 is a Reston, VA version.

mud

Should make a killer mic preamp with the right changes to the card. I have mostly Huntington and Melville's but I have at least one or two of the Reston amps around too. I think they all sound great! The big difference in sound came after the company sold in the mid 80's I think.

JD

quote:

Originally posted by Jacl Daniels:
Should make a killer mic preamp with the right changes to the card. I have mostly Huntington and Melville's but I have at least one or two of the Reston amps around too. I think they all sound great! The big difference in sound came after the company sold in the mid 80's I think.

JD

JD!!! Long time no see!!!

JD, I PMed you about something.

hi Ian! What'sup?

Good to talk with all of you again! I get awefully busy playing concerts, and sometimes I have to put the studio and forums in the background.

JD

Just busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kickin' contest...I know how the busy gets.

I'm currently stuck in Austin while our trailer gets fixed. Guess we could be stuck somewhere worse!