Hey guys,
Even though in my opinion I can't imagine the cheap 300$ clones to come anywhere close to what we can get out of here, I totally get your point.
I had a EQP-1WA here at the studio a couple of months ago and it was absolutely no match to my Pultec EQP-1A. A nice sounding passive EQ yes, but no EQP-1A by any means.
And in terms of components that's just a logical consequence. Even the transformers for the Pultec (it has 3) are almost $300. Of course parts get cheaper when being mass produced, but still it would never be possible to have a unit retail for $300 while maintaining the same (or even anywhere close) quality. The WA unit didn't even have the 3rd transformer by the way.
The WA unit uses Cinemag transformers and they are very good. I know David Geren, who runs Cinemag, personally. We have worked together in the final stage of recreating the original Peerless S-217D Pultec output transformer. His work is top notch! But this heavy Pultec iron comes in at $225 ordering it directly from David which according to him is a different league compared to the tiny output transformer sitting in the WA unit.
I'm really really interested what's inside the 300$ box you mentioned Miroslav. Because if a unit retails for 300$ that means the cost in parts can't be above 75$ considering the unit has to be assembled, tested etc.
Event the WA guys who really try to cut it wherever possible to offer their "Pultec" for $800 or so couldn't get anywhere close to $300.
Apart from that I don't really get it - if this is a proper company that will release this clone, why you can't share what company it is? If they plan to sell a unit at this price point commercially, they will have to do it by mass-producing it - so no harm for you
Prove me wrong, but I assume for this kind of money it is a "Gyraf Pultec" which is a passive EQ with a SRPP output stage with a single EC88 tube instead of the 3 tubes (12AX7, 12AU7 and 6X4) in the original Pultec.
It doesn't even have an output transformer - let alone an interstage transformer. Probably the "source" is someone having found out how easy it is to DIY a "Gyraf Pultec" and relatively cheap as well and now sells them as Pultecs?
Sorry I don't want to judge, I just try to figure out how this could work and make assumptions
When I started to DIY I did like 4 of these "Pultecs" and I thought, why are the Pultecs so f**ing expensive - there's nothing inside this box...until I found out the "G-Pultec" has not much in common in terms of sound & components with a real Pultec.
It's no wonder even the reissue EQP-1A made by Pulse techniques retails for almost 4k! It's not because the parts would only cost $75 and they want to make a shitload of money with it.
What I'm offering here in terms of information, is building a unit 100% up to par with the original in components, sound and looks. In terms of the Pultec (which I will cover in another video series) it means you can build one yourself for maybe $850-900, buy a reissue for 4K or a vintage unit for 8K. Pretty much the same goes for my LA2A project.
And in terms of resale value, I have to disagree as well. A properly built unit up to original specs can go for decent money if sold. Someone who built several EQP-1As with my chassis kit, sold one on eBay last year - it went within a couple of days for 3K!!!
Pultec EQP 1A Vintage Replica | eBay
So time to build not included he made a good 2K by selling it.
And he's certainly not the only one doing so - some people in the past always bought several kits - sold one prebuilt and funded the parts for 2 of their own kits this way...
And one last thing - yes you're right, building a Tube Opto Compressor a la LA2A is not done with a couple of hundred bucks, (while I think in the end you always get what you paid for and the best bang for the buck IMHO is to do it yourself - at least if you're going for the authentic sound etc.), but adding together the components I end put with something around $900-950
Case: $199
Mouser cart: $260
Transformers: $226
T4B: $99
VU: around $70
Tubes etc.: around $50
Pots: around $50
Yes it's more than a couple of hundred bucks, but I used very high quality components in the BOM such as PEC Carbon pots (which are also used by UA in the reissue) - they are very expensive ($9-11 ea.) but also ver good and close to the vintage units.
You could also go with cheap alpha pots ($2.00 ea) - they will also work, but are not as HQ.
I'll try to refine the BOM further - point out what cheaper options would also work and streamline the sources in order to save on shipping...
Anyway, I appreciate your feedback guys, I can understand that if this is beyond what you were hoping