But it already has this capability…
He told me this, “We could build you a Dual Class A line box with out transformers for between $1k-$1500 max. If you like the Tascam keep it. You probably just need a line lift.”
I don’t have a clue who Danny White is, so I don’t want to disrespect, and it’s your money, but the console already has the functionality you need. That sounds like a lot of money to duplicate functionality, and the signal path of the custom line amp would likely be better than anything on the M-520, but the source is still the M-520. What’s to be gained here?
He also asks, “Is your headphones -10 or +4” (can anyone help with that?)
Neither. It’s not a line level output. It’s an amplifier output…headphone level…maximum rated output is 100mW at 8ohms. -10dBv and +4dBu are common nominal levels for line level signal paths. Line level outputs are typically rated as a measure of voltage amplitude, while amplifier outputs are rated as a measure of power; voltage x current.
Short answer: the headphone out is neither -10dBv or +4dBu, but significantly higher than either as an amplified output.
This conundrum reminds me of a story in tape op about the late great Richard Swift ,featured in this thread, using the headphone out for his master. Does anyone have more info regarding this? I consider the guy a musical genius.
Anyway, trying to retrace his steps.
Any help would be appreciated
I don’t have any specifics…not familiar with the article, but I AM familiar with Richard, having met him when I sold him the M-520 that is the subject of this thread, and then later on spending some time hanging out with him in his studio. I too enjoy his music…ahead of it’s time…unique flavors and textures and content…and regarding the headphone amp I don’t know…he liked to do a lot of seeing what happened when you overloaded and input or pushed an output. And the headphone out being a bit noisier and higher in distortion with the particular design, and the fact it is higher power than line level, it may have had the flavor he wanted to drive the input of his master recorder in whatever setup he was using at the time. He really liked the line inputs on the M-520 because of what they did when overdriven…not extremely so but just pushed to the edge to get a gritty edge. Now, there’s nothing particularly special about the line amp design on the M-520, it’s all opamp-based and relies heavily, like many, many, many other devices across many manufacturers over many years, on the TL072, as well as the 4556 and 2041. There’s nothing particularly magical about those opamps. And remember it’s not the opamp, it’s the design of the whole circuit that really matters, and beyond that, and even more importantly, the operator and talent using the gear. So Richard was jazzed about how the M-520 performed as a summing device, but you have to consider the flavor of his projects, he was, IIRC feeding the M-520 with a Studer A80 2” machine, so high quality output drivers…I recall he wasn’t excited about the mic amps on the M-520, he had outboard gear for that…anyway…you know, you can do a lot with a device if you experiment a little to explore boundaries. I think that’s a big factor to Richard’s sound and approach.
My Story quickly:
I was looking for a vintage board on Craigslist in Los Angeles. Many options and many quite affordable. I had a tascam 58 reconditioned by Adrian Pro Audio and wanted a suitable match from that era of tascam. I came across an ad for an M520. It looked cool and unique and had all my RCA ins and outs that I needed for the 8track. In the ad it mentions “as used by Richard Swift”. I was like who is this guy? Well I soon found out and I was blown away by this guys “ears” and his musical ability. Then I figured out he passed the summer before and I was super bummed. But this guy worked and worked and left a huge dent in the music scene and still influences today. This thread preserves his legacy. It’s actually an amazing read. Before his website Richardswift.us was taken down u could browse his life leading up to his death. (I hope someone can bring it back) The m520 was featured regularly in photos with a homemade apple bong resting on the console.
So, wait…is it possible you have my old M-520?