My ald ampex got The Head :) ...some photos here

[arjoll]

Nice job. Did you keep any of the Akai's "OLS" limiter circuitry? From memory (on the GXC-46D at least) it was a relatively soft, easy limiting which might be quite useful.

Oh, and hang on to the GX glass heads. Never know when you might need 'em.

 

[Dr ZEE]

Mike, your design reminded me of this teac I had to restrain myself from bidding on. If it were a little closer I know I would have to have bid on it. .

wow, this is really nicely configured one - COOL, nice machine also

Tubes DO rule. I've found those little preamps they sell these days to "warm up" digital pretty useless though. It's not like they used to make em.

Yeah, you're probably right. I personally have no any experience with 'those little preamps', simply never had a chance to own one , nor ever going to due to absence of the desire... , so I have no idea, but I've read some nasty stuff about them ..., but, you know, how it is: things, that are being written often rather reflect the truth about the writer, then about the subject ..heh heh

Today you'd have to spend a grand to get something new that actually qualifies.

Yeah, ...Is it so because of it's too much trouble to make them..? I guess ... but I don't really know what are the clear reasons why they are so hi-priced. I'd think that the guys who make them DO know the reasons
Some famous old ones aren't cheap either: 351 , but if you know where to snuff and are not allergic to common dust, then you can get your hands on the righteous stuff even if your main transportation device looks something like THIS ONE ...
******
also, Steve, when you get the attenuator, drop me a note... I wonder whether or not it actually will do the trick in your situation. I hope you are not wasting time and a few bucks on that one...

 

[Dr ZEE]

Nice job. Did you keep any of the Akai's "OLS" limiter circuitry? From memory (on the GXC-46D at least) it was a relatively soft, easy limiting which might be quite useful.

Oh, and hang on to the GX glass heads. Never know when you might need 'em.

Thanks, man
That's a GOOD thinking about ols. Actually after I've completed all the work and played with the 'device' around... I also had that thought: "Damn! I should of leave O.L.S. option available and design it 'into front panel' (I could of add couple nice miniature switches (separate for each channle, unlike original - one push-switch for both R/L) and add couple LEDs (OLS-"ON"). Still I may never need to use it in any possible situation ... but, You're right - you never know, and why not to have it?.
OLS is inseparable (on the 'main' board) and it is being disabled simply by two jumpers (see pic attached). I guess I still may add two mini-switches and make this option available, but it's pretty tight on the front panel as designed already, so I may add the switches on the back of the unit (you know,... in the style of 'inconveniently designed gear' ..lol , when the "user" is scratching his head and saying: "What the hell they were thinking while designing this thing ?"... )
.... oh, and btw, the HEAD is like new - indestructibly new! . the pinch roller was mushpotato .. heh heh ... I've got that deck for 25 bucks off ebay (where else ?) ..in 'good working condition'.

 

[SteveMac]

also, Steve, when you get the attenuator, drop me a note... I wonder whether or not it actually will do the trick in your situation. I hope you are not wasting time and a few bucks on that one...

It's right thing for the job. I looked into it a bit before I bought it. It will cut the out put of the mic before the phantom power (or after) by up to 20 db. It's just what is needed for high sound pressure micing, like drums, into low Z inputs. Theres really not much else like it and theyre kind of hard to get actually. Nowhere around here sells them. I'm sure it's what I need so don't sweat it. But I'll let you know how it is when I get it.

 

[Dr ZEE]

ok, Steve, that sounds good
btw, while I was checking dv warehouse if they may have some audio tape (I've purchased few gp-9s from them actually during quantegy-coma time, but can't see any tape there now) I've found the whole bunch of in-line quick fixers there, here's the link http://www.dvwarehouse.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=Kwik+Fix ... save the link, in case some day you run into some situation
I also found this AT thro-position , well, for 50 bucks or so with shipping I'd guess ... looks pretty much like A15AS, same price but a bit different attenuation level presets

 

[SteveMac]

Those would do the trick too. If they're not ultra low quality. They'd be good to have. The Shure was actually about $7 cheaper than their switchable attenuator. It would have been about $15 cheaper if the first source pulled through.