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Any further word on an API-ish (discrete op-amp) pre? I'm interested in trying one with or without iron in the loop. I've looked at the schematics offered by Jensen and John Hardy, and it seems even more simple than the SC-1. I would hope they'd sound different even without the transformers, and awesomely different with the transformers.

(just having a bit of problems with justifying $100 a pop for JT-16-B trafos...)

Anyway, more SC-1s soon for me, just looking forward to starting to add more flavors for drums, elec. guitars, etc.

Scott

I've been busy these past few days... so no progress yet on that API-type preamp.

I got distracted by the DC-DC converter, and my new CNC setup... but I think I'll be able to go back to doing a final prototype for the IO-module and then start production run of the PCBs very soon... after the IO-module, the API-type pre will be next.

And yes, the API-ish circuit is very simple.

The flavor/sound mostly comes from the input transformer and the output transformer. Though maybe the discrete opamp contribute something too.

So if you don't have the exact model/part that API uses for the transformers, nobody can claim it's an API "clone"... but they can claim it's an API type circuit.

On a related note... the Sony MXP preamp circuit is almost like an API... except it used NE55xx opamps and no output transformer. I think alot of other companies also uses the same type of circuitry.... the difference mainly boils down to the model/type of input transformer, output transformer used, and opamp used.

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Couple of thoughts...

Any ideas on less expensive close-equivalents to the JT-16-B? Cinemag is supposed to be pretty darned good, but I don't know the product line well enough to pick a model.

Is the Melcor discrete opamp a real product that you can buy somewhere, or is it just somebody's brainchild that you have to build up on a small PCB? $49 for the Hardy 990C isn't that bad of a deal, but if you can get close on quality, or more funkiness, or both for less money, it's win-win.

Scott

The CMMI-2C is also a 150:600 like the Jensen. You can contact Cinemag and they'll be able to advise you better. Talk to David Geren.



It's a real product. I don't think you can buy them anymore... not new.

The JH990C is a good deal. The other option is using opamps... as in PDIP package. But it's not as "exotic" as discrete opamps. But performance wise, it may even be lower noise as IC technology has progressed so much since the 70s.

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Thanks...if I'd read the website before opening my mouth, I could have learned that myself, eh?

I want to someday start digging in and designing my own PCBs and make something from the ground up (not to sell, for gosh' sake...I'll leave that to the more adventurous, like you. ), but I have this aversion to blowing stuff up in the testing process. Waste not, want not.

Thanks for the patience.

Ain't nothin' gonna substitute for the SC-1, though...permanent part of my collection now.

Scott