Quote:
Originally posted by Bob Olhsson
Quad-Eight was the second high-end recording console manufacturer in the United States that was started by some of the engineers from Electrodyne which had been the first. After several years as the leading console manufacturer, API took over most of their market because we all LOVED the 550 equalizer which was the first really first class console equalizer.
Deane Jensen left Quad-Eight to manufacture upgrade opamps and transformers for API consoles because many people considered the basic API signal path to be a significant step down from Quad-Eight. |
Not exactly true. In the early days, Dean sold transformers for Riechenbach and came up with several ideas for mic transformers, which Reichenbach designed and built for him to sell. He did always say that API put him in the transformer business, but that was after API discontinued the use of the large square transformers, which still get big bucks. When API made the roound ones, that was Dean's cue. He later became the leader in transformer design. There has always been a rift between Jensen and Reichenbach, which I tend to lean towards Reichenbach's story. Dean developed many good transformers, but as an op-amp designer myself, I never liked the 990 design, as it had too many internal compensation things to keep it stable.
The 990 op-amp was never intended as a replacement for a 2520 except in the eyes of Dean. It did not sound very good with the steel core transformers. As consoles got bigger, they 990 was quieter because it liked to see a lower input resistance than the 2520, which made it slightly quieter for busses. Just as the 2520 sounded bad with the nickel core transformers, the 990 never really replaced 2520s except in a few select locations in a few consoles. Of course Sunset and places like that used the 990/nickel combo with great success.
I don't know of anyone ever saying that the Quad Eight signal path was better. If it was, I woould think that the Q8 consoles would be refurbed and sold as APIs are. They barely sell on Ebay in parts. They were good when the company was new, but quickly became not desirable.
I also know that some engineers left API to work for Q8, but with little success.
I have most of this documented in the records when I purchased API in 1985.