[juicylime]

Originally Posted by Steffmo

Just to clarify as far as A and H pres of that era,

The top of the line console was the Sigma, 8 transistors driving an IC

SAber, essentially the same with 6 transistors. There was also a Mk2 Saber, which corrected some of the internal wiring issues that developed on Mk 1s.

Most of the rest of the line (System 8, SR, CMC) 4 transisors and an IC.

All the units had a very similar pre, scaled up or down to the price point. The one console I son't remember much about was the Spectrum, which was just being shipped when Harman bought the company. As Harman immediately pushed the company out of the recording field, I don't think there are too many around.

A curious A and H piece, if you stumble on one, is the Scepter rackmount. At one point it was deemed appropriate that A and H US build some product in the US so that the balance of payments moving back and forth could be leveled out.

The result was the Scepter, and very high quality rack mixer largely designed by John Petrucelli, later of Crest Consoles and now of APB Dynasonics. No less arecording luminary than Phil Ramone was partial to these mixers for remote work.

They are 12 by 2 mixers which could be linked. If you see one...buy it. They sound remarkable. I know of several still in use.

One more note, Glen Rogers, Allena nad Heaths main designer for the last umpteen years is both a great guy and a savvy, passionate designer. Although his name doesn't get a lot of of attention because its not a glamor line It could be argued that Glen spoiled more budding engineers than anyone by allowing then to take good sound for granted in a mid level line. I would put Dave Deardon, once or Soundcraft and DDA, now of Audient in the same catagory. These guys really helped perpetuate the idea of a"British Sound", and even if they weren't creating Neve or SSL level products their stuff always sounded good and allowed those of us without the big bank to still get a big sound.

Thanks guys.

I have a Saberthat I was kind of gifted for peanuts by a benevolent studio owner. Should I be using the pres on this over my Groove Tubes Brick? I know they're very different but I guess because I got the desk so cheap I always wondered just how good it really was. Maybe it's my best piece of kit?!