GAP 73 (Neve style) Mic Pre with 'real' Carnhill Transformers vs Original version - Page 2

RTR · 17th October 2009

I have a guy that CAN MOD MY gap..i WOULD LIKE TO KNOW exactly WHAT i NEED TO BUY TO MAKE IT SOUND AS BEAUTIFUL AS YOURS..I will be buying the things needed and will give it to my guy..I have no clue about all this stuff that's why I would appreciate a list of the things I need...thank you for your great tests!!

PS. Sorry about the upper case letters..I hit caps lock on accident!!

anguswoodhead · 17th October 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy666

Alright,

I have just ordered the carnhills und so I am looking foward modding the red devil :-D

Did you have to drill additional holes into the housing to build in the input tranny?
And - once again - which kind of cable should I use?

Thanks

Randy

No idea on the cable - my tech does the mod for me.
If you look at the photos you can see he has had to drill holes in the side for the input tranny.

By the time you buy the unit and do the mods the cheapest thing is to just buy a modded unit off me.

My tech also adjusts all the values etc to get maximum performance.

anguswoodhead · 17th October 2009

If you're in the US you can buy the modded unit here. (They are nothing to do with me)
Golden Age Pre-73

anguswoodhead · 17th October 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTR

I have a guy that CAN MOD MY gap..i WOULD LIKE TO KNOW exactly WHAT i NEED TO BUY TO MAKE IT SOUND AS BEAUTIFUL AS YOURS..I will be buying the things needed and will give it to my guy..I have no clue about all this stuff that's why I would appreciate a list of the things I need...thank you for your great tests!!

I am no tech either mate. (so I have no idea how to answer your question)
I paid an Aussie tech to work it all out for me and do the mods.
He really knows his stuff and is quite famous over here for great work.

Earlier in this thread you can find the model number of the transformers needed though.

dysenterygary · 17th October 2009

I noticed in the pics that you didn't have the filter caps cut off like other threads, and other people have recommended. Is there any reason you chose to leave them on there? I thought they were there to restrict a certain frequency range that was too loud with the original transformers. Just wondering what your thoughts were either way.

anguswoodhead · 17th October 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by dysentarygary

I noticed in the pics that you didn't have the filter caps cut off like other threads, and other people have recommended. Is there any reason you chose to leave them on there? I thought they were there to restrict a certain frequency range that was too loud with the original transformers. Just wondering what your thoughts were either way.

My tech (who is one of the best in OZ) did whatever he felt was best to make the unit sound as good as possible without spending a fortune.
And from the sound tests I am very happy with his mods.

Whatever he did sounds good to me.

Randy666 · 18th October 2009

Well, thank you.

Buying one of your mods sounds interesting, but the shipping would be giantic due to the fact that our countries have the max distance possible on earth :-)

Please PM me the costs altogether.

Best wishes from Germany,
Randy

anguswoodhead · 18th October 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy666

Well, thank you.

Buying one of your mods sounds interesting, but the shipping would be giantic due to the fact that our countries have the max distance possible on earth :-)

Please PM me the costs altogether.

Best wishes from Germany,
Randy

I guess postage to Europe would be upwards of AU$100 with insurance and registered.

I would suggest finding a good tech who has worked on vintage Neve gear and get him to do the mods and set the values etc.
That's what I did - my guy is big on Vintage.

Randy666 · 18th October 2009

Well, as I am a graduated engineer I should be able to do the technical modding.
Is it necessary to mod the values if I only change the input and output tranny?

Regards,
Randy

anguswoodhead · 18th October 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy666

Well, as I am a graduated engineer I should be able to do the technical modding.
Is it necessary to mod the values if I only change the input and output tranny?

Regards,
Randy

I guess so - I really know nothing about this stuff - sorry.
I just pay guys who are the best at what they do to do it for me.

Randy666 · 18th October 2009

TO be honest I am still a bit unfixed.

Should I buy a Neve Portico 5012 for Neve Sound out of the box wth no further tuning? --> 1550 EUR
Or Buy two GAPs to MOd them? --> 730 EUR, but no warrenty anymore and work to do...

Hve you compared the portico to the modded gaps?

Best wishes,
Randy

anguswoodhead · 18th October 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy666

TO be honest I am still a bit unfixed.

Should I buy a Neve Portico 5012 for Neve Sound out of the box wth no further tuning? --> 1550 EUR
Or Buy two GAPs to MOd them? --> 730 EUR, but no warrenty anymore and work to do...

Hve you compared the portico to the modded gaps?

Best wishes,
Randy

If you can afford it always go for real Neve IMHO.

I have never tried the Portico range.

BTW I will have a 4 Ch Vintage Neve Mic Pre for sale real soon.
Using 4 x Vintage Neve 183 cards with Carnhill trannies.
2ru case, vu's, stepped gain and trim.
Hoping to keep it priced low - around AU$4000.
Which for 4 Ch's of 'real' vintage Neve will be very cool.

RTR · 18th October 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by anguswoodhead

I am no tech either mate. (so I have no idea how to answer your question)
I paid an Aussie tech to work it all out for me and do the mods.
He really knows his stuff and is quite famous over here for great work.

Earlier in this thread you can find the model number of the transformers needed though.

Thanks....thats what I wanted to know..I found it!!!!!

living sounds · 18th October 2009

A preamp is not rocket science. I've build lot's of audio gear without any engineering background whatsoever. Check out groupdiy.com for more information on clones as well as mods (including the GAP 73). For german speaking folks there's also energyrecording.de

prslespaul · 18th October 2009

I forone dont see much of a need to mod the thing in the first place. I think it sounds pretty darn good the way it is. I recorded this and mixed this all in my studio, Mostly using just GAP-73s. ALL STOCK.

Randy666 · 19th October 2009

Hello again,

I am still waiting for the delivery ov my stock-gap.
Meanwhile I am seraching for the beste exchange for the stock 2N3055.

There are lots pf 2N3055 in the net! Starting at 1 EUR a piece...

Which do you recommend as replacement?
That one? --> 2N 3055, Motorola, TO-3 (E0998)
It is so cheap!

And - still another question - is it possible to check/adjust the bias having no oszi?

Thanks!
Randy

Randy666 · 22nd October 2009

PUSH

anguswoodhead · 22nd October 2009

As I said Randy - I'm no tech - I have no idea on the answers to your questions.
Work it out yourself or find a good tech to liase with.

Randy666 · 26th October 2009

OK, no prob.

I have tested the GAP now, but I have sent it back.
The Stock-Sound was OK, but they really have problems concerning the painting and the machining that I can not accept.

Thanks however for your friendly information

Regards,
Randy

anguswoodhead · 26th October 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy666

OK, no prob.

I have tested the GAP now, but I have sent it back.
The Stock-Sound was OK, but they realy have problems concerning the painting and the machining that I can not accept.

Thanks however for your friendly information

Regards,
Randy

It is to be expected for the price.

Randy666 · 26th October 2009

No, even behringer has no paint issues ...

What a pity, I really liked the project.

Regards, Randy

billyindonesia · 23rd March 2010

the result has BIG hiss !!?

what happen ? is the U87 mic or the GAP 73 ?

anguswoodhead · 23rd March 2010

Not sure Billy.
I would suggest finding a tech to take it to and see what he says.

warhead · 31st March 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy666

There are lots pf 2N3055 in the net! Starting at 1 EUR a piece...

They're actually getting a bit tougher to find, which is to be expected (at least here in the USA).

Use the 2N3055, if it was good enough for Neve I'm sure it's good enough for us all...it's what we use on our mods.

War

audiowreck · 25th April 2010

I really like the modded version. As I don't have the soldering skills to make this happen is there anyone in Canada that can do this mod? Near Toronto Ontario would be a bonus. Cheers...

OhioGreg · 2nd May 2010

Sorry, didn't like that unit.

billyindonesia · 6th May 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by anguswoodhead

Not sure Billy.
I would suggest finding a tech to take it to and see what he says.

Hi Bro..
have you find the info

thanks thumbsup

Piebong · 25th May 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by anguswoodhead

I hear ya mate...
The problem is that you lose the direct relationship between the mic and the pre-amp.
Also if the mic needs 48v you can't have it coming from both pre's - so there is a difference there also.
The only way to do it properly is with a transformer isolated split like the midas or Klark which I don't have - sorry.

In a preamp shootout, I used extern power supply for the mics and took care that the output impedance (parallel) of the mics was less than 5x the imput impedance of the individual preamps. It worked properly with the mics splitted to 3 preamps.

monsterz · 30th May 2010

Can someone put a link up to the instructions on doing the output transformer mod please?
Ta.

monsterz · 30th May 2010

25th April 2010	#55
audiowreck Gear Head Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 43	Mods in Canada I really like the modded version. As I don't have the soldering skills to make this happen is there anyone in Canada that can do this mod? Near Toronto Ontario would be a bonus. Cheers...

30th May 2010	#60
monsterz Gear nut Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Sheffield, U.K. Posts: 133	bump

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17th October 2009	#31
RTR Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 4,383	I have a guy that CAN MOD MY gap..i WOULD LIKE TO KNOW exactly WHAT i NEED TO BUY TO MAKE IT SOUND AS BEAUTIFUL AS YOURS..I will be buying the things needed and will give it to my guy..I have no clue about all this stuff that's why I would appreciate a list of the things I need...thank you for your great tests!! PS. Sorry about the upper case letters..I hit caps lock on accident!!

17th October 2009	#33
anguswoodhead Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: On the East Coast of Australia Posts: 3,273 Thread Starter	If you're in the US you can buy the modded unit here. (They are nothing to do with me) Golden Age Pre-73

17th October 2009	#35
dysenterygary Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Central, IL Posts: 1,087	I noticed in the pics that you didn't have the filter caps cut off like other threads, and other people have recommended. Is there any reason you chose to leave them on there? I thought they were there to restrict a certain frequency range that was too loud with the original transformers. Just wondering what your thoughts were either way.

18th October 2009	#37
Randy666 Gear interested Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18	Well, thank you. Buying one of your mods sounds interesting, but the shipping would be giantic due to the fact that our countries have the max distance possible on earth :-) Please PM me the costs altogether. Best wishes from Germany, Randy

18th October 2009	#44
living sounds Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 2,780	A preamp is not rocket science. I've build lot's of audio gear without any engineering background whatsoever. Check out groupdiy.com for more information on clones as well as mods (including the GAP 73). For german speaking folks there's also energyrecording.de

19th October 2009	#46
Randy666 Gear interested Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18	Hello again, I am still waiting for the delivery ov my stock-gap. Meanwhile I am seraching for the beste exchange for the stock 2N3055. There are lots pf 2N3055 in the net! Starting at 1 EUR a piece... Which do you recommend as replacement? That one? --> 2N 3055, Motorola, TO-3 (E0998) It is so cheap! And - still another question - is it possible to check/adjust the bias having no oszi? Thanks! Randy

22nd October 2009	#47
Randy666 Gear interested Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18	PUSH

26th October 2009	#49
Randy666 Gear interested Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18	OK, no prob. I have tested the GAP now, but I have sent it back. The Stock-Sound was OK, but they really have problems concerning the painting and the machining that I can not accept. Thanks however for your friendly information Regards, Randy

23rd March 2010	#52
billyindonesia Gear nut Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 118	the result has BIG hiss !!? what happen ? is the U87 mic or the GAP 73 ?

2nd May 2010	#56
OhioGreg Gear Head Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: dhong Posts: 73	Sorry, didn't like that unit.