Should I strap Jensens on my GSSL clone?

[antoniosolo]

I am wondering whether I should strap some jensens on this to get closer to the authentic sound from the console. I already intend to use the DBX202c's. Anyone care to enlighten me on this? I fell into this through a trade so haven't spent the usual 4 weeks researching exactly what it is I am in for. Got a stuffed board so most of it is done for me. Thank you for any help, I have read the DIY but it is 200 pages and haven't seen anything specific about audio transformers.

[antoniosolo]

I guess a better question is have these EVER had transformers on the outputs?

[emrr]

A good Jensen is both expensive and transparent. You really might not hear it, and you really might wonder what you spent the money on. They are fantastic for fixing coupling problems....if you have coupling problems that require a transformer. If you want color, you should probably consider something else.

[antoniosolo]

Thanks Doug, what type of tranny should I be considering, 600:600 1:1 ? I really am not sure if I need more trannies in my front end. Everything I have has great old iron or steel in it. Judging from the Dramastic accolades I am leaning toward trannies for this build.

[mexicola]

If you're asking if GSSL's have ever had trannies on the outputs the answer is yes. If you're talking about the real SSL, I'd say no.

You'll want a 600:600, and you'll want to change your 100ohm output resistors to 22ohm for best results.

The Lundahl LL5402 is a popular one for the GSSL. Also check out the Edcor XS1100.

If you're handy with a 4pdt switch you can make the output path switchable between transformer balanced and electronically balanced. You'll need one switch for each channel. Or a couple 4pole3pos rotary switches will let you choose between 3 output paths if you want two sets of trafos and electronic outputs.

[antoniosolo]

Oh sh*t, here I go, time to shoot off some emails and see what we have lying around at 600:600 1:1.....never fails, it is supposed to be straight forward and then.....the craving returns.

[antoniosolo]

Found Mariniare LO1366's but I am not sure they will fit in a 1u....

[roginator]

i decided to try bouth input and output transfomers..since vertigo Compressor have on input jensen and api 2500 have transformers on output...

I will try bouth!!!

and will let you know in a week....
for input I used spare studer 1:1 transformers form A80
and for output MCI stancore 1:1 also 600:600 ohm!!!!!

If you need stancore.. my friend have some for sale send me PM and I will give you his mail!!!

[antoniosolo]

That looks like the ultimate gssl. Filled to the brim, is it hardwired or are you putting a front panel on it? Looks great. Sounds great too right?

[antoniosolo]

From Wikipedia comes this photo of a 4000 series buss compressor, supposedly an original ssl. Looks like a pair of Jensens residing at the rear. And where are the DBX VCA's? More research needed......

[mexicola]

Originally Posted by antoniosolo

From Wikipedia comes this photo of a 4000 series buss compressor, supposedly an original ssl. Looks like a pair of Jensens residing at the rear. And where are the DBX VCA's? More research needed......

That's a GSSL pcb. Looks home etched as there's no silk screen. The real SSL circuit never used TL074's, it also had 4 seperate 5534's on the output (not a pair 5532's), it had 2 sidechains (in the pic there's only one), didn't have transformers, didn't have giant orange drop film caps, and it also didn't have the EXACT same layout as the gssl. Also, there's no Sifam meter in the pic and it has the wrong knobs, and as you said, no dbx vca's.

I'd contact wikipedia and tell them that's not a pic of a real ssl4000 comp.

[antoniosolo]

Trickery....

[antoniosolo]

I am NOT going to use transformers on this one.....