Parting out Allen and heath System 8 console, what is good?

[neil.johnson]

Firstly, welcome!

I too have a System 8 and have a slow project (amongst all the other projects) of restoring and upgrading it. You can see some of my progress here:

http://www.milton.arachsys.com/nj71/...4&subsubmenu=5

Latest news is I got hold of an Allen & Heath MPS14 power supply to use with mine (it didn't come with a power supply) which gives me a nice boost to the power rails from 15V to 17V for a bit more headroom.

In answer to your specific questions:

The SQ10 meters are still made and still available from many suppliers. Here in the UK they are stocked by the main electronic component distributors, so I'd guess that unless someone wanted vintage meters they'd buy new ones.

You have 100mm Alps faders, so you have a Mk II or Mk III desk (the II is brown, the III is grey). Again, standard part widely available and used in many desks.

Several other people have done what you're doing. "The Convicted" did some impressive work, cap replacements, etc, a couple of years back. This was his 8-channel project:

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gears...amps-sale.html

Cheers,
Neil

[Matt Syson]

Hi
The meters are probably the only 'valuable' parts unless someone wants to get into 'upgrading' the thing as a whole. If it was getting unreliable it suggests that it has not had a 'good' life so the faders will be on the way out and so on.
If someone just wants a 'preamp' it is simpler to start with a 'chip' preamp, which is likely to be better quality (THAT / SSM / BB).
Matt S

[neil.johnson]

Originally Posted by Matt Syson

The meters are probably the only 'valuable' parts

Agreed, although with both RS and Farnell selling them at around £9 ($14) new I guess you'd get a few dollars each, used.

Neil

[Matt Syson]

Hi
There is a cue for a gag here that 'the sum is worth more than the parts'!
Matt S

[2N1305]

Hi!
what version is it? the second or the third? (I assume that it is not a first issue, because you mention it has 100mm faders and the System 8 mk I only had 90mm faders. Oddly enough I prefer the look of the MKI...

if it is a mkIII I might be interested in a few faders, and the talkback mic if you have it...

thanks

2N

[Humner]

Thanks for the replies.

Its the MkII version.

It wasnt a bad desk really, I liked the EQ on bass guitar. The channel strip circuit boards are 3cms longer than a 19" rack enclosure which is annoying, so I had to make up a quick and dirty MDF box to prototype it. I think for the cost of $5 mdf, $15 for -+15 PSU its worth racking up some of the pres.

The last owner attacked every pot, switch and fader with Caigs deoxit, I think thats what caused its demise.

I might chuck the meters on ebay and see what happens, I dont know about the faders though.

I like what "The Convicted" did, something I might consider if I can find an easy way to cut the 1.5mm steel sheet its made from

2N1305,

I'm based in Australia, but I'm happy to send up a few 100mm ALPS faders for you for a few bucks + cost of postage. The model number is 437M - 10ka. Anyway, I'll send a PM through.

I dont think the MkII had talkback mic, only an XLR...

[HunkManor]

I recently purchased a System 8 and am having trouble with the signal flow. I'm used to working with live boards. I can't seem to get any signal from any mic channel. Could someone help me out with an order of operations to get levels?
Thanks

[neil.johnson]

Is your mic phantom-powered? Which output are you listening to?

[Samilisco]

are you still going ahead with the parting out? are your faders stock? i am looking to do a load of work to my 1616mk1 (including giving it a new 'arctic' colour scheme). my master faders have been upgraded by a previous owner to beautifully smooth penny + giles faders which i cant seem to get hold of anymore. just wondering if yours are stock?