Neve 33609/J, 33609/JD and 2254: Questions

[jdjustice]

hello fellow slutz.
i am interesting in hearing a bit more about the 33609.
i have read that it evolved from the 2254 and subsequently that there have been at least three models made: the 33609c, 33609j, and 33609jd.

for those that use the 33609 and have experience with the 2254:
what are the sonic differences in these units?
what would make you pick one over the other?
how are the models available today different sonically?
i know the technical differences from reading the AMS-Neve website and an earlier thread on the 33609, but i would love to hear how users feel those specifications translate into sound.

finally, Geoff, if you are here and you would be so kind to opine on this subject, which current model do you prefer and why?
is there enough difference between the two available models to justify purchasing one over the other?
and can you tell us a bit more about the evolution from the 2254?

any and all users of the 2254/33609 please chime in with your thoughts on these units!!


thanks in advance,
~j.d.

[alexstringer]

How different is the Neve 33609/JD from the original 33609?

[jdjustice]

Originally Posted by alexstringer

How different is the Neve 33609/JD from the original 33609?

yes i have read that entire thread.
i am looking for more opinions and also for less empasis on the technical differences and more empasis on the sound quality differences.
i did do a search before i started the thread, but thank you for pointing this one out.

[Geoff_T]

Hi

I prefer my original 33609 (or 10/11/12... you don't hear much about them!)

Metalwork build like a brick sh*t house... if it dropped onto concrete it would chip the concrete!

Marinair Radar transformers

Discrete BA440 amplifier (not that this aspect is really that important)

Hand wired, point to point wiring from switches/connectors to gold solder pins on tne motherboard.

Machine turned aluminium knobs

As for evolution, the similarities pretty much end at the system for level control... the diode bridge.

The 2254 is a 1272 line amp with 60dB gain and two side chains controlling a diode bridge voltage controlled attenuator.

The 2262 was a pathetic Neve attempt at stealing the compressor market from Pye. I've seen a lot more Pye compressors than similarly packaged 2262's. The 2262 used a motherboard with new circuitry whereupon the only gain stage in the device was the 340/440 amplifier.

The 2264 was developed from the 2262.

The 33314 was developed from the 2264

The 33609 was developed from the 33314

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by jdjustice

for those that use the 33609 and have experience with the 2254:
what are the sonic differences in these units?

The 2254 is a really nice vibe piece. Has the characteristic Neve sound with a chunky feel. One of my favorite comps.

The 33609 is faster and lighter sounding and probably to some a little more flexible.

Originally Posted by jdjustice

what would make you pick one over the other?

It depends on the application.

I love the 2254's on bass & vocals when mixing.

I like the 33609 better for a drumbuss or a mixbuss.

The old gearslut answer is you want & need both but if i could only have one for me it would be the 2254's.

[jdjustice]

Originally Posted by Geoff_T

Hi

I prefer my original 33609 (or 10/11/12... you don't hear much about them!)

Metalwork build like a brick sh*t house... if it dropped onto concrete it would chip the concrete!

Marinair Radar transformers

Discrete BA440 amplifier (not that this aspect is really that important)

Hand wired, point to point wiring from switches/connectors to gold solder pins on tne motherboard.

Machine turned aluminium knobs

As for evolution, the similarities pretty much end at the system for level control... the diode bridge.

The 2254 is a 1272 line amp with 60dB gain and two side chains controlling a diode bridge voltage controlled attenuator.

The 2262 was a pathetic Neve attempt at stealing the compressor market from Pye. I've seen a lot more Pye compressors than similarly packaged 2262's. The 2262 used a motherboard with new circuitry whereupon the only gain stage in the device was the 340/440 amplifier.

The 2264 was developed from the 2262.

The 33314 was developed from the 2264

The 33609 was developed from the 33314

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

The 2254 is a really nice vibe piece. Has the characteristic Neve sound with a chunky feel. One of my favorite comps.

The 33609 is faster and lighter sounding and probably to some a little more flexible.

I love the 2254's on bass & vocals when mixing.

I like the 33609 better for a drumbuss or a mixbuss.

The old gearslut answer is you want & need both but if i could only have one for me it would be the 2254's.

thanks Geoff and Thrill, you guys are very helpful!!
this helps me understand some potential applications for each compressor....


cheers.
~j.d.

[Anderson]

I bought a "new" 33609JD about a year and a half ago and I don't think it's worth all this money frankly. It's good, but not exceptionnal... And not even close to the older "metal knobs" version which I was able to use recently for a few hours.

Never used a 2254, so I can't compare the units.

I also had a few tech issues with it: when I got it, stereo imaging was rather sloppy (and unit had no "depth"), and maybe 20 hours after I first plugged it, Channel B broke down, giving a constant -20dB compression whatever the settings.

It took Neve a LONG time to do something about it (months). They first said nothing was wrong with the unit, when IMVVHO it was pbly a defective side chain pb, and then shipped it back "repaired" without a word or explanation.

I plugged it, and it didn't work at all.

Sent it to my local tech which said something was wrong with the PSU connections. That could've been due to bad handling during shipping but... AFAIC, last time I buy Neve stuff.

Anyway, overall good unit, but not worth the €€€€. If I were you, there are loads of other units I would consider buying before investing a "new" 33609 ...

Of course YMMV...

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by Anderson

I bought a "new" 33609JD about a year and a half ago and I don't think it's worth all this money frankly. It's good, but not exceptionnal... And not even close to the older "metal knobs" version which I was able to use recently for a few hours.

Never used a 2254, so I can't compare the units.

I also had a few tech issues with it: when I got it, stereo imaging was rather sloppy (and unit had no "depth"), and maybe 20 hours after I first plugged it, Channel B broke down, giving a constant -20dB compression whatever the settings.

It took Neve a LONG time to do something about it (months). They first said nothing was wrong with the unit, when IMVVHO it was pbly a defective side chain pb, and then shipped it back "repaired" without a word or explanation.

I plugged it, and it didn't work at all.

Sent it to my local tech which said something was wrong with the PSU connections. That could've been due to bad handling during shipping but... AFAIC, last time I buy Neve stuff.

Anyway, overall good unit, but not worth the €€€€. If I were you, there are loads of other units I would consider buying before investing a "new" 33609 ...

Of course YMMV...

Hi

There are gaps in your story... after the tech fixed the PSU did he say specifically what was wrong with it? Like a connector pulled out?

And do you still have and use the product?

[Anderson]

Originally Posted by Geoff_T

after the tech fixed the PSU did he say specifically what was wrong with it? Like a connector pulled out?

And do you still have and use the product?

Yes, I think he mentionned some kind of connector or connection that was defective.

I still have the product yes, and I use it now and then. It used to be mostly patched on the drum bus, but since I got the Buzz SOC (although those are very different beasts) it's kinda bus homeless.