Holy **** Batman, Dave Hill's Legacy!!!

[Buddhaman]

Saw this on Ebay this morning. I'm pissed I just bought 8 1272's in a Boutique Audio Rack, or this is definitley the way i would go...

Has anyone used these Summits? How do they sound?

Buddhaman

24 Channel Modular Summits

[Ruairi]

I'm sure I remember reading in EQ years ago that Dave Jerden recorded most of Janes Addiction's Ritual de lo Habitual through 24 channels of Summit valve pre like this. That said I could be so off base it's not funny,

cheers,
Ruairi

[Jay Kahrs]

I've seen the Summits before, but I've never seen those.

[jpaudio]

Originally posted by Ruairi
I'm sure I remember reading in EQ years ago that Dave Jerden recorded most of Janes Addiction's Ritual de lo Habitual through 24 channels of Summit valve pre like this. That said I could be so off base it's not funny,

cheers,
Ruairi

When Jerden hooked up with engineer Bryan Carlstrom, they used Summits for just about everything... Janes Addiction, Anthrax, Alice in Chains, etc.

[PRS1JAZZ]

LOL BUDDHAMAN!!! I want those bad..... now to organize the finances.... hmm.. 8 channels of 16??????????

[De chromium cob]

So arent these the same thing as a TD-100 in a 8 space rack? Those go for around $400 each brand new....and have variable input impedance to boot- Maybe its not such a good deal?

[jpaudio]

Originally posted by De chromium cob
So arent these the same thing as a TD-100 in a 8 space rack? Those go for around $400 each brand new....and have variable input impedance to boot- Maybe its not such a good deal?

Not at all... Summit hasn't been the same company they used to be for a while...

[De chromium cob]

They seem like they (TD-100/ 2BA-221) use the same kind of hybrid tube/solid state design- whats so different? Is the current stuff of a poor build quality now?

[Brad Blackwood]

Originally posted by De chromium cob
They seem like they (TD-100/ 2BA-221) use the same kind of hybrid tube/solid state design- whats so different? Is the current stuff of a poor build quality now?

Not designed by Dave Hill...

[jpaudio]

Originally posted by Brad Blackwood
Not designed by Dave Hill...

That says it all.

wasn't there some wild situation involving Dave Hill's split from Summit? I seem to recall hearing about that once...

[De chromium cob]

I just talked to Dave- He says they were a bit touchy due to the power supply and would be very difficult to have fixed- mainly because he cant do it and summit probably wouldnt be of help....
Also said they sounded great when they were working right but are over 10 years old now and ran fairly hot to begin with so they may need some TLC that very few techs could do....Good to know.

[Erik Papp]

The units that Dave Jerden and Bryan were using are still in use by Bryan. All 24 units are still being used almost daily. Of these pieces, none have ever had a power supply issue. Summit Audio stocks new power supplies and original parts for this series of gear. Most commonly we get requests for additional power supplies, in order to split up existing racks. The TD-100 and 2BA-221 are very different from these preamps. The TD-100 is closer in features but different in topology. The 2BA-221 is a much faster preamp with a transformerless input. The 24 pieces in this post are all fitted with Jensen input transformers.

[De chromium cob]

Originally posted by Erik Papp
The units that Dave Jerden and Bryan were using are still in use by Bryan. All 24 units are still being used almost daily. Of these pieces, none have ever had a power supply issue. Summit Audio stocks new power supplies and original parts for this series of gear. Most commonly we get requests for additional power supplies, in order to split up existing racks. The TD-100 and 2BA-221 are very different from these preamps. The TD-100 is closer in features but different in topology. The 2BA-221 is a much faster preamp with a transformerless input. The 24 pieces in this post are all fitted with Jensen input transformers.

Thanks!

[entropy]

shit! I'm broke at present or I wouldn't hesitate. If anyone out there is thinking what to get me for my birthday.........

[Jay Kahrs]

Originally posted by Erik Papp
The units that Dave Jerden and Bryan were using are still in use by Bryan. All 24 units are still being used almost daily. Of these pieces, none have ever had a power supply issue. Summit Audio stocks new power supplies and original parts for this series of gear. Most commonly we get requests for additional power supplies, in order to split up existing racks. The TD-100 and 2BA-221 are very different from these preamps. The TD-100 is closer in features but different in topology. The 2BA-221 is a much faster preamp with a transformerless input. The 24 pieces in this post are all fitted with Jensen input transformers.

Do you work for Summit? If so I've got a question...

Why isn't there an East Coast repair center? I had to meter replaced on my DCL-200 while it was under warretny and it took about 6 weeks including the shiptimes. That sucked. Also, it cost a hell of a lot more to ship it then the meter cost.

[heinz]

Originally posted by jpaudio
When Jerden hooked up with engineer Bryan Carlstrom, they used Summits for just about everything... Janes Addiction, Anthrax, Alice in Chains, etc.

An older issue of tapeop has the Jerden interview with pics, he's built a small condominium out of summit racks.

[Erik Papp]

I do work at Summit Audio. We do all of our own warranty repairs. The length of your repair which I was specifically aware of is too long, and there is no excuse. There have without doubt been points in our long history that repairs have taken a long time. We have recently moved Summit Audio out of California to Nevada. This move also created a wait that was well past acceptable. Our current turnaround on repairs is under two weeks. That particular repair(RA 1028) was performed 2 years ago. We have since made many changes to our repair department. Please contact me directly. I would like some input on who you would reccomend. In addition I can explain further why a small company like Summit has not farmed out warranty work to this point. I would also like to extend you an offer to make things right. The solution would come from you. What can we do to make it better?, even though the damage is done?


Erik P. Papp
Summit Audio Inc.
775-782-8838

[Spitz]

Originally posted by jpaudio
When Jerden hooked up with engineer Bryan Carlstrom, they used Summits for just about everything... Janes Addiction, Anthrax, Alice in Chains, etc.

Summit Rocks!

Yep, used them with Bryan along with 1073's. Bryan is the master.

I'm using the Vipre now on my new project for guitar tones. Along with of all things, a modded pre sonus 2 channel pre, for a little more up front. Have every freakin' name pre here (except those new emi clones< Wagener you Slut!) haaa haaa ....

Oh Yeah, and a very old Manley pre, serial # under 10. Completely different animal to the new ones.

Blind test is the only test.

That Vipre is Sick!!!!!!!

[bdunard]

I would just like to say that I have a couple of Summit compressors and when one had a problem recently, Summit fixed the prolem within a day of recieving my compressor. I was without my compressor for about 8 days total. Oh yeah, I bought it used and they still did the warranty work for free. Now I know alot of people portray Summit as an evil empire but they have been nothing but good to me. This includes answering questions, pre and post sale, warranty work and actually recommending some of their competitors products...no joke. I understand that everyone loves Dave Hill and he builds great products but Summit has not become Radio Shack either. Just to let everyone know in advance I don't work for Summit, and I don't know Erik personally (he doesn't even know me) I just know that when I called, the person that always answered the phone name was Erik and was nothing but great help.

[Fletcher]

So let me get this logic straight... maybe I'm a little fukked up here... you got your warrantee shit in 8 days so it's cool for them to have treated one of the greatest audio designers to ever walk the planet like a farm animal... is that about it?

Sorry, that doesn't work for me... if it works for you well bully!! But I still think it's a complete and total crock of shit.

They have an obligation to repair anything with the Summit name on it as quickly and efficiently as possible... moving, not moving, standing still or sitting... if they don't, they'll go out of business and good lord know that would be a fukkin' tragedy... the bottom line is that they did what they were supposed to do... if we're pinning medals on small companies for doing what they need to do to survive I'll take a bronze star please... we just passed the 15 year mark.

[Jay Kahrs]

Originally posted by Erik Papp
I do work at Summit Audio. We do all of our own warranty repairs. The length of your repair which I was specifically aware of is too long, and there is no excuse. There have without doubt been points in our long history that repairs have taken a long time. We have recently moved Summit Audio out of California to Nevada. This move also created a wait that was well past acceptable. Our current turnaround on repairs is under two weeks. That particular repair(RA 1028) was performed 2 years ago. We have since made many changes to our repair department. Please contact me directly. I would like some input on who you would reccomend. In addition I can explain further why a small company like Summit has not farmed out warranty work to this point. I would also like to extend you an offer to make things right. The solution would come from you. What can we do to make it better?, even though the damage is done?

Oh yeah, I remember you now. Your right, it was about two years ago. At the time I had given you (or someone else there) the phone number of a guy in NY and AFAIK nothing ever came out of it. There are a number of places in NYC like EAR and tons of techs who can rebuild SSL's and Neve desks. Matt Wells is a great tech who has put all kinds of stuff back together, Pye limiters, BA6A's etc. If they can do that then I'm sure they can repair a piece of outboard gear without a problem.

[bdunard]

I don't know exactly what transpired between Dave and Summit but my experience with Summit has been nothing but easy and simple to deal with. I can only judge them how they treated me which has been better than some of the other companies that I won't name. I am not condoning what they did, or know exactly what they did but Erik has been great with customer service for me. So yes he gets a bronze medal from me! which we all know doesn't really mean a thing...

[De chromium cob]

Originally posted by Fletcher
maybe I'm a little fukked up here... you got your warrantee shit in 8 days so it's cool for them to have treated one of the greatest audio designers to ever walk the planet like a farm animal... is that about it?

I suppose you'll have to keep us all up to date as to who has good karma audio products so we dont accidently buy gear from one of the many people you seem to have a beef with....

[Steamy Williams]

Several years ago I bought a new Tube Tech LCA 2B that had a number of problems from day one. First of all the internal fuse blew, as for some reason all units were being sold in the UK with fuses that couldn't really handle the 20V difference between Europe (220V) and the UK (240V). No warning or explanation was included, which led to me almost having a heart attack when the unit stop powering up within the first week.

Secondly the bypass switch made a very audible and distracting click, which I might have let go if it had not been for the literature in Tube Tech's brochure. Right at the top the first page it said click-less relay bypass, so I wondered if the click was the symptom of something more serious - like a dodgy valve. My dealer confirmed the existence of the problem in his company's demo suite, but when the manufacturer got it back they claimed they couldn't hear the click, yet agreed to replace the unit nonetheless. I had to wait 5 months for a new shipment to arrive in the UK for a replacement, which had exactly the same fault (and required that I change the internal fuse again).

I had never heard an LCA 2B before I bought one, but given that I wasn’t completely enamoured with the sound, which was too muddy for my liking, I decided to swap it for an STC-8 and have been happy ever since. It's the dealer I feel sorry for, as they held onto the unit in an attempt to maintain relations with the distributor. 4 years later and they still haven't managed to sell the unit ex-demo, despite it appearing in virtually all of their adverts, which you may have seen in SOS.

[Fletcher]

Originally posted by De chromium cob
I suppose you'll have to keep us all up to date as to who has good karma audio products so we dont accidently buy gear from one of the many people you seem to have a beef with....

I dunno... seems a judge had a similar opinion of the situation when the Papp's tried to prevent Dave from earning a living... http://www.geocities.com/summit_vs_h...t_vs_hill.html

If promising a dude 40% of a company for his design work then locking him out of his studio when he asks for paper saying he has 40% of the company doesn't qualify for "not uncool"... then I guess I just don't have any clue of what is and what ain't cool.

Make your own decisions... I made my decision kinda based on facts, you might find it something of an adventure to do the same.

BTW, the information on that site is a matter of public record... I couldn't make up shit like that if I tried.

[bjornson]

STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT EPISODE OF...


"As the potentiometer turns"

[Jay Kahrs]

Got damn that's long...

[De chromium cob]

Originally posted by Fletcher
I dunno... seems a judge had a similar opinion of the situation when the Papp's tried to prevent Dave from earning a living... http://www.geocities.com/summit_vs_h...t_vs_hill.html

If promising a dude 40% of a company for his design work then locking him out of his studio when he asks for paper saying he has 40% of the company doesn't qualify for "not uncool"... then I guess I just don't have any clue of what is and what ain't cool.

Make your own decisions... I made my decision kinda based on facts, you might find it something of an adventure to do the same.

BTW, the information on that site is a matter of public record... I couldn't make up shit like that if I tried.

The point of my post was that not everyone knows about the little inside dealings of these companies or wants to research the bad blood one guy has for another.... Your original post sort of implied that the Papp/Hill feud was common knowledge and anyone who even considers buying Summit gear is somehow morally bereft. But after reading that link you posted I think we can agree that the good name Summit enjoyed in the past was because of Dave's designs....

[Fletcher]

Indeed.

The only reason Summit Audio is on the map is because of Dave's brilliant designs [it sure as shit ain't because of the "Element 78"!!] and because shops like ours [which was the #2 Summit Audio dealer on the planet before Summit dropped Dave, and Mercenary dropped Summit] broke our balls to get the word out.

They unceremoniously screwed one of the world's great designers while screaming in a "down market" / "mass consumption" [also spelled "c-h-e-a-p c-r-a-p] spiral using the goodwill that was forged through Dave's designs.

I guess in my world shit like that is indeed common knowledge, but you're right, to the average consumer most folks don't know about this kind of stuff, and unfortunately, too many that do know about this kind of stuff don't give a damn [hence the popularity of Behringer product].

We really need to protect the designers of our industry from the business mooks who seem to love to install a nice dose of financial sodomy on these brothers... or at least in my twisted mind we need to protect the designers, or at least not let the rapists prosper on the backs of those they raped.

As always... YMMV.

[Fletcher]

Sure have at it... I'm flattered that something I wrote could be considered cool enough to be a sig line.

Thanks for the compliment, I really appreciate it.

Peace.