Hairball Audio 1176 compressors

[MicDaddy]

You should be able to get by just fine with only a DMM.

The Lola looks very promising unfortunately $ is tight.

Sent from my Droid using Gearslutz App

[idmmer417]

Hey guys, I just found out Hariball Audio and I'm dying to try this out. It'll be my first attempt so planning to work with experienced friend of mine. So regarding parts sourcing, I need to buy FET compressor bundle kit with MNAT PCB and just buy other parts from provided Mouser cart link right? Is it safe to just buy it like that or should I reset and add individually from BOM list?
Also, I see that there is a stereo compressor kit. How much it did cost you guys to build the stereo version?

[MicDaddy]

Do more research into the stereo support thread, I'm not certain but I think there were some 'issues?' some were having. Best to familiarize yourself with problems others might have ran into/resolved. Hairball Audio: 1176 Stereo Linking PCBs Support Thread

Correct:
I used the Hairball provided 'mouser cart' twice. The first time there were some extra parts but I wasn't short any. The second time I deleted the duplicate parts. Best idea is to correlate the 'mouser cart' with the BOM or schematic systematically checking off and verifying you will receive everything and that all is correct.

[masterminds]

Great thread. I just ordered my first F revision kit based on the vibe here. Thanks so much to all who have contributed here. Amazing people.

Cheers.

Oscar

[sms]

i just got the REV A kit and mouser parts in front of me, waiting for pcbs to show up to start. damn its a lot more parts than i was thinking... looks like 5 or so nights of fun

[Rascal Audio]

Originally Posted by masterminds

Great thread. I just ordered my first F revision kit based on the vibe here. Thanks so much to all who have contributed here. Amazing people.

Cheers.

Oscar

Congrats, Oscar... after skimming this thread you are the first Rev. F builder I think I saw (though my search wasn't thorough).

I have always found it interesting that the buzz is about Rev. A and D, but not the later, non-class-A output versions. I'm a tone nut, but I must say I actually prefer the Rev. F 1176's to the earlier versions. The class-A versions (in spite of being 'class-A', which I realize is a buzz word) are crunchier and aggressive, though more sluggish in response (not talking the compression character here, but the signal path itself) when compared to the PP output versions.

I find the tone of the Rev. F to still benefit from the I/O iron, but the signal path is smoother and punchier (still hate that word, but it works) and just more lively and dynamic to my ear. A better line-level processor to me. While i think I could appreciate the class-A revisions' sound for mic preamps, I like my line level gear to have tone, but be more broadly complimentary, and despite claims earlier in this thread that the Rev. A sounds best on everything, I simply do not agree -- the color is too strong and so benefits many things greatly, and not so much on many other sources.

I wonder how much of the praise for the A and D come from all the talk about the A and D rather than actual experience with the various revisions?

And please understand, I'm not intending to pick a fight or make accusations against anyone in this thread.... I'm just think all the talk about the A and D is robbing people of the wonderful, but less publicly praised Rev. F, and I think it's a shame (given that, to me, it is the nicest sounding revision). I'm hoping more people give the Rev. F a shot... It's lovely!

And, FWIW, I do not prefer the even later Rev. G with its electronically-balanced input -- doesn't suck, but just not as tonally interesting... not as nice as the Rev. F, and can't handle the insanely hot input levels the earlier attenuator-equipped revisions can.

Just food for thought (as if the water wasn't muddy already )

[Neily]

Originally Posted by jayson_p

has anybody tried out the Lola mic pre...if so what do you think of it?

I have a pair of them. The Hairball Audio Lola is my favorite preamp ever. Period. I was so impressed with the first kit I bought I had to get another one right away. As soon as I can afford to get a few more of them I definately will. It's a very straightforward kit to build too but if you're not into building them yourself Mike sells finished ones at a very reasonable price.

For those of you who might be skeptical whether DIY gear in general sounds as good as the "real thing"... My lunchbox used to consist of Avedis MA5s, Api512c, A-designs EM silver, and OSAs. My Lunchbox is now filled with 2 Lolas, and 4 Classic API VP312s and I couldn't be happier with the sound. It's so killer. (I highly recommend classic api too by the way, amazing stuff!)

As far as the 1176 kits go, I've got the rev A and the rev F. The A is a bit dirtier. Both amazing.

[wearecreative]

So dudes I've got my Rev. A together and powered up. All is well in that respect. I cant quite figure out how to calibrate it. I've watched the videos a million times and gone right along with them, but I cant seem to replicate the results.

can anyone give me any pointers?

[alkor]

hi,

long time diy forum lurker

just 1 question:

anyone ever builded some kind of transformer-matrix (in and out) like the shmc provides ?

thx in advance

[che_guitarra]

Originally Posted by wearecreative

So dudes I've got my Rev. A together and powered up. All is well in that respect. I cant quite figure out how to calibrate it. I've watched the videos a million times and gone right along with them, but I cant seem to replicate the results.

can anyone give me any pointers?

Welcome to DIY - sometimes you can nail an ultra complex project without a fuss, yet something quite simple like a 1176 build can have you scratching your head for weeks.

I'd say you really need to hit up the GroupDIY forum. Plenty of guru's there. They have an 80+ page thread dedicated to the Hairball/Mnats 1176 Rev A build process, and every contributor is willing to help where they can. I too am having problems calibrating my Rev D Hairball/Mnats 1176 (meter issues), but 'Hairball' himself (Echo North) is very keen to help me troubleshoot for a victory - just check the latest posts in the Rev D thread.

If you're following a proven build as you are, the solution is always a simple oversight/error/component issue - you just need someone of greater experience to guide you through the process of elimination... just like me.

[charlieclouser]

bump - so I can search this thread!

[skyshaver]

"FET comps that I have used tend to be fast and aggressive. Which isn't always welcome, but always seems to have a place. If you're asking how good a FET serves as a gain control element, than I say probably not that great. They need input attenuation and a good chunk of makeup gain. Maybe not the most efficient setup from a design perspective. Like a gal with fantastic breasts and a good looking face, coupled with hefty emotional needs and bad breath. Maybe a bit much to deal with for some boobs, but maybe you really like boobs."

From user MikoKensington on this thread on GroupDIY Fet Compressors