Is the Daking pre based on a trident A range?

[roonsbane]

Hey to all,

Someone who owned a pair of older daking pre/EQ'es that I have used several times said that he was told by his sales guy that these pre's are based on Trident A range Pre/EQ'es. They do have a similar sound to me that I really dig on certain instruments and styles, though I have never directly A/B them. I was wondering if one is in fact based on the other. Also, does anyone know if the four channel preamp is in fact the same preamp that is in the Pre/EQ? It doesn't say if they are the same preamp on the daking web site for some reason which would seem to be an important detail. These are a very good deal at roughly half of the great river or chandler stuff. A four channel is around $1850 street price which is less then a two channel GR or Chandler.

Cameron

[DrDeltaM]

Yes, it's based on/inspired by Trident A Range. The 4-channel Daking pre-amp is the same pre-amp as in the Daking pre/EQ.

[w2w]

I just bought a Daking 4 ch pre & it freakin rocks. I also have a rack full of API 512's & the Dakings are just as good. I think this pre is a steal and a lot of people seem to be torn between the API 3124 & the 4 ch Daking. If price is an issue the Daking is a no brainer.Most people probably cant tell the difference anyway.(I dont want to start a debate with that last statement but its mostly true).I do believe I read Geoff Daking saying on this forum that the pre is indeed the same,just without the EQ. Get a Daking,its a great pre.

[GearHunter]

Apparently in the late 80's Geoff Daking bought the A-Range circuit drawings from Trident (for short money because Trident had no interest in them at the time).

He based his mic-pre on those drawings.

That's the story I heard.

Niiice!

[Meriphew]

I hate to say it, but I think if Daking gave their rack gear a facelift (ie. made it look "cooler"), they'd really increase their sales. I've heard that his stuff sounds pretty damn good though.

[bee]

Originally Posted by Meriphew

I hate to say it, but I think if Daking gave their rack gear a facelift (ie. made it look "cooler"), they'd really increase their sales. I've heard that his stuff sounds pretty damn good though.

I agree. The original pre with the concetric knobs looks way cooler than the new pre. I love my dakings... both preamps and compressors.

[Lynn Fuston]

The Daking pre and Trident A-Range modules are both on the new Preamp Summit DVD. You can listen for yourself and decide how close they are.

Geoff and I have spoken at length about the provenance of the Daking pre. It is based on and extremely similar to the A-Range.

[Musiclab]

Originally Posted by bee

I agree. The original pre with the concetric knobs looks way cooler than the new pre. I love my dakings... both preamps and compressors.

The originals did look cooler, with the concentric knobs but the b and c series 52270's
have more frequencies and are at least in my opinion more useful. Also now because the knobs are less expensive than the original groovy concentric knobs you get it for less than the original.

[robmix]

Originally Posted by GearHunter

Apparently in the late 80's Geoff Daking bought the A-Range circuit drawings from Trident (for short money because Trident had no interest in them at the time).

He based his mic-pre on those drawings.

That's the story I heard.

Niiice!

That's the story I got from Geoff as well.

[weatherbox]

I think they look cool as is, and can't wait to see if the lunchbox-format stuff really comes to pass... hello, EQ and comp! I'd grab two pres, too, were I not already as saturated in preamp channels as a home recordist can justify...

[ToddP]

Geoff tells the story of his gear and his resume in the interview on the DVD and our site.

Geoff Daking Interview

You may find it entertaining and enlightening. You may find it tedious and redundant. But there you have it.

[AdamJay]

$50 for the schematic.
HA!

[jslstrat]

Originally Posted by Musiclab

The originals did look cooler, with the concentric knobs but the b and c series 52270's
have more frequencies and are at least in my opinion more useful. Also now because the knobs are less expensive than the original groovy concentric knobs you get it for less than the original.

I agree...I think a Black anodized face with different silk screen. Red and silver aluminum knobs would be way cooler.

[dtucker]

Originally Posted by jslstrat

I agree...I think a Black anodized face with different silk screen. Red and silver aluminum knobs would be way cooler.

No way dude. I like the way it looks now. Why look like everything else on the market?

He's created his identity and I think it works just fine.

They sound damn good, too! Will never get rid of mine. Will only buy more!! More!! Bwaa-ha-haaa!!

[Baz]

While the looks wouldn't stop me from buying one - I've used some great sounding DYI stuff - I gotta agree that from a marketing pov, the daking stuff is very uninspiring, based on looks.

Now, the 1112 console seems to work with it's look though

[jslstrat]

Originally Posted by dtucker

No way dude. I like the way it looks now. Why look like everything else on the market?

He's created his identity and I think it works just fine.

They sound damn good, too! Will never get rid of mine. Will only buy more!! More!! Bwaa-ha-haaa!!

Well I like the first version...But did not like the look of the Daking 9o logo...
But since he was doing the A range (todays A range) I figured he would follow
the A vibe.....I do agree the Console version looks beautiful....I own an 80B And I have always thought the 80B Is one of the best looking consoles ever...I love the sound also. It has such a nice presence to it. Especially before I bought my (80B) I was using 1073 out boards....And they sound so dark to me after using my 80B pres. Looking to get a pair of Dakings with my 80B. Looks wont stop me from buying Dakings obviously either. I just think Daking could have done more of A range vibe. Still waiting for somebody to do an EXACT A range clone........So many 1073 repros
Neve/Averill I can not understand why knowbody has done an EXACT A range repro.......?????

[jslevin]

I could give a rat's ass how it looks. The API 3124 doesn't look like much either. Sometimes I think there's actually an inverse relationship. Only had them a month, but so far, the Daking pres are excellent.

JSL