Anyone heard an appreciable difference between the 7602 "X-Mod" and the "ZenPro" mod?

[DRC]

I can get a great deal on the standard X-Mod (w/Carnhill mic input and line output transformers installed). I wanna shoot this thing out against my LTD1's. But I am wondering how much of a difference getting the "Zen-Pro" Mod would be (w/upgraded tantalum caps w/ original Neve values, original Motorola output transistors) in addition to the Carnhill "X-Mod." Anyone tried both and heard an honest difference?

[DRC]

Bump.

[DRC]

I find it hard to believe that a gear salesman is the only guy who has used one of these fully modded 7602's to compare with an original 7602. If anyone has one and didn't hear much of a difference please do tell. I'm not just looking for rave reviews. I'm looking for an honest opinion from someone who has nothing to gain either way.

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by DRC

I find it hard to believe that a gear salesman is the only guy who has used one of these fully modded 7602's to compare with an original 7602. If anyone has one and didn't hear much of a difference please do tell. I'm not just looking for rave reviews. I'm looking for an honest opinion from someone who has nothing to gain either way.

Michael

Although not directly on point as you have received no replies I will give my experience. I have an original 7602 and two MK 11 full mods done by Zen Pro ("MK 11 FM").

The MK 11 FM to my ear is much tighter down low and is much cleaner and quiet -especially when using eq say on the top shelf.

The MK 11FM is much bigger and deeper than the original-for instance I compared vocals on the Mk11FM against a Pacifica and the MK11FM was bigger and more present than the Pacifica (although I thought the Pacifica had more meat in the 300-400hz zone sans eq).

Running a track out DAW into 7602 orMk 11 FM-for eq-huge difference. If you have a line pad-run the line from DAW padded down into mic input of the FM MK11-to get benefit of both carnhill trannys and smile when eq-difficult to describe- but has that transformery depth and hi fi as well -bit like a BAC500 or the tranny through the 5043 but even more so.

The original 7602 is muddy down low, smaller and grainy, and is noisy when using eq up high.

Sorry-cannot comment on the standard Mk11 with carnhills versus the full zenpro mod.

But if you are interested in hearing a track where the full mod mk11 7602's were used on tracking snare and kick, do a search of "BAC500" and look for a thread- "Mix demonstrating BAC500 and Beez Neez Mikes" and that will give a taste of the full mod mk 11's on snare kick- also tracked the saxaphone and C3 grand pianos with the Mk 11 7602's- they are great on ribbons for quiet high gain.

Cheers

GJ
Newcastle/OZ

[DRC]

Originally Posted by asagaai

Michael

Although not directly on point as you have received no replies I will give my experience. I have an original 7602 and two MK 11 full mods done by Zen Pro ("MK 11 FM").

The MK 11 FM to my ear is much tighter down low and is much cleaner and quiet -especially when using eq say on the top shelf.

The MK 11FM is much bigger and deeper than the original-for instance I compared vocals on the Mk11FM against a Pacifica and the MK11FM was bigger and more present than the Pacifica (although I thought the Pacifica had more meat in the 300-400hz zone sans eq).

Running a track out DAW into 7602 orMk 11 FM-for eq-huge difference. If you have a line pad-run the line from DAW padded down into mic input of the FM MK11-to get benefit of both carnhill trannys and smile when eq-difficult to describe- but has that transformery depth and hi fi as well -bit like a BAC500 or the tranny through the 5043 but even more so.

The original 7602 is muddy down low, smaller and grainy, and is noisy when using eq up high.

Sorry-cannot comment on the standard Mk11 with carnhills versus the full zenpro mod.

But if you are interested in hearing a track where the full mod mk11 7602's were used on tracking snare and kick, do a search of "BAC500" and look for a thread- "Mix demonstrating BAC500 and Beez Neez Mikes" and that will give a taste of the full mod mk 11's on snare kick- also tracked the saxaphone and C3 grand pianos with the Mk 11 7602's- they are great on ribbons for quiet high gain.

Cheers

GJ
Newcastle/OZ

Thanks for the reply Asagaai. I am not (or at least wasn't) sure what you mean/meant by Mk 11 FM? I checked the site and didn't see it. I thought it was a Motorola part number used in the TT mod or something. I'm now pretty sure you are referring to the 7602 Mk II - Full Mod. The "11" threw me off the first time I read it.

Thanks for the review as well. Did you use the external power supply with both the un-modded and full modded units? And is there a separate Carnhill transformer on the line input or do the line and mic share that transformer?

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by DRC

Thanks for the reply Asagaai. I am not (or at least wasn't) sure what you mean/meant by Mk 11 FM? I checked the site and didn't see it. I thought it was a Motorola part number used in the TT mod or something. I'm now pretty sure you are referring to the 7602 Mk II - Full Mod. The "11" threw me off the first time I read it.

Thanks for the review as well. Did you use the external power supply with both the un-modded and full modded units? And is there a separate Carnhill transformer on the line input or do the line and mic share that transformer?

Hey Michael

Yeah- the "MK11 FM" was short for the chameleon labs Mk 11 full mod by zen pro with the tantalum caps and motorola goodies.

I have 1 Mk11 FM running on its own power supply and the other running through the external power supply and although I have not done exhaustive tests I could not discern a great deal of difference-if I had a preference I would probably use the external power CPS1 unit.

The mic input uses the Carnhill transformer, the line in uses a generic chinese transformer. Using the line in is not bad- is actually nice, but sending a track from DAW padded down into the mic input through the Carnhill trafo definately adds some magic- let me put it this way- if I am mixing a critical snare/kick/bass- I always take the time to pad down the mic input and run the signal through the padded down mike input.

Cheers

GJ
Newcastle/OZ