Eisen Audio 500 series DIY pre

[s.d.finley]

I recently purchased a DIY 500 series pre-amp kit from these guys....
http://www.eisenaudio.com/diy500/

I decided to use a Lundahl 1538xl for the input transformer and the JFET992 as the opamp. By using the JFET, I didnt need an output transformer. The output is a little lower sans output tranny, but for me, thats no big deal, as I record mostly LOUDmusic. I decided on this combonation, after lengthy noodle scratching, because it would give me a different sound than the pres that I already have in my OSA 8 slot lunchbox. Which are:

2 OSA MP1-C
1 A-designs P1
1 A-designs EM-Silver
1 Shadow Hills Mono Gama

Anyways, my assistant put it all together the other day. He said it was about a 5 hr job, but then hes no speed demon either!

I used it on a session yesterday. Rock band. First I tried it on bass cab. This guy was using an old Sunn head, I forget the model, thru my SWR BigBen 18" cab. I had a d112 thru the EM-Silver, RSM-2 ribbon thru P1, and a 57 into the Eisen. The 57 gave the needed upper mid "bite" that was lacking. Very nice.

Next application was on guitars. JCM900 into a 1960 1/2 stack reissue. I5 into the EMS, RSM-2 into P1 and a 57 for the Eisen. The I5 and EMS combo was the most rockin of all, but the 57 Eisen combo sounded very good too. Very midrange aggressive. Little bit of a lowend roll off IMHO, but very forcefull I shall say in the mids. Much more so than any other of the pres.

I didnt have a chance to try it with anything else yet, except plugging in a bass via the DI. Which yeilded the same results as the guitars. Slight lowend roll off, and VERY aggresive in the mids, big time! Now Jens @ Eisen Audio, whos a great guy BTW, informed me that the JFET992 does have a mid punch too it, and I think he said, or I read on their website, that their 500 series design skips the input tranny on the DI path. So all I was hearing was the opamp. I normally use the A-designs when I play bass myself going DI, as they have a nice big round and smooth sound too them, the P1 being a wee bit brighter or more articulate than the EMS.

I can see myself using the Eisen as a DI when I need a punchy mid focused bass, and not alot of lowend.

I have another rock band this weekend, and I think I will try the Eisen out on snare.

I would go on and on, but its late and I am tired.......more to report tomorrow!!



sdf

[s.d.finley]

BTW,

total cost was $320...


sdf

[AdamJay]

nice.

i need an assistant to build me preamps.

[stellar]

did the kit come with the resistors, caps, and diodes, or was all of that ordered separately?

[s.d.finley]

Originally Posted by stellar

did the kit come with the resistors, caps, and diodes, or was all of that ordered separately?

The minimal kit has no caps, resistors or diodes. The amount and type will depend upon the input/output trannies and opamp used. However, Jens @ Eisen Audio is very helpful, and will include a list of parts for what you need, as long as its something they have tested.

I will post some more tomorrow, after some recording tonite!!

sdf

[s.d.finley]

Originally Posted by AdamJay

nice.

i need an assistant to build me preamps.

Ahhh..... its good to be the King!

sdf

[seaneldon]

Jens is a good dude and offers a great service. I'll be filling up a lunchbox of 990/Cinemag in and out pres soon.

[s.d.finley]

Originally Posted by seaneldon

Jens is a good dude and offers a great service. I'll be filling up a lunchbox of 990/Cinemag in and out pres soon.

What made you decide on this combonation? I'd like to hear those when they are done!

sdf

[s.d.finley]

Alright.....

Drums...Sonar Kit, all wood, of course...piccallo snare, "transformerless 57"(check tape op for the mod) into Eisen pre with 15 db pad engauged to dbx 160X.

The snare has a very nice pop to it without any EQ. The band and the drummer were diggin the snare sound. So was I and my assistant.

Tonite, we set up, tomorrow we track. I will do some more with guitars and bass, and I might even try vocals on the Eisen tomorrow!!

So far, I am very happy!!!

sdf

[uncle duncan]

Jens put together a 'Neve-ish' pre for me. I have no idea what's in there, but it sounds like a tube mic - beefy lows and sizzly highs. Perfect for vocals or anything that needs a little oomph/sparkle. I've also got an OSA L3 and an A-Designs P1 and Blue, and it blows them all away for adding that juicy thing to a track.

[Brad McGowan]

I love my Eisen DIY pres which uses a Hardy 990C and Cinemag input (I forgot which one) and output transformers (CMOQ-2S). It's got lots of detail and some decent color due to the steel output transformer. The preamps really came alive when I replaced the two coupling caps with Black Gate NX caps.

The Eisen design has no sound in and of itself. The "sound" comes from the components you select. The variations are endless--that's the beauty of it. If I were starting from scratch I think I might just buy 8 or 10 Eisen pres and build them a few different ways.

Brad

[bobx]

i just ordered one, and soon to be a pair from jens with the 512 design. once i'm done, i'm going to a/b them with my osa mp1-c and my a designs em-red which is on the way. i really dig the idea of being able to "put together" my own sound and i'll most definitely be "putting together" more of these pres.

[gm5k]

Originally Posted by bobxhopefield

i just ordered one, and soon to be a pair from jens with the 512 design. once i'm done, i'm going to a/b them with my osa mp1-c and my a designs em-red which is on the way. i really dig the idea of being able to "put together" my own sound and i'll most definitely be "putting together" more of these pres.

wanna "put together" some pres for me?

[bobx]

gm5k, pm'd you.