Quote:
Originally Posted by
ToneLux
➡️
I was asked to chime in on the 500 series racks.
Since I designed the 500 rack and PSU for API, I would have to lean in that direction, but there are many real reasons.
hi Paul,
I have much respect for you so please know that I'm not trying to start a conflict or anything, I just had some thoughts on your comments I wanted to share. I'm a very pleased BAE customer, just so you know where I'm coming from.

(and I do own a API 512c too! thumbsup )
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ToneLux
➡️
1 If you look at the vents on the BA PSU, they are pointing down. Not much for air passage. The AMEK APC2000 or what ever that thing was called that they made 2 of had the same vents on the rear panels and they burned up until the rear panels were completely punched out..
I agree that the BAE vents look small and don't seem angled or positioned in a very useful way, but maybe they don't really run very hot and that's all that was nessesary? I'd hate for people to start assuming that just because the BAE merely looks similar to another brand that had problems, it might also be problematic. My BAE sits behind the racks so I've never felt it after it's been on a while, but next time I'll try to remember. I'll never heard of a BAE supply buring up though. Anyone?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ToneLux
➡️
1 The API 500 rack has twice the current required to power anything you can plug into it. Hi current is better to minimize the rubber effect. Others with 1.5 amps is just about the requirement. It needs to be big.

. . you mean the
power supply for the API 500 racks can supply twice the power, correct? (sorry for nit picking!) And if 1.5 is the requirement for 11 modules on average, then the API supply is rated at like 2.75 amps or greater? (that's pretty sweet if so!)
And . . . what is the 'rubber effect'?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ToneLux
➡️
2 The 500 Rack is well ventilated and very strong, plus it looks nice.
As far as looks I'd agree that the API looks the nicest! The BAE and OSA as far as I can tell (I haven't seen the OSA in person) look pretty similar to each other. I think they both may want to add a logo on one rack ear and a model on the other etc but . . . probably not a critical thing to worry about!

I also like the bit of blue panel on the front of the API and the power status lights (but I went with the BAE because it had one more space!) Also, it was sure nice of API to label those three LEDs. There are three LED's on my BAE supply but I have no idea what they mean since they aren't labeld and there was no documentation with the rack (or on the web site)! I know that someone at BAE or Avedis will be happy to explain it to me . . . .I just haven't taken the time to ask yet.

For now I'll assume lights on good, lights off bad!
From what I've seen, the BAE and OSA ventalation is near identical and much better than the API. That said, I haven't noticed any of my modules getting even remotely warm so the extra ventilation may not even be nessasary! And the down side of too much ventilation is that more dust gets in . . .
As far as strength, I think the BAE wins the prize. I'm sure the sheet metal on all three is fine but the API and OSA use a circuit board to mount the card edge and XLR connectors but the BAE has all of the connectors bolted to sheet metal and then hard wired. If someone if going to load up an API or OSA rack and just leave it, maybe only changing modules out occasionally, it shouldn't be a concern. But for someone switching out modules on a regular basis or especially for a mobile recoding unit or military application I would think the BAE would hold up much better.
And from a picture I saw, the OSA looked like the card edge connects weren't even bolted to the circuit board, just held on by the solder??? Nathan or someone who has an OSA rack, can you verify true or false please?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ToneLux
➡️
3 The company has liability insurance, which you may not think is important, but when one of their PSUs burns down your studio, you'll see why it's important.
Well, I don't think that would happen, I've heard from a reliable source that the API supplies are top notch!

But, it that insurance setup to protect the end users or just protect the company if they get sued???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ToneLux
➡️
There is not much improvements that could be done to the rack, as it started out in the late 70's and has pretty much been refined to what it is today.
There is no point in discussing any changes to the rack, as much as it would be nice to do, you would have a compat problem with about 600,000,000 modules. Hardly worth it.
Agreed. Probably in time someone will make a module that has a pencil sharpener or a can opener in it, but until then it sounds like the power issue is covered!