Potato Cakes
Well-known member
Hello, everyone,
I think I know the answer to this, but I would like to ask here to receive verification/correction. In the preamp section of the 1073, there are three gain stages, with the first one feeding the second one at higher gain (or vice versa, I can't remember) while the 1272 has two stages. I have found that in the 1073 preamp circuit, I don't have any need for the top 20 dB gain range (60-80dB), so I wind up changing the gain settings to 0-65. A single BA283AV card (1272) with it's two stages has a theoretical gain of 81dB, so it seems that this would be plenty for what I need and I can scale down the real estate needed in a case. The question I alluded to earlier is does the absence of one of the gain stages affect the sound characteristics even when coupled with the same I/O transformers? From what I can see/know, the third gain stage is just to achieve the higher gain, so minus a gain stage shouldn't affect the subjective qualities of the sound, and a trimmer can still be used attenuate the output so the input can be driven harder if so desired. Plus, a single gang potentiometer could be used for gain, simplifying the build. Is there anything I'm missing as far as what to expect how the two stage setup will sound versus the three gain stage layout? I'm not looking to build anything historic or make claims to authenticity, just a great sounding circuit in the Neve style family of designs. I have no reason to believe it won't nor sound any different than my 1073 builds, but it doesn't hurt to ask here first. At least not too much.
Thanks!
Paul
I think I know the answer to this, but I would like to ask here to receive verification/correction. In the preamp section of the 1073, there are three gain stages, with the first one feeding the second one at higher gain (or vice versa, I can't remember) while the 1272 has two stages. I have found that in the 1073 preamp circuit, I don't have any need for the top 20 dB gain range (60-80dB), so I wind up changing the gain settings to 0-65. A single BA283AV card (1272) with it's two stages has a theoretical gain of 81dB, so it seems that this would be plenty for what I need and I can scale down the real estate needed in a case. The question I alluded to earlier is does the absence of one of the gain stages affect the sound characteristics even when coupled with the same I/O transformers? From what I can see/know, the third gain stage is just to achieve the higher gain, so minus a gain stage shouldn't affect the subjective qualities of the sound, and a trimmer can still be used attenuate the output so the input can be driven harder if so desired. Plus, a single gang potentiometer could be used for gain, simplifying the build. Is there anything I'm missing as far as what to expect how the two stage setup will sound versus the three gain stage layout? I'm not looking to build anything historic or make claims to authenticity, just a great sounding circuit in the Neve style family of designs. I have no reason to believe it won't nor sound any different than my 1073 builds, but it doesn't hurt to ask here first. At least not too much.
Thanks!
Paul