Is something new in preamp design possible? Albatross. Now in 51X. ****.

[TimS]

I'll let Igor answer the rest (I'm curious about the circuit myself), but I do have it from Igor himself that Ed's 10468 will work for the input transformer. I'll be building a couple of these next month--one with the Neve transformers and one in the "vocal" transformerless output style--and will post thoughts and possibly sound clips here.

I would definitely love to hear some clips if it's not too much trouble, please.

 

[kato]

Are we up to 30 pre-orders yet? What's holding everyone back? The fact that it's a new design?
All great designs were once new designs. But not all new designs made it off the drawing board. People want assurance that it's ruling class. I suspect heavy huevos of preamp.

 

[earl]

+2

 

[Winetree]

I'd be in for 2
Will there be a complete parts kit available?
Or a parts numbered BOM would be great.

 

[Igor]

I'd be in for 2
Will there be a complete parts kit available?
Or a parts numbered BOM would be great.

It will be The Christmass Project.

Got absolutely fixed last ver. boards; tested; my friend is recording now
the album with pair of Albatross in Microrack. Got nice feedback about sound.

Now I can put the He-69 (Helios inspired) EQ in between input and output stages of pre, BTW. Really cool.

Remember, XLR-BYP-INS switch at He-69? Thanx to Kris for idea!

I fixing last pieces of documentation right now; then the support thread will follow.

Possible to arrange the kits with every possible thing, except the transformers and knobs.
It will be cheaper to buy them directly instead of paying shipping/fees twice.

My price target for full components kit is USD280-310 including shipping.
The fronts will be Aluminium 6061, machined (milling for all holes, nuts below the cover) and engraved.

Maybe, we will do them in red or blue.... minimal order for color anodized fronts is 30 pcs.

Bracket, fronts and PCB's are manufactured in Israel with excellent quality.
Will be engraved and milled at our workshop.

 

[kato]

Now I can put the He-69 (Helios inspired) EQ in between input and output stages of pre, BTW. Really cool.

Remember, XLR-BYP-INS switch at He-69? Thanx to Kris for idea!

What what??  Did you add an insert jack somewhere? I'm trying to figure this out. 51x rack has in and out on back.  Did you add a jack to the front panel?  Very curious.

I like the idea of red front panel (or blue.) I'm in for either color. 

 

[Tajmoben]

If you're doing the kits, I'm in for 2!!!

 

[Igor]

 

[TimS]

Has anybody made one of these? I'm curious as to how it sounds.

 

[SKJGProject]

it's an amazing sounding preamp, sometimes better than my avedis ma5 on vocals

 

[bruno2000]

Is there a schematic out there for this?
Best,
Bruno2000

 

[ramshackles]

Ive not seen any schematics but from what Igor told me (2-3 yrs ago now), this opamp:
http://ramshacklerecording.com/collections/discrete-opamps/products/doa-1
is from the 'albatross family', although from the PCB picks of albatross in this thread, there are a few differences

 

[bruno2000]

Thanks for the reply!  I am most curious about the output section.
Best,
Bruno2000

 

[SKJGProject]

still by far the best vocal preamp i've used....if somebody wants to clone this thing i can provide pictures

 

[rackmonkey]

still by far the best vocal preamp i've used....if somebody wants to clone this thing i can provide pictures

Let’s have a look. If you’re willing to upload them for general access, please do so. If not, feel free to PM me.

 

[ruairioflaherty]

Let’s have a look. If you’re willing to upload them for general access, please do so. If not, feel free to PM me.

Igor is still alive, though not engaging with the forum.  Perhaps he should have a say in whether we clone his design?  I believe this one was a mostly original wok with his own opamp and custom wound transformers.

 

[SKJGProject]

I tried everything to get in contact with him....are you sure he’s still alive?

 

[ruairioflaherty]

I tried everything to get in contact with him....are you sure he’s still alive?

Yes, I am sure.  A friend of his posted in another forum that he is alive and well. It seems his absence was health related but he is in better health now.  I bought some stuff from him back in the day and he was a nice guy to deal with.

 

[gyraf]

he is in better health now.

Thanks, Ruari - appreciated.

Must confess that I have worried for him - have two friends of the same phenotype who burnt all out in a very sad way

Jakob E.