ampex mx-35 and or mx-10

[blixton]

Has anyone ever replaced the beyer transformers in these with something from sowter like the vintage transformers for v72's?..Since its impossible to find a great tube mixer.

[GREGL]

Years ago I replaced a couple of the Beyers in someone's unit with Jensen
115KE's. The Beyers have a sweet high end but saturate very easily.
The Jensens are clear and clean and more extended at both ends of the spectrum. The improvement was not subtle. Don't forget to take out any networks which compensate for transformer response abberations.
Units from Sowter, Lundahl or Cinemag would also work well too.

[blixton]

hmmm..Not sublte. Did they sound high end? How would it compare to a v72?

[GREGL]

This was at least 20 years ago but to the best of my memory they sounded as good as a lot of other vintage tube mic preamps that people seem to be coveting thee days. Like the old Altec and RCA units they have colorations, but this seems to be the draw for many people. Certainly good enough for pro quality results. If it hasn't already been done the electrolytic caps should be replaced, resistor values checked (they can drift over time); connectors, switches and pots cleaned; tubes checked. This will make a huge difference in how good one of these can sound.
If memory serves me correctly many of these old mixer/preamp units overloaded easily and could benefit from an in-line attenuator with hot mics.
and/or loud sources. Noise could also be an issue when they weren't maintained.

[blixton]

thanks