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Author Topic: Beachtek DXA-10 [non-destructive/reversable] external battery mod  (Read 5263 times)

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Offline igene

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I know this is an old preamp that is discontinued, but it sounds real nice...
and this is a good solution.

I needed to add external 9V power to my DXA-10
as the internal 9V battery lasts like an hour...? (w/ phantom power ON)
Someone posted a battery insert they got from Beachtek to add an external jack.
Another person drilled a hole and added a jack.
I thought about it and went another route.

There's already a notch in the back of the pre.
Usually the mic output cable is there (in other models using the same body).
I removed the back and the 9V sled compartment.
Soldered a female DC connector pigtail to the same spot as the 9v out from the battery
(inside, on the back of the plastic battery sled housing)
Added a mini ty-wrap for strain relief, and dressed the wire around the back connector plate and thru the notch.
Done.
Now I can hot swap external batteries w/ a good 9V in the sled.
Also, I can now run the pre non-stop.





labeled !





« Last Edit: March 28, 2011, 09:38:08 AM by igene »
Leela : ...what are we going to do ?
the Doctor : Should we try using our Intelligence ?
Leela : Well, if you think it's a good idea.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gallifreyan Guard : But you do have access to the greatest source of knowledge in the Universe.
the Doctor : Well, I do talk to myself sometimes, Yes...

Offline igene

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Re: Beachtek DXA-10 [non-destructive/reversable] external battery mod
« Reply #1 on: March 29, 2011, 10:37:11 AM »
no comment ?

I guess this as exciting as dry toast  :-\
Leela : ...what are we going to do ?
the Doctor : Should we try using our Intelligence ?
Leela : Well, if you think it's a good idea.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gallifreyan Guard : But you do have access to the greatest source of knowledge in the Universe.
the Doctor : Well, I do talk to myself sometimes, Yes...

Offline OOK

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Re: Beachtek DXA-10 [non-destructive/reversable] external battery mod
« Reply #2 on: March 29, 2011, 09:42:17 PM »
I got a question..how quiet is the pre....
DPA/HEB 4060's > R09HR
MBHO648/KA100Lk/KA200/KA300/KA500 > SD702

Offline illconditioned

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Re: Beachtek DXA-10 [non-destructive/reversable] external battery mod
« Reply #3 on: March 29, 2011, 09:56:42 PM »
I've done the same mod.

The preamp is excellent, it has INA163 chips running with a full +/-12V internal supply and full phantom voltage.  Unfortunately, it is too sensitive for live recording with "hot" mics.  It has two gain settings, LO and HI.  Even at LO I clipped with Beyerdynamic MC930 mics at a medium level rock show.  On the other hand, for recording voice or unamplified music it would probably be fine.

I plan to modify mine for lower gain settings, or maybe put DIP switches inside.  Ideally it should have a stepped gain control on the front, or at least have a much more "linear" control, with a wide range of levels.  I rate it excellent on self-noise, but poor on headroom.

  Richard
« Last Edit: March 29, 2011, 09:59:52 PM by illconditioned »
Please DO NOT mail me with tech questions.  I will try to answer in the forums when I get a chance.  Thanks.

Sample recordings at: http://www.soundmann.com.

Offline igene

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Re: Beachtek DXA-10 [non-destructive/reversable] external battery mod
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2011, 02:51:42 AM »
I did some initial testing, and I have a few mics that it works well with.
Fortunately, for one, the AKG blue-line mics sound great.
I did notice the levels had to be around 30% gain for a good overall balance
 (between a strong signal and clean output w/ headroom)
Any more and you OD the signal, or might.
But around 30 % gain seems to work fine.

But I do agree that if this pre had a lower gain setting internally, it would be much more controllable.
Is there a way to just add some sort of internal pad circuit ?
« Last Edit: March 30, 2011, 02:54:07 AM by igene »
Leela : ...what are we going to do ?
the Doctor : Should we try using our Intelligence ?
Leela : Well, if you think it's a good idea.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gallifreyan Guard : But you do have access to the greatest source of knowledge in the Universe.
the Doctor : Well, I do talk to myself sometimes, Yes...

Offline dogmusic

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Re: Beachtek DXA-10 [non-destructive/reversable] external battery mod
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2011, 08:32:31 AM »

The preamp is excellent, it has INA163 chips running with a full +/-12V internal supply and full phantom voltage. 

Do you know if the Beachtek DXA-6HD has the same chips and comparable performance? I have a chance to buy one cheap.

Thanks.
"The ear is much more than a mere appendage on the side of the head." - Catherine Parker Anthony, Structure and Function of the Human Body (1972)

"That's metaphysically absurd, man! How can I know what you hear?" - Firesign Theatre

Offline igene

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Re: Beachtek DXA-10 [non-destructive/reversable] external battery mod
« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2011, 12:58:45 PM »

The preamp is excellent, it has INA163 chips running with a full +/-12V internal supply and full phantom voltage. 

Do you know if the Beachtek DXA-6HD has the same chips and comparable performance? I have a chance to buy one cheap.

Thanks.

I think that one only has mic output, not line output.
Big difference.
Check and make sure...
Leela : ...what are we going to do ?
the Doctor : Should we try using our Intelligence ?
Leela : Well, if you think it's a good idea.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gallifreyan Guard : But you do have access to the greatest source of knowledge in the Universe.
the Doctor : Well, I do talk to myself sometimes, Yes...

Offline dogmusic

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Re: Beachtek DXA-10 [non-destructive/reversable] external battery mod
« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2011, 02:03:58 PM »

The preamp is excellent, it has INA163 chips running with a full +/-12V internal supply and full phantom voltage. 

Do you know if the Beachtek DXA-6HD has the same chips and comparable performance? I have a chance to buy one cheap.

Thanks.

I think that one only has mic output, not line output.
Big difference.
Check and make sure...

You're right. Thanks for the heads up.

I just realized that it's only a mic adapter (for phantom power), not a preamp. Sorry for the interruption.
« Last Edit: March 30, 2011, 02:14:03 PM by Dogmusic »
"The ear is much more than a mere appendage on the side of the head." - Catherine Parker Anthony, Structure and Function of the Human Body (1972)

"That's metaphysically absurd, man! How can I know what you hear?" - Firesign Theatre

Offline igene

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Re: Beachtek DXA-10 [non-destructive/reversable] external battery mod
« Reply #8 on: March 30, 2011, 05:17:56 PM »
no interruption, it's all a learning process here...
Leela : ...what are we going to do ?
the Doctor : Should we try using our Intelligence ?
Leela : Well, if you think it's a good idea.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gallifreyan Guard : But you do have access to the greatest source of knowledge in the Universe.
the Doctor : Well, I do talk to myself sometimes, Yes...

Offline dogmusic

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Re: Beachtek DXA-10 [non-destructive/reversable] external battery mod
« Reply #9 on: June 12, 2011, 09:26:03 AM »
no interruption, it's all a learning process here...

I hesitated about reviving an old thread, but since it is a learning process, I wanted to correct my previous post regarding the Beachtek DXA-6HD in which I wrote:

"I just realized that it's only a mic adapter (for phantom power), not a preamp."

That describes only the non-HD version [DXA-6].

The BeachTek DXA-6HD is a two channel, XLR adapter with built-in low noise preamplifiers and 48 volt phantom power supplies.

Sorry for the original misinformation.
"The ear is much more than a mere appendage on the side of the head." - Catherine Parker Anthony, Structure and Function of the Human Body (1972)

"That's metaphysically absurd, man! How can I know what you hear?" - Firesign Theatre

Offline vegas4ever

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Re: Beachtek DXA-10 [non-destructive/reversable] external battery mod
« Reply #10 on: November 14, 2011, 07:35:00 PM »
Hey Quick question how do you open the back? What kind of screw is that?

 

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