1. Spell out TRIM like otehrs have suggested.
Done. Panel sent for prototyping.
2. Make sure we know where is ON and OFF for EACH switch like the Phase Reversal and On/Off switches, and the VU metering.
The convention is left is OFF, right is ON.
3. Have SOME KIND of numbering on the Gain knobs instead of just 'marks'. TRIM doesnt matter since the TRIM knobs will most likely 99% of teh time, be in different places on the knob/dial anyway. But Id LOVE to know EXACTLY wher my gain is at ALL TIMES just by looking at a number. That is, unless they 'lock' into their places every 6db. Do they 'snap/lock' into place or are they a variable knob Huh?
They are Grayhill 12-step selector switch. Yes, they snap/lock into place... 12 positions. VERY HIGH QUALITY.
4. Make the cases ALL BLACK. It will be more stealthy and attract ALOT less attention than a darek blue case, at least IMO.
The case color can be replaced. I have a few different color options. Front panel will be anodized black.
5. You mean they ALL dont have transformers in them? I am ONLY interested in one w/ TRANSFORMERS to warm up my MBHO's when recording indoors Smiley
I will have Transformer versions (along with the HPF and Pad switch). This is just the STOCK version.
Thanks for the feedback!
+T 5F
I REALLY APPRECIATE you taking the time to answer mine, and most everyone elses questions. You ARE THE FRICKIN MAN
And I def think that $499.00 is MORE THAN FAIR ENOUGH IMO
Do you have ANY IDEA how much the Transformer versions will be
I would want one w/ TRANSFORMERS, but WITHOUT HPF Filters
I have only used an HPF live twice ever(50Hz/6db Octave on my old V3). I do that kind of stuff in post these days if its even necessary
But I MUST HAVE TRANSFORMERS in my TS-2
And really FiveFishDIY, we CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH for even listening to our needs, let alone putting them into EFFECT and making a product that is EXACTLY what 99% of us want and need
The size looks to be ABSOLUTE PERFECT for our needs, and if the sound is HALF AS GOOD AS IT LOOKS, then I think we've all struck gold
And I'm sure that it sounds just as nice as it looks
And if you need a beta tester, I'm your man
For real tho, depending on when you can get a prototype or 2 done for us tapers to try out in the field, you get ahold of me and let me know iof I can do ANYTHING to help. Because Pittsburgh has a good bit of shows coming up between now and Thanksgiving(if a prototype can even be accomplished and finished by then) and I could DEFINITELY give it a good run for its money w/ an ONSLAUGHT of shows to test it with
Obviously, I would be testing it w/ my MBHO Hypers(KA500HN's) or Cards(KA200N's) -> MBHO 603A Bodies -> TS-2 TRANSFORMER Preamp -> Sound Devices 722 [24-Bit/44.1kHz]
I would also LOVE to try out the TS-2 NON-TRANSFORMER-BASED Preamp
And I do have one question for you tho. Have you even ran ANY kind of sound tests thru the TS-2 prototype you have done yet
If so, how would you categorize its sound
Transparent(I'm sure its more of a transparent sound since its NON-TRANSFORMER-BASED and all). Or does it have a slight warmth to it
I know, I know, we really cant make those calls yet since its so early in its inception, and it simply hasnt been run in the field yet w/ a variety of mics to determine that yet, but I was just curious!!! I am just VERY ANXIOUS to hear this sucka ASAP
And THANKS AGAIN for all you have done for us thus far brotha! Your work is VERY MUCH APPRECIATED
I frickin CANNOT WAIT to buy and run one of your transformer-based TS-2 Preamps
And if you could give me/us just an IDEA of how much the TS-2 TRANSFORMER-BASED Preamp would cost, I would really appreciate it. I just want to know so that I can start saving some $$ up
Obviously, its going to be more than the $499.00 price tag of the STOCK TS-2 preamp. I would guess that around the $6-700.00 would be fair. But then your wading in waters that have already been TRIED AND TRUE like w/ the Aerco Preamps. Theyre $750.00 NEW and are going to be your competition most likely, at least w/ the TRANSFORMER option
And if you can produce them quicker than Jerry from Aerco does(usually takes him anywhere from 2-5 months to complete an Aerco for someone) then you should be in good shape. Altho, I must say, if you are going to charge around the same as the Aerco costs for the Transformer-Based Preamp, then I think ALOT of folks would have to think LONG AND HARD whether to buy either your TS-2 preamp or the Aerco. I think that just because the Aerco name has been around for SOOOO LONG, and Jerry's quality standards have already been achieved for many years and he already has a great reputation in the taping community for building GREAT SOUNDING TRANSFORMER-BASED PREAMPS, that ALOT of folks may choose to buy an Aerco, that is, unless you can sell for AT LEAST $100.00 or more LESS than the Aerco costs. IMO, thats the ONLY WAY you can undercut the Aerco's price and make people buy your TS2 Transformer-Based Preamp over Jerry's Aerco Preamps
To be 100% honest, unless your TS-2 Transformer-Based Preamp is a good bit cheaper than the Aerco by AT LEAST $100.00 or more, then I would probably buy an Aerco instead. Just because of Jerry being around for so long and we all know he knows his shit(not saying you dont, because you obviously do) but thats a tough call for alot of folks. We already know how AMAZING the Aerco sounds, and I think alot of tapers would rather go the tried and true method for a transformer-based preamp(The Aerco) rather than buy something new and theyre unsure exactly how its going to sound until some tapers start running them for AT LEAST 6 months or so!
That said, I guess I would be one of the guinea pigs and shell out the cash for one of your TS-2 Transformer-Based Preamps, because the ONLY WAY we're going to find out hwo it sounds, is to use the things as much as possible in the field
I would just hate for you to put ALL of this time and money and energy into a transformer-based preamp and then it not sell too well because a person could buy an Aerco for around the same amount of cash($$). IF the Aerco is going to be your competition both sound-wise and price-wise, the one main thing that may definitely go your way is quickness and speed compared to the Aerco tho. Jerry takes a good amount of time from the time you order/make a downpayment, to the time its 100% finished. So if you could get us tapers a preamp within a week or 2 after placing the order/making a downpayment/whatever, then you should be pretty good to go. Because I know if I had the choice between the Aerco and the TS-2(Transformer-Based Option obviously) and they were around the same price tag, but I could get your TS-2 ALOT QUICKER than it would take me to get the Aerco, then Id DEFINITELY buy from you, without a doubt
So, when do you *think* that these will hit the streets and we can FINALLY start to use your TS2 Preamps
Before the end of the year
Does that sound reasonable
Obviously, we want to use your preamps BADLY and are salivating over them on the computer screen, but are really in NO HURRY, as I'm sure I speak for EVERYONE on ts.com about this, but I'M SURE we'd all rather have a flawless preamp w/ EVERY DETAIL looked over very well, and would rather wait until it was PERFECTED, rather than to rush and get a few out just to get them done as quickly as possible
BUT, I am SUPER ANXIOUS to run one of those. So, take your time like you have done thus far, and make sure everything is as perfect as can be on it(well as perfect as possible anyway) and it will DEFINITELY pay off in the end
Now hurry the hell up and get these done for us. And dont forget to start pumping out those TS-2 TRANSFORMER-BASED PREAMPS AS SOON as the STOCK TS-2 prototype's are done
And I'm obviously just kidding of course. Well, kind of
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK MY FRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!