Close to finishing up my own version of a "plug and play" tape deck. Picked up two A812's at a radio station 6 months back. With the considerable help of Ki Choi, refurbished/refinished both. Per RB's suggestion, decided to try and add an "outboard" K/C pre to it. Pics show the result. The pre itself is mounted under the front of the transport. Power supply is inside the lower back of the meter bridge "cowling. VERY happy with the result and it does sound great.
This experience has given me first-hand/(ear?) experience with the sound of "stock" versus "outboard" pre's. No comparison - there ISN'T a head switch on this puppy. Will be putting this (better cosmetics) one on Ebay after I figure out how to route the playback signal into the meter bridge. And enjoy its sound for a while. The other will become the repro deck for my dubbing setup - 812 playback / 1500 record.
Also working on a pre (for a current customer) that has VU meters inside rather than in a separate box.
Ch
Charles
This experience has given me first-hand/(ear?) experience with the sound of "stock" versus "outboard" pre's. No comparison - there ISN'T a head switch on this puppy. Will be putting this (better cosmetics) one on Ebay after I figure out how to route the playback signal into the meter bridge. And enjoy its sound for a while. The other will become the repro deck for my dubbing setup - 812 playback / 1500 record.
Also working on a pre (for a current customer) that has VU meters inside rather than in a separate box.
Ch
Charles