For sale is a very rare and unique API Audio rack loaded with ten total API 954 parametric 3 band analog equalizers. These pre-date the classic API 550a eq design. Includes pictured rack and power supply. What's interesting and unique about these is they are loaded with three 2520 opamps per each EQ, one for each band, as opposed to the 550a (vintage version or modern version) which has only two opamps, one for input and one for output stage. A single vintage API 550a typically sells for $2500 or up for a single EQ. Considering this one is loaded with 10 API vintage eq's, the listed price is a bargain at under $1250/channel. Many of these modules have vintage Melville opamps (a few opamps must have gone bad and were replaced over the years with clones). The vintage Melville 2520 opamps are valuable in their own right and considered to be an important part of the sound and tone of vintage API modules that provides the right type of analog saturation and pleasing overdrive and distortion, while modern API 2520 opamps and clones tend to have a more clean tone to them. All modules have vintage API AP-2503 Output transformers. Our techs commented that most of the electrolytic capacitors have been replaced previously (a general preventative maintenance requirement to ensure the gear operates properly, as original caps would like have gone bad by now). These are classic sounding API modules, don't pass up this rare chance to own a unique piece!
Specs:
High-Frequency band +/- 15, 800hz, 1.8khz, 3.5khz, 9khz, 16khz
Mid-Frequency band +/- 15, 200hz, 500hz, 1khz, 2.5khz, 5khz
Low-Frequency band +/- 15, 30khz, 60khz, 130khz, 350khz, 600khz
Each band has a 3-position wide/narrow Q switch.
Unlike the 550a stepped switches, the pots on these eqs are continuously variable (both for frequency and gain cut/boost), allowing for more fine tuned positions and filter sweeps.
This unit has been fully tested and will be receive some minor servicing by our in-house techs as needed before shipment so it will be 100% fully functional for the next buyer. Allow 1-2 weeks for servicing before shipment. The handling time on the listing has been set to 15 days to allow time to finish servicing. If we complete the servicing before it is sold, this listing will be updated with a shorter handling time.
Serial numbers and opamp notes are as follows:
SN 1001 - 3x 2520 remakes
SN 1002 - 3x vintage API Melville 2520 opamps
SN 1003 - 3x vintage API Melville 2520 opamps
SN 1004 - 3x vintage API Melville 2520 opamps
SN 1005 - 3x 2520 remakes
SN 1007 - 3x vintage API Melville 2520 opamps
SN 1014 - 3x vintage API Melville 2520 opamps
SN 1017 - 2x vintage API Melville 2520, 1x unknown model
SN 1020 - 3x vintage API Melville 2520 opamps
SN 1029 - 3x 2520 remakes See the internal photos for showing the variety of opamps in the unit.
