Columbia, SC, United States
About this listing
*One Left Available*The ADL 1000 is Anthony Demaria’s most famous unit. He started as a repair tech the true OG, the Fairchild 660/670 back in the 70’s and then in the 80’s he began to release very slightly adjusted versions of some of the most famous tube gear around. This was long before the modern rush of imitation clones. He took his knowledge of famous circuits and released his own Fairchild 660 & 670. He wound his own transformers, rebalanced circuits to his personal tastes, and his company took off and any pro engineer is well familiar with his lineage as he went further making this, his LA2A, also all in-house custom designed. He made his version of the UA 175b/177 with some enhancements, He also made an LA3A after learning the specifics of opto cells and compressor from his work on this, the ADL-1000. They don’t pop up often, and many were not as well taken care of. Here is a chance as this vintage LA2A alternate that’s in very great condition for the age. One page original paper documentation included w the power cable and I’ll speak about some free extras below. Here’s the Breakdown:The Anthony DeMaria Labs ADL 1000 is basically an all-tube, custom wound transformer-balanced mono unit with a pro opto cell attenuator built the way the original LA2A was with a slight mod for flexibility . It’s compressor/limiter built from the LA-2A family tree, but it is not a straight LA-2A clone. The Hand-matched optical attenuator, custom input/output transformers, and 2×12AX7A, 12BH7A, 6AQ5A; along with a no IC audio path give it it’s special sauce. No IC’s to complicate the bandwidth, speed, or phase linearity of the circuit. (That’s a big deal).ADL’s manual says compression progressively increases over the first 10 dB of input rise, after which the circuit behaves as a limiter and essentially prevents further output rise. 10 µs attack is radically quicker on paper than the timing usually attached to an LA-2A. That’s a VCA / FET territory speed, but the behavior is different because opto cells work off the literal brightening and dimming of a light in the circuit. Unlike Audiophiles, us engineers know what’s on paper isnt treated like gospel… our ears are the boss. Recovery is opto/program-dependent: about 70 ms to 50% recovery. That’s why he tweaked it a hair… not much, just to kind of merge the more aggressive natural state and the classic action you’re used to. ADL 1000 specs: Frequency response: 15 Hz–30 kHz, ±0.5 dB Clip level: +22 dB as ADL prints it; the page does not specify dBu Gain: 40 dB ±1 dB Maximum gain reduction: 40 dB Attack: 10 µs Release: ~70 ms to 50% recovery; 0.5–4 sec to 100%, program dependent Input/output: 600 Ω balanced XLR Noise: −90 dB Tubes: 2× 12AX7A, 1× 12BH7A, 1× 6AQ5A 2U, mono Custom input/output audio transformers Hand-matched optical attenuator Stereo-link ¼-inch jack on the rear. I had two. I had a buddy who had none. He was in love as he was just starting the journey of hearing the power of analog gear, and I’m half retired … so I felt it had to go to someone who will gain the wisdom… it had to be passed on, as this one does as well. I’m simply more of a home family man with racks of gear like expensive wallpaper than the studio hustler I once was. I ship fast , UPS, insured , and I’m open to reasonable offers. Reasonable offers people, come on. Or just message me I’ll give ya whatever you need to know, and I’d rather take a 100$ less to sell to the right person who wants to learn and will treat this rarity with the respect it deserve. I know I have. That’s not an invitation to low ball, just a honest take on where I stand and what I’m about.I love talking shop and I stick by the equipment I sell and if needed, maintain contact with anyone who needs help finding their settings etc. it’s pretty simple box… you plug line level in, you turn it up, you compress it smoothly, and that‘s it. it doesn't waste time w the nonsense youtube is probably selling you on right now. Actually, this thing has enough gain, you can use it like a mic pre if you wanted to do something different than all the rest.I have over 600 transactions and I’m always willing to work with people to make sure they’re happy w their purchase. I’ll package it like a pro as the tubes are exposed. It’ll get to you in the same solid condition it left in, insured, protected. If something is wrong to the point it must be sent back, I’ll take returns and refund, shitty deliveries happen, but not from my end. I really must insist it’s packaged carefully on that rare chance. (I’ve never shipped a unit that arrived damaged, but I’ve certainly bought from people who have). If you need a cable or two, I custom build cables too… they spec higher than Mogami, and are Canare twisted pair with neutrik connectors. 65$ value for two 10’ers. but i’ll toss in two on the house if requested. if you need a different connection in the other end, just let me know. I can throw in a NOS extra tube for a slightly different color, but I always recommend to hear it before you start tinkering. I’d want to know what vibe you’re looking for before just mailing off a free tube swap. So free extras won’t ship with unless there’s a requested reason to do so. I believe gear is personal, and I hope those interested do too. I have a strong feeling you’ll be happy spending less than an LA2A while getting more. My other one sold for 1300 no extras and that guy stays in contact and loves the thing.I used to grind as an engineer non stop for 15 years, along with doing tech work, owning and running my own studio’s, producing. zz I’ve done it all. Then age caught up and I can’t do the 24/7 hustle and grind on Grammy and Platinum record level work. I left the major scene to pick my own clients and hours and catch up on 15 years of sleep. I’m a family man now. Some gear has to go… I’m pretty sure I won’t officially win my own Grammy, but I got the certificate on one, and a dozen RIAA gold and platinum plaques but I’m over it. I enjoy teaching what I’ve learned and passing the wisdom down as was done to me many years ago by some awesome legends. I’m total gear junkie and I’m a fan of this compressor / limiter as well. (more so than the LA2A, but that’s not to sell you on it, it’s just considered blasphemy to tall i’ll of the LA2A.. but I personally think it doesn’t lock in like this one). I tell you this so you know you’re getting a well looked after rare unit from someone with the background that can be trusted enough to earn those hundreds of 5 star ratings. Maybe you can win the Grammy this time… with this ADL…. for all those who liked the LA2A, but just never felt it hit the soul like everyone says, this is the one that does.
Price$1,300
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