CAPI Heider FD312 Preamps x 4 in API VPR 10 Slot Rack

Up for sale is an API 10 slot rack with power supply loaded with 4 - CAPI Heider FD312 Preamps.  These are some of the best sounding preamps I have ever used, and sounds absolutely amazing on everything.  They are the original version with the different knobs.  This is the only differance I am aware of compared to the current ones.  Blank slots are covered with blank panels.  This is an amazing rack of gear.  Sorry to sell it, but some of the gear must go. ***This is an update.  This was originally listed with 6 Preamps.  I have pulled 2 out to sell in a separate auction ***
From the Web :

The Heider FD312 is a special and unique preamp module that stands out in today’s crowded 500 series market. The preamp stage has been carefully modeled after the preamps in the famous Wally Heider Recording Studio 4 console custom built by Frank DeMedio circa 1972. The original pre’s were stock 312 cards slightly modified by DeMedio. Frank’s mod was centered around removing the (1:7) AP2622 input transformer and replacing it with a custom wound Ed Reichenbach (1:8) RE-0887. The only differences to the audio path are how DeMedio treated the RE-0887. He removed the commonly used 1000pF decoupling capacitors found on the AP2622’s primaries. He also removed the Zobel network from the secondary. Instead of a typical Zobel network he used only a low value load resistor. Besides being just enough to safely dampen any high frequency ringing, this load resistor creates an unusually low input impedance and a slightly higher than typical THD. All of this geek talk equals a very special tonal quality with some of the most buttery smooth mids you will ever encounter! CineMag has done a fantastic job with the current RE-0887’s, working straight off of Ed Reichenbach’s original notes and winding data from 1972. For those who don’t know, Ed Reichenbach’s son Tom went on to form CineMag in 1979 after working with his father for some 25 plus years. I am so very glad they kept all of the old notes!
To enhance this special preamp circuit even further, I chose to employ a stepped “fader” and active booster stage, very reminiscent to my popular 2-stage VP28 preamp. This is essentially the same booster circuit that was used in the early to mid ‘70’s vintage API consoles. In remaining true to the 312 circuit, all AC coupling capacitors have been removed from the audio path. I don’t think coupling caps are evil, they are just not needed in this particular circuit. This fader booster stage has 12dB of gain “in hand”, exactly like a real console. This allows for many different gain combinations. You can crank the fader and reduce the preamp gain or in contrast, attenuate the 2nd stage and crank the preamp gain for some sweet, additional harmonic content.
The original Heider/DeMedio 312 cards used stock AP2503 output transformers, as found on all 312 cards. With the desire to have something unique, I was luckily able to persuade David Geren of CineMag to create his very own version of the AP2503. Through our conversations regarding this project, David said that he had been asked many, many times over the years to wind an AP2503. Until now, he had always denied these requests. Somehow I was able to convince him to proceed and the CM-3301 was born. In trying to be loyal to the console signal path, both gain stages have a CM-3301 output transformer. While the preamp stage output transformer is not an exact requirement, it does provide 6dB of gain, blocks DC from the stepped fader and imparts a little more character into the overall circuit.
The operational amplifiers are the pure heart of a preamp like the Heider FD312. I naturally wanted to stay as close as possible to the early ‘70’s 2520’s. In a current commercially available product, Scott Liebers’ SL-2520 Red Dots were a no-brainer choice. As most of you already know, they perform and sound outstanding all while having a very long life expectancy due to their un-potted construction. Each Heider FD312 contains two of these glorious Red Dots.
In a goal to stay domestic, I would like to point out some interesting info. The Heider FD312 is assembled by a Chicago area electronics contract manufacturing house. Not the cheapest guys around but their work is outstanding. Each and every FD312 is fully tested, calibrated, burned in and packaged by myself, at the CAPI laboratory. The following items used in the build are fully manufactured in the USA: All metalwork including zinc plating, anodizing and silkscreen printing, PCB’s, all transformers, opamps, aluminum control knobs, colored knob inserts and Grayhill switches. That basically leaves board level components as the only imported items.