Ashly CL-52 - Dual Channel Compressor/Limiter

Ashly CL-52 dual-channel compressor/limiter — 2U rack-mount, two independent channels with threshold, ratio (1:1 to ∞:1), attack, release, and output-gain controls per channel, hardwire bypass per channel, and stereo-link switching. Ashly Audio (Rochester, NY) built the CL-series throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s; the CL-52 sits below the CL-100 in the lineup and shares Ashly's reputation for clean, transparent dynamics processing on the kind of broadcast and live-sound rigs Ashly was designed for. Made in the USA. The later CLX-52 / CL52E variants are functionally similar but have different cosmetics and revised internals.

Sourced and listed by Malinow Audio. I have not bench-tested this unit beyond a basic visual inspection — that's disclosed up front so the buyer can decide. Sold AS-IS as a working-or-needs-service rack compressor at a price that reflects that.

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What I have verified hands-on:
- Visual inspection only. The unit is a complete CL-52 with no obviously missing knobs or chassis parts visible in the photos.

What I have NOT done:
- No power-on test on my bench
- No signal-passes-through test, no gain-reduction-meter verification, no threshold/ratio sweep, no attack/release timing measurement
- No per-channel bypass test, no stereo-link verification
- No DeoxIT / pot cleaning pass
- No internal inspection, no cap check, no calibration

Cosmetics: See the two photos for accurate representation. 2U rack panel with Ashly's standard charcoal-faceplate cosmetic of the era. Buyer should review photos for any wear they care about — what's in the photos is what's shipping.

Comp band (Reverb): Active Reverb listings for the Ashly CL-52 / CL52E currently cluster as follows: $30 (LEFT-CHANNEL-ONLY, Poor), $119-135 (Good, working confirmed), $158 (Very Good). The CLX-52 (later cosmetic, similar electronics) trades at $130-266. At $135 this matches the median of the working-CL-52 comp band — priced as a working-or-needs-service unit, with room for an offer.

Sale contents:
- Ashly CL-52 dual-channel compressor/limiter (2U rack)
- No power cable included unless visible in photos — verify before assuming

Serial: not yet recorded — TODO, will update before shipping.
Voltage: 120V AC US standard per Ashly's typical CL-series spec; verify on the rear nameplate at unboxing.

Ships securely packed from Nashville, TN. Estimated 9-12 lb shipping weight (standard 2U steel-chassis rack unit; Ashly chassis tend to be on the heavier side of the spec). Listed shipping is for the continental 48 USA — international buyers please send a full address for an exact quote.

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A note about used electronics:

All known issues are listed above. This unit is sold AS-IS, AS-DESCRIBED, with full disclosure that I have NOT power-tested it. It will not be sent in any condition different from what's described or photographed.

Common considerations for any 30+ year old rack compressor:
- Threshold / ratio / attack / release pots can be scratchy from dust ingress — DeoxIT typically resolves it
- Bypass relays / switches can develop intermittent contact
- Electrolytic caps in early-90s rack gear may benefit from a recap if you hear drift
- VCA compressors of this era sometimes need calibration trim adjustment for matched stereo behavior

If you want a guaranteed-working-and-calibrated CL-52, this is not that unit — those trade closer to $158-180 from sellers who've actually tested them. This is priced to reflect the lack of bench verification.

Shipping:
Listed shipping is for the continental 48 USA. International buyers — please send your full address so I can calculate exact shipping.

Returns:
This item is sold As-Described and cannot be returned unless it arrives in a condition materially different from how it was described or photographed. The not-bench-tested condition disclosed above is not grounds for return — it is explicitly disclosed.