As I’ve mentioned previously on this website, I’ve been organizing a minimal home recording studio for Lee Safar for the album I am currently producing for her. In order to save money and also get the best possible sound we can, I’ve decided to DIY a lot of the recording equipment.
Jeff Steiger, owner of the ClassicAPI company was amazingly friendly with all of the questions I had for him when deciding to purchase this kit. After putting in the order, about a week later, the box arrived:
![_MG_4011](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4011-300x200.jpg)
Everything was beautifully packed, and the initial reaction was “wow, this is one seriously professional piece of kit….”.
Here you can see the silk-screened front panel ( which was shipped in the wrapping it’s sitting on ):
![_MG_4016](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4016-200x300.jpg)
Here is a glimpse of the input transformer, output attenuator and input gain control and associated mounting hardware:
![_MG_4021](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4021-300x200.jpg)
These are the main front panel switches for Mute, Phase reverse and Pad:
![_MG_4022](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4022-300x200.jpg)
Here is the wrapping for the main mounting frame:
![_MG_4023](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4023-300x200.jpg)
The gorgeous input transformer:
![_MG_4028](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4028-300x200.jpg)
A close up of the switches including the 48V Phantom power switch:
![_MG_4029](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4029-300x200.jpg)
Here is the top and bottom of the PCB that comes with the kit:
![_MG_4035](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4035-300x200.jpg)
![_MG_4036](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4036-300x200.jpg)
Here is the whole lot on the table:
![_MG_4041](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4041-300x200.jpg)
The first thing I did was set up the workspace ( yes, I am using a Country Road magazine as a work mat – that’s how I roll – I’m not quite as well setup as when I was working at talsit‘s house! ):
![_MG_4045](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4045-300x200.jpg)
Then I put in the resistors:
![_MG_4057](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4057-300x200.jpg)
![_MG_4061](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4061-300x200.jpg)
Followed by the diodes:
![_MG_4066](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4066-300x200.jpg)
Then the latching push switches:
![_MG_4067](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4067-300x200.jpg)
Then the blue Murata ceramic capacitors:
![_MG_4068](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4068-300x200.jpg)
Then the large capacitors, radial and standard electrolytic went in. The Mill-Max sockets also went in at this stage. You’ll notice the botch job of the large 470uF capacitor with it’s horrible soldering. A note to those building this kit – use flux! I didn’t and it made soldering to the ground pads exceptionally difficult due to the massive thermal inertia of the exceptionally thick PCB. I bought some flux the next day and used it to fix up that area ( which you will see in later photos ):
![_MG_4070](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4070-300x200.jpg)
The input transformer went in next:
![_MG_4075](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4075-300x200.jpg)
Then the output transformer ( also note the cleaner solder joint on the large axial 470uF capacitor that I cleaned up by application of flux and re-soldering ):
![_MG_4078](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4078-300x200.jpg)
You can see the output attenuator now after being added:
![_MG_4079](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4079-300x200.jpg)
Next the 48V Phantom power switch went in, and I started to assemble everything into the main frame, along with the front panel:
![_MG_4080](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4080-300x200.jpg)
![_MG_4081](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4081-300x200.jpg)
Next the knobs went on to the potentiometers:
![_MG_4082](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4082-300x200.jpg)
And that was the end of the basic ClassicAPI VP26 build. A preamp isn’t much without an amplifier now is it? So the next part was building the gar2520 Discrete Operational Amplifier (DOA) – which performs the actual amplification task. It’s a compatible physical layout to the original API 2520 units ( which can also be used in this kit as DOA’s ).
The first part of the gar2520 build is the pins for insertion into the Mill-Max sockets of the main VP26 board:
![_MG_4086](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4086-300x200.jpg)
Next go in some resistors and capacitors:
![_MG_4087](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4087-300x200.jpg)
Then the diodes:
![_MG_4091](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4091-300x200.jpg)
Next are the main transistors:
![_MG_4095](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4095-300x200.jpg)
Now we add some more resistors and capacitors:
![_MG_4097](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4097-300x200.jpg)
And more:
![_MG_4100](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4100-300x200.jpg)
And more:
![_MG_4101](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4101-300x200.jpg)
And more:
![_MG_4102](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4102-300x200.jpg)
And more:
![_MG_4104](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4104-300x200.jpg)
And more:
![_MG_4106](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4106-300x200.jpg)
And then, finally, the last parts go in to finish off the gar2520 DOA:
![_MG_4109](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4109-300x200.jpg)
Now the DOA can be inserted into the main board:
![_MG_4110](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4110-300x200.jpg)
![_MG_4111](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4111-300x200.jpg)
And now it’s time for some modelling shots of the finished ( but untested ) product….
![_MG_4113](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4113-300x200.jpg)
![_MG_4114](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4114-300x200.jpg)
![_MG_4115](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4115-300x200.jpg)
And now for some close-ups:
![_MG_4116](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4116-300x200.jpg)
![_MG_4117](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4117-300x200.jpg)
![_MG_4118](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4118-300x200.jpg)
![_MG_4119](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4119-300x200.jpg)
![_MG_4120](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4120-300x200.jpg)
![_MG_4121](https://www.evolutionarytheory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MG_4121-300x200.jpg)
And there you have it. Next up, the Neve-style Sound Skulptor MP73 build. Stay-tuned for that, and the testing of this pre.