Drip ALTEC 436

DRIP ELECTRONICS™ is pleased to announce the release of the ALTEC 436 Compressor PCB.

A famed Vari MU compressor with similarities to the UA 175 but a sonic characteristic unto itself. The 436 is highly regarded as a vintage favorite in recording studios around the world. At Abbey Road Studios, the Beatles use an RS 124, a variant of the Altec 436. Pairing the Altec 436 with the DRIP FOUR SEVEN will bring you one step closer to 'that' sound.

The new 436 is DRIP’S first PCB design to include the full star system grounding technique, i.e., every resistor and capacitor in the audio circuit AND power supply use a single ground trace to return it to a single star ground . Over 20 individual traces are used to achieve this.
The layout of the PCB is one of balanced symmetrical beauty. The quality and operational performance is outstanding.

Great care has been taken to design this PCB to keep it in line with the original schematics, but it has also been configured to implement the stability of the 175b circuit (both designs are almost identical in structure). A cathode balance circuit and a plate balance have been added. DRIP’S 175 PCB design research has managed to provide the user with an Altec 436 that is noise-free and reliable.

DRIP has taken this a step further by implementing a multi-format power supply from a tube rectified mode with twin voltage regulator tubes to an economical triple pi silicon diode mode. You have the option.

DRIP’S design works beautifully with the SOWTER Altec series audio transformers. (10k bridging input into push /pull output). You may upgrade the input transformer for the Sowter 8346E (Fairchild 660 input transformer) and the output transformer to the high performance 8650E (DRIP 175 output transformer). The combination of these two transformers will blow your mind on the sound quality capabilities of this unit.

ENJOY THE MOST RECENT OF DRIP’S AMAZING RELEASES.

Limited Time Pre-order Price $150 (Please allow one week to ten days lead time. We will notify you when your item is shipped.)

**Price returns to retail price of $175 after promotion.

Drip Four Seven & ALTEC 436 combo promotional price: $250 (limited time offer)

Pre-order the ALTEC 436 / visit the Drip Store
ALTEC 436 photo gallery

Specifications

tube compliment:
6bc8
6cg7
6al5

Optional tube compliment:
Gz34 rectifier
2x 0a2 regulator tubes

• 10"x16.5 / 3oz copper / .093" fr4
• Full star system ground technique (every component in the audio and power section has its own individual trace for return to ground)
• Better metering circuit. (GR and output metering)
• Cathode balance
• Plate balance
• Attack control (175 style)
• Volume pot or input attenuator (for 600R input transformer mode)
• Output attenuator
• Input pad (hi or low) use for bypassing pot or in use with 600R input transformer.
• Release control with 'hold' function
• Threshold
• Optional pad circuit for using alternate 600r transformers. (Fairchild input transformer)
• Compatibility with multiple types of input and output transformers
• Audio transformers mount on PCB.
• Multi format output transformer footprint.
• Ground lifts on PCB  (input and output)
• Tube heaters on PCB .
• Power supply can be configured for:
• Choke operation/ no choke
• Tube based rectifier or silicon diodes.
• Twin 0a2 regulator tubes (single 0b2 175 style)
• Triple pi  (economy mode)
• Dinky voltage doubler circuit has been removed from this design but can be implemented externally if desired.
• Resistor footprints can accommodate 3 watt metal film resistors (10w in power supply)
• Every trace is curved (no 90 angles)
• Fuse on PCB / x cap / pop snubber
• All connections made through 5.08 terminal blocks (9.25 for power supply)