Bear, my buddy Darrin here at dbx has this to say;

Hi,
The Jensen 990 op-amp is a good design and was made to compete with the already existing API2520 op. Speaking as a former member of the API team in Springfield VA., The difference is as follows:
1) In 1966 the API engineers came up with a class A OP Amp which in the beginning, looked like it had a distortion problem. Rather than throwing it in the trash and starting over, they elected to plug it in and listen. What they found was a pleasant overtone which sounded like a tube amp right as you turn up the volume and that warm sound develops short of sustaining but clear and warm. The best part of this design is it creates that warmth at low input signal as well as when you push it.
2) Some years later Jensen came out with a design as well. The headroom was about the same ( Within 4db ) but was a more transparent signal path. Still it was a great sounding OP-AMP.

When Designing a PRE-AMP design you must first start with most companies have forgot. KEEP IT SIMPLE. The API 512 PRE AMP Was designed around the famous 312 preamps used in their vintage consoles. The path is so simple that it runs audio from a 2520 op through either a Iron core Transformer ( Instrument ) or a Jenson Nickel Core ( For Vocals ) and out. If you examine the 512 closely, you will see about 20 support parts and that is all.

Further, If you design a circuit that does not work the way you want it to, don't add parts to filter the problem. Instead look at the area that works within it, and start from scratch. This is what separates a cheap design with a world class type.

Most applications within store bought instruments today are not developed for warm sound as they are built for the masses. This is why I would recommend a 2520 over the 990. Tube will produce warmth, but only when you reach a volume level where the tube starts to overdrive. The API250 does that at low levels in and just gets better the more you push it. Also think about making a jumper section so you can switch your unity gain from -10 to + 4 dbu operation. Then you can take your preamp box with you to any location, and it will match up to any recorder you are working with.

I hope your project is a success

Darrin Ward
Harman Music Group
dward@hmgsl.com
801-568-7661

Is the 312 or 512 topology to be found on the web? (I hear the 212 is a bit thin sounding by comparison.)
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Where did the 212 criticism come from? I've never had the opportunity to A/B a 212 to a 312 or 512, but I have heard all three separately and did not notice any *big* difference with the 212. I'm curious whether the "thin" commment came from someone doing a direct comparison with another API model?

Does anyone know if either of the mic preamp comparison CD's produced in the last few years contains different API models that can be compared against each other? (I guess that API is pretty confident of the 212 in that it is the only preamp available in their 6 figure Legacy Plus consoles - for whatever that's worth...)

Originally posted by Bear's Gone Fission:
damned if I know what's with those 15 terminations. Is that something to do with an API connection standard, some sort of multi-pin connector for modular components?

Yep. They almost all employ the same 15 pin connectors...I don't recall a mic pre using more than 9 of them [3 input, 3 output, 3 operating voltage, the +48vdc phantom runs off 'input XLR' pins 2&3].

Originally posted by Bear's Gone Fission:

Unfortunately, my google searches aren't taking me much farther than that guy who'll sell you an MM-99 opamp, unlabeled Lundahl transformer, and a block schematic all at a huge mark up. Argh.
Bear

Well the heart and soul of the API pre-amp is the 2520 opamp and of course the transformers, every thing else can be gotten from any electronics supplier. I have seen the trannies come up on Ebay from time to time. The opamps are probably available from an API dealer.

My feeling is that once you buy all the parts and assemble them you might as well have just bought a raw 312 card and save yourself the hassle.