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Parallel Worlds

Joined: Aug 09, 2005 Posts: 218 Location: Greece
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andrewF

Joined: Dec 29, 2006 Posts: 462 Location: perth australia
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 7:01 am Post subject:
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It's probably just me ....but wouldn't it be better to get four Bananalogue VCS at $215 each, get the exact same functionality, same original designer and save nearly $800? |
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BananaPlug

Joined: Jul 04, 2007 Posts: 141 Location: Philly
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 9:07 am Post subject:
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| I imagine the gear is better than ever but the cultivation of mystique has gone a little overboard. I'm warming up to the M series though. Anybody seen what these look like inside? Is it pretty much minor revisions or have they gone to SMDs etc? |
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Parallel Worlds

Joined: Aug 09, 2005 Posts: 218 Location: Greece
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 11:16 am Post subject:
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| andrewF wrote: | It's probably just me ....but wouldn't it be better to get four Bananalogue VCS at $215 each, get the exact same functionality, same original designer and save nearly $800? |
the scalling buffers module costs 225 usd, so you do not save 800usd...
you save:
1650-225=1425usd for two DSG (4 SG's)
215x4=860usd for four VCS
so, the difference is:1425-860=565 usd. _________________ www.parallel-worlds-music.com
www.myspace.com/parallelworldsmusic
www.DiN.org.uk
www.shimarecords.co.uk
[doepfer_a100] group owner |
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BananaPlug

Joined: Jul 04, 2007 Posts: 141 Location: Philly
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 12:21 pm Post subject:
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| Good grief $225 for the Scaling buffer. One quad op-amp, four jacks, four pots with stylish knobs, maybe a dozen cheap passive parts, some panel real-estate. Even $150 would be pushing it. |
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cebec

Joined: Apr 19, 2004 Posts: 968 Location: Alexandria, VA
Audio files: 3
G2 patch files: 31
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 8:12 am Post subject:
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| BananaPlug wrote: | | Good grief $225 for the Scaling buffer. One quad op-amp, four jacks, four pots with stylish knobs, maybe a dozen cheap passive parts, some panel real-estate. Even $150 would be pushing it. |
No SMT in the STS Serge stuff, and there's nothing cheap about any of the parts, as far as I know. Rex makes a point to source only the best of the best because there are people, like myself, who will pay a premium for 'military spec' and 'audiophile grade' components and his engineering expertise.
I agree that the price seems steep in comparison but until you've used a newer STS Serge 90's/00's, it's impossible to know what that level of quality sounds or feels like. Granted, you may get that opportunity and decide it's a rip-off, but that's an entirely valid viewpoint, too. This is just my opinion. |
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cebec

Joined: Apr 19, 2004 Posts: 968 Location: Alexandria, VA
Audio files: 3
G2 patch files: 31
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 8:19 am Post subject:
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| BananaPlug wrote: | | I imagine the gear is better than ever but the cultivation of mystique has gone a little overboard. I'm warming up to the M series though. Anybody seen what these look like inside? Is it pretty much minor revisions or have they gone to SMDs etc? |
The only mystique cultivation I see is from individuals who try to equate high prices with inflated value, price-gouging, 'rich peoples' toys', etc.
From what I've heard from the horse's mouth, there are minor revisions throughout the line but with more significant improvements in most of the m-odules, e.g., the oscillators, slope generators, wave multipliers, filters, mixers, and output amplifiers.
I've been able to compare some of the new designs with the pre-M-odule designs and can hear a marked improvement. There's added or improved functionality, too, like the AGC input on the VCFQ(X) works perfectly as a second, simultaneous input, now. |
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BananaPlug

Joined: Jul 04, 2007 Posts: 141 Location: Philly
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 9:44 am Post subject:
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Prickly! but I still say $250 is steep for the scaling buffer. That's not bashing anybody. Sheesh.
By cheap parts I meant the resistors and decoupling capacitors for the op-amps which are cheap parts (inexpensive) even if you buy the best.
By mystique cultivation I mean making dramatic changes to the product line, discontinuing products and services without putting out any kind of road-map for the future, then putting the word out a little bit at a time through third party web sites and gossip. I'm just saying that to me it looks like manipulation of scarcity perceptions in advance of the product launch. That's just my perception not an accusation.
BTW I do have some late 90's Serge gear and it's great. Note in my original post said I imagine it's even better now.
I'll just crawl back under my rock now and try not to start anything.  |
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Parallel Worlds

Joined: Aug 09, 2005 Posts: 218 Location: Greece
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 9:56 am Post subject:
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| BananaPlug wrote: | Prickly! but I still say $250 is steep for the scaling buffer. That's not bashing anybody. Sheesh.
By cheap parts I meant the resistors and decoupling capacitors for the op-amps which are cheap parts (inexpensive) even if you buy the best.
By mystique cultivation I mean making dramatic changes to the product line, discontinuing products and services without putting out any kind of road-map for the future, then putting the word out a little bit at a time through third party web sites and gossip. I'm just saying that to me it looks like manipulation of scarcity perceptions in advance of the product launch. That's just my perception not an accusation.
BTW I do have some late 90's Serge gear and it's great. Note in my original post said I imagine it's even better now.
I'll just crawl back under my rock now and try not to start anything.  |
no, its 225 US for the scalling buffer.
btw, in comparison to my 80's serge panels, i can totally confirm that the quality is superior.
but, i do not have any 90's serge panels to compare the m-odules with.
as for the internal improvements, yes, i have also heard, from Rex itself, that many have been done in comparison to the 90's STS/serge panels. _________________ www.parallel-worlds-music.com
www.myspace.com/parallelworldsmusic
www.DiN.org.uk
www.shimarecords.co.uk
[doepfer_a100] group owner |
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