FS Advice: Optro Channel Strip

[original_min]

Hey All.

Are these Optro things worth anything?

This one has come back after a very long time in repair shop.
Works fine and everything, but I've since got other stuff and it's not really fitting in with my 'flow'.
Not quite sure what to do with it...thought I'd ask here.

Mic/Line in, 3 band eq, optical compressor, and a power supply
Ex ABC.

[Paul Maybury]

If you don't want it, I would buy it.

[Text_Edifice]

I would also buy it - I believe optro made lovely stuff (but don't have the brand recognition of even AWA)

[Paul Maybury]

I have a pair of the earlier silver modules like yours, Min, but one is a bit iffy. One more would mean i had a working pair.
Cheers,
Paul

[original_min]

Crikey!
Maybe I should have another listen to it, hehe.

Does anyone know what a fair and reasonable price would be?

[Paul Maybury]

Have another listen! And if it doesn't suit, someone here will buy it.
I payed $500 for two "working" raw modules. The eq is very distinctive, the compressor almost useless and the amps coloured but sturdy sounding, with crazy amounts of gain and headroom.
Cheers,
Paul

[W.P.Keighran]

I have a pair in a really good rack job from Rob that look like a similar era to these ones.
i've also seen those silver ones... the silver ones look a little sexier but I have no clue what they sound like or if they even have the same guts inside.
Chris Townend put me on them. Bloody good amps I reckon. OZZIE OZZIE OZZIE... OI OI OI

[original_min]

I have a pair of the earlier silver modules like yours, Min, but one is a bit iffy. One more would mean i had a working pair.
Cheers,
Paul

Hmm, interesting.
So your silver ones Paul, are they they same but with a different faceplate?
It does sound pretty alright on synths I have to say.

[Paul Maybury]

Hi Min, I believe they are.
I have seen quite a few of the early silver ones, the panel layout is the same, apart from no mic line switch on mine. Simon Grounds has some that are dark grey with a different kind of knob. Yours have the knobs and finish of the later 7500 series Optros but I assume they are internally similar, transformer in out, discrete transistor amps, optical comp inductor eq with boost only for the mids.
I like mine for snare eq and some guitar stuff. They often need a pad in front of them, so much gain! Overloading them can make a snare bounce like a ball, even without the comp.
Fun and unique for sure.
Cheers,
Paul

[original_min]

Considering all the positive input on these units I think I'd better have another go with it before I do anything else.
Can't deny it has a sound, and I like it a little more on a send via the mic pre with a pad. The gain is quite outlandish, I vaguely remember a few overloaded, distorting tracks using a brown one years back, guilty as charged.

What a funny situation that they are somewhat rare to come by, sound ok, yet sell for the price of a plugin.
They're often in a state of disrepair I guess, look a bit grungy too.
Something very old Australia about them.

Thanks everyone.
Have a nice weekend.