HAIRBALL the Blue Stripe Rev A – 1176 – FET compressor

This is a brand new hand-wired Hairball 1176 – FET – REV A compressor

Often referred to as a “Blue Stripe”. These units were the first commercial revision and have a silver panel with a distinctive blue stripe over the VU meter. The signal and line amp are based on the 1108 mic pre and use a FET as the first active component in each amp stage (all other revisions use a bipolar transistor). The gain reduction FET in this model has a unique circuitry around it, different from all other models (notably the lack of source resistor). This results in a little more distortion that helps define the “Blue Stripe” sound. This revision also has a slightly lower threshold in comparison to later revisions (about 5db) and more gain in the amplification stages (about 5db) than the Rev D. This revision is rare, limited to less than a 1000 units, and are highly sought after by many engineers and producers.

Some specs:
Weight: 10.1 lbs
Width: 19″ Height: 3.5″ Depth: 10.5″ (fits in a standard 2 unit rack spaces).
Attack Times: 20-800 microseconds
Release Times: 50 milliseconds – 1.1 seconds
Revision A (v1.12) PCBs designed by MNATS
Clear chem-film front panel made in Seattle, USA
Custom 18 gauge steel zinc plated enclosure made in Seattle, USA
Custom Ed Anderson O-12 reproduction input transformer made in the USA
Custom Ed Anderson 5002 reproduction output transformer made in the USA
Custom Ed Anderson 11754 reproduction power transformer made in the USA
Custom BI Technologies T-Pad input attenuator
Interlocking push button switches with “All Buttons In” mode
Fully discrete audio path including capacitors selected by ear from Cornell Dubilier (Orange Drop), Kemet, Nichicon, Panasonic, Vishay, United Chemi-Con and Elna
Bourns trim pots
Neutrik XLR connectors
JST connectors and pre-assembled wire harnesses
120/240 voltage select switch
1% metal film resistors
Matched FETs
Authentic control knobs

Passive and active link both have their advantages. The advantages of using active link include:

1. unlike passive link, attack times are not doubled when using an active link
2. does not require an external adaptor or calibration
3. activate linking with the push of a button
4. links easily to Purple Audio MC77

Hairball FET/500 | RACK calibration
Active link instruction

Fully built to perfection in Canada with a 1 year warranty.

These can be also build to order.