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Optimod 9000A

H

HadYourPhil

I was given one of these to repair, but without a manual. It has no output, but is processing the audio (audible at the RCA test jack on the front). Anyone have a schematic of the output cards, at least?
And, as I am more familiar with the excellent 9100, any 9000A hotrodding tips?
Thanks
Phil
 
EXCEPT, the schematic leaves out card 9! I need a parts layout and schematic for that card only. Its theory and parts list are there, but no schematic or lay out. Anybody have that??
 
This unit has come back to haunt me again. Anyone out there with (1) a complete schematic... see other posts (2) experience troubleshooting one, or (3) a spare board or two??

Thanks
 
How to tell you this... more than likely this has processed its last song. Unless it is a simple fix, alot of components on this box are no longer available. Even if you do get it going some how, you are talking a complex product they STOPPED making 27 years ago. J-Squared or Lightner or Mooretronix may have the info you want. Good luck.
 
wgliradio said:
How to tell you this... more than likely this has processed its last song. Unless it is a simple fix, alot of components on this box are no longer available. Even if you do get it going some how, you are talking a complex product they STOPPED making 27 years ago.
Click to expand...

I've always been completely stumped that the prices I see these boxes go for on ebay is just nuts! When I see an early 80's 8100 and studio chassis going for $4k I know the world must be going crazy. Not that they're not good boxes, but for that kind of dough you can buy a new box ... with a warranty!
 
Well, now that my thread has been hijacked... Vintage boxes have vintage sound that some of us like. That's why all the tube gear commands top dollar. An 8100 in excellent shape, and for AM, a 9100, have a sound that hasn't been duplicated yet.

I think my 9000A has minor problems. I just want to commiserate with someone who's worked on one.
 
Phil said:
Well, now that my thread has been hijacked... Vintage boxes have vintage sound that some of us like. That's why all the tube gear commands top dollar. An 8100 in excellent shape, and for AM, a 9100, have a sound that hasn't been duplicated yet.
Click to expand...

We agree ;)

I think my 9000A has minor problems. I just want to commiserate with someone who's worked on one.
Click to expand...

Can't help you with 9000A unfortunately, but make sure to contact Marty at Orban ([email protected]) he will be able to assist you.


Regards,
Goran Tomas
 
While I fully agree about the sound signature produced by the older gear it is increasingly difficult to maintain the gear when parts are no longer available. I have a console where the out of production ICs go for $25 a pop and you need two per channel. On a 10 channel console that could be upwards of $200+ ... if you can actually find the parts.

I would love to find a couple of 9000/9100's for a couple of AMs I'm working on, but it scares the socks off me if I put these online to only have them obliterated by a lightning strike.
 
I have a 9000 book, if you haven't had any luck with Orban. Also have a couple of the exotic chips for this box.
(We had one at the AM station we sold several years ago...I keep hold of old manuals--never know when they might become useful).

As I recall there are a pair of transistors in the final output circuit. These may have gone. Another simple problem if someone else has been digging around inside is that they managed to break a feed-through on the metal box in back of the barrier strips--you can find that with a pair of headphones & a small screwdriver.
Just see if the output audio is getting to the input to this box (which has r/c networks to keep RF off the inputs and outputs).
 
The video is cool! I'll have to run "Hey 19" through mine and see how the meters look. He's definitely barely processing, according to the meters.
Thanks for the tips. I'll try the Orban guy and then... On to Tom T.
 
Bill DeFelice said:
While I fully agree about the sound signature produced by the older gear it is increasingly difficult to maintain the gear when parts are no longer available.
Click to expand...
That's the good thing about CRL processors: as long as someone makes TL072, LM13600, and NE5532 ICs, you can keep them going forever. :)
 
Bill DeFelice said:
While I fully agree about the sound signature produced by the older gear it is increasingly difficult to maintain the gear when parts are no longer available. I have a console where the out of production ICs go for $25 a pop and you need two per channel. On a 10 channel console that could be upwards of $200+ ... if you can actually find the parts.

I would love to find a couple of 9000/9100's for a couple of AMs I'm working on, but it scares the socks off me if I put these online to only have them obliterated by a lightning strike.
Click to expand...

There are enough 8100 parts to keep it around for the next 20 years. Even Orban is still selling parts and servicing it (watch that return policy if there is an issue). Mooretronix and Bud Williamson do a good job or rebuilding them. I have 2 FM's right now, one with an Omnia ONE and a DSP-X in the aux chain and one with a 8100/Ariane/CRL. While the digital boxes are obviously set and forget, the analogs don't need tending either, they have been rock solid now for the 5 years the combo has been together.
 
I was told that Orban wasn't supporting their old analog boxes anymore, unless I heard that incorrectly. I figured with many of the components on the "no longer available" list it would cost a pretty penny to get a unit rehabilitated if it needed major repairs outside of recapping.

I would love to get some decent processing for the school system AM/FM I'm putting together but as school district's budgets go, it's pretty impossible. Being at the mercy of donations I got an old 411 Volumax for the FM and a promised Modulimiter for the AM. I'd love to find a group or an engineer who'd love to give them something a little better sounding, but beggars can't be choosers either. I hope recapping the units will make them sound acceptable.

I remember the FM I worked for had an 8100 before the station was sold. As part of the upcoming sale they took the pre-processing offline (a CBS slim-line Audimax) and I was amazed how transparent the 8100 sounded running barefoot. Then again, the FM I started at in high school was running an 8100 with a classical music format and I was floored on how well it performed without any pre-processor either. Now they have an Omnia on long-term loan from a mega-group and it sounds pretty darn good.
 
If you look at the YouTube video and click on radioctrldwife, you'll get Bill Sacks. He rebuilds old Orban processors, and is the same guy who started Straight Wire Audio many moons ago. He also has a website: http://signalbarsrus.com/about/

He's good people and gave me some over-the-phone help.
 
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