New WA76

[HA_DA_JA]

I just Got my unit today. Very excited.
Just looking on the back of the unit and even though I know the country of Origin of these, does anybody else think it is strange that it is not mentioned?
Why would you mention a place of Manufacture for a specific part but not the whole unit?
Anyways looking forward to putting it through some paces this week.

[simonstav]

If it was printed on the back would you see it when it was mounted in a rack? I don't see it as a big issue, its pretty obvious at that price where its origin is from.

Having said that and recently having done a tour of the QSC factory in the US, QSC can manufacture the boxes for the same price as the Chinese factory in the US. The problem is they can't manufacture the quantities required on this low profit margin on the US facility which they are using mostly for the higher profit lower quantity DSP lines.

[SteveL]

Looking forward to trying out my WA76 which arrived today as well. At AUS $699 (delivered) it is well worth a punt I reckon....

Steve

[Paul Maybury]

What's the verdict on these? Hit or Shit?
The price is better than for DIYing one, isn't it?
Cheers,
Paul

[SteveL]

Haven't had a chance to spend anytime with mine yet Paul, been travelling - next week I'll have a good play with it on bass and vox.

Steve

[HA_DA_JA]

Spent some time on it for bass and vocals. I sold my Rev F 1176 to get one of these and it was well worth the punt I took.
These are slightly cleaner less grittier then my Rev F which was what I was looking for.
If you push the output past 2 o'clock it can start to introduce some hiss. Depending on your gain staging and what you are running through it, some people have commented on the hiss factor. I think this is more trial and error of how you gain stage this.
It does seem that it is gain staged higher earlier on when turning up the output compared to my previous unit.
I am most happy with my purchase.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Dale

[SteveL]

I tried mine on vocals yesterday, it's nice to have something with some tone and a bit of "grit" (not too much, as Dale says). I have a Buzz SOC 1.1 in the rack as well, which is extremely transparent and a wonderful opto comp, but I am enjoying the extra colour that the WA76 Fet comp brings to the table.

I have not noticed the hiss that Dale mentioned - (Dale have you checked that you have not inadvertently engaged the pad switch on the rear panel?) I'm using the comp as an insert on my Audient console and am patching between mic/line insert send/returns and the console's DAW insert send/returns. I'm fairly careful with the gain staging and the comp's input/output dials stay well to the left of the 12 o'clock position, brings some nice heft without either pushing too hard.

I'd seriously consider getting another, not for 2-buss (I like the Buzz on that) but just to have 2 great FET comps for a bargain price.

[rowmat]

What's the verdict on these? Hit or Shit?
The price is better than for DIYing one, isn't it?
Cheers,
Paul

Hey Paul,

We just recently bought a WA76 for the studio and it's great.
Has that 1176 rich presence mojo thing going on.

Looks to be well constructed.
You couldn't DIY one for less as I reckon the parts would cost you almost as much as an off the shelf WA76.
In fact Hairball Audio's Rev 'D' 1176 DIY kit is $595 USD plus shipping

The WA76 uses genuine US manufactured Cinemag I/O trannies plus a Class A line amp.
Only downside is the wall wart but the internal regulation looks goods.

We picked up ours for $650 locally.

Definitely looking to get a second unit.

How have you been?

Rowan

[Paul Maybury]

Hi Rowan, how is that 8 track going? I would love to come back and record there again!
Cheers,
Paul

[rowmat]

Hi Rowan, how is that 8 track going? I would love to come back and record there again!
Cheers,
Paul

Sometime later in November sounds good.
I'll speak to Matt.
Maybe we could organise a few guys for a bit of a jam and see what eventuates?