hi there, i want, i need this beast! just read this thread Thermionic Culture Phoenix first impressions . where peter katis is suggesting the following

then

and

i also want the ooomph! does anyone know if there is an actual sound difference between the units available mastering and non mastering version!?! even the pimps are welcome this timefuuck

From what I understand the mastering version has dented pots and a faster release time. Why don't you just email the manufacturer?

i've done that, waiting for a reply. not to piss on the manufacturer but it's just that i trust the users experiences more sometimes.

as expected i didn't get an answer from thermionic so far and my bet is i won't. i hate it when companies don't answer simple requests but want your money nonetheless. it's not exactly that this stuff is cheap.

it's another story, but i have not managed to get a single response from focal within two months to support me with my fairly new focal twins. nada nothing. will have to make a different thread to put them in the pillory. oh yeah buzz also doesn't answer emails as thousand of others don't even if you are a customer yet. in what a ****ed up world are we living!?

Apparently a world where people can find the time to rant and rave on internet forums about something that gets them really wound up....

... yet not be arsed enough about it to pick up the phone, speak to a real human being and get an answer to their question - all in the time it takes to make a cup of tea

+44 1440 785843

which company? thermionic?

the thing i'm really pissed but that's another story is focal. they don't even have a number on their site. my dealer was also no help.

ps: when at ranting. we're not living in the early 20th century now and believe it or not for such things i actually prefer email. why do all this companies have email when they don't answer them. yeah i know my questions are not important enough...

I think you'll find that if you actually get on the phone to Thermionic, Vic will speak to you at great length about any of his products. The danger is that if you ask him what the differences are he may tell you in very considerable technical detail, leaving you knowing more about circuits that you probably wanted to.

Hi,

Sorry I've been away at the Music Messe but I can't see any emails to us at Unity Audio, the international distributors for Thermionic Culture ( [email protected] ) or any messages via the phone on UK+ 1440 785843 regarding this. We're always keen to help and respond to questions of any nature regarding Thermionic Culture.

Is the question you're asking what is the difference between a standard model and a mastering? If so then it's the following;

Phoenix M/C Master version (suffix M) has stepped input gain and output controls, and switched threshold, attack and release. The input gain structure is different as it's intended to be dealing with stereo program material rather than individual sources,
A side chain filter has now been added to provide 75Hz & 150Hz, but more permutations are possible when the MC is used in stereo mode with the link switch engaged.

The Master Phoenix is easier to recall as it has a mixture of indented and switched controls and the screwdriver adjustment on the chassis behind the meters controls the current through the valves on this unit, so this corrects to some extent for valve ageing. A screwdriver is supplied with the Master Phoenix and should be used periodically to adjust the meters to zero

Stepped Input & Output controls * 6 position switched attack control * 7 position switched release control * 11 position switched threshold control. I hope this clears up the features set, the tubes and wiring etc are otherwise the same as the standard model.

Also, for the record, here is the contents of Peter Katis's email regarding the Phoneix M/C Vs the his standard model and our reply.

" I'm enjoying the Master Compressor, but it does sound a little different from mine...perhaps a little cleaner? Is that possible?"- Peter Katis

"I asked the guys at Thermionic regarding any sonic differences between a standard and a mastering model and there should be any real difference as it's the same circuit , tubes, etc. The one area that could make it sound cleaner is the input, as they had to put a cap on it as the gain structure is different as it's intended to be used primarily for stereo bus and mastering work, so it might not be so possible to slam the front end in comparison to a standard model. " Kevlar -Unity Audio

Hi Kevlar,

Can you get the original Phoenix modified to have the side-chain filters? I have already modified the Manley vari-mu, just replaced the font panel overlay with a new one from Manley and soldered a few capacitors and switches to activate the circuit.

It would be great to have this mod done on the original Phoenix if possible.

It's been decided by Thermionic Culture that it's not practicle to offer an upgrade from a standard unit to a full mastering model.

So, no difference between Phoenix mastering and ordinary version soundwise?

Yes or no.
There is a difference.

What difference? Can you elaborate pls

All the differences are explained about three posts above, from the horses mouth, as it were