1970's TAB Telefunken Recording Console 20x4x2 w/limiters Siemens U273 Neve 2254

Description

Up for sale is a beautiful 1975 TAB / Telefunken 20x4x2 sidecar / portable recording console meticulously manufactured in Wuppertal, Germany for Dutch Radio with 18 excellent TAB/Telefunken limiters (one per channel - simplified U273/U373 diode limiter circuit w/Haufe interstage transformers), 2 TAB/Telefunken U273/U373 compressor limiters (one per buss - Siemens U273/Tab U373 diode bridge limiter circuit with Haufe interstage transformers - a design that was later used by Neve with the 2254), excellent inductor based EQ, discrete NTP opamps, and top quality Haufe/Pikatron transformers throughout. The console has been professionally refurbished and used/tested extensively since the console was gone through. As part of the restoration 2 new (redundant) power supply regulator cards were manufactured with high quality parts for a lower overall noise floor and increased reliability. This small console is on par with the finest recording consoles ever made as far as build and overall sound quality - and IMO is far nicer than the portable Neve or API desks from this era.
From TAB-Funkenwerk and the late Oliver Archut about the TAB U373 compressors/limiters:
"
In 1960, Siemens introduced the U273 the world’s first solid state compressor. There is a dispute over whether or not Neve based their 2254 compressor on this module.  There are striking similarities to the schematics but one of the main differences is that the Neve uses Marinair transformers while the U273 used Haufe.  The Siemens U273 is one of the best sounding transistor compressors ever made. In 1963 TAB introduced the U373, an upgrade version of the diode bridge design, made with transistors that took the edge off the distortion.  TAB built several different versions;   the U373a/b/c, the U273a/b version for Siemens and the U373TS version of Telefunken.  The U373 group is the only non-VCA compressor that works similar to a remote cut-off tube compressor."
18 x mic/line input modules with up to 72 db of gain in stepped increments, discrete NTP opamps, transformer I/O (2 Haufe transformers on each input module), excellent fully stepped 3 band inductor EQ (10K boost/cut, 60hz boost/cut, selectable mid-band boost/cut), a variable Haufe inductor based HP filter (40, 80, 160, 320), limiter (with on/off switch), 4 reverb sends per channel (pre/post selectable), stepped panning, channel mute/solo, peak LED indicator, a fine gain control (0 to -12db) and a phase switch. All the controls on the input modules other than the fader, fine gain control, and reverb sends are fully stepped. Each input module can also be one of four subgroups by switching the module input from "L" (mic/line) to 1-4. The channel output can be assigned to pan between the main stereo buss (1+2 - red lettering) or three subgroup combinations (1+2, 2+3, 3+4 - black lettering). The subgroup input/outputs allow creative bussing/limiting of drums, backup vocals, etc.
1 x dual HL input / line return module with a pan control and a variable Haufe inductor based HP filter (40, 80, 160, 320) for each of the two channels. The HL input/line return module features discrete NTP opamps and Haufe I/O transformers.
2 x buss modules with transformer balanced I/O excellent compressor/limiters with the ability to select between compression (10,15, 20db), limiting, and a variable release time. The limiters can be linked for stereo operation. The buss modules feature 3 Haufe transformers - 1 input / 1 interstage (for limiter circuit) / 1 output.
2 x dual reverb send module with a reverb send level control and a variable Haufe inductor based HP filter (40, 80, 160, 320). The reverb send module features discrete NTP opamps and Haufe I/O transformers.
1 x monitor module with monitor select switching, PFL level control, monitor level control, mono/stereo switching and a talkback attenuator. The monitor select switching allows you to select between the stereo buss, tape 1+2 input, tape 3+4 input, reverb 1, reverb 2, etc. All the monitor outputs and tape inputs are transformer balanced with Haufe transformers.
1 x measure module that allows you to assign a signal to the stereo PPM meter, and control an oscillator output (XLR on the back panel).
The connection panel on the back of the console has three multipin connectors for the I/O wired to three XLR snakes. In addition to the 18 mic/line inputs, 2 HL line return inputs, and stereo buss outputs there are 4 tape inputs, and one stereo monitor output. The XLR inputs allow a variable input level from 0 (line) to -72db mic (+72dB of gain).
Since the output of each module is transformer balanced, and the input to the busses are transformer balanced you can be creative with your use of the transformers for different levels of saturation. The limiters on every channel are very useful and sound great. The EQ is mastering quality with mica capacitors, Haufe/Siemens inductors, and similar in sound quality to the Siemens Sitral or early TAB/Telefunken Danner WX95 modules. The preamps use excellent Haufe/Picatron transformers and a discrete NTP opamp. All the important signal paths (mic / line / buss) use the discrete NTP opamps for amplification.
Spare EAB faders, reverb send NTP VU meters and NTP opamps included with the sale.
For a smaller high quality or portable recording setup this TAB console can't be beat. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have. Total weight is approximately 150lbs, and freight shipping internationally is not a problem. Thank you!