1975-1981 Class AB but still discrete (mainly)
Starting around 1975, Neve started making compact, class AB range channel amplifiers for the broadcast market. These were 35 mm wide modules and some of the earliest of these were the 3114's as fitted to the
53 range of broadcast consoles, including the 12/2 Melbourn. When Neve did the colour change in 1976, all their modules gained 3 at the front and had a knob change from shinny aluminium smallish ones to matt
aluminium, larger ones. All of these modules are standard 220 mm x 35 mm x 215 mm dimensions and usually share the same pin-outs. Various versions of these modules were produced and fitted to consoles
destined for radio and television service. Common types include the 33122 and the 33122a, 33114, 33115. The 33122 were different to the rest of the range because they relied on an external output transformer
which was similar in size used in the 1073, whereas most of the other modules used a smaller output transformer installed within the module chassis. If you purchase any 33122's make sure you get the external
output transformer as well...! It is worth pointing out that many of these channel amps use the small plug in 'op amps' that are also found on the 1081 eq's. These come in 2 different versions and can be
populated by discrete components - in which case they would be designated as 43x's or by IC's - in which case they would be 63x's. In terms of value, the discrete one's are worth about 20% more. In terms of
sound quality, it is not so easy to quantify... These were really the last of the over engineered Neve designs and also some would say, the last of the nice sounding eq's. Subjectively, although the class
AB channel amps refereed to here do not have the dynamics and the subtleties of the big class A predecessors, they can still produce an amazingly pleasing sound. They are also the last of the channel amps
which are relatively easy to rack up. Later, non modular designs have to have new front panels and a lot of extra metalwork made to accommodate them.
Click on specific product on the LHS for a full technical spec... History of Neve Modules 4
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