MXR Micro Amp Pre Dunlop vs. New

[schenkadere]

I have a 70's pre Dunlop, pre LED Micro Amp (block logo). I was wondering if anyone has experience with the newer version and how they compare. Mine is very hissy...are the newer ones as well?

[Mark Hammer]

The original used a TL06x op-amp. The 06x series (061, 062, 064) have lower current consumption than the 07x series (o71, 072, 074). Unfortunately, they also have higher noise as a tradeoff. That's one of the reasons why some of the Behringer clones of Boss and other pedals have garnered some comments about noise; they chose to use a lower-current, rather than lower-noise, chip.

If you swap out the chip in there for the lower-noise version, you'll be pleased with the performance. Besides, the original did not assume a pedal-board and external supply, so they leaned in favour of increasing battery life. If you have a pedal-board and wallwart supply, you don't have to pursue that same bias.

[schenkadere]

Wow...very informative...thank you! Any comments on tone qualities?

[Mark Hammer]

There should be no difference in tone quality. If, for some reason there is, I wouldn't expect it to result from chip type differences any moreso than chip to chip differences within type (i.e., this TL061 stands as much of a chance of being different sounding than that TL061 as it does being different than that TL071).

[Elvisofnazareth]

I had a Block Logo with no AC jack from 1980 (?)

The LED responded with your picking, it was one of my all time favorite pedals.

[Mark Hammer]

I had a Block Logo with no AC jack from 1980 (?)

The LED responded with your picking, it was one of my all time favorite pedals.

That is weird. I can recall of no issue of an MXR floor pedal that provided any sort of LED monitoring of level. You sure it wasn't modded?

[Elvisofnazareth]

"That is weird. I can recall of no issue of an MXR floor pedal that provided any sort of LED monitoring of level. You sure it wasn't modded?"





Oh yeah?
That's pretty likely. I bought it off a guy named Roy Page down in Vegas who I sold some plexi transformers to. He had some great pedals including an old tan Ross that he modded, It sounded amazing.

I just located and shot him an email to find out if it was a mod..

It was very cool, It seemed to only flicker when it was adding a little crunch.
Very smooth, not fizzy at all.

[schenkadere]

My micro Amp didn't have the LED monitoring...had to be a mod.

I sold mine and got a TC Electronic Vintage Tube Primer(same a T Rex Moller OD). Much better and quieter clean boost plus a great TS808 clone in one pedal...125 bucks brand new on eBay! Amazing pedal.

[Elvisofnazareth]

I'm waiting to hear back from Roy still, maybe I can get the info on his mod and the O.K. to post it if anybody is interested.

I can't believe vintage Micro Amps can still be found so cheap. It's a sleeper.:)