Pete’s Place & Orphan Audio Team Up To Bring Back Electrodyne In 500 Series Form

The Electrodyne 511 is a classic two-band, discrete transistor, reciprocal, active inductor-based equalizer using late-‘60s/early-‘70s design technology.

As with the 501, the 511’s custom inductors and output transformer are made by Electrodyne’s original provider to strict factory tolerances as small as two percent.

This affords a consistent EQ performance and repeatability from channel to channel that was simply not possible in the 1960s.

Smooth performance and EQ response from minimum to maximum gain at all frequencies provides unusually broad sonic and tonal options not experienced since the 1970s.

The module’s faceplate sports twin large rotary EQ controls each offering +/-12 dB of boost and cut with four selectable frequencies per band (LF: 40, 100, 250 and 500 Hz/HF: 1.5, 3, 5 and 10 kHz).

Shelving is available on all frequencies, with peaking offered at 250 and 500 Hz in the LF band and 1.5, 3 and 5kHz in the HF band. An EQ in/out switch with accompanying LED rounds out the front panel feature set.

Electrodyne 511

Both the 501 and 511 deliver a maximum output of almost +30 dBm into 600 ohms paired with extremely low distortion specs, high signal-to-noise, and wide dynamic range.

According to Orphan Audio’s Ken Hirsch, who headed up the design of the new modules, the Electrodyne 501 and 511 truly live up to their esteemed pedigree, even in the eyes—and ears—of their potentially harshest critics.

“We purposely put our prototypes into the hands of a number of engineers who own lots of vintage Electrodyne gear, use it every day, and truly consider themselves experts on it,” he says.

“And the consensus from even the biggest skeptics was that we absolutely nailed it. Many of them didn’t believe we’d be able to preserve everything that they loved about the sound of the vintage pieces while improving noise specs, consistency and reliability, but we were told across the board that we pulled it off, which is personally very rewarding.”

Already currently available, the Electrodyne 501 preamp carries a price of $895 (USD) while pricing for the 511 equalizer is set at $1,050.

Pete’s Place Audio Website
Orphan Audio Website

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