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Reviews For: Aphex Channel Strip

Category: Audio Accessories for Transmitter & Receiver

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Review Summary For : Aphex Channel Strip
Reviews: 2MSRP: 1299.00
Description:
Patented RPA Tube Pre Amp • EasyRider® Class A Automatic
Compressor • Patented Logic Assisted Gate • Universal de-
esser • Patented Aural Exciter® and Big Bottom® • S/PDIF and
AES/EBU digital outputs
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.aphex.com/aphex-products/channel/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0025
VK3HEX Rating: 2014-05-26
This puts the shine on my TX Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I umm'd and ahh'd about buying this bit of kit. After all, it's not cheap! Boy am I glad I did!

The Channel will instantly make your audio sound studio - like. Very easy to set up and could work standalone although I have it in line with additional gear.

I always get Q5 reports now.

Aphex Channel highly recommended!
ON4AMG Rating: 2013-01-04
All in one audio processing solution Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
The Aphex Channel strip builds upon the already excellent Aphex 230 platform (see Aphex 230 reviews here: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6571).
It can be found on the internet for around 1K us$ and while not exactly cheap, it is a state of the art, all in one audio processing solution providing the following functionalities:

1. Tube Preamp (12AT7/ECC81) - matched pair triode, Ultra-wide bandwidth, maximum gain and headroom
2. EasyRider Class A Compressor - automatically adjusts attack and release times according to program complexity
3. Logic Assisted Gate - Patented gate technology designed to avoid false triggers, clicks and chattering
4. De-Esser - dramatically reducing sibilance on any voice
5. Big Bottom - for deeper and more resonant bass with little or no increase in peak output
6. Parametric EQ - for the ability to precisely fine tune the all-important midrange between the Big Bottom and Aural Exciter.
7. Aural Exciter - for increased presence and clarity with improved detail and intelligibility

I am using it in combination with a Heil PR-40 balanced microphone and a Flex-5000A transceiver. Although the Flex is no slough when it comes to audio capabilities and audio adjustments, inclusion of the Aphex Channel into the audio chain has brought my audio to the next level.

Adjustments are easily made on the well laid out front panel however it takes a lot of careful tweaking and digital audio analysis to find the most appropriate settings. This being said, I am sure this would be the case with any other of these (integrated) units. Be prepared to go through a steep learning curve (unless of course you happen to be a professional audio engineer). An excellent (balanced) microphone is absolutely mandatory before event considering including this or any other audio processing device.
I found the improvements brought by 1-2-5-6-7 mentioned above to be the most significant ones but of course your mileage may vary depending upon the natural timbre of your voice and your microphone characteristics.

This is a truly versatile all-in-one audio appliance with one minor inconveniance for HAM radio operation: the location of the power on/off switch is on the back of the unit.
The device comes in the form of a 19 inch/1U appliance and has a built in universal power supply 90 to 250V AC. Since it is in use, I have been spontaneously receiving excellent audio reports, therefore I am convinced it will serve all of those looking for audio improvements regardless of being an ESSB fanatic.