PORTABELLABZ

Hybrid MK1/MK2 board A for
EMS Synthi A, AKS and VCS3




The hybrid board A lets you enjoy the very sought-after typical MK1 sound on MK2 units : the output amps have more low-end and a nice overdrive at high levels and the reverb sounds fuller and deeper.

The top part is a replica of the most recent PSU circuit with an added adjustable +11V rail for powering amp ICs as in MK1 units.
The board delivers the same current as the original MK2 PSU on the +12V and -9V rails and is able to power the KS keyboard and the expansion cards.

The bottom part is a replica of the original MK1 output amps and reverb driver circuits using PA234, GEL234F1 or ECG717 amp chips.
Steve from Digitana successfully recreated these obsolete chips with discrete components : the DPA234, thanks to his excellent work the shortage of these chips is not an issue anymore and the MK1 sound is now available at a more affordable price.

The board is fully gold plated.

The hybrid board A costs
  • 400€ VAT excl. without the chips if you have your own set of PA234, GEL234F1, ECG717 or Digitana DPA234 (immediately available)
  • 460€ VAT excl. with 3 Digitana DPA234 (available soon)
  • 640€ VAT excl. with 3 NOS GEL234F1 or ECG717 chips (immediately available)
+ shipping.

The board comes with sockets for the amp chips, calibrated and ready to use, swapping with the original one is straightforward, no soldering or modification or calibration is required. It's plug and play and couldn't be more simple.
There's a 1 month trial period. If you're not happy with you can return it and I'll refund you.

Contact me to order

The board is available as an option in the new EMS Cornwall Synthis A and VCS3, please ask Robin Wood directly to get one in yours.

With NOS GEL234F1 chips :

http://www.portabellabz.be/images/hybrid/gel234f1.JPG


With Digitana DPA234 :

http://www.portabellabz.be/images/hybrid/dpa234.JPG


Bottom side :

https://www.portabellabz.be/images/hybrid/bottom.JPG