Doepfer 3340 search

[Sean Costello]

"Fraser, Colin J" wrote:
 
> IMO the fact that they are sticking so doggedly to this particular VCO
> design suggests that their engineering expertise in analogue synth circuits
> is not what it might be, so maybe it's better to avoid the A100 system
> altogether.

C'mon, folks. Lighten up. Odds are, Doepfer made up x number of PC
boards and front panels for the CEM-based VCO, at a time when it seemed
like the supply would not dry up (the system may have been under
development for some time). Can you blame the guy for trying to make
good on an investment? Even people on this list have found themselves in
the situation where they are missing one piece to finish an otherwise
complete commercial product, when that piece goes out of production
(recent SSM parts, for example). Should those people forego finishing up
their products, just to save older synths that might also use those
products? 

Besides, Doepfer has a discrete VCO already, based on a heated 3046 expo
convertor. He even has the schematic on line. Jeez, you think that
people on this list would cut the guy a little slack for making his
schematic public.

> If you don't want a VCO module that may be un-serviceable if it breaks, and
> you don't want to help wipe out existing stocks of 3340s that may used to
> repair classic synths, I suggest you steer well clear of the Doepfer VCO
> module.

And steer clear of buying CEM-based vintage synths, if you want to have
something that is servicable if it breaks (unless, of course, you
already have a store of the CEM chips hidden away). 

Let's face it, it is going to come down to rather cruel economics. How
much is a broken OB-8 worth, if it could be used to create 16 VCO
modules? Or repair 16 SH-101's?  How much is a broken Memorymoog worth,
considering that it could repair 9 Octave Cats, or 18 MC-202's, and that
getting it to work may cost thousands? I have the feeling that we are
approaching the time where some synths will be worth more as sources of
parts than as synths in their own rights, even if they are perfectly
functional - after trying to sell my Polysix, I think that it is
probably in this category already.

Sean Costello