Lexicon Signature 284 Info Request

[onemind]

I have an opportunity to buy one of these rackmount, recording preamp/low power amp units, but don't know much about it...I've read what I've found but tone being such a subjective thing I thought I would ask here as well.

Does anyone have one? use one? tried one?

I'm a little concerned about "loading" issues too since it has a stereo power section (can you use one/none cabinets) etc.

Any help or advice would be appreciated...any thoughts on pricing as well.

Thanks

(s)

[gtrnstuff]

I had one. Loads are built in, each channel is separate, so it can be used without any cab for DI recording, etc. Well-built, PCB. Tone *is* subjective, but it does meduim to hi-gain pretty well. I'm just not a big fan of single-ended amps, and owning the 284 helped me discover that. Swapping tubes, as always, can help.

Hope that helps,
Paul B

[onemind]

Thanks for the reply, I think it will be a lot hipper looking than the Kidney Bean on my console too...

[gtrnstuff]

Yeah, the latest kidney bean is better than the first ones, but I can take only so much. Tubes, speakers, mics=much more nutritious.

[TheGrooveking]

I have one and still play it, the key to these units is the tubes. For some stupid reason Lexicon shipped them with shit tubes, so shit tubes equal shit tone, wonder why they didn't sell better. Really a great versatile machine. I highly recommend them. The first 100 units had a cool almost neon kind of donut shaped light intsead of the standard fender type on jewel light. If you find one of those, it's even more special.

A Signature 284 and a MPX-G2/R1, can make a lethal pairing!

TheGrooveking

[tildeslash]

I am about to get one delivered this week.
Will post my review shortly.

[onemind]

Can't wait to read your review....any thoughts on pricing?

Steve

[flicker180]

you should be able to get the units for around 400.00

brand new, i bought my first one in 1998 for around 800.00

i purchased one used on fleabay for about 450.00

i used mine with a Gmajor, Mullards (in pre and power sections) and used pedals in front of it. was a great amp.

dave

[onemind]

Hey Dave, how about some clips?

(s)

I believe the green donut light was called the seeing eye. Before the seeing eye mod offered on Keeleys pedals.

[Timbre Wolf]

Geeez! I can't believe nobody's spoken up about the power tube limitations of an un-modded 284 - come on guys, help the bro out. Onemind - there's a simple, but necessary mod to perform on the power tube connections before you can put in better-performing NOS EL84s, so be forewarned.

The one I have came with JJ EL84, and sounded good. But after the mod, I was able to install a Mullard on one side, and an Amperex Bugle Boy on the other side to get it to sound spectacular. The point of this amp is to be able to take advantage of power tube clipping at (relatively) low volume, so you'll want to be able to use NOS EL84s. Without the mod, you're very limited in your EL84 choice (I think only JJ, EH, and Sovtek - can't use Ei).

While you're in there modding this amp, you can consider changing out the preamp tubes as well. After trying some other "top shelf tubes" (Telefunken smooth plate, Philips Miniwatt, Mullard short plate, and RCA gray plate), I've settled on:
V1 Raytheon 12AX7A black-plate/halo-getter
V2 Mullard CV4024/12AT7WA ('80s production)
V3 Tungsram ECC83

Great amp to have about, for ~$400 in newish condition.

- T

[onemind]

T,

What does the mod entail? Is there anyway to adjust the bias on this thing.

Steve

[Blue Strat]

In order to use any NOS EL84s (or EIs and possibly other new production EL84s), the screen resistor connected to pin 1 (a non connected pin in Sovtek and a few other "third world" EL84s) must be lifted.

IOW, in most EL84s, pins 1 and 2 are internally connected (in the tube) and nothing can be connected to pin 1. Lexicon failed to notice this distinction.

[thelionsden]

I had one of these for a short time...I also do not like the sound of single ended power amps in distortion...single ended amps produce an asymetrical distortion (My tech friend showed it to me on a scope) that sounds ratty to my ear. To me this single ended tonal hash phenomenon sticks out like a sore thumb. Others love the sound of a cranked Champ (I can't stand it) To each his own....YMMV

PS.. no one ever told me about the screen resistor mod and I of course was anxious to pop in some NOS glass... Ah the smell of roasting resistors can be quite pleasant, but rather disconcerting at the same time!

[gtrnstuff]

Yeah, the single-ended tone and especially the noise floor pushed me in other directions.