The "Correct/Perfect" Deluxe Memory Man

[Abandoned]

I'm thinking I might make the jump for a DMM. Which is the "right" one?

 

[MRscratch]

i think the 120v one is the one but i have a 24 volt one ( i think) and man it sounds fantastic. I think its the best analog delay out there

 

[northstar6000]

Old or new they are all awesome. For shear real-estate value on your board, I would get one of the newer XO versions.

I am sure the purists will jump in here and say you must only buy the big box DMM because that's the one that has all the mojo. (for the record I own a big box DMM). I would recommend the newer ones just for shear size. They do sound just as good.

I would not recommend any of the other cheaper delays from the memory line (boy, toy, etc.). They are all pale comparisons of the DMM. If you want that sound don't cheap out.

 

[bobbyatomic]

 

[Abandoned]

Cool. Thanks guys.

Can I get like year and serial numbers or something for the holy grail ones?

And then the ones that are next runner up ones.

Anything I should be concerned about or keep a lookout for the really old ones?

 

[SurfGreenTele]

Shnobel claims the ones with the 'PICO 0327' board and dual MN3005s are the best. I've had two later revision big boxes with quad MN3008s though, and both were (are) great. I still have one of them. I'd love to get a second to run together (one short/one long) like Andy Timmons used to do.



Older Timmons rig, check out 3:35 in:

 

[Abandoned]

Is there a tone difference between the big box with the built in power cable and the big box one that doesnt have the built in power cable?

 

[tomasz_el]

I have the 2006 Big Box, true bypass, 24v (No hiss, white noise, etc., but I have a proper EHX power supply), 4x MN3008 version and it's just gorgeous. Had a chance to play with the older versions as well, and all of them are something special.

 

[drbob1]

I'd love to find one of the small number of big box reissues with the sockets for the 4 3008s, but were delivered with a pair of 3005s. Drop in another pair of 3005s and you have a traditional big box sound with 1.2 seconds of delay!!!

 

[la noise]

Shnobel claims the ones with the 'PICO 0327' board and dual MN3005s are the best. I've had two later revision big boxes with quad MN3008s though, and both were (are) great. I still have one of them. I'd love to get a second to run together (one short/one long) like Andy Timmons used to do.



Older Timmons rig, check out 3:35 in:

Hoseclamps on a DMM? That's a first. Must be
Mojo enhancers.

 

[The Funk]

DMMTT all the way.

Everything that's great about the old memory man (I've compared mine directly to a 120v model and they sounded identical) with none of the things that suck (better bypass, more headroom, more delay time (over 1 second, which also means quicker times are cleaner), more control over modulation) plus tap tempo, subdivisions, effects loop for repeats, expression pedal control over all sorts of parameters and the ability to wire in addition remote controls over expression mode or subdivision mode. And it's the same size as the XO and runs on 9v. It is the ultimate DMM.

 

[analogmike]

I'd love to find one of the small number of big box reissues with the sockets for the 4 3008s, but were delivered with a pair of 3005s. Drop in another pair of 3005s and you have a traditional big box sound with 1.2 seconds of delay!!!

That version is certainly the most bang for your buck. But even doubling the delay time, you can't really get more than 800 or 900mS without degrading the delay sounds. Still more than enough time for almost anything.

 

[Jahn]

I have an Analogman modded big box 24V. Has held court for quite a while now. Less goopy than my attached cord reissue I had a while ago.

 

[TCMx3]

DMMTT all the way.

Everything that's great about the old memory man (I've compared mine directly to a 120v model and they sounded identical) with none of the things that suck (better bypass, more headroom, more delay time (over 1 second, which also means quicker times are cleaner), more control over modulation) plus tap tempo, subdivisions, effects loop for repeats, expression pedal control over all sorts of parameters and the ability to wire in addition remote controls over expression mode or subdivision mode. And it's the same size as the XO and runs on 9v. It is the ultimate DMM.

Agreed.

The 1100tt is AWESOME. I especially like the split modulation controls.

 

[augur]

Any 90's or 2000's big box correctly calibrated will deliver the best sound I've ever heard from an analog delay.
Try it before buying it and you've got it !

 

[teleluvver]

Last year I did some research, and was asking many of the common questions that someone asks who is looking for the "correct/perfect" DMM: chips, variation from unit-to-unit, attached plug vs. adapter, etc. I spoke with many people, including Howard Davis (the man who designed the original DMM). I ended up buying a DMM XO from Analogman, and have been happy with it. He said that they still have the Panasonic chips in them (MN3008), and although they're not the hyped MN3005 chips, they are indistinguishable in his opinion. As far as variation, he said that as long as the unit is calibrated there is no noticeable variation.

 

[drbob1]

4 3008 chips is the same number of buckets as 2 3005s. The 8s have slightly better specs for noise and frequency response, but when you use 4 of them the bottom line is that they become almost exactly identical in sound. 8s are easier to replace, so, I suppose the ability to replace a bad chip would be better. Has anyone ever HAD a 3005/3008 go bad?

 

[Coldacre]

they don't get any better than this:

 

[Abandoned]

Thanks everyone for the help.

Ok additional question... how do I get this tone without the white noise inherent with these units?

 

[la noise]

You don't. Suck it up deal with the noise and realize
it is part of the analog delay equation.

For me it is no big deal. Noise will increase at longer
delay times.... but even then I don't think it is that
big of deal. Well, not that big of a deal unless you are
really anal-retentive.