DOA Discrete Opamp Colour

DOA colour is a great way to make use of those extra opamps that didn't win as go-to's in preamps. Preliminary blind testing inidcates that to me, at moderate drive, the difference between DOA colour and the CTX with DOA is minimal. Past 12:00 the CTX with DOA begins to have a more controlled low end, while DOA is less subtle in the lows.

I wanted to use my JLM opamps with my Link audio DIY modules, and this was perfect, so I bought them without the RED25 opamp in my case... Thank you for being so innovative !!

DOA Discrete Opamp Colour

Got this with the 70s Character Duo bundle. Going DOA into TM79 and then into 15IPS on mixbus. The DOA itself with the RED25 is cool. The best way I can explain it is that it saturates/inflates and intensifies everything that goes through it. The saturation provides more volume and glue. Drums and guitars sound like they are hit/strummed harder. It was a pretty profound thing to hear for the first time. My mix immediately sounded more 3D and in your face. My understanding is that opamps provide much of the character of our favorite preamps- I bought opamps from Hairball Audio, BA512 and Raindog. They all sound different and do very cool things accurate to their descriptions. It's cool to hear them in person and understand how things like slew rate can effect the shape and vibe of a full mix. The Colour format is such a great concept, and I love that I can switch gears for different vibes on different mixes on the fly.
On the Duo, and with the material level I'm feeding it, I typically run the gain at about 12-1 o'clock before things begin to break up and distort. The RED25 is an inexpensive opamp, but sounds just as good as others 2-3x the cost. I was afraid after getting a CTX that I wouldn't use this Colour as much, but they have different sounds and uses for me. I plan on doing a more in depth video on how I use my Colours and just may well get another pair of DOA cards.

This is a quick and easy build and it’s a great way to fill those extra colour slots. There are so many DOA’s available that it’s nice to have a couple of these for easy swaps.