Hi Guys.

I'm offered a D&R Serie 700 Model 2 , 24 tracks for 100 euros
I cant find much information about this console ...

Have you experience with this console? What do you think about it?

 

https://www.d-r.nl/assets/700-series-brochure-1985.pdf

 

They were build close to my place. The brand was used in radio studios a lot, their desks had a great, clean sound.
But this one is 35 years old, which is.. old. Besides, it’s a typical 2 output desk, with 2 post aux sends, 1 pre.
I don’t know what you wanna do with it, but I think there isn't much use for it in the majority of todays’ workflows.
You probably found the brochure, if not: https://www.d-r.nl/assets/700-series-brochure-1985.pdf
English manual & schematics are below the Dutch version.

 

No unless you buy a second for parts. It needs be refurbished, buttons and faders cleaned or replaced entirely. Unless it is now in absolute cherry condition it will become a big doorstop really soon if it isn't already...old dry caps, etc. Be prepared to put in more money.

 

Guys, thank you for your inputs.
Yes I had the brochure and tech specs before asking.

I was wondering if someone knew how it sounds actually.
I know their higher range is very clean, but this one , no idea.

But you confirm what I was thinking, it's going to be a dead weight ... better no go for it.

 

The older the console, the older the sound. If you want to get the good old sound, you'll have to spend quite some good new money for it.
A low - mid price console from the 80s sounds worse than one from the 90s, and so on.

 

The specs look rather decent, but it is quite old and you should put in a lot of work to make it work like new, depending on how much it was used, of course.

 

The shelving EQ's were rather nice, if straightforward, with D&R accomodating the budget end of the scale on the (Dutch) home recording market in 1985, then in its formative stage. These consoles were typically teamed up with the likes of TEAC A3440 (4-track) and 80-8 (8-track) reel to reel recorders and must be considered value for money, in their day anyway. They sound as they look, clean and dependable. No-frills. The 700 had as selling point its per-channel inserts. In overall OK condition100 Euros is decent. Check faders and, notably, mic/line and -20dB switches.

 

Last edited: Jan 14, 2018

Thank you Aileron for the detailed answer.
I cant help thinking that I have at least to go there and test this console.
Space is not a problem for me. So for 100€ it may worth the try.

Aileron, have you been working with this console? Do you know how it sound when pushed a bit?

 

I never had overload problems with any of the more or less similar-design D&R consoles. Right now I still have two 200's that I keep just in (a) case. It is important to set unigain, on send/return but from there on you will find there's nice headroom and remarkably flat response with EQ controls centered. Just get it, you'd be sorry to pass it up.

 

OK Aileron, I just contacted the vendor to go and do some check.

Here , I live in an island, we dont have much choice on second hand market, that's why I have to give this desk a chance.

 

Well on an island they'd be stupid to sell you crap.

 

Unfortunately, stupidity is not situation related .... Otherwise it would not be stupidity

Anyway I'll go with my headphones and test every track and group / outputs.
The guy will have to be patient.

 

Ik kom ook uit Holland..
Being dutch also i used a few d&r desk's including this one that was owned by my partner in crime and the reason it was sold was that it coloured to much. I liked it.
Its not clean at all

Check out a lot of the early bunker records and stuff from the hague.. thats a lot d&r

 

Holy cow that was BAD, sound-wise! Flat, yet acute. Ouch!

 

Filthy, schmutzig...and yes, fairly flat...but not boring, at least to me after listening to Rude 66 - Die Stärke der Vernichtenden Schläge. It had attitude in its melancholy look backwards. A history lesson.

 

Ok but that's the bunker reboot (catalog # 3000+) from the year 2000 onwards so maybe not what fetepilly hat in mind? I don't know.
I have to admit I can't stand bunker records and their Nazi glorification bullshit. Speaking of history lessons...

 

Last edited by a moderator: Jan 19, 2018

Hey guys, until now, all your comments have been very helpful, thank you.

I'm going to see the desk Monday so I'll tell you what I think when I'm back.

Please, please, could we just stay into the technical field.
Thanks you.

 

too bad it isn't a TASCAM 700 ... ;-)

 

Hey guys, I went to test the desk yesterday ....
It was a complete mess. Some pots were even blocked, they didn't move at all LOL....
But when I asked to the vendor by phone if the desk had any broken part he didn't mention this ...

Thank you all for your good advices, I've learn about this brand in the process.