EAA Quest 804

This t Detailed by emotional_features, nothing to add.

USE

RAS

SONORITS

Having a pro use this console for a few years, I do not at all the same idyllic vision, and the comparison with Neve, Studer Amek or surreal for me.

Pramp: The noise level is between lv micro, indicating a choice of very average quality components. Harmonics are not the feast and are asked to stay outside the door. In short, the criterion of a transparency, this console is not better than Berhinger of today.
Eq: If you push the bass pot, the needle is the trunk!

NOTICE GLOBAL

This is undoubtedly the worst pro console I had the opportunity to use. To crown on the whole, do maintenance was not easy with a monoblock design so uncommon on the pro consoles. Fortunately, the reliability was correct.
EAA is a strange brand that knows how to produce beautiful things (amp Square1000 for example) and that brad his talent with that console series, too bad.

The brochure of the time:

Remarkable for their small size and low weight, the series consoles Quest "804" are primarily intended for external operations requiring a high level of quality.

Derived directly from Quest "1202," they incorporate the essential subsets, they have the same technical characteristics.

The basic model has 8 input channels, followed by four generals, two switchable output in sub-groups, 3 aux sends and 2 returns effects complete the package which also includes a monitor section.

Standard equipment includes preamp, RIAA, 48V phantom power and a true parametric equalizer for each channel.

Like all elements of the evolving Quest, console type "804" are scalable both input and output modules of 8 channels.

Features: <ul> Bandwidth: 7Hz-35kHz micro-3dB; online 3Hz-130kHz-3dB
Reduced noise at the input:-127dB
Distortion:-127dB
Override: microphone 22 dB 35 dB line, +30 dB output
Corrections: + /-15dB at 80Hz, + /-15dB at 10kHz, + /-15dB from 180Hz to 7.5 kHz
Phantom Power: 48 V
Output Level: +4 dBm to 0VA / m
External power supply: + /-18V
Weight: 18kg
Dimensions: 500 (440 +60) x 680 x 175
Options: faders plastic tracks, multiple pairs of plug-ins and out, remote control, oscillator, ... </ul>
Unquote

Controls and connectors for each (top to bottom): <ul> Select microphone (XLR balanced input preamp) / line (TS 6.35)
20dB Pad
Low-cut filter at 80Hz low frequency shelf, excellent to correct any problems below 60Hz without distorting the sound
Input sensitivity (knob)
Parametric (details above) high quality, accurate, with midrange fully parametric (Q, f, gain) and switch to turn off the EQ
Aux 1, 2 and 3
Cut track (mute)
Panoramic setting
Routing bus station 1 / 3 and / or 2 / 4 and / or solo listening
Fader track of excellent quality, there are three quality levels: "Standard" carbon track with 100mm; "Alps" with carbon pro track 100mm; "Plastique" conductive plastic with high reliability 104mm Penny and Giles or MCB "
Insert (TRS shot.)
Post-fader direct out (TS 6.35) </ul>

Controls and connections master section: <ul> Effect return level with a solo switch
Effect Return Level 2 Switch with solo
Departure level auxiliary switch with a solo
Departure level auxiliary switch 2 with solo
Departure level 3 with auxiliary switch solo
Master Level 2 switched master / sub-master, pan
Master Level 4 switched master / sub-master, pan
Headphone Jack (6.35) with adjustable level, pan and listening selector 1 +3, 2 +4 or solo
Master Level 1 and 3 (faders)
Main output 1 & 3 (2x XLR)
Primary output 2 & 4 (2x TS 6.35)
Insert Output 1 & 3 (2x stereo TS shot.)
Auxiliary Outputs 1,2,3 (3x TS mono 6.35)
Effects returns 1 and 2 (2x TS mono 6.35)
Magneto secondary output (stereo 6.35)
Back magneto stero jack (Stereo 6.35)
</ul>

Other: <ul> Meters (2)
Pad wrist rest below the faders
Solid wood sides (3 cm thick per side)
</ul>

Price HT Series Quest 804 in 1986 (VAT 28%): <ul> 8 tracks: Standard 19797FF; 21601FF Alps; Plastic 26674FF
16 tracks: Standard 34970FF; 38217FF Alps; Plastic 47349FF
Extension 804: Standard 15157FF; 16601FF Alps; Plastic 20646FF
Power: 2960FF
Documentation: 280FF </ul>

To get an idea of ​​what it represents today in euros add VAT at 28% (x1, 28), add a report of inflation of around 50% between 1986 and 2004 (x1, 5) , and divide by 6.55957 to get it in Euros.

UTILIZATION

A vintage dynausore course, but what comfort, what&#39;s, what class!

The direct-out for each are a luxury to record each track directly to an input of sound card or digital recorder or by connecting a speaker output for the experimental lives </ul>

The EQ is a power, precision, clarity ...!

The manual was optional to 280FF HT in 1986, not always discoverable. Note that the manual is more of a service manual containing diagrams with list of components, etc..

SOUNDS

I repeat exactly what was said on the Quest 802:
<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>Line-In, a very transparent. In microwave, a color very "rounded" treble but a magnitude less chiseled sharp in the midrange and depth in the bass.
.../...
The EQ is wonderful: from the special effects (sounds like a resonant filter when Q is very close) to the shimmering colorization, it is pure class. I would not be surprised to see the table become a collector a few years. Confidential and classy are two words that characterize the best!</span>

My tests of EQs in this direction. CR1604 is not my weight equivalent setting. Side Quest I get a very clear, precise, highly dynamic, even pushing the EQ bass side CR1604 frequencies are mixed, treble muffled.

Question breath mentioned by January, there&#39;s just a little. My commitment to doing more to color the sound, and with sources of SNR 60dB max as MS-20, I do not see it as annoying. Also note that the TL071 preamps can easily be replaced with much cleaner equivalents as AD826. There are plenty of articles online about it.

OVERALL OPINION

No hype and a large size make this table is sold at very reasonable price compared to its quality. It is not always easy to find on the second hand market.

She seems quite serviceable in case of problems, based on discrete components certainly outdated but very easy to find (in large quantity and low price) to date.