It is very easy to understand the frustration of some of this forum's
members about the shortcomings of some of Mr. Doepfer's creations.
Here's my 2 cents: I own numerous analog modular components from
different manufacturers: MOTM, Arrick (dotcom), Big Briar, Serge
(including a TKB), Analogue Systems and Blacet, not to mention four
UEG's and two Expressionists from Encore Electronics, but my biggest
system is still the Doepfer. I also own a MAQ16/3, which I love, and
an MCV24 (not bad. Like the Expressionist better, though). Besides
the much discussed issue of those blasted jacks, I also dislike the A-
190: I just cannot get it to retrigger EG's in a stacatto way! I've
given up on it, and am now using either the Expressionists or a
Kenton Pro 2000 (way cool! but too expensive..). Otherwise it(the
Doepfer) is a wonderful instrument, guys. Period. The comment about
the A-120 filter being "mediocre" should be followed by a more
specific, detailed explanation, guys. This filter was marketed as a
Moog-like, 24-dB transistor-ladder one, and since I also happen to
own three Big Briar MF-101 (it don't get moogier than this!), I've
done comparison tests, and while the resonance in the Doeph is
slightly less "rich" (for lack of a better word) than the MF, the
difference is barely perceptible (my favorite Doepfer, BTW, is the
121. Superb...!).Unless a more specific description of the "flaw" of
this filter is given, it is not fair to make a negative comment about
the instrument, especially if only based on a subjective assessment.
On the other hand, faulty jacks and unstable VCO's DO need to be
mentioned to Dieter, because correction of these problems is vital
for the survival of the company. Bottom line: Mr. Doepfer needs to
have some positive reinforcement, but at the same time needs to know
that the competition is getting fiercer out there, and that consumers
are getting more and more discriminating. Yes, your prices are great,
but we'd rather pay a little more money and remain happy longer with
our toys, than to bitterly regret our purchase months down the line,
just to find out that there's no one interested in a second-hand
lemon. So here's my closing statement: MR. DOEPFER' YOU ALREADY HAVE
A VAST SELECTION OF MODULES TO CHOOSE FROM, INCLUDING THE LATEST,
UPCOMING BATCH (THE TOUCH-PLATE KEYBOARD PICTURE AND PROMISED
FEATURES ARE INCREDIBLE!!), SO NOW, QUIT PUTTING OUT ANY MORE
NEW "THINGIES". RATHER, GO BACK AND REVISE (IMPROVE) THE EXISTING
MODULES, OBVIOUSLY AIDED BY THE FEEDBACK FROM YOUR CUSTOMERS, AND
KEEP SELLING A PRODUCT THAT WILL HAVE STAYING POWER. IF SO, YOURS IS
BOUND TO BECOME A CLASSIC ANALOG MODULAR SYNTH, LIKE THE MOOG OR THE
SERGE. YOU MIGHT END UP HIKING THE PRICES UP A BIT, BUT SO WHAT LOOK
AT THE MOTM (SYNTHESIS TECHNOLOGY, www.synthtech.com). MARKEDLY MORE
EXPENSIVE, AND MADE BY A GUY WHO HAS MANAGED TO ALIENATE A HUGE
PERCENTAGE OF THE AVID MOD SYNTH GEEKS IN USA (AND ABROAD) BY BLOWING
HIS HORN "A BIT MUCH" ON THE NET (NOT A PROBLEM TO ME. I'M NOT GONNA
MARRY THE GUY. I JUST BUY HIS STUFF, AND I LIKE IT..!). WELL, YOU
KNOW WHAT HIS STUFF IS INCREDIBLE!! THESE MODULES ARE OF UNSURPASSED
QUALITY, BUT HIS SELECTION IS WAY MORE LIMITED THAN YOURS. SO YOU
ALREADY HAVE SELECTION, NOW IMPROVE THE QUALITY, AND WATCH ALL THE
REST SUCCUMB TO THE MIGHTY "D"! WE, YOUR CUSTOMERS, WILL APPRECIATE.
best,

cuari (a loyal customer since 1998...)