Dave Smith Instruments SYNTHESIZERS

No way! $110 for knobs to go along with a $400 kit? I would totally keep the old knobs if they fit. At this point its a question of form over function.. Sure, the new knobs are pretty and all, however I'm sure they don't really add to the pot twisting experience all that much! Also, at one point I messed around with different knobs on my PEK, and personally I don't think that black knobs with a chrome ring along the top would look good anyway. As a matter of fact, I think the flat-black knobs that came with it look the best. If the PEK had a black panel with white legending, like the pro one or prophet 5, I think the chrome chrome rings sitting above it would look great, however chrome against blue and yellow? Not for me.

As far as returning the boards. I'm kinda shocked that they just ask for them back without giving a discount on the knobs or the upgrade. They are simply going to use them to fix faulty boards sent in from customers. I understand about the recycling aspect - they will certainly reuse them, and I understand it will cut their costs thereby helping keep them in business. However, there might be a time when you decide that the upgrade isn't for you and maybe you want the old encoders back. Or, as you have already pointed out, you could also recycle the parts if you need to by scavenging encoders off of it yourself. If DSI were to promise, "Hey, if you send your encoder boards in, we'll send you encoders for free in the future in case you need them", then I might send it in - I mean that would be one less piece of junk I'd have to keep up with. However, you could make money off of it on day, and you can always pull encoders yourself given you know how to use
 a soldering iron. Don't know, that's a tough call.

Please share your impressions when you swap the boards out.

-Jim




________________________________
From: Paul <forums@...>
To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sun, November 22, 2009 9:26:31 AM
Subject: [DSI Synths] Re: PEK PE Kit / dropped line

  
Hi again.  I just got a reply from DSI.  I have order my kit but asked them about the knobs (which dont come with the kit).  The knobs cost another $109 and they are the same as the P08 knobs.

They have also asked if I can send them my old encoder boards, once I have replaced the them.  This is a good thing in terms of saving the world but surely there should be an incentive or even a condition of sale "you must return your existing boards".  I know the old boards have little value or use but I would have kept them as a source of spare encoders as not all encoders are replaced in the kit.  I think it would also be nice for possible future valve, being able to say "also comes with original encoder boards incase you want to swap".

Sure, I can still keep them but now I know they can be recycled, I know my conscience will make me return them.

So, $110 too much for a set of knobs (on top of the $400 kit)?

Paul
London
www.punkdisco. co.uk