I just bought the Klark Teknik 1176-KT, excited to use it. I am a bit of tinkerer though so out of curiosity i'm wondering if anybody has recommended mods for the unit? I tend to look at gear like this as a great platform for modifications

Are you good working on SMT because there's a bunch in there.

Transformers would be an obvious mod that wouldn't get you into the SMT but you would still working on a board that's probably not very robust because it is mostly SMT.

I'd say enjoy it for how cheap it is and that it's pretty good inspite of that. There are serious clones out there if you want a better unit that are far cheaper than originals or the UA modern version.

Probably the transformers, maybe replace them with a Cinemag .. Easy-to-do and will improve the saturation and low-end fullness, but don't expect a night and day difference. The stock Midas transformer won't sound good when pushed, so the biggest difference will be when you drive the signal.

SMT is no less robust than conventional components - just more difficult for most people to work with if not familiar.

Agree though - not a lot of point modding it really as it does a good job at the 1176 thing for it's price range albeit not exactly like a real one. I'm not sure swapping out transformers in a crunchy FET compressor will make enough difference for the cost of Cinemag's.

Hey looking for mod my 1176 but i dont know very much. So my question its: can i change for this transformers that i found in ebay?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cinemag-CM-...cAAOxygj5SgSyZ

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Output-Tran...0AAMXQH6BRFDti

Can i change for the 2 midas transformers??.

If anyone have the schematic please share. :(

I also live in a country with 220v? does affect this the model of the transformer?

Thank you.
Best regards.

the transformers dont care if you are 110 or 220 as they only see audio signal

oh ok, i already have ask to the sellers or the urei transformers but they say he doesnt know if the transformer will work.

Do you have any info?

I'm also looking to do a transformer swap on one of these and would love to hear from someone who has done this.

Ok.....so.....the KT 1176 is a compressor......in as much as an apple is an apple......problem is, NO MATTER what mods you make to it, it will sound NOTHING like the namesake it seeks to replace. Leave it alone....it does what it does......but if it’s 1176 character you’re after, there’s half a dozen plugins out there for a lot less money that actually do a better job than the KT.

I know this was from 3 years ago but I have the KT and I prefer it to the plugins. I think that it's a brutal exaggeration to say that the plugins do a better job when analog is still analog. But here's a great shootout on youtube of someone comparing a bunch of 1176's including plugins. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHqVD8A4ldk

Some time has gone by. I was wondering if anyone has modified the kt-76. Or maybe gutted it and built a true 1176 in there?



UTC O-12 replacement: C38371


5002 transformer


Urei 1176 D version clone

I wouldn’t take too much stock in anything those people have to say. Someone posted a thread asking for some DIY mod advice and someone chimes in with plugins? GTFOH. You’re right. Just report this idiot and let’s get out the soldering irons.

I have not. Am eagerly watching your progress!

I fell into the Klark Teknik craze of roughly 2019/20. 2x 2As, 2x KTPs, 1x 76. I've sold one of the 2As. Thinking about mothballing the rest. I dunno, they are OK. But for mixing...a major hassle with recalling etc. Thought I was going to use them for mixing all the time. Ruled that out very quickly. So decided to use them tracking but the comps always seemed to muddy the signal or make it worse. The EQs just too broad, obviously.

I get all the EQ needed with a Daking MicPreEq, Heritage HA73 Elite and a Daking Fet 3. I've since added a Drawmer 1974 which is a great versatile stereo/mono EQ. The KT's just don't get used.

Instead of talking shit like..oh it's not gonna be the same or sound the same ...let's talk about modding these bad boys swapping transformers, schematics and so on...I too am a tinkerer and what to upgrade the unit without going to revive.....so someone if there's anyone let's do this and haters stay away

Yes.

I'd love to mod them for MORE distortion.

Here's the Revive mod:
So The modifications:

"We do a complete audio path upgrade using premium parts for lower noise and higher headroom as well as lower distortion.

All Audio caps are swapped out for better performance using Panasonic Parts to start.

Orange Drop Capacitors are used in critical coupling locations for more authenticity.

Bypassing is performed where necessary for lower noise in the line amp.

Power supply modifications are also performed for the lowest possible noise figures in the overall design and better current delivery."

Why would I want even less dist ? I want to have fun ! I will certainly duplicate vocals, basses and so on, have a clean path AND a comp/dist path where I'd want a slightly colorfull KT.

Does anyone know what's a obvious mod to dirty it up ?

A revive mod is not going to add distortion.

This isn't shit talk, it's the facts of the matter.

The obvious answer is get (either) Louder than Liftoff Implode, Stam 76-5A, or the Warm wa76 (if you want to mod an 1176)

The Klark not only sounds sterile,
it is all SMT (from what I remember).
Which makes modding it a total waste of energy.

The warm is easier to mod, and sounds better stock (than the KT).
The Implode is something i sincerely love.
The stam 500 unit digs in deep as well.
There dozens of other 76s units in 500 series worth consideration
(such as the hairballs, purple, igs, serpent, sound skulptor, etc...)

If it's an easy mod can you help please I want to swap out in and out trannies

Like, the best mod would probably be to replace all the guts with new pc boards and components. Thats pretty drastic, but that might be worth doing if it dies after using it for a few years. Until then, Id say enjoy your compressor.