DSI / Prophet Forum

[torinkrell]

Have you noticed how much the prices have fallen for the Prophet 600 in comparison to the Prophet 5 and Prophet Pro One. Is it because of the economic slowdown, because used Prophet 08s are starting to enter the market, or something else?

[dougt]

Fully working ones are going for $650-750 (last one went for $752). That's a lot more than the $400 they usually went for a few years ago...

[twenex]

The lowest I've ever known Prophet-600s to go for was about $200 by people who knew what they were and not just some score in a pawnshop. This was common through the very late 80s and 90s with the late 90s increasing to $300-$350. They stayed at that price until about 2004 when they went as high as $900 and maybe more on ebay.

Prophet-600s are a good alternative to a Prophet-5, but they're not a replacement or even on the same sonic level. The age old argument against Prophet-600s focuses on 4 main areas: membrane panel, membrane keyboard, control panel scanning (DAC) and software envelopes.

[torinkrell]

In New Jersey over the last two months two different people were unable to sell their
fully operational Prophet 600s on craigslist for $500 while before the economic
downfall Prophet 600s were quickly selling for $1000. Recently ebay prices have also
fallen despite the fall in the dollar. Maybe this is only a recent and temporary change.
However I certainly agree that a Prophet 600 does fall far short of a Prophet 5 in most respects.

[dougt]

$1000?? I've never seen P-600s go for close to that. Not even on ebay.

[torinkrell]

Apparently Prophet 600 prices continue to be volatile. Just a week ago a P600 sold on ebay for $1149!

[The Analog Organist]

torinkrell -

I see you have an Octave Cat SRM. I owned one many years ago when they were still in production. It was a fabulous instrument - one of my favorites. If I remember correctly, the sound was better than that of the the ARP Odyssey. Now and then I see one on Ebay and I'm tempted to bid for it. I can't imagine what it would be like, though, to return to such an old instrument, after playing entirely new ones (Prophet '08, Poly Evolver Keyboard, Voyager).

How does yours' run? Any comments on comparisons with modern instruments?

[torinkrell]

Its ironic that you ask about my Octave Cat SRM as its the only analog keyboard on my list here that is not working (yet). The filter and noise are functional but most of the rest of it is not. Presently its in dozens of pieces on my workbench getting a cosmetic and electrical rehab. Honestly I am not sure if I will be able to successfully restore its electronics completely but the bargain price I purchased it for will make even an expensive repair worthwhile.

If you have any tips / suggestions for repairs and know of local service centers with a good rep please let me know! I am looking forward to eventually comparing it with my Pro One, ARP Odyssey and Minimoog.
What was your experience with the Octave Cat? Which version did you have?

[The Analog Organist]

Sorry I can't help you with the repairs.

I had the SRM version with two-voice capability. After owning the Cat, I succussively had all three models of the ARP Odyssey, and I can say that the Cat beat them all. It's sound is substantially thicker, especially with the sub oscillators. Plus, you can mix waveforms, rather than just select one per oscillator, as with the Odyssey. It also has excellent sample and hold. I seem to remember the instrument being a bit noisy (hissy), though, at higher volumes. Overall, it was a little cruder and less precise than the Odyssey, but I still preferred it.

If I ever come across another Cat in excellent condition, I may jump at the opportunity. In your case, I would consider restoring it to be worth the time and expense. It's a classic. It looks good, too.