I’ve been purchasing 500-series blank covers from DIYRE for a few years now, they have one of the best deals I’ve seen (short of having an Uncle with a machine shop). They support one of the world's most unique 500-series modular systems called “Colour”, you should check it out.
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| Assembling the PR502, click to enlarge |
FULL DISCLOSURE — I bought my DIYRE PR502 assembled, I paid the extra charge for DIYRE to build it. I ordered the optional $15 rack ears and I chose the “External PSU” option for powering my new rack.
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| PR502 with Power Supply, click to enlarge |
UNPACKING AND INSTALLING THE PR502
The PR502 order arrived in less than two weeks and I was anxious to see what I’d bought. When I opened the package I was glad to see the rack, fully assembled and ready to go. The rack ears were packed separately so I had to do part of the assembly, the ears came with the four screws and attached easily. The universal power supply appears to be robust and carries DIYRE branding on the label. The power supply connects using a 5-pin XLR. All the metal work has a high quality finish and there are no sharp edges waiting to bite you.
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| Audio Inputs and Outputs, note the link button, click to enlarge |
LIKES
LINK BUTTON - Links the channel so one flows into the second one for serial signal processing. I’ve had fun with the Behringer 73 mic preamp in slot one and Midas parametric in slot 2, with the link button pressed no external connection is required between channel 1 output and channel 2 input.
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| Power Supply Connections, click to enlarge |
FIVE PIN POWER SUPPLY FOLDBACK CONNECTION - There are two 5-pin XLR jacks on the back of the PR502, one is power supply input and the other is output. An option on the ordering page allows you to buy a jumper cable to go between two racks so you don’t need two power supplies.
EASY MODULAR EXPANSION — The five pin power THRU cable and low cost of the PR502 kit means you’ve got a system that is easily expandable, start with a single 2-slot rack and add more spaces, two at a time.
EASY MODULE INSTALLATION — I am switching modules, testing for noise, trying different combinations of 500 modules linked and it has delivered professional performance. The Behringer 73 is a demanding little preamp due to voltage inverters inside but there have been zero problems using it in the PR502. All the modules I’ve tried have been easy to land in the socket and they fit perfectly.
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| cropped view of rack front, note lack of lights to indicate power, click to enlarge |
DISLIKES
NO POWER LIGHTS OR SWITCH ON FRONT — ALWAYS TURN OFF POWER WHEN SWAPPING 500-SERIES MODULES: There are no power indication lights of any kind on the front of the PR502. There is no on-off switch on the front. The only reliable way to turn this rack off is to unplug the power cord. The power lights on the PR502 are on the rear where it is not always convenient to see them, same for the power connection — you’ll want to preserve access to the rear or put this rack on a zoned power switch so you can kill power to it for module changes.
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| Rear View, click to enlarge |
EPILOGUE
I like the DIYRE PR502 500-series rack chassis. In my younger days I would have jumped at the chance to save some money and build it myself (who knows, I might build one for more slots). The kit price with a thru-cable instead of a power supply is only $190, that’s a low price for a 500-series rack that functions this well. If you need a low priced rack for two 500 series modules this is a great option. It’s Good!
Thanks for reading High on Technology, Good Music to You!
©June 2025 by Mark King, it’s not ok to copy or quote without written permission from the author.
Go forth and create something beautiful . . . . . . . .
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| Check out DIYRE and build your own PR502 2-Space, 500-Series Rack, click to enlarge |
