John Curl's Blowtorch preamplifier part II

[syn08]

Originally Posted by Joshua_G

How do you know the sound quality of CTC Blowtorch? Or do you mean another type of quality?

Because I have heard (and reverse engineered) one.

Simple, isn't it?

[Joshua_G]

Originally Posted by Curly Woods

I don't think anyone said that. What is being said is that sound quality and measured performance are not automatically hand in hand. No one is stating that measured performance is not important. It just does not tell the entire story, that is all.

This is in accord with my experience, as well as the experience of some of my friends. Moreover, the tests which are probably most relevant to sound quality, like TIM and its' derivates, are seldom measured and never published.

[Joshua_G]

Originally Posted by syn08

Because I have heard (and reverse engineered) one.

Simple, isn't it?

Since you don't hear differences between cables, while I do hear, I doubt whether the two of us would agree about the sound quality of any peace of audio gear, including amplifiers. In other words, "sound quality" to your ears means nothing to me (and some others I know).

[Steve Dunlap]

Originally Posted by Joshua_G

Steve, do you suggest that an excellent sounding amplifier can be built with the cheapest components?

That is not at all what I was saying. I was speaking as a machinist when I said the cases could be made LESS EXPENSIVELY not cheaply. I don't know the exact dimensions of the BT, so the price of the Al could vary some, but not likely upward as I based this on TWO CASES 17" wide, 12" deep and 3" tall.

TN still game? ;-)

I don't do a lot of machining anymore. There are plenty of shops around though.

[john curl]

The BLOWTORCH has been A-B compared to many preamps. I don't do it, our (wealthy) customers do it for themselves. Only tubes have given us a serious run for the money, or perhaps better sound. This is from the people who can have the best in the world, because they can easily afford it. Is or was the Blowtorch perfect? Of course not, we could do even better with a new design. In fact, I am counting on it.
Now when it comes to my specific designs that I am given credit for, and are available for purchase today: They start at $1000 for a 100W/ch power amp. That means that the product has to be delivered to us at about $250, at the dock. What can anyone else do for the same amount of investment? OK everyone, this is your chance.

[Steve Dunlap]

I would also like to say that I made no comment at all about the BT other than the metal work.

[syn08]

Originally Posted by Joshua_G

I doubt whether the two of us would agree about the sound quality of any peace of audio gear, including amplifiers.

We are 100% in agreement here.

[john curl]

Steve, please go to the beginning this thread, then go to #11 and #21 of the Blowtorch PART 1 thread. Then, I would be glad to get your estimate, for the FINISHED CASES.

[Steve Dunlap]

They start at $1000 for a 100W/ch power amp. That means that the product has to be delivered to us at about $250, at the dock. What can anyone else do for the same amount of investment? OK everyone, this is your chance.

We would need a little more information on the expected performance to answer that. What power at 4 ohms? Is it expected to run a 1 ohm load? You know there is more to it than the 8 ohm rating.

[john curl]

Everyone, it must be realized the WE do NOT set the prices. The machinists set the initial price for us. We get started with one machinist, and we don't want to shop further, unless pressed. We have tried for years to make cheaper cases, WITH THE SAME QUALITY, but we have failed to do so, so far. Criticisms should be backed up by present knowledge, before it is put up.