John Curl's Blowtorch preamplifier part II

[Steve Dunlap]

Originally Posted by 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.

I have seen the pictures.

Lunch time now. I am not avoiding answering.

[john curl]

Steve, I was a little off in my estimates: Actually the Halo A-23 is THX rated at 125W/ch into 8 ohms, it does 200W into 4 ohms, and of course, much less into 1 ohm. 1 ohm loads are tough, unless you especially design the amps to driver them.
It's price, taken from the Audio Advisor catalog SC209 is $949.00.
It apparently won: "Power amp of the year" in 'The Absolute Sound'

[ikoflexer]

Originally Posted by syn08

Why? You don't seem to care much about "quality", as reflected through numbers.

Never said or implied that. All I'm saying is that it's easy to find cases where there is no general consensus, even when looking at the same set of numbers. It's the interpretation that's different. Most recent example is the few nanovolts noise that may be induced by RF sources. Same number, different views on whether it makes or not a difference.

So I do care about numbers, but I accept that my interpretation may not agree with somebody else's. I also accept that my view isn't particularly of interest to experts here, because I'm a beginner, limited by my experience, knowledge, etc. However I also believe that all of you are limited by the experiences you had in your life time. To me is just common sense, but I don't expect everyone else to agree.

Wouldn't be better to build your discrete power supply, tweak it to your taste, and then tell everybody how great it sounds, perhaps comparing with a subjectively highly regarded commercial product?

If I was the only one concerned, yes, it would be best for me. Otherwise, it would entirely depend on the target audience. If my goal was to sell it to them, I'd address their concerns.

In audio, do we not see that at the end of the day, the fact remains, everyone compares to some "reference?" Numbers do get mentioned, but who among you will buy a product with a significant cost, based on specs/numbers, sound unheard?

[syn08]

Originally Posted by ikoflexer

Never said or implied that.[/B]

Well, it seems like you want to have the cake and eat it too Good luck with that!

[Joshua_G]

Originally Posted by Steve Dunlap

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.

This may be so, however, it's not the difference in views between Chris and me.

[Joshua_G]

Originally Posted by syn08

We are 100% in agreement here.

I'm pleased to fully agree with you here – that sound quality will be evaluated completely differently between the two of us. Actually, I'm proud about it, though, alas, it costs me a lot of money.

[Joshua_G]

Originally Posted by john curl

Steve, I was a little off in my estimates: Actually the Halo A-23 is THX rated at 125W/ch into 8 ohms, it does 200W into 4 ohms, and of course, much less into 1 ohm. 1 ohm loads are tough, unless you especially design the amps to driver them.
It's price, taken from the Audio Advisor catalog SC209 is $949.00.
It apparently won: "Power amp of the year" in 'The Absolute Sound'

Indeed, driving 1 Ohm is very tough and seldom needed. However, can that amplifier drive such a load, or 2 Ohm load?

[john curl]

It would be silly to expect my cheapest amp to drive 1 ohm loads consistently.

[syn08]

Originally Posted by Joshua_G

Actually, I'm proud about it, though, alas, it costs me a lot of money.

Actually, I'm myself proud of not being able to hear any differences between non-pathologically bad designed or built cables. It saves me a lot of money in various bills

[Joshua_G]

Originally Posted by syn08

Actually, I'm myself proud of not being able to hear any differences between non-pathologically bad designed or built cables. It saves me a lot of money in various bills

Good for you. However, we can see to what degree we can count on your sound quality evaluations.