John Curl's Blowtorch preamplifier part II

[PMA]

Originally Posted by Joshua_G

Of course, almost anyone with a proper technical background can design a phono stage. Possibly (and only possibly) there may be differences to the sound quality of different stages, designed by different people.

Possibly. But after several comparative tests we made it is questionable what is 'better'.

[Joshua_G]

Originally Posted by scott wurcer

In high school I had a beautiful Telefunken radio with a solid copper chassis (140lb).

I'm earnestly curious here. Off hand, it looks like a copper casing for any electronics amp would be better than an aluminum one.

[PMA]

Originally Posted by Joshua_G

I'm earnestly curious here. Off hand, it looks like a copper casing for any electronics amp would be better than an aluminum one.

Would you kindly express your own experience?

[Soundminded]

Originally Posted by Joshua_G

Have you considered copper instead of aluminum?

Peter Q made the crossover caps on his Audio Note TOTL 8" 2 way souped up Snell type E out of around 75 pounds of solid silver jacking the price up to $150,000. And that was years ago, who knows what it is today. But you did get a cabinet made out of real Russian white birch. Get with the program John. Stop trying to cut costs on us. It isn't high end if it isn't high price...and the higher the better.

Here's the competition;

Audio Note

He uses transformers too. No 100 zisters though. I like the T&B tie-wraps holding things down. Real class. First rate manufacturing. Takes 140 hours to assemble or so he says. How long will it take to assemble yours John? Will you use tie-wraps too? How about wire nuts? Hey your preamp needs a name. How about some suggestions for him.

[Joshua_G]

Originally Posted by PMA

Possibly. But after several comparative tests we made it is questionable what is 'better'.

My limited experience shows me that different people have different preferences for sound quality. What is better for some people may be worse for others. However, some people are willing to pay extra money for the sound quality they are after.

I know how much I paid in the quest of better sound quality.

[jacco vermeulen]

Originally Posted by Soundminded

How about some suggestions for him.

Omertà (sounds nice with Vendetta)

[Joshua_G]

Originally Posted by Soundminded

Here's the competition;

You may be absolutely right in everything you write here.
Possibly you see what so many people fail to see.
Possibly you know better than many others.

Only, I neither saw nor heard your deign.
So, is your only possible contribution here is criticism of others?

Sometimes criticism may assist designers improve their design. Do you have any point to make on how to improve a phono stage design? Or all you can do is put down others?

[Soundminded]

Originally Posted by jacco vermeulen

Omertà (sounds nice with Vendetta)

IMO the soldering job stinks. Not even remotely close to mil spec. Look at the two red wires next to each other on the back circuit board in the bottom photo. The solder failed to fully flow on to the copper wire because the soldering iron wasn't hot enough or the heat wasn't applied long enough or correctly. Now look two photos above it. Ugh. F minus. Look at how the insultation was trimmed on the two red wires. What's that dripping over the edge. Look at the blobs of solder on the yellow wire especially and the blue one next to it. What are those circuit boards made out of anyway, plywood? Not even glass epoxy. Still if he had just taken his time he might have done a better job. 140 hours to assemble that? My Dynakits I built in the 1960s looked much better than that. But you have to take into consideration that this is an entire preamp, not just a phono preamp and probably doesn't cost more than say ten to fifteen thousand. This probably doesn't affect performace but it is indicative of what went into this. I'll save my money for a bridge.

[jacco vermeulen]

Originally Posted by Soundminded

the competition

Three pieces of plywood for a hundred grand is unbeatable, imo.

[Soundminded]

Originally Posted by jacco vermeulen

Three pieces of plywood for a hundred grand is unbeatable, imo.

But look at what a nice stained finish they have. Here's a scary thought, what does the other side of it look like?