I get mail

[Nelson Pass]

Edited version of real letter:

Oh Great and Mighty Pass,

I see the "passlabs.com" with nice looking amps (but too expensive for me)
and then there is the passdiy scene. so the questions come... are the diy
amps here comparable to the passlabs amps? how come they are so
expensive ($5000+)? (i don't have an infinite hifi budget )
Since i just want nice music quality for the money, what should i do? How
does a diy amp compare to commercial amps when comparing quality?


The reply:

Of course we make big powerful exotic amplifiers for the commercial
market, and you will note that they aren't even the most expensive stuff
you can buy - reasonably priced in the market we address.

Nevertheless, I enjoy putting DIY stuff out there, and while it is also
exotic (and sounds good) it is generally limited in power and complexity.

For four reasons:

I like simple little amplifiers.

I have designs which otherwise will not see the light of day, and like any
artist I want an audience.

I don't want to compete with myself too much.

I don't want to support anything too complicated for DIY or it will
end up being too much work for the Great Pass.


Now go forth, pick a design, and populate the earth with little amplifiers.

[elviukai]

Originally Posted by Nelson Pass

[I]
I don't want to compete with myself too much.

Dear Mr. Pass with all respect, I do not agree. the most important thing in life is.. to compete with.. ourselves. be it a professional activity or sport activity- to compete with ourselves(and defeat ourselves in that mannier) is the most valuable and efective way to progress..

so we will wait..

[john dozier]

Let us hear it for Mr. Pass. While a tube fan myself, I have greatly respected Mr. Pass's expertise and designs since his Threshold days. I also think he is both daring and wise-a rare combination. Regards, Dr. John Dozier

[c2cthomas]

Originally Posted by elviukai

Dear Mr. Pass with all respect, I do not agree. the most important thing in life is.. to compete with.. ourselves. be it a professional activity or sport activity- to compete with ourselves(and defeat ourselves in that mannier) is the most valuable and efective way to progress..

so we will wait..

My read on that comment by NP - juzzzzz being a bit sarcastic about himself. The generous folks that fork over much $$$$$ for his consumer stuff usually are not into DIY type hobbies. If they are into DIY they most likely already own the real stuff and are playing around with DIY for the enjoyment of it.

OTOH - I'm usually wrong about most things - so consider the source.

(and Terry and ZM and maaaaaany others - I can hear you snickering from here!!!!)

[Zen Mod]

naah ........

to quote one clever guy :

my Papa is smarter than your Nelson !

[Nelson Pass]

Originally Posted by elviukai

Dear Mr. Pass with all respect, I do not agree. the most important thing in life is.. to compete with.. ourselves.

Of course I meant that I do not wish to put my wallet on a diet.

[buzzforb]

It would seem that over here in the DIY world, Nelson is trying to both teach and leak helpful info about bigger boys at the same time. I believe there is enough out here right now to make a very respectable amp, by any standards.

[TerryO]

Originally Posted by c2cthomas

My read on that comment by NP - juzzzzz being a bit sarcastic about himself. The generous folks that fork over much $$$$$ for his consumer stuff usually are not into DIY type hobbies. If they are into DIY they most likely already own the real stuff and are playing around with DIY for the enjoyment of it.

OTOH - I'm usually wrong about most things - so consider the source.

(and Terry and ZM and maaaaaany others - I can hear you snickering from here!!!!)

In Audio there's no room for humor, so wipe that smile off your face Mister!

Now, there once was these two Norwegians, Swen and Ole...oops!


Best Regards,
Terry

[eyoung]

if we could just find a GOOD(cheap) source for heat sinks and cases we all don't have metal working and machine shop privileges... to house our big Manly Sonder Klass A amps in.

Just sayin', E

[AuroraB]

Originally Posted by TerryO

Now, there once was these two Norwegians, Swen and Ole...oops!

Swen is usually swedish, and Ole being norwegian -- makes an interesting combo for the last couple of centuries....