Last year I heard this amp from Spark audio:
http://www.sparkaudio.com/ecp02.asp?id=76
The speakers was a set of Martin logan.
Only crappy thing about it, was the total price landed around 6 month's paycheck
Would it be possible to build something with the same quality?
It's certainly the best amplifier i have ever heard.
http://www.sparkaudio.com/ecp02.asp?id=76
The speakers was a set of Martin logan.
Only crappy thing about it, was the total price landed around 6 month's paycheck
Would it be possible to build something with the same quality?
It's certainly the best amplifier i have ever heard.
I had a look at their 211 amp as well. Proudly presented are a pair of cheap Elna Cerafine caps. Dunno why refered to as 'coupling cap' probably the 'english'.
With commercial valve amps the really interesting question is not what topology is used, as very seldom anything new and original is seen, but rather what is the output iron. Small companies seldom wind or even custom order their iron but rather buy something off the shelf. It's very rare for a valve amp manufacturer to use even cheap power supply and plate chokes, usually a cheap SS regulator is all you get.
I believe that by using top quality output iron and reasonable passive components a DIYer can easily outperform most commercial offerings below the stratosphere.
With commercial valve amps the really interesting question is not what topology is used, as very seldom anything new and original is seen, but rather what is the output iron. Small companies seldom wind or even custom order their iron but rather buy something off the shelf. It's very rare for a valve amp manufacturer to use even cheap power supply and plate chokes, usually a cheap SS regulator is all you get.
I believe that by using top quality output iron and reasonable passive components a DIYer can easily outperform most commercial offerings below the stratosphere.
Henrik,
As peter said, rarely (if ever) nowadays is anything new "under the hood". They are charging $3500 because of the snazzy box, and because someone is willing to pay that much. I doubt we would be awed by the schematic.
I agree with Peter also that you could easily build an amp that would outperform any commercial amp - and usually for under $1000.
(and if you're willing to do without fashionable parts, for under $500)
Joel
As peter said, rarely (if ever) nowadays is anything new "under the hood". They are charging $3500 because of the snazzy box, and because someone is willing to pay that much. I doubt we would be awed by the schematic.
I agree with Peter also that you could easily build an amp that would outperform any commercial amp - and usually for under $1000.
(and if you're willing to do without fashionable parts, for under $500)
Joel
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