Ah that, now I clearly understand.
Just so aware, I am not going to let someone convince me that super specifications are a must. I am not always intently listening and a lot of my LPs are 1970s garage bands that previous owner has played a lot, not audiophile recordings that have been well care for all their life.
Oh, I see. I should go through my pages and make sure I stay on message.
The raw chassis is relatively affordable both for ModuShop and Takachi. The cost is in all the customizations - both machining and digital print.
If a spam can will suffice for you, you can save some money.
Tom
I don't think it is that, rather, a difference between the pages. I like the 186 page provides information and link to all the parts required, no guessing.
Oh, I see.
Well, if I want to label, I have a handheld Dymo.
I can share my experience. Before lockdowns and everything associated with them started, I worked on design of affordable high end power amp and preamp. They had to be both affordable and high end. Top of the world sound quality. However, now I am almost ready to manufacture them, but I do not see enough of interest that justifies borrowing and spending money on manufacturing. So, there is only one way. Redesign exterior with fashionable whistles and bells, hire reviewers, pay for advertising, for marketing, and include all this additional expenses in increased price.
Selling kits?
A first, both amp and preamp are quite complex inside. And they use proprietary solutions that are not common, go against beliefs how amps must be made. The third, such complex kits would require technical support. Doing all support alone? I may not have time, and I had to be paid for that. That means again costs included in prices.
However, there is a third option. To write books, explaining how they work, including basics and advanced thingies, and the book includes a kit. But it would not be cheap, as you understand.
Such a bummer!
Selling kits?
A first, both amp and preamp are quite complex inside. And they use proprietary solutions that are not common, go against beliefs how amps must be made. The third, such complex kits would require technical support. Doing all support alone? I may not have time, and I had to be paid for that. That means again costs included in prices.
However, there is a third option. To write books, explaining how they work, including basics and advanced thingies, and the book includes a kit. But it would not be cheap, as you understand.
Such a bummer!
I do too and use it a lot. I just happen to prefer that my products look professional when assembled and designed the chassis accordingly. Nobody forces you to buy it.Well, if I want to label, I have a handheld Dymo.
In a recent quote the breakdown is as follows:
- Raw chassis: 47.6 %
- Machining (holes, threads, etc.): 37.3 %
- Digital print: 4.6 %
- Tooling: 10.5 %
Adding 4.6 % to the price to get labels professionally printed seems like a drop in the bucket and makes a much nicer impression than a DYMO label.
Tom
Yep! And make sure you make the volume knob large and in charge. It must have the right feel. It must not feel cheap. That's the kiss of death. It must feel heavy but not too heavy. It must feel luxurious but not so luxurious that you get the sense that all you're paying for is a fancy volume knob. Yeah... Audiophiles are a fickle bunch.
You think I'm joking? The most common criticism, by far, of my HP-1 was that the volume knob was too small. The second-most common critique was that the chassis looked cheap. Nobody could touch the performance of the amp and it had all the right features, but by golly the volume knob was small. The most common critique of my HPA-1 is that the chassis is too utilitarian - or "military chic" as one guy described it. The outside needs to match the inside.
Then you have to promote the product. Get it in the hands of reviewers. Go to trade shows. Take the Florida Audio Expo next weekend as an example. I've gone to that twice to show my TCA wares. The exhibitor fee starts at about $2500 if you sign up early enough. Add airfare, transportation, higher cost of hotel food, etc., and you're looking at a $4k weekend. I have yet to have a single sale at a trade show! I've developed a lot of good connections through trade shows, but I have no sales tied directly to the shows. I've blown around $12k attending four shows and have been very well received at the shows. My first time at the Florida Show one reviewer named my HPA-1 Best of Show. But no sales that I can tie directly to the show.
To further promote my headphone amps I really should be active on head-fi. But I can't post about my products there or even participate in a thread about my products without paying $1k/month with a 12-month up-front commitment just to participate. This is their lowest pricing tier, by the way. Where should that $12k come from do you think?
The hifi market is a pay-to-play program. And there's only one source of the money: You the consumer.
That's a good option if you want to line the publisher's and Jeff Bezos' pockets. And could also be marketing for a consulting business.
Tom
Probably a perfect fit for smaller asian fingers to gain "by golly just right" review, except probably the price is kinda low for high end east asian market.
Tom, sorry I tried a little humor twice, should have seen the first time doesn't work with you. I myself have a hard time understanding sarcasm, so not being critical.
I can share my experience. Before lockdowns and everything associated with them started, I worked on design of affordable high end power amp and preamp. They had to be both affordable and high end. Top of the world sound quality. However, now I am almost ready to manufacture them, but I do not see enough of interest that justifies borrowing and spending money on manufacturing. So, there is only one way. Redesign exterior with fashionable whistles and bells, hire reviewers, pay for advertising, for marketing, and include all this additional expenses in increased price.
Selling kits?
A first, both amp and preamp are quite complex inside. And they use proprietary solutions that are not common, go against beliefs how amps must be made. The third, such complex kits would require technical support. Doing all support alone? I may not have time, and I had to be paid for that. That means again costs included in prices.
However, there is a third option. To write books, explaining how they work, including basics and advanced thingies, and the book includes a kit. But it would not be cheap, as you understand.
Such a bummer!
Thank you for sharing. Amazing how the pandemic caused severe inflation, then a recession, and bet soon a depression. Soon going to be like Germany after World War One where to buy a loaf of bread require a wheelbarrow load of cash (it is in Oma's 1954 World Book, which I inherited, stuck me as an eight year old, see the picture in my mind right now). With what you said drives me further to build the sound system, in the future due to the inflation and depression I will not be able to afford it.
My view has changed, I now understand you are not going to find a tube amplifier or pre amplifier kit under say about $750. But, getting a kit means not spending weeks of research, finding the right parts, then purchasing everything. Now all that has transpired, starting to wish there was a monoblock PP kit, there is only one company offering kits and it is stereo. Ha.
What?!
How asinine! If you like big knobs, then change it. If the chassis is too utilitarian, come up with something. Good grief!My gosh!
How the heck do you even make a profit? (Rhetorical question.) Seems the system is rigged so prices are high and make folks think because paying $100,000 for an amplifier they are getting a high quality product.
I actually wonder if I've made a profit with TCA. I probably have, but not a large profit. That's a question I should have an answer for...
Well, if someone is willing to pay $100k it must be a quality product, right? Otherwise they wouldn't pay that much. Even if the actual difference is only in the marketing and looks.
One of my personal favourites is, "this is a really good deal. It sounds like a $1500-2000 amp" (about the TCA HPA-1, which is currently $899). But then again, Olive & Toole's research at Harman Kardon showed that people rate more expensive gear as sounding better than less expensive gear in sighted trials where the prices are known. In blind trials there's no significant difference. #humans...
Tom
Well, if someone is willing to pay $100k it must be a quality product, right? Otherwise they wouldn't pay that much. Even if the actual difference is only in the marketing and looks.
One of my personal favourites is, "this is a really good deal. It sounds like a $1500-2000 amp" (about the TCA HPA-1, which is currently $899). But then again, Olive & Toole's research at Harman Kardon showed that people rate more expensive gear as sounding better than less expensive gear in sighted trials where the prices are known. In blind trials there's no significant difference. #humans...
Tom
I actually wonder if I've made a profit with TCA. I probably have, but not a large profit. That's a question I should have an answer for...
Just maybe.
Or, your concern/purpose is to provide a fantastic price the DIY folks can easily afford. Look how much you sacrifice to help folks here on the forum.The more I converse with you and watch your videos (your voice modulation and inflection plus kinesthetics), the more I am winding if you are on the Autism Spectrum (meaning it can be so mild barely on it, which used to be called Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified). Look how you took this literally when wasn't meant to be taken literally. Or not understanding humor. Just a thought, I am not one to diagnose.
If someone is willing to pay $100k, they might be basing their decision on price. Like folks buying a Plymouth when it is the same as a Dodge, same engine, just has vinyl wood trim applied to the outside (example from Dad). Or buying a BMW when a Honda do the same: get you from point A to point B.
Wow...
Wow, thank you for sharing this. Oh humans is right!
The more I converse with you and watch your videos (your voice modulation and inflection plus kinesthetics), the more I am winding if you are on the Autism Spectrum (meaning it can be so mild barely on it, which used to be called Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified). Look how you took this literally when wasn't meant to be taken literally. Or not understanding humor. Just a thought, I am not one to diagnose.
I do tend to default to the literal interpretation, especially when conversing in writing. Part of that is my personality and part is that I'm keenly aware that not everybody here has English as their first language, including me.
Nobody I deal with in person has noted anything odd. Well... Not odd in an autism kind of way anyway. I am a hockey goalie and we're known to be a breed apart.
I tend to be a chameleon when it comes to accents, so I suspect the modulation and inflections you're picking up on is probably a Calgarian or Albertan accent. When I lived in Seattle I quickly had a Seattle/Pacific Northwest accent. Certainly not a Danish accent even though that's my native language. I couldn't even speak with that accent if I tried even though I speak the language fluently.I'd be interested in a bit more detail on the kinesthetics you mention. I'm not a video pro by any means. It took me a bit to loosen up in front of the camera and it wouldn't surprise me if I had some work to do there still.
Either way. Going through the DSM V diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder, I don't tick any of the boxes. I'm also not in distress about anything related to ASD, so by definition I'm not diagnosable. You're not the first to make the observation, though.
I was actually being sarcastic when I quipped about the $100k gear.
Tom
Ah, okay, I will try and be more careful with my humor, thanks for letting me know.
Fine, not everything we perceive is true.
To me, there is barely any if at all, tend to be flat. Might be as you said a Midwest accent, which is flat as the prairie.
Interesting, this explains why my accent shifts, sometimes catch myself when speaking to an individual.
Here is a funny. Years ago when living on campus, I had Arab roommates move in. Came home for Christmas and had a Queen's British accent.
Then went back and took me the summer to go mostly back to American.By the way, between Facebook group I belong to and my friends, switched to European decimals so now American doesn't look right when typing. I have to remember when posting a letter not to start my ones at the bottom going up, instead at the top going down (USPS decided it was a sloppy seven...
)Oh, that is fascinating. Guess an example of neuroplasticity.
By the way, my favorite comedian, who now has deceased, was a Dane.
My only connection to Scandinavia is I have a good bit of Swedish ancestry from around Stockholm.
I don't have the guts to get in front of a camera, the one time was a class assignment and it was terrible. So, can only share my perception.
Come across very stiff, especially your into and outros. Maybe a slight smile help soften.
I heard of one person (Hugo Jacomet of Sartorial Talks) having their friend sit across them so like having a conversation, the friend occasionally nodding in understanding (despite can't speak a word of English, only French). If ever got the guts, I have my dog sit across and talk to them.
Interesting. Maybe they can have a look at your video and give a pointer.
Oh the irony.
With few exceptions the intros and outtros were recorded last, so after 2-3 long days of recording, editing, building ad nauseam. It probably shows.
I think those who've mentioned ASD in the past thought I had no sense of humour. Those who've met me in person likely disagree.
Tom
I think those who've mentioned ASD in the past thought I had no sense of humour. Those who've met me in person likely disagree.
Tom
Yah, that makes sense. It feels like yay, another step...
I have some inkling films take a long time, didn't realize that much, times all the videos, wow, that is huge.
I think those who've mentioned ASD in the past thought I had no sense of humour. Those who've met me in person likely disagree.
That is kind of odd, maybe even stereotyping. We do have a sense of humor, however, many don't have the cognitive ability to understand it.
My humor tends to be more British, subdued, dark, and very dry. Probably doesn't help being raised on "Fawlty Towers," "Keeping up Appearances," and "Are you Being Served?." My friend who is also on the spectrum finds weird situations funny, takes knowing him to know something is funny as doesn't laugh or smile, his voice tone goes up.
I can usually build an amp in 4-5 hours if I'm focused on just building the amp. Building the amp and recording, editing the build video takes at least three 10-hour days, possibly with a touch-up session on the 4th day. And as you've pointed out my videos are not exactly Hollywood quality.
Tom
Tom
Tom, swear had replied...
I am saying I am stunned by your generosity. Could have done a build just showing highlights and promoting the amplifier, take a half day to complete, rather than gift the community. To me, demonstrates a desire to help the community. Take it as a compliment, please.
Cost of electric is making people around me to have second thoughts on pokey tubeamps. The problem is also utility companies posing extra meter charge for poor power factor i.e cap input filtering. Even so with near unity power factor circuitry, my 500 Watter sucks 150W just alone for the heaters not including what goes in class AB quiescent !