Here you go:
The aesthetic is definitely not to my taste BTW - I am posting this for academic interest. There are a few aspects shown in the video that I find interesting. One of the comments remarks about the lack of ESD straps, but if you are working in a strictly bipolar world, is that a big deal? (personally, I use a strap even when handling jellybean BJT-based parts, but I am ESD-paranoid). Methinks that the most expensive components shown are the CNC-milled enclosures and level control. The exposed moving coil movements, sitting on egg cartons, are curious.. You can't use compressed air on them, so how do they prevent fluff from getting into the meter? (that would upset me on an amp that cost 6 figures - I'd be expecting Rolex levels of dust hygiene).
The aesthetic is definitely not to my taste BTW - I am posting this for academic interest. There are a few aspects shown in the video that I find interesting. One of the comments remarks about the lack of ESD straps, but if you are working in a strictly bipolar world, is that a big deal? (personally, I use a strap even when handling jellybean BJT-based parts, but I am ESD-paranoid). Methinks that the most expensive components shown are the CNC-milled enclosures and level control. The exposed moving coil movements, sitting on egg cartons, are curious.. You can't use compressed air on them, so how do they prevent fluff from getting into the meter? (that would upset me on an amp that cost 6 figures - I'd be expecting Rolex levels of dust hygiene).
What made me smile was the resistor cutting with esd protection and the bare hand diving into the FET drawer
ESD damage can manifest itself months down the line, not necessarily at the testing stage. I wonder if people who buy amps costing into 6 figures are as touchy about warranty returns as your average person who spends a thousand on a Yamaha or Denon amp? (I guess the latter doesn't need to employ a forklift driver to collect the amp...)
Avalanche breakdown can permanently damage a device if it's not designed for it - low noise transistors are a case in point. But yes bipolar devices are more robust, but its not unknown for walking on the wrong kind of carpet to charge someone up to 30kV... That can probably damage capacitors, let alone bipolar semiconductors.
I see sooo much wrong, so much wastage, so much that could be streamlined to improve efficiency.
But i do appreciate Dan allowing us to see the 'maternity' ward of his babies 🙂
But i do appreciate Dan allowing us to see the 'maternity' ward of his babies 🙂
What a fabulous video and thanks for posting. The sheer scale of the operation impressed me and the vast stock holding of parts- wow.
The pendulum was the product they created to save the company, they wanted to shutdown but realized that they are really good at audio despite being in a building they could quickly convert to a dinner. They just didn't want to make pizza but amplifiers, at the end of the day bills need to be paid. The market dynamics for audio are currently shaky, people will normally buy what they can afford, those that can afford those amplifiers already have them, who to sell to becomes a problem.
The danger with being an audiophile lies in the 1 dimensionality view of life.
The danger with being an audiophile lies in the 1 dimensionality view of life.
Love the preamp design with PSU at the bottom in a separate chassis and hiding the plug/socket in the large foot. They have some very good industrial designers. Anyone know if they do all that design in-house?