I can relate. I started designing audio equipment in the early 1980s, by the end of the decade I was building high end audio gear for myself and the occasional friend, this grew into a business that by need was mostly focused on repairing vintage gear. I moved into designing and selling tube amps and pre-amps in the 1990s, by the early 2000s this had grown into a little struggling business that was on the verge of some sort of limited success and then the Enron/internet bubble burst followed by 9/11 and the business tanked. All through this it was difficult to find customers, I had plenty of local supporters and a few people who were willing to commit money to the venture or purchase my gear. I was not good at blowing my own horn and never really reached critical mass. I closed the business and moved on - in the decades since I have designed consumer audio, MI electronics, medical, ATE and small appliance electronics and made far more money doing that than I ever would have in audio.
My designs are not generally popular here and go largely unremarked, there are a few people who are interested, and follow along, most of the people who actually build my designs are friends who live relatively local to me and have heard my system and like the way stuff I design performs and sounds. (And like a challenge, mine are generally a bit off the beaten path)
I wish you luck, it is a hard, long climb to recognition and you have your dues to pay. You need to think carefully about whether it is even worth the effort.
My designs are not generally popular here and go largely unremarked, there are a few people who are interested, and follow along, most of the people who actually build my designs are friends who live relatively local to me and have heard my system and like the way stuff I design performs and sounds. (And like a challenge, mine are generally a bit off the beaten path)
I wish you luck, it is a hard, long climb to recognition and you have your dues to pay. You need to think carefully about whether it is even worth the effort.
Yes, the odds of doing well in audio are long. Bad or lukewarm reviews can be disastrous, and there will always be some.
I can most definitely relate.
Have done (and still do) a lot of consultant, research, design and R&D work in loudspeakers, acoustics as well as electronics and PCB design.
A good portion of clients or projects start with a big NDA first.
Meaning I (or other engineers) do all the hard and (very) difficult work, but they walk away with all the credits.
Apparently they have their marketing so strong that there are still many people who don't believe it when I say that some very big names do absolutely nothing in-house themselves.
Second issue, is that most think they can develop the acoustics/speaker part (which they don't) and just need advice/someone for the PCB design. (fixing all the bad design issues as well)
There are very similar stories for engineers who fixed, saved or invented some companies main core business, and were being laid off just like that. I have several friends and co-workers who were in that unfortunate position.
To be very blunt and very honest for once, if you want recognition;
Just market the serious cr*p out of yourself and/or your company.
Or get some fancy prestige role at some big company, research center or university.
Ideally the combination of the two, and people will praise you like a freaking God.
(unfortunately that is not even a joke).
What also works, is having a fancy name on board that doesn't do anything technical, while others (you) are actually the real brains behind a product.
Or just spitting out some patents (were some people never had anything to do with)
Pretty unfair, but that's how it works very often.
But yeah it can be very demotivating sometimes, especially since this field can be pretty toxic at times.
Compared to other fields it also doesn't pay very well either. Some countries even way worse than others.
COVID and chip-shortages also don't really help.
Have done (and still do) a lot of consultant, research, design and R&D work in loudspeakers, acoustics as well as electronics and PCB design.
A good portion of clients or projects start with a big NDA first.
Meaning I (or other engineers) do all the hard and (very) difficult work, but they walk away with all the credits.
Apparently they have their marketing so strong that there are still many people who don't believe it when I say that some very big names do absolutely nothing in-house themselves.
Second issue, is that most think they can develop the acoustics/speaker part (which they don't) and just need advice/someone for the PCB design. (fixing all the bad design issues as well)
There are very similar stories for engineers who fixed, saved or invented some companies main core business, and were being laid off just like that. I have several friends and co-workers who were in that unfortunate position.
To be very blunt and very honest for once, if you want recognition;
Just market the serious cr*p out of yourself and/or your company.
Or get some fancy prestige role at some big company, research center or university.
Ideally the combination of the two, and people will praise you like a freaking God.
(unfortunately that is not even a joke).
What also works, is having a fancy name on board that doesn't do anything technical, while others (you) are actually the real brains behind a product.
Or just spitting out some patents (were some people never had anything to do with)
Pretty unfair, but that's how it works very often.
But yeah it can be very demotivating sometimes, especially since this field can be pretty toxic at times.
Compared to other fields it also doesn't pay very well either. Some countries even way worse than others.
COVID and chip-shortages also don't really help.
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No, I really have been out of business for over 20 years. There was an attempt at licensing some designs a decade or so ago, but that did not pan out. The site is still up but unmaintained, and it does not reflect much if anything I have learned in the ensuing two decades which is a lot.. 🙂 It doesn't reflect my current audio attitude either. I'm a lot less subjective about things than I was. If you are curious it is here www.kta-hifi.net.
This really is a closed chapter in my life story. When I retire I will probably consult, it is very unlikely to be audio related.
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Not sure WHAT are you complaining about??????
Your very first post, so no previous "credentials" to back you:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/please-review-my-first-headphone-amp-design.296204/
started a very active thread, 19 posts in less than 2 weeks, including answers from well known Forum Members such as AndrewT sgrossklass, etc. , reading/analyzing it, offering mods and ideas, the works.
WHAT ELSE are you expecting?
You got above the average interest, and at high level, you got tons of feedback.
I would count by blessings instead.
By the way, nobody asked about your Country of origin, former experience, anything like that, your Circuit was analyzed and discussed at prima facie value ... which is good and honest.
I would be HAPPY with that.
Hey, even if "unmaintained" for years (latest update seems to have been in 2014) your very compact and simple site has a lot of good data and information, still very much valid.
Congratulations.
Thank you JM, coming from you that means quite a lot. You may have just made my day. 😀
Back in the 1970s and 1980s audio was very big. Now most people in the world don't care about audio. They care about cars and that is a big industry. Audio lacks consumers. Recognition is not important because audio is not important.
Back in the 70s/80s one could also start a business from his own garage/workshop and grow from there.
These days, if you want to produce anything substantial, you need investors or need a well filled bank account.
Production and labor costs are otherwise simply WAY to expensive.
Not to talk about any kind of mandatory and VERY expensive UL, FCC and CE certificates.
(which barely existed back then, or at least not as heavily)
I wouldn't call audio small these days with Global Home Audio Equipment Market around $30 Billion or something?
Obviously not nearly as big as the car industry (not even a dent), but not small either.
But the focus has very heavily shifted, the market is pretty saturated as well as controlled by some very big players (who started in the 70s/80s).
Also, in general development seems to reached almost a ceiling, especially compared to the 80s.
When every year some wildly different came out.
Although that also seems the case in the computer industry, were they have been hitting a ceiling pretty hard lately.
Now, all the average person wants or needs is a phone to stream most any music they want, and they already have a phone.
The sound quality is secondary to most. For a shared experience, you can just go to a bar with music.
Once the boomers are all gone (and it won't be long), elaborate home audio systems will be only a toy for the wealthy.
Mostly agree except on a detail of scale: Audio IS very important today; in the old days it meant having at least 1 free hour to sit in the Living Room and enjoy, it was a "unique" experience,well worth it, because for 95% of people "Audio" was provided by a Radio (often AM), tiny inadequate TV speakers and at best some "combination" Radio-Gramophone, through a cheesy speaker mounted in an open back lossy cabinet. Ugh!
Hi Fi as we know it was enjoyed by the RICH.
Then from the 50s on, up to the 70s in USA and the 80s in Japan there was a steady rise in quality and affordability, which put quite acceptable Hi Fi in real widespread use.
Hey, even my Ex (I married in the 80s) , an average office worker, nothing special, as un-techie as can be, already had a Sansui 555 plus matching FM Receiver, turntable and cassette player , into matching speakers of course,simply because "that´s what you needed to listen at Music at home", period.
Meaning it was a very common and even today quite listenable system.
But in the 90´s Audio slowly lost its glamour, it was a given and so not meriting special attention.
Nothing to brag about any more , so people started focusing in other stuff instead.
And then after initial Walkman which was not much more than "a toy", people bit by bit got used to 200mW amps into $7 earphones 🙁
Oh well.
I mean Real Engineer job, not "Sales Engineer" or an administrative job, let alone start an Industry.
But hey, it seems that in China, almost anybody can 😱
Somebody designs and manufactures the zillion trinkets and gadgets which FLOOD our markets today;Alibaba anybody? 😱 😱
Hi Fi as we know it was enjoyed by the RICH.
Then from the 50s on, up to the 70s in USA and the 80s in Japan there was a steady rise in quality and affordability, which put quite acceptable Hi Fi in real widespread use.
Hey, even my Ex (I married in the 80s) , an average office worker, nothing special, as un-techie as can be, already had a Sansui 555 plus matching FM Receiver, turntable and cassette player , into matching speakers of course,simply because "that´s what you needed to listen at Music at home", period.
Meaning it was a very common and even today quite listenable system.
But in the 90´s Audio slowly lost its glamour, it was a given and so not meriting special attention.
Nothing to brag about any more , so people started focusing in other stuff instead.
And then after initial Walkman which was not much more than "a toy", people bit by bit got used to 200mW amps into $7 earphones 🙁
Oh well.
I did (way back then),my Son can´t get a decent Engineer job today
I mean Real Engineer job, not "Sales Engineer" or an administrative job, let alone start an Industry.
But hey, it seems that in China, almost anybody can 😱
Somebody designs and manufactures the zillion trinkets and gadgets which FLOOD our markets today;Alibaba anybody? 😱 😱
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Yes, most people just don't know or care about sound quality, and must or prefer to spend their money elsewhere,
so a race to the bottom is inevitable.
This is a fact. Audio is not even on the radar today. People want small, cheap, mediocre, throw away junk to fulfill their audio needs. And the market delivers.
I have some haters. People (almost all women) think my stuff is ridiculously huge. 1 cubic foot loudspeaker enclosure is unacceptably large. Separate components with fiddly controls (like balance) are confusing and superfluous. My buddy, who loves my stuff, says I build top shelf stuff that nobody wants any more. He's correct of course.
Hi fi used to be prestigious. If you had a nice hi fi in your bedroom or parent's basement you were accorded status. If you had a car (or even better a van) and you had a tape deck (8 track of course) and JC Whitney 6x9s well, don't come a knockin if this ride's a rockin. I was called "The Wizard" in high school. My neighbor was over the other day and saw me soldering something and he asked me if I was a hacker. Such is the change in society.
I have a couple patents, and damn few people, even engineers, understand what they are about. Take satisfaction from those who understand enough to use your work and reproduce it. As others have said, the era of home sound systems is past. Some classic cars (and sound equipment) were works of art, but I have no use for them. In the area of amplifiers, Bruno did something worth paying attention to. Nelson knows all about designs like yours but chooses to 'KISS". We have a couple works of art hung in our home by my daughter, but I have no delusions that any gallery will be wanting them.
Lets put this in perspective.
7.9 billion people.
You build a product and want positive reinforcement. You didn't get the response you expected.
Ask a better question! Did I get any BAD or negative feedback? Believe it or not NO feedback
is great too. It's not a lack of interest, it's a lack or exposure.
Think bigger, go back to the 7.9 figure 🙂
I have a pretty high standard for myself. I own a few different products. I look inside my early
Carys and they look like a tornado hit inside. I have no idea what they were thinking.
I open an Atmosphere or a few others and see pure craftsmanship from start to finish.
I watched a guy solder a VTL monoblock at the factory when they first open the new factory 20+
years ago. He was VERY fast and NO mess anywhere. I know he built that amp faster than
the MESS Cary soldered. Atmosphere is one up from VTL in my opinion.
I say raise your own standards and show better quality. Show great quality through studious
parts selections and the looks of your product inside. Be better, faster an courteous beyond
all other thing. Thank people for their honest response, weather you like it or not.
Outside is the eye candy. You cannot take back a first impression from the average customer.
Tech guys maybe, IF they know they are looking at a working Beta and a series of changes to
come from THEIR feedback on YOUR product. They are gonna be your friend if you listen.
Your physical location surely can be an issue only if you let it be.
Logistics is a skill that can make or break a company or an idea.
Negotiate the absolute BEST shipping you can, NOW and be quiet about your rates.
No Stinkin' Thinkin'! Ask quality question and you will get quality answers. NO PARTNERS!!!
If you have one, start over. LOL
Good luck. May your solder flow in a perfect way. Chin up, Shoulders Back!
7.9 billion people.
You build a product and want positive reinforcement. You didn't get the response you expected.
Ask a better question! Did I get any BAD or negative feedback? Believe it or not NO feedback
is great too. It's not a lack of interest, it's a lack or exposure.
Think bigger, go back to the 7.9 figure 🙂
I have a pretty high standard for myself. I own a few different products. I look inside my early
Carys and they look like a tornado hit inside. I have no idea what they were thinking.
I open an Atmosphere or a few others and see pure craftsmanship from start to finish.
I watched a guy solder a VTL monoblock at the factory when they first open the new factory 20+
years ago. He was VERY fast and NO mess anywhere. I know he built that amp faster than
the MESS Cary soldered. Atmosphere is one up from VTL in my opinion.
I say raise your own standards and show better quality. Show great quality through studious
parts selections and the looks of your product inside. Be better, faster an courteous beyond
all other thing. Thank people for their honest response, weather you like it or not.
Outside is the eye candy. You cannot take back a first impression from the average customer.
Tech guys maybe, IF they know they are looking at a working Beta and a series of changes to
come from THEIR feedback on YOUR product. They are gonna be your friend if you listen.
Your physical location surely can be an issue only if you let it be.
Logistics is a skill that can make or break a company or an idea.
Negotiate the absolute BEST shipping you can, NOW and be quiet about your rates.
No Stinkin' Thinkin'! Ask quality question and you will get quality answers. NO PARTNERS!!!
If you have one, start over. LOL
Good luck. May your solder flow in a perfect way. Chin up, Shoulders Back!
Most high tech regions of the U.S. are desperate for engineers of all types, but in particular old school electrical engineers, perhaps ideally with some embedded device experience. It's a real problem, I know because I manage a perennially understaffed EE group at a large multi-national. This extends to all levels of engineering experience by the way.
One barrier to appreciation you have in this case is the relative complexity of the circuit. I find that the most appreciated DIY circuits are fairly simple, making them easier to understand and less intimidating to build.
Interesting point because it supposed to be simple. Just a bootstrapped LTP feeding the totem-pole output arrangement and nothing more. I bet as a high skilled engineer you see it but I'm not sure about many others. I probably should've made a simplified schematic as you usually do.