FAQ

No, I’ve spent much time learning how to implement all of the circuits so that all of my products are dead quiet in terms of self-noise (buzz or hum from the transformers), as well as noise from the speakers. Sometimes hiss from the tweeters occurs, but this is an issue of too much gain. In this case, all of my preamps offer an output level control to mitigate it and lower the gain, thus the noise floor.

Tubes can be very reliable, and in many cases a set of power tubes can last you a couple of years. Of course there are tubes that are built more robustly than others, and as well others that are built cheaply. So just like any electronic device a reputable unit will last much longer than a cheaply built product.

This is a common issue because there are no set rules for input sensitivity of amplifiers, and output voltage of preamps. I design all of my preamplifiers with an “Output Level” control to gain match to your amp. This allows the user 5 different steps, from unity gain all of the way up to 20 db if needed.

I do handle this on a case by case basis, but in a nutshell I would have to be able to sell the amplifier on the used market which requires some sort of markdown to make it feasible. In most cases I will offer to list and sell the amplifier for you on Audiogon or another used equipment site and you would be in control of accepting any offers and the monies would be transferred to your new build (less any Paypal, listing or shipping fees).

Not all components are made equally. Many are mass produced overseas and use circuit boards which are assembled cheaply and use low tier components. I build all of my products by hand, and point to point wire them using reliable components that I have tested and found to excel in a given circuit. For example, I use Vishay film capacitors in my power supplies, toroidal power transformers, chokes, fast-recovery diodes and many other reputable, medical or industrial quality brands. Even the switches for power and IEC jacks are made by NKK and Delta respectively and not low quality knockoffs (which are much cheaper in price). So while there are ways to make a product cheaper, these are not the products I offer.

The pictures are simply representative of what I can build, and they do not have to be built in the same wood as shown in the photo. If you see a wood option on one of my other products that you like, feel free to request it. In most cases using a single species of wood is the same price, however the “striped” wood options are usually a modest upcharge (additional cost of wood + labor).