What a cool looking amp!

[Structo]

Which caps?

The Mallory's?

Carbon comps?

[dave g]

Does anybody else feel that the cheapo caps, resistors, and pots are out of place?

Huh?

[mtheory]

All I'm saying is that, if I'd have gone to the extreme trouble to produce what is clearly a very unique product, and one that appears to be built with exquisite attention to fine detail, I would've used the finest components available.

Is someone going to argue that sovteks, alphas, and spragues are the finest parts available? How about CC resistors? Is anybody really going to argue that CC is the finest material to build resistors out of? I'll give you some leeway in terms of the mystical mojo factor, for those who swear by it and don't mind added noise, but in the technical scheme of things, CC is definitely NOT the finest material to build from these days. As for the Mallory film caps, yes you can do worse. But, you can also do better, and that's my point.

They're beautiful amps, no doubt. Not the least bit practical for typical gig work, imo, but stunningly beautiful and unique. I'd just have gone for premium quality components throughout, that's all.

[mlp-mx6]

More Expensive does not necessarily equal best tone.

Ken Fischer and Dumble both used Alpha/Mouser parts, IIRC.

[D-Day]

Perhaps this guy built an amp or two before and he knows what he likes to listen to?

[dave g]

Yeah, alpha pots may be on the "cheapo" side, but you know what? They're quieter, have a smoother taper, and have a better feel than any RV4s I've ever used.

Are you a hi-fi guy? That's really the only reason I can think of that you would prefer metal film resistors.

A lot of really great builders like M150s. A lot of people prefer them to Sozos and Hovlands. If you think spending $50 a pop on teflon coupling caps is a worthwhile thing to do, well...

I personally do not like Sprague Atoms. I wouldn't criticize someone for using them, though.

[mtheory]

More Expensive does not necessarily equal best tone.

That's not a mindset that will help him sell his expensive amps, I'm afraid!

Ken Fischer and Dumble both used Alpha/Mouser parts, IIRC.

FWIW, I don't think it's valid to compare any of today's components to yesterday's, regardless of brand name. Most brand names have been consolidated under just a tiny handful of very large companies, and mass production takes place wherever they can find the cheapest manufacturing costs.

I'm not an expert in this by any means whatsoever, but I have heard with my own ears what Sovtek tubes sound like, and I don't happen to like them at all. I've heard the difference between Mallory and Sozo caps, and I believe that Sozos are audibly superior. As for Sprague and Alpha, I don't personally know anyone, nor have I read of anyone that considers those brand names to offer the finest components available today.

Perhaps this guy built an amp or two before and he knows what he likes to listen to?

Maybe, maybe not. Maybe, he's just installing brand names for the sake of installing brand names, without any consideration to actual quality of those specific components.

I'm extremely impressed at how beautiful these amps are...they're damn impressive looking. I just don't happen to think that top shelf components were selected throughout, that's all. For good or bad...maybe, the cheaper stuff is exactly what makes these amps sound better than any other amp ever built. I have no way of knowing. I'm just pointing out something that I noticed, that's all.

[mtheory]

Are you a hi-fi guy? That's really the only reason I can think of that you would prefer metal film resistors.

Not a hi-fi guy...just a guitar player that likes to fiddle with circuits now and then, and who doesn't like unnecessary noise. I get the whole CC mojo factor thing, but I just don't happen to agree that it's the best route for modern builds. Obviously, some don't agree with that, but that's that whole "tone is subjective" thing. It's hard to argue that CC isn't a "cheapo" component, however, which is what my inital statement was.

Bear in mind, I'm not actually criticizing anyone here. I'm merely pointing something out, that's all. Take it for what it is...an objective observation from a casual glancer, that's all. I'm not saying that there's anything necessarily "wrong" with the amps. I applaud the guy's obvious skills and creative mind, and wish him all the success in the world.