A couple of impulse buys

[Jac Hawk]

Have you made sure it actually works? Some of these amps used a module for the power amp which if it needs a new one will render it scrap.... unless you want to pay something like £100 for the module..

It works fine, just the speaker binding posts for speakers need replacing

[Arkless Electronics]

One of the things that impressed me when the first Japanese amplifiers appeared in the UK was the build quality, and the use of solid turned-metal knobs. Quite a change from the plastic 'toothpaste cap' knobs used on British gear. I first saw this on Nikko and Akai integrated amps, and later on Sony and Trio gear.

Hmm... this is an area that intrigues me, hence the thread on "What does well made mean to you?" I started a few months ago... End users often seem to "fall for" the appearance of being well made when the things that matter, on the inside, are anything but! Another aspect that always has me going is when things that don't need to be "well made" ie they are not under much stress or likely to wear, are deliberately made OTT "well made" to add to the appearance of being well made. Solid turned metal knobs is a good example of this, completely unnecessary from an operational, longevity or sound quality POV they merely add to the "feel" and "look" of quality but their cost no doubt means lower quality capacitors etc have been fitted internally. Same with eg 1/2" thick alloy front panels.... Totally pointless and adds a huge amount to the cost which could have been spent where it could improve the SQ and/or longevity of the unit.

[struth]

Great fit n finish are of importance just as much as sonic abilities in my book. Just same as buying a suit..its best to be well made of premium material. Ok a rough bit of hessian will do job but its not quality. Alas you dont get it

[Barry]

If items look like they have been knocked up in a garden shed, then they are not going to attract consumer interest and no one is going to listen to them. The average potential customer is not going to be interested with what is inside the case, and is unlikely to appreciate the difference of one capacitor to another. They might be impressed by the size of the transformer, but that is about all.

I specifically referred to build quality, and to the cosmetics in particular. The latter might seem meretricious to you, but I doubt if the build quality of a typical UK-made amp of the mid to late '60s was any better than the newly imported Japanese gear. The circuit design is a different matter, but I'm not qualified to comment.

[Arkless Electronics]

Great fit n finish are of importance just as much as sonic abilities in my book. Just same as buying a suit..its best to be well made of premium material. Ok a rough bit of hessian will do job but its not quality. Alas you dont get it

Indeed I don't. Hence all equipment I make for myself has no aesthetics to it.. any old case will do. I care ONLY about the sound quality, reliability and longevity. It sickens me to see such things as amps where they do have solid metal knobs and 1/2" front panel but everything not on display is complete cheap shite.... Same to me are kit cars that look stunningly alike to the Ferrari they are mocking but contain a 1.3 Escort engine and chassis... Bag 'o shite!

[struth]

There is also the house proud to think of. Many men and nearly all women are. They dont want an orangebox with pladtic knobs sticking out in the livingroom. If nothing else thats one of the main considerations. Men love silver jobs with more knobs than you can shake a stick at but women prefer something that fades into the background a bit. And they usually get their way.

[Arkless Electronics]

If items look like they have been knocked up in a garden shed, then they are not going to attract consumer interest and no one is going to listen to them. The average potential customer is not going to be interested with what is inside the case, and is unlikely to appreciate the difference of one capacitor to another. They might be impressed by the size of the transformer, but that is about all.

I specifically referred to build quality, and to the cosmetics in particular. The latter might seem meretricious to you, but I doubt if the build quality of a typical UK-made amp of the mid to late '60s was any better than the newly imported Japanese gear. The circuit design is a different matter, but I'm not qualified to comment.

Yes I'm well aware of how the market works... I still think it makes a complete mockery of the founding principles of hi fi and always will though... and the same people who are "unlikely to appreciate the difference of one capacitor to another" will no doubt then claim to hear non existent improvements from mains cables etc! A case of "if you can fit it yourself with no technical knowledge then it's REALLY important".... but if it really is genuinely important but beyond the lay man then "la la la fingers in ears, don't care, don't know, don't want to know".... It nearly drives me to a change of career at times

[Jac Hawk]

I would agree, the finishing touches add to the overall impression of quality, in the case of this amp the front plate and switchgear look like brand new after i've cleaned them, it doesn't matter that it doesn't add anything to the sound quality, it just makes the amp feel nicer to use.

[Barry]

I would agree, the finishing touches add to the overall impression of quality, in the case of this amp the front plate and switchgear look like brand new after i've cleaned them, it doesn't matter that it doesn't add anything to the sound quality, it just makes the amp feel nicer to use.

+1 I expect my preamp would sound just the same if it wasn't fitted with Penny and Giles potentiometers; but the silky smooth feel, and the ability to turn the (machined metal) knobs with one finger simply adds to the enjoyment of use. And I'm not ashamed to admit it.

[Arkless Electronics]

+1 I expect my preamp would sound just the same if it wasn't fitted with Penny and Giles potentiometers; but the silky smooth feel, and the ability to turn the (machined metal knobs) with one finger simply adds to the enjoyment of use. And I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Fine on expensive kit where you know what you're paying for and getting... Not good on cheaper stuff where the SQ has been badly compromised in order to make it look and feel nice.. in my opinion...