Let's talk about Buckeye's new 3 channel amp

More fun in  the crazy world of audio.

There's a gap between the case and the top panel. Sometime.

Instead of putting a slight bend in the top to get it to sit flush and look presentable. The possible solutions for the shoddy presentstion includes using countersunk screws to attach the top. This will ensure that a gap is present on every amp he assembles rather than solve the problem. If the round head screws he uses are self tapping they won't last for more than a handful of removals before the case is stripped.

Buckeye says, about the gap:

“Some people could assume that and in turn not want to purchase from me. Their loss.

(In regards to inferring because the case looks sloppy I'm sloppy)”. 

and:

“From day one I've said if someone looks at my cases and says "not for me" regardless of price vs. performance, than my product is not for them. 

If someone infers that a gap in the cover (which I've already said is easily addressed) means my overall workmanship is questionable, there is plenty of evidence to suggest otherwise.” (does the evidence to suggest otherwise include the thd at high power?)

and:

“I don't mind the criticism on looks. I've said and maintained from day one: if cosmetics are important to you, my offerings are not for you.”

So, Buckeye says, let's change the subject:

“On the topic of something more appreciable (performance):

Still running through testing, have excluded quite a bit of possibilities as to what is causing the distortion.

 

 

As you can see, much like so many of these lauded Class D amps the thd performance is at least 10db worse than any Class A/B made in 1985.

I usually associate a level dependent distortion problem with some kind of oscillation in the amplifier in this case, the actual implementation of assembly for an essentially self contained amplifier, improper grounding or the addition of rear panel gain switching unaware of the implications.

The word is that the distortion is inherent to these chip amps:

“Because the ICEPower modules itself have much worse parameters than the Purifi. You cannot fix something that cannot be fixed.”

 Buckeye does not have the on-site facilities to make measurements of their products. Which, these days, means the investment of a laptop, E1DA cosmos adc, load resistors and free software. A hundred people on any given audio forum seem to have more interest in measuring than Buckeye.

There's more to it as the thread is still active over at ASR. The point is that many members there appear to be confusing the simple existence of the Buckeye head honcho on the site as some kind of personal relationship they can depend on when his comments are mostly dismissive and contemptive.

Just as simply saying that he could bend the top panels before installation so that they sit flat he could have ensured that his amps distorted a signal less than what was necessary in the first place instead of pandering to the fanboys that it will be personally taken care of and that he feels sorry for anyone who got the impression that he was incompetent or lazy.

My opinion? The hardware is about as ugly as it gets and anyone can do what he does since you apparently need no special qualifications or resources.