2. misc-audio
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small companies making today's best products

i think the audio research, conrad johnson, rolamd, mcintosh, monster cable, esoteric, etc., are superseded in sound quality by many small independent companies which operate direct to the consumer.

most of the comments praising components of different types seem to mention small companies, who do not have dealer networks. why ?

perhaps innovation with out marketing or other constraints enables creativity and thinking outside the box to flourish.

when i consider my own system, i own cables from small companies, digital components from a medium sized and well known company, and an amplifier from a well known company as well as another amp and preamp designed by a retired professor from canada.
mrtennis
audiokinesis
2,737 posts
 
I have learned that getting involved in custom work is a good way to waste a lot of time.

No one who has come to me with their own custom design in mind has ever gone through with placing an order after many hours of research and modelling and revision and phone consultation on my part.

On the other hand, most people who come to me with a specific problem, and let me come up with the solution, have gone through with it when my proposed solution was something custom.

I think many of those in the first category are DIYers posing as serious customers.

Duke
chayro
2,987 posts
 
Mrtennis - which companies have you approached to "modify their designs" for you? I'm not talking about upgraded caps and such, which some of the smaller companies offer, but an actual modified design? Did you supply the specs for the circuit?

Yes, I'm sure some amp builders will do anything you ask for, so long as you don't want to keep sending it back if you don't like it.
mrtennis OP
3,295 posts
 
mike elliot of aria will make significant changes to his aria wt 100 amp.
mrtennis OP
3,295 posts
 
changing op amps, resistors, caps and wiring can significantly alter the sound, same with the connectors. suppose you want to create a certain flavor, the big companies would not change the parts in their designs.

i think there is another company that will design an tube amp for you , i think the name is nightshade. he makes a dac called the lampizator.
herman
2,256 posts
 
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http://www.jeffreywjackson.com/

Jeffrey Jackson builds custom amps and horn speakers that sound wonderful. I believe he'll work with you to design and build just about anything you want. He was on the team that developed the field coil Lowthers that Lowther-America is now selling.

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