Ohm Walsh Micro Talls: who's actually heard 'em?

YEah, not much to go on, but price is right and there is a return policy of some sort if not satisfied.

In the case of D Sonic, where they are dependent on other amp module manufacturers for the main engine, I personally wish they would be a little more transparent about whats inside the box. Sound could change drastically from model to model if a different Class D amp engine is used. Different may or may not be better. Plus there is no "house sound". It could vary largely over time, for better or for worse. But again, the price will always probably be right, and that does matter.

It's ironic that Map's wish for more transparency appears on the endless Ohm Walsh thread, since Ohm has never been known for being open about what's in their cans.

I suspect those class D modules are very cheap (not in quality or build, but in price), highly standardized, and substitutable. Not what you want to broadcast in a market that thrives on mystique (and at times audiophiles' willful suspension of disbelief).

Companies using these types of modular components, probably the majority out there to one extent or another, have to manage their supply networks and quality control to maintain standards, let alone a "house sound." The problem is that this management task is often made more difficult by cutthroat price-based competition among suppliers of standardized commodity goods. These newer manufactures also haven't been around long enough to establish a clear house sound and reputations for maintaining it.

This is where Ohm is distinctive and special. I've heard that the components used vary even within the same model and vintage. BUT, Ohm has a decades-long track record of almost obsessive, monomaniacal preservation and refinement of the house sound. Wanna know what's in the can? Tough. But you know in advance the character of the sound will come out of it, regardless of model.

Is there any other audio manufacturer that is comparable in this respect?

"It's ironic that Map's wish for more transparency appears on the endless Ohm Walsh thread, since Ohm has never been known for being open about what's in their cans. "

Yes, it is and has been noted, but the OHM and D Sonic cases are not comparable otherwise IMHO. OHM has a long history, a dedicated customer base to go with it, and control over what goes into the can to make it "sound like an OHM".

Not the case at this point yet anyhow with D-Sonic.

Like Billy Joel sang, "It's a mater of trust...."

"This is where Ohm is distinctive and special. I've heard that the components used vary even within the same model and vintage. BUT, Ohm has a decades-long track record of almost obsessive, monomaniacal preservation and refinement of the house sound. Wanna know what's in the can? Tough. But you know in advance the character of the sound will come out of it, regardless of model.

Is there any other audio manufacturer that is comparable in this respect?"

The one that comes to mind is Audio Research. In the speaker world, maybe Klipsch or Magnepan are in the same category historically, though perhaps not quite to the same extent in regards to reliance mainly on a particular house sound in that their designs have tended to vary more over time and the drivers that make it happen are generally in plain view..

Exactly. That was my main point too.