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An analogue preamp designer question

Hi everyone,

I'm working on a design of analog preamplifier with a fully mechanical controls. It has decent tactile experience, and very nice to play with. At the same it it has precise controls calibration and parametric EQ instead of generic tone control. The front panel is aluminium milled. The brand is entirely new, it is going to be our first device. The retail price could be something like $2500.

Functional:

  • 6 line inputs,
  • integrated phono preamp with discreet MC stage,  op-amp based MM with a 3-rd order subsonic filter,
  • integrated headphone amplifier,
  • tape replay support,
  • good electronics, should measure really well.
  • Dimensions: 435 x 241 x 42 mm (17.1 x 9.5 x 1.6 inches)

Problems found so far:

  • absence of remote control,
  • slightly industrial look: industrial aluminium profiles on the sides, iron painted top cover,
  • headphone controls are unusable when the jack is inserted, too little space.

Please help me find out which direction I should be moving this product for a better market fit, and a successful sales.

Possible options are:

  1. Go down with the price, instead of $2500 it could be say $900. Of course there will be no aluminium knobs, and front panel, the whole enclosure will be made from iron sheet, possibly knobs will be made of plastic
  2. Make it less PRO: remove controls calibration, simplify tone control
  3. Add digital inputs: S/PDIF, Bluetooth, etc
  4. Change the dimensions, so it is easier to put a turntable on it, or find a furniture
  5. your option

Thank you for all the thoughts!

Pictures:

Front view

back view

See more pictures in the following GDrive folder https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16WM_ciXyQmUlHIxwDMZ85MbP_raGGvtW?usp=sharing

sibiryakov
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,103 posts
 

A remote control is very practical...

But because of what you described it is not priority...

I listen to audiophile sound not to convenient tool for anything but music...

It is me for sure... I would also like a remote control... But i dont need it for audio sound experience which is my priority...Anyway i am in headphone listenin and i seat beside the headphone amp... I am not a representative customers for your pre-amp...

Nowadays people use headphone as often if not much often than dedicated speakers system...Especially the young... Then why not introducing them to good sound with a pre-amp made for speakers system ?

You kill two birds with one stone...

And yes the volume pot tactile experience or any control count to... Quality of design is the promise for a quality of sound..

i like your description about "colors inside"..

 

By the way i dont like push-buttonon/off ... i prefer turning button...But this is my taste...

BTW in the device above, the buttons are having orange, yellow and blue shutters inside, so when you press it, it mechanically becomes colored from inside.

My question is do people in hi-end/hi-fi really care of tactile experience?

 

raysmtb1's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
raysmtb1
800 posts
 

I’d like the tactile experience… I understand your point. I bought a bunch of different Macintosh products, and they try to mix the two together. It’s not easy and I’m sure not cheap.

testrun
234 posts
 

I’d like a remote with volume and on/off if the helps.  Over the years I’ve kind of gravities to pres about a 1/2 in taller not sure why.  Today the be tactile feel I’ve have found is the Bricasti volume control on their DACs.  Try an M3 if possible it is the first piece of equipment I’ve owned in 49 years where tactile feel was something that I felt “wow”.  Most are either non issue or I hate this it ferls cheap!  My two cents.  Probably worth that as well.  Pics look great good luck!  

sibiryakov OP
3 posts
 

Thank you for all your feedback everyone! Implementing remote control only for volume, muting, power/stand by was exactly our idea for the second version. Detailed renders of a second version can be seen here https://www.facebook.com/ZlatoustAudio/posts/pfbid0ZDCv7s5mQQfTcFhyEyB5zduqwhHbkGUM9bTFTYCTGS3tNtw6WwqJZnALwZR2DSg9l 

Appreciate your feedback!

yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,706 posts
 

How about a mono switch ?

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