Solid State Phono Stages

It is a term used by Guitarists to describe their insights to produce a uniqueness to the sound they are capable of creating.

BB King once stated something like, " If a very well known Guitarist is Front Row  at a show, turn your back on them, as they are there to steal your 'hooks'. "

Jeff Beck is renowned for being the Guitarist who has had most 'hooks' plagiarised.

EE's who I discuss things with use 'hook', it is this terminology that suggests there is experiences being used to produce a sonic, that is manifesting from the creation of a unique circuitry/topology or component treatments that are instrumental in creating a unique sonic signature.

This is where Bespoke Design/Built is difficult to describe, it is not something readily available to be heard in use. Assessments made are for the best, if an experience has been encountered, the impression being made on a listener is then much better understood.        

So a hook is a characteristic coloration that pleases the listener(?) Because electric guitars are deliberately distorted at the source.

If that is your understanding at this point, then I will leave it there.

I am much more comfortable with and would prefer to suggest, that in relation to an Audio Device, the Hook is the method used by the very experienced EE, to remove/minimise the perception of a colouration being present in the produced sonic.  

Maybe it will be better identified, if a visit to the last few pages of the Thread covering the recent released design for a 300b.

The Engineers offering descriptions are in my view, whilst also being careful in how they reveal information relating to a Hook or Design founded through their own experiences and specifically utilised for the Circuit/Topology of the 300b Design under discussion. 

I 100% support the protective nature/ring of steel, that an EE's can request to be in place relating to their work.

It is my sensitivity toward these requests and my proven track record for 'keeping mum',  that has been instrumental in my being invited to experience a selection of Prototype Designs being produced over the past years.

From the EE's perspective a set of ears without ulterior motives is surely something valuable to have at hand.

I’m just questioning the semantics. If a hook is a design element that leads to exceptional neutrality, then it ought not to be analogized to a guitar amplifier, which is deliberately designed not to be neutral. If I were designing a tube amp for exceptional neutrality, the first thing I would do is not use the 300B output tube. This is not to say I categorically dislike 300B amps, but they do have their inherently non-neutral character at frequency extremes while also capable of a heavenly midrange when paired with the right speaker.

My last few listening experiences have been all about the 300b.

I have been introduced to a P-P 300b produced in the 90's, with an overview of the pre production design carried out by Tim De Paravicini, the Tranx's Winding are certainly being described as TDP Legacy.

I have been demo'd this on three occasions over the past weeks.

Once in the owners system and compared to their VAC Integrated Amp, that the 300b is seemly superseding.

The Second, in the same system but used to present the demo' of recent changes to a Tonearm nearly at its final finish as a design.

The most recent being in another system and compared to the resident Power Amp in this system. The 300b had undergone scrutinization of the circuit and components, and had undergone changes made to the circuit prior to this latest demo'.

Not at any time has it presented a sonic that can be described as unattractive in any way. When driving the Klipsch Jubilees, the experience was something quite special, I was feeling very blessed at the opportunity to be present.

During the last demonstration, the modified 300b Klipsch Horns, was eventually  used in conjunction with my Prototype Pre-Amp being built. I feel confident in claiming the experience was underpinned in a way that was unimaginable.

This Month there is a demo' being arranged in another system using SET 300b Monoblocks.

My 845 Designer/Builder has last year completed a 300b build for a customer with a long term relationship as per mine. The Designer/Builder is keen for me to make an arrangement to meet with this customer and experience this 300b Amp' in use.

I'm a little stretched at present and can't fit it all in.

I still have not arranged to visit the Verismo Owner who kindly offered a demo, or the builder of the DML Panel Speakers I supplied a material sample to for trialing purposes, which went down rather well, and further supplies are being requested. 

Along with this, there is the need for me to be available for supporting the recent decision to invest in to a SS Phon'.

The Trials agreed that can be undertaken, on this design, that is already very attractive in use. Will allow for me to supply components of my choice to be added, with the intention to tweak the design to my unique preference.

The too and from the EE, Will absorb at least Four visits, adding up to approx' 1000 miles in round trips. 

I would really enjoy the opportunity to receive a demo' of the Verismo through this Phon'.