am i the only one that doesn't know what you guys are talking about?!

[4krow]

  We used to reload ammo for the idea of it being cheaper. Now we understand it to be far better than factory loads, and becomes 'dedicated' ammo for your rifle. In the end, it isn't about money, it's about shootin' straight.

[earwaxxer]

Greg.. your depth of experience with life is fascinating! Seriously, I know I dont usually say this to family, but you are one interesting dude!

[4krow]

who are you, and how do you know my language?

[earwaxxer]

Greg, you know who I am! - I'm you're alter ego. The anti-Greg...

[InfernoSTi]

If you want to really learn this stuff, try to build a tube buffer from scratch.  I guarantee you will learn a ton just finding the parts list, figuring out how to connect the wires like the schematic shows, and will be amazed once it passes audio signal that is tube buffered!  That is what I did after about 5 or 6 kits and it really taught me a ton.  And it took me months.  I think I spent a month figuring out a power supply (transformer, bridge rectifier, CRC) for both B+ and heaters.  But it builds a lot of confidence (perhaps too much as I really don't know anything REALLY, just mostly what the parts are). 

And there are two books that if you really like to read that I thought were head and shoulders over the other ones I've seen: "Valve Amplifiers" and "Building Valve Amplifiers" by Morgan Jones.  I read both, then built the tube buffer, then reread both.  I think once I finish my Paramount project (yeah, I know), I'll try to build an amplifier from scratch. 

Interestingly, I have a lot of respect for the top plates with the perfectly placed holes.  This was the hardest part to get right without a shop.  I ended up buying some simple metal punches and using a hand drill...but that square hole never really was square!

In the end, it has to be fun to learn what you can rather than trying to become an expert.  I worked pretty hard for a year and only got as far as feeling comfortable with all the parts on the parts list! 

Best,
John

[STURMJ]

Hunh?

[Chris]

I was so dumb, at first I thought this was a forum for AA members.....

[4krow]

LOL, well not for AA, but another addiction. AND they really only enable here.

[Paully]

Even with all of the expense, I would argue that this is still the cheapest way to great sound.  How much do you think Paramounts or the Eros would cost in a retail environment?  I would think double would be a massive understatement.  It seems to me I see amps in Stereophile that would be equivalent starting at $2,500 and up.  So you get a better amp, with all the tool acquisition it's still cheaper, and when your done you have great sound and you get to keep the tools!  So maybe it is just me, as I have trumpeted before, but I still see this as the best value in audio!

[Aural Robert]

Personally, I don't have a clue. When my Technics 200W amp packed it in on one channel a looong time ago, life and kids and job consumed everything and music was not a priority for quite a few years.

Finally I had time, but didn't want to spend megacoin, but of course wanted the best sound I could get. I found Bottlehead, bought a FPII (11+ years ago now), assembled the proper tools like a temp controlled solder stn, good meter, etc, and built my first kit ever. I can read and follow instructions very well, and the support forum convinced me I could do it. And damn, it actually WORKED!!!! I went on to do some tweaks based on info on the forum, and then built a set of Paramours and a Seduction based on my success with the FP. And they worked too, and continue to work to this day.

A few months ago I bought Doc's Vinyl Lover's Deal and am now building a whole new system - Eros, BeePre, and Paramounts. I still have no clue as to how this really all works. My friends and family are all amazed at the results and the awesome sound. As am I of course. I love my system, and I am extremely proud that I built it.

I remember when I first got things running, my youngest son had some friends over and they were listening and he said "Look at this guys -- no tone controls!!!" A very interesting observation I thought.

If you really want to get overwhelmed, try reading some of the digital forums, even on this board. Yikes, analog is so simple in comparison.

Aural Robert.
... PLAY LOUD ...