Our latest kit - Moreplay

[AstromanoftheFuture]

Hi Doc,

Are you guys also working on a new affordable poweramp that would go along with the Moreplay? I was looking for something similar to the Smash/Seductor combination. If so, what is the approx. time frame? I had originally planned on getting two Seductors and wiring them as monoblocks, but it got discontinued before I could pounce on a second Seductor kit...I have a maxed-out Smash that is looking for some buddies...
Thanks!
FS

I was wondering this myself! I missed out on the Seductor (and have been looking for one on the used market!). If I remember correctly that kit wasn’t a big seller, so maybe an “entry level” tube power amp just isn’t in the cards...

[Doc B.]

The entry level amp has been the Bottlehead battle of the ages. I keep rejecting everything the guys come up with that is truly a budget price, I'm sure to their frustration. But we're not giving up.

[FS]

Thanks Doc. So what was wrong with the Seductor? Was it just low sales? I think that it is a great package, sounds very beefy when compared to my Stereomour. 
I love it. And the use of affordable tubes really appeals to me. I would be reluctant to take out a second mortgage just to get another 45... And the amp really heats my library too, which is a bonus in winter...
Cheers,
FS

[Natural Sound]

The entry level amp has been the Bottlehead battle of the ages. I keep rejecting everything the guys come up with that is truly a budget price, I'm sure to their frustration. But we're not giving up.

IMHO You hit a good price point with this pre-amp. I hope you sell a ton of them.

[AB2KH]

Doc, PB,

Does the balance control have a center detent or are the wipers on a continuous track?

Thanks,
Chris/AB2KH

[Paul Birkeland]

It's continuous.

[Doc B.]

Thanks Doc. So what was wrong with the Seductor? Was it just low sales?

Yes, sales were a little too slow to justify the space the inventory took up. And as we have worked to make our program more efficient in the past year (it's just Eileen and I packing kits these days and parts inventory has been beefed up considerably) we have to consider the best use of our more limited labor. That becomes more efficient when we can focus time spent on a good sized run of a single kit product rather than onsey-twosies of some of the slower selling products.

[Nignoog]

I am the proud own of a Bottlehead Crack and I am intrigued by the Moreplay for my solid state headphone amp. Eventually, I want to get a speaker amp and use the Moreplay for that as well. For someone who is somewhat ignorant to the function of a tube preamp, what type of sonic change could one expect with this? Is it more volume? Clarity? Warmth? Thanks so much!

[Nignoog]

If someone has a chance, I would love an answer to my questions above. I am having a hard time finding resources online, so I'd welcome the opportunity to learn from you. Thanks.

[Paul Birkeland]

Hmm, I had thought I posted an answer, but I suppose not.

The Moreplay isn't necessarily a good fit ahead of a solid state headphone amp, as the extra gain wouldn't be particularly helpful in any way that I could think of. 

With a speaker amp (tube or solid state), then you would get some extra warmth and tubiness out of the Moreplay and the extra gain can be helpful as well if you need it. 

[rockdrummer]

Hello, I’m excited regardless because of this piece. But is it an upgrade from the Quickie to the new Moreplay? My quickie started giving me fits and I am hoping this is a jump up.

Now I need to look back on how I finished they base for my stereomour l. I can’t remember🤔

Ben

[Doc B.]

Yes it is a definite step up in terms of flexibility and ease of use. Sonically I would say they are equal with slightly different character. The Quickie is a little more lush and full bodied, the Moreplay is a little more resolving with extra good imaging. That said they are both tube preamps and are fundamentally more alike than different.

[rockdrummer]

Great to hear!  I am looking for the most imaging I can get.

Thanks
Ben

[ejb14]

This kit is very attractive/exciting..

I listen to headphones (HD-650s) a lot on my S.E.X. 3.0 amp; I currently am using a Heron VTSP-1A preamp with the S.E.X. amp, and the two work very well together. I wouldn't expect the Moreplay to "outdo" the Heron - but I love building my own stuff and then upgrading it over time.

Two questions:
1. Would the Moreplay work well with the S.E.X. 3.0, particularly though the headphone output?
2. Could I add another input to the Moreplay later on if I wanted to (I run two turntables, a DAC, and a tuner)

Thanks and keep up the good work!
-Ed

[Paul Birkeland]

Sure, you could put a Moreplay in front of a SEX to get some extra inputs.  Adding a fourth input to the Moreplay gets to be kind of challenging, but you could purchase a Goldpoint selector switch to get that done and get the extra position on the selector switch.