2. amps-preamps
  3. 1335060111

Amp design logic

I hope you'll excuse my absolute and obvious ignorance...but this is a sincere question.

I don't get why one company is selling a new tube amp for ~$1000, and another is selling one for ~$50,000. What is one paying for? The proprietary circuit design?

Surely if one adds up the cost of the parts, trannies, chassis, etc. it's not worth $50K.

I accept that the more expensive one sounds lots, lots better. But what makes the price so high? Demand?

I think given a circuit diagram from a repair manual, I could eventually build most tube amps from scratch, using the absolute best of each part available. After I learn to solder. For less than $50K, just buying the best cap, resistor, wire, etc. made, for each part, I could slowly build an amp equal to the best in the world. So I don't get it.

What makes an amp worth $50K? It can only be the proprietary tube amp design.

Maybe another factor is the transformers. Each company seems to have their own iron, but that can't be a significant part of $50K?

Thanks, just really wondering about this. And wondering why don't I just make my own? If I buy one part at a time, eventually I can have the best amp there can be.

Jim
river251

Showing 3 responses by jmcgrogan2

jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
What's the difference between a $2.4 million Bugatti Veyron and a $12,000 Chevrolet Aveo? They both get you from point A to point B.

I guess it's just a good thing that you are not asking about the REALLY expensive amplifiers. Sheesh....
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
As Minor1 has stated, there are many who have failed in this business. Many times that is due to cutting their margins too thin, or under-estimating their "true" costs. Trying to make something that is "too good of a deal" is a good way to go out of business. Great posts by Al and Byron too.

A manufacturer has to realize when a certain item is "too good" of a value and is dragging him down. I know of a manufacturer who is still in business, who stopped manufacturing a $6500 integrated amp because "he couldn't make any money on it". Knowing when to show 'em and knowing when to fold 'em is critical for staying alive in this, or any other business.

Cheers,
John
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Mechans, there is a difference between a modification and a straight parts swap as the OP is suggesting. Taking a $1000 amp and just putting premium parts in it. I have heard several modifications, mostly to digital gear, but also with amps. Some make a big improvement, some, not so much so. However, a modification implys a circuit (re)design, not simply a parts swap.
More to discover