??? Established Manufacturer or Take A Chance ???

Not a Hypothetical but a strong possibility is able to be realised.

Soulution Power Amp Current Seen Price £35K  ( Current Seen Used Sale Item witnessed - New euro 43K - Sale Price euro 16.5K)

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The Following is a very recent used Item sale Ad for a high quality build of a Neurochrome Module 686 Power Amp, which is Typically about £3K to own as a Built Product.

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**Details:**
- Neurochrome 686: 180W per channel into 8Ω, ultra-low distortion, reference-grade transparency
- Wired with SAEC triple C
- Solid Copper RCA outputs and inputs
- Bigbottle Audio PSU: Custom linear design, premium components, dead silent operation
- Condition: Excellent, lightly used
- Location: Nantwich South Cheshire
- Price: £1800
- Shipping: Available at buyer’s expense, collection welcome. Or will deliver within a reasonable driving time of South Cheshire

If you’re looking for an amp that genuinely elevates your system—something that brings music to life with honesty and emotion—this is it. 

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I have heard the Neurochrome Model not produced to this Spec' as an A/B comparison against a Soulution Power Amp' with both Amp' owners present and a group of about 20 in attendance. 

The Neurochrome for the duration of the comparisons was not noticeably bettered in any area of performance by the Soulution Amp'. The very expensive system in use was totally at home with either Amp in use.

As a new Purchase there is easily remaining in a Coffer £32ishK is the N'chrome is selected as the purchase.

As used Purchase a Vendor will be settling for depreciation of appox' £18K with a Soulution being sold on or £1.2K with the N'chrome being sold on.

In another way of putting it, the Soulution either Newly Purchased or as Used Purchase is close to the N'chrome for the costings for the BOM for components used for the electronics and supporting the function of the electronics. Aesthetics and the Casing is a separate concern.  

The N'chrome as a used Item Purchase is now with a cost that is less than the BOM for the parts required to produce the finished working model.

The N'chrome as one example of an alternative Amp' to the Well Exposed Brands operating in the Mainstream Markets, whose offerings are only able to be acquired at a substantial cost.

Owning an N'chrome Model or alternative design from another producer whose designs come with similar appraisals, is not a sideways move or a wrong move. It is a very sensible way forward to Upgrade Sound and have a substantial amount of monies reserved while doing so.

A friend has very very recently ventured into producing an Power Amp' at a very similar cost to the Built N'chrome 686, using a very high quality Power Supply, along with a selection of Boutique Parts, all internally wired with PC Triple C.

When this Amp' was debuted at the UK Cranage Show recently, it was immediately taken to by a selection of show visitors and a lot of orders are already taken for customers.

There were probably Amp's in use at very close proximity to the debuted Amp' that were costing up to 40x the asking price for this turn key model.

I am invited to hear an early production of the debuted model in a Home System I am familiar with in late October.

As I am investigating SS Amp's at the present vs my Valve Amp's this is timely.

My own early experiences, have me knowing when it comes to commercial Amp's in either Valve or SS, the price range where I sense my Amp's are being discernibly competed with is in the region of purchases that are £60K+.         

For me, it depends. the highest priced component I would stick with establish folks, and the more affordable ones, I can take a chance.

@freediver @pindac 

https://a.co/d/8dFC8ya

The belief that " if something is expensive, it must be good " is influenced by several psychological and social factors:

1. Perceived Quality: Higher prices often signal better quality. Consumers may assume that more expensive products use superior materials or craftsmanship.
2. Scarcity and Exclusivity: Expensive items are often less accessible, creating a sense of exclusivity. People may value these items more because they are not widely available, leading to a perception of higher status.
3. Social Proof: When people see others purchasing expensive items, it can create a bandwagon effect. If many people believe something is worth its high price, others may follow suit to align with that social norm.
4. Brand Influence: Established brands often charge more due to their reputation. Consumers may trust these brands more, associating their higher prices with reliability and prestige.
5. Cognitive Dissonance: After spending a significant amount of money, consumers may rationalize their purchase by believing the product is of high quality, even if it may not be.
6. Marketing and Advertising: Luxury brands often use marketing strategies that emphasize quality and exclusivity, reinforcing the idea that their higher prices reflect superior products.

Overall, these factors create a psychological association between price and quality, leading many to prefer more expensive options.

How it is so very liberating to not be captured by the Influences of widely exposed Branding and the Brands careful adoption of Psychological Manipulation using Mirroring Techniques.

If individuals really want to be lead into the ensnarement and believe whilst ensnared, that they must part with a particular amount of money to achieve a certain type of End Sound, that is way beyond what lesser costing purchases can offer, who am I to suggest these individuals consider a different option to create a version of an End Sound.

If an individual is curious as to whether they need to venture into the world of investigating widely exposed Brands to achieve a certain type of End Sound, or if End Sound can be attained that is parity or better from lesser costing options. These individuals do not need to look to far, as I have supplied a very very good starting place for them to commence a investigation.        

It's an interesting question.  Ten or twenty years ago there was a fad for what I call "gutbucket" amps, old PA or organ amps hacked up, spray painted weird colors and purporting to have a "magical" sound.  Most of them were junk.  But there are some very good boutique amp builders out there today who can use high-end components and interesting designs that aren't cost-efficient for a large manufacturer.  In fact, some boutique amps from the 80's, 90's and even 2000's have achieved legendary status and command pretty good prices.

First of all, I think that you have to have some experience, enough to know what you want.  You've determined that CJ or Cary or Rogue or McIntosh or whoever aren't offering what you crave.  You're looking for something really special.  SNS makes a very valid point that for truly special SET amps, you're almost forced to seek a bespoke amp because there are so few "commercial" offerings out there.

I think there are a few things that need to be considered. 

1. Resale value.  Best not to think about that.  If it's a really well-made piece, and you find after a time that you want to move on, chances are someone will want it.  But bespoke amps are not for eternal swappers.
2. Build quality.  It should be obvious even to the untrained eye, but you can always ask others to take a look and see what they think.  A photo of the underside should really be part of the buying process.
3. Circuit design.  Will ANYONE else down the road be able to figure it out?  If not, you might want to stay away.
4. Support.  Will the builder stand behind the amp, come what may?
5. Schematic.  Will the builder provide a schematic?  The truth is, there's almost nothing new under the sun when it comes to tubes.  And really, what's the big secret?  Are thousands of DIYers going to copy your amp?

I build Williamson amplifiers.  That's all I build, but I find them fascinating because every build offers new challenges and rewards--a different output tube, a different output transformer, a new trick in the power supply.  I'm like the character in the Inspector Wallender mysteries who only paints one painting, over and over. ;-)  But here's the thing: A Williamson is a Williamson.  Any tech, or even a skilled amateur, can diagnose and repair it.  I provide a schematic.  You want to copy it?  Be my guest!  I authored a thread over at diyaudioprojects.com showing you how to do it, and even posted the gerbers for the PCBs I had designed. (BTW, there's NOTHING wrong with a quality PCB.)

My point is that boutique amps can be very satisfying if there's ample documentation and communication.  But there's no question that it's a risk if you have no idea *what you're looking for.*