The through-hole parts will be used throughout the new power amplifier for several reasons: they handle more power and in this circuit they give us a sound we're looking for. But now it turns out this build technique is vanishing in favor of machines that place the tiny surface mount parts. And we are unwilling to compromise the sound quality.
Most of our products, including the DACS, are all surface mount; and this makes sense because it's important to minimize the distance between parts at the speeds which digital information flows. In fact, you probably couldn't build a proper digital audio product with through-hole. We use surface mount in these products because to do otherwise, would compromise the performance, or would be simply impossible to build. But an analog power amp? Through-hole is the best option.
I am not going to play the part of the grumpy old man wishing for the good old days. But I am going to whine that the art of through-hole analog construction is going the way of the Dodo bird. That does make me grumpy. But we'll soldier on and find a vendor who can make these for us.
Retro
The through-hole parts will be used throughout the new power amplifier for several reasons: they handle more power and in this circuit they give us a sound we're looking for. But now it turns out this build technique is vanishing in favor of machines that place the tiny surface mount parts. And we are unwilling to compromise the sound quality.
Most of our products, including the DACS, are all surface mount; and this makes sense because it's important to minimize the distance between parts at the speeds which digital information flows. In fact, you probably couldn't build a proper digital audio product with through-hole. We use surface mount in these products because to do otherwise, would compromise the performance, or would be simply impossible to build. But an analog power amp? Through-hole is the best option.
I am not going to play the part of the grumpy old man wishing for the good old days. But I am going to whine that the art of through-hole analog construction is going the way of the Dodo bird. That does make me grumpy. But we'll soldier on and find a vendor who can make these for us.
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