Yeah, not intended to be kept a secret. The parts express drivers are pretty good and will give us an option for long term replacements. Lyeco in Taiwan builds them for them and they are quite consistent.
I did design a 12" subwoofer that would have been a good candidate for this design but it didn’t make sense to do a full production run on it for this application, and with 12 drivers in the system.
I’ll share some more information on the AN series drivers coming up but they are bespoke units (the only component that we didn’t design tool was the cast frames) and I’m very pleased with the performance.
Oh well, the new Thorens TD 1601, prototypes are made in Taiwan, I believe the last word about production is China. So is the iPhone on which I type this message.
This is OK to as long as it is advertised and I can take a conscious decision of what I buy and where it comes from. I prefer to buy locally produced equipment. But the comparable TurnTable: yes the race is on again, the Linn LP12 Akurate is double the price and does not offer the comfort the Thorens TD1601 offers. Still the Linn is an icon but so is the retro yet modern technology Thorens. If I’d buy it with black high gloss plinth it would look really good between the AN3’s. I emphasize would, they will certainly be above my budget even if I stretch it.
It slipped out today that my choice of speaker manufacturer, Harbeth, are demonstrating the first of a new series of speakers. This happens, like … never. Alan Shaw has designed it in complete secrecy, no one else has seen or heard it, not even at Harbeth. He runs a forum like this, and never lets on what he’s up to, and this new product will be played in public in 2 weeks from tomorrow at the largest audio show in the UK. I do wonder whether it is better to give advance notice of new products or surprise everyone.
That is fun news for Harby fans. Similarly, one of my fave pro audio brands, Universal Audio, recently teased a new product one week before announcing it at NAMM. 5-6 years in development, and not a peep. Aside from the fact that someone had noted patents had been filed in December.
The relevant Boards went nuts (having no idea what it was to be) for a week, going through pretty much everything that goes on here for months or years ; )
Leica have secret reviewers who demo new products, then have a surprise launch with reviews. They then take loads of orders and you have to wait 6 months for delivery!
Alan Shaw has said that he’s put the factory on standby for big production levels, but won’t find out what the product is until 21 Feb.
On the serious side, I am eager to hear and see continued progress and final result on PS Audio speakers. Bringing together what Arnie started, combined with Chris’s more up-to-date speaker/driver experience, Darren’s detailed hearing and Paul’s history and passion in making products that simply sound great. This has potential to be something truly special, and I am enjoying seeing updated photos and videos from time to time. As we can all see, this is a journey that takes time in order to get it right.
I agree. Further updates would be most welcome. No doubt many talents are involved in bringing this product to fruition. However, the danger of group involvement is that nothing gets a final ok until all parties have lost interest. I’m hoping for the best, as the driver technology looks promising.
I agree. It made no sense to me at the outset to design a high-end loudspeaker without propietary drivers. It took a few years to reach that conclusion. Only recently did I understand that Arnie Nudell’s idea was to use servo control to improve the performance of relatively cheap drivers. Now they have a new proprietary driver and no servo control. The performance of the concentric mid/treble ribbons are more interesting. Then the whole thing has to work together!
