I too enjoy beefy caps & transformers, apparently!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen the bottom of my gear, except for some tiny Schiit and Fosi stuff for my desktop system…
Just figured out when I purchased the Airtight. It was 25 years ago.
A long time, obviously. That explains a lot for sure.
As to looks and pricing, Paul might consider sourcing the bottom plates from used sheets. Good for carbon footprint and (in some markets) for promotional purposes. In that case, the no-looks is proving a point.
The Airtight choice of the copper base could have been chosen for practical purposes as well. Chassis with thick copper bars or plates
are a good indication that they take their grounding seriously.
Yes I’m sure it wasn’t merely for cosmetics.
Everything about that amp exuded perfection, down to the finest details.
@Job_Jalink That’s a clever concept.
Picture please
Folks, beware of upcoming censorship of dirty pictures!
You funny! I’m not moving it…
I don’t care what a preamp’s bottom panel looks like as long as it doesn’t have a negative effect on sound. In looking for a potential replacement for my BHK preamp (though I’m not in a hurry), I’ve narrowed my choices to the PMG Signature and the Backert Rhumba Extreme. The Backert Labs website shows the all-brass bottom panel on the Rhumba Extreme, and the panel is claimed to provide more holographic and natural sound quality. From Paul’s comments above, it sounds like PS Audio also wants to be sure that any efforts to make the PMG bottom panel look prettier won’t compromise sound quality.
For me, sound quality, cost, convenience, and reliability are the most important factors affecting my preamp choice. The list prices of the PMG and the Backert are similar, but PS Audio will give me a decent trade-in on my BHK pre, and I’d be on my own in selling the BHK if I went the Backert route. I like the convenience and reliability of not messing with tubes, but I don’t want to give up good sound. Both PSA and Backert allow a brief home trial, but PSA’s is longer and I can’t count on an overlapping trial to do a direct sound comparison.
It’s amazing how this discussion of “dirty bottoms” on preamps can feed into my audio obsession, but this preoccupation really is a dangerous sickness. Thanks for any additional advice from those who have experienced similar obsessions of their own.
yikes, they doctor it? if so that would be a lie
Truth in advertising?
My advice? Let the obsession have measured somewhat free reign. It will either lead to interesting change or fizzle out.
Sorry totally disagree, just my opinion
Now that looks like a finished product!
I wonder if that was how it was designed at first, but cost cutting due to tariffs etc. resulted in that now infamous dirty bottom…
Much ado.