"Fleetie" wrote in message
...
Trevor,

Did the thought ever flutter across your mind, that there is
a possibility that, in fact, your opinion of my decision is
a matter of superlative indifference to me?

**Absolutely! I have been discussing the folly of purchasing decisions in
the area of hi fi, since before you were a twinkle in your dad's eye. Your
particular approach is not unlike that of many who precede you. You are not
the first and you will not be the last. For the record: I was building valve
amps long before you were conceived and can always appreciate the qualities
of a well designed, well executed (valve) product. Mediocrity has no place
in my audio world. In the realm of valve amplifiers, there are some
inevitable costs associated with many of the components in those amplifiers.
Those costs preclude any new, cheap valve amps. BTW: IMO, the Quad II is a
fine sounding amplifier (after suitable rebuilding, of course), when used
within its limits. It is almost the equal of this:
http://europe.rotel.com/products/specs/rb03.htm

Having said all that, I always hold the hope that some of what I say will
eventually penetrate. Maybe. There are several immutable facts in this
business:

* People who buy audio equipment, without first evaluating the product/s
deserve all the problems they are likely to encounter.
* Very high quality valve amps (ARC VT100, et al) sound almost
indistinguishable from very high quality SS amps (Krell et al).
* Cheap valve amps sound very different from very high quality (SS or valve)
amps.
* Good quality, inexpensive SS amps sound very similar to very high quality
(SS or valve) amps.

What does that tell you?

I can barely
contain my apathy. I await the next episode of your lonely campaign
with all the interest afforded a fly dying on a window sill by a couple
in mid-shag.

**You think, because I am the only one pointing out that the Emperor has no
clothes, that I am alone in my opinions? Dream on.

The problem associated with cheap valve amplifiers, is well known. Output
transformers. Output transformers completely dominate the sound of valve
amps. A quality output transformer will typically run to around 200-500
Squid. And you need two of them.

--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au