[kwkarth]

Quote:

Kevin, I am sure you will agree that is just opinion and not fact.
 
My point was / is that good cheap amps have previously existed. I am not detracting from the work of Schiit, just stating fact to help someone who asked a question.

Leny, I'm not taking issue with your statement that cheap amps have existed in the past.  The OBH-11SE is over 20 years old.  My statement about SQ may be construed as opinion by some depending upon the particular sonic characteristic you're referring to
 
In a number of respects, the Asgard is a superior design with much stronger output capability, using 20 year newer components.  It's not purely subjective.  If your opinion is that the OBH-11SE is a superior design/product, even though it is less capable, well, that's your opinion too and it is subjective.  What's the point?  
 
BTW, if for some reason you want to belabor this, please do so via PM so we don't further derail this thread, ok?
 
Thanks,
kevin
 

 

[Leny]

Quote:

 
 
No, Shiit isn't the first to offer a good inexpensive amp. But then no one is claiming that they are.
 
 

Yes, that was the whole point. 

 

[wgb113]

Quote:

 
 
No, Shiit isn't the first to offer a good inexpensive amp. But then no one is claiming that they are.
 
What sets Schiit apart is that they're offering a good inexpensive amp without selling out and outsourcing to China. And that is something of a first as far as I'm aware.
 
se

That's also got the goods in the looks dept!

 

[Steve Eddy]

Quote:

Yes, that was the whole point. 

Given that no one is claiming that they are the first to offer a good quality inexpensive amp, then I'm afraid I don't quite get the point of your point.
 
se
 

 

[Steve Eddy]

Quote:

That's also got the goods in the looks dept!

 
Yes, that too!
 
se
 

 

 

[mmayer167]

wow ive never been this excited to get a piece of audio gear, not even any of my phones come close to the anticipation of the fedex man! Cant wait till my asgard unit gets here!!!  i hope to offer all of you some more input on this new amp

 

[Leny]

Quote:

I'm not taking issue with your statement that cheap amps have existed 
 

I am pleased to hear it, as that was the clear and simple message in my reply to the question raised by Br777. I do not understand the subsequent reaction from yourself or Steve Eddy.
 
Never mind.
 

 

[sachu]

Quote:

No, Shiit isn't the first to offer a good inexpensive amp. But then no one is claiming that they are.
 
What sets Schiit apart is that they're offering a good inexpensive amp without selling out and outsourcing to China. And that is something of a first as far as I'm aware.
 
se

You mean its probably a first since the whole outsourcing thing started 

 
Btw, I really hope these guys come up with a portable amp design and shake up that market as I truly believe that is where the real sales are. If they release something at half the price point of the Slim and performs better than the protector..that would really upset a few carts.. 
 
I should have my TPs tomorrow, got my HE-5s today and then to truly push this little amp I have my Wharfedale Zebs. We are going to have the LCD-2 as well to top off the list. Should be some fun times when Kevin makes his way over to my place with the Asgard..

 

[Steve Eddy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sachu /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
You mean its probably a first since the whole outsourcing thing started 

 

 
Well, yes, given my "outsourcing" qualifier.
 
Though I'm hard pressed to think of any dedicated headphone amp of comparable quality and price even without the "outsourcing" qualifier.
 
se
 

 

[fonebone10]

I just preordered the Valhalla. Can't wait until it gets here. I've got a few other tube amps, (Little Dot MKIII, Woo Audio 6). I want to see how it compares.

 

[recstar24]

Steve, you can probably chime in, but I would imagine to execute a similar design DIY can't be that much cheaper than what they are asking for, no?  I mean the chassis alone is at least $50 in raw cost I would imagine, obviously less if done in a bulk discount, but what random DIYer has the resources to get the bulk pricing discounts needed to get something at this pricepoint, its mind boggling.  That would be the biggest draw for me, something of apparently high quality that I couldn't make myself, or if I commissioned someone else to do, would most likely be more expensive. 

 

[Br777]

theyd probably do well selling these as DIY kits eh?  even cheaper  

 

[kwkarth]

Quote:

theyd probably do well selling these as DIY kits eh?  even cheaper  

There's a reason that companies like Heathkit are no longer in business.  Today, people don't have the time, skills, equipment, or patience for kits.  With today's litigious society, liability insurance alone would put you out of business  An amp like the Asgard might be able to go for $500 if it was a DIY kit with documentation.

 

[Steve Eddy]

 
Quote:

Steve, you can probably chime in, but I would imagine to execute a similar design DIY can't be that much cheaper than what they are asking for, no?

 
Really depends on what you mean by "similar."
 
You could probably execute the same circuit using the same parts for oh, I dunno, maybe around $100 perhaps a little less just to take a stab off the top of my head. But that would preclude any sort of custom parts like chassis, knob and circuit board.
 
 
Quote:

I mean the chassis alone is at least $50 in raw cost I would imagine, obviously less if done in a bulk discount...

 
And that would only be for something bought off the shelf. To do a one-off, even something as simple as Schiit's, would cost you more than the Asgard sells for.
 
 
Quote:

...but what random DIYer has the resources to get the bulk pricing discounts needed to get something at this pricepoint, its mind boggling.

 
I don't know about mind boggling. It's really just an example of the advantages of an economy of scale. Combined of course with an efficient design to start with.
 
 
Quote:

That would be the biggest draw for me, something of apparently high quality that I couldn't make myself, or if I commissioned someone else to do, would most likely be more expensive.

 
That's ultimately what most manufacturers are aiming for.

 
se
 
 

 

 

[dBs]

Quote:

Steve, you can probably chime in, but I would imagine to execute a similar design DIY can't be that much cheaper than what they are asking for, no?  I mean the chassis alone is at least $50 in raw cost I would imagine, obviously less if done in a bulk discount, but what random DIYer has the resources to get the bulk pricing discounts needed to get something at this pricepoint, its mind boggling.  That would be the biggest draw for me, something of apparently high quality that I couldn't make myself, or if I commissioned someone else to do, would most likely be more expensive. 

That will be true, with the exception of the higher end DIY endeavors. Until they start pushing into those price points, DIY will still be potentially more cost affective.