go-vibe questions

[fewtch]

Norm,

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigger Well I think it's time to end the speculation once and for all. First of all, it is true. The go-vibe V4 is almost sold out and about to be discontinued.

I'm shocked and saddened to hear this!

This is a real blow to the budget end of the hobby in my opinion. Any chance you'd reconsider, maybe set a monthly quota of amps and just build a small number of them?

Quote:

It's too bad that such hostility has developed in this thread. This is after all a hobby, not politics! I guess that is the main point here. I have built headphone amps for 3 years as a hobby, not a business. I earn my living by other means. I have tried hard to offer the best I can in every way, both in the amps I have built and in my communications with my fellow headphone hobbyists. This last month has been quite difficult for me with an average 30 emails per day + 50 go-vibe V4s built and shipped! I have enjoyed the amp hobby for the most part and I appreciate the many words of encouragement and support I have received from my clientele but the time has come to bow out and leave the hobby for good. Some of you may remember me giving up Headsave 1 year ago and returning shortly after with the go-vibe only, to keep things simple. Well, it got unsimple again and this time it's for good! Not to worry, there will be many others who will offer similar and perhaps better products than I did. So long folks - happy listening - it's been a blast! Norm

You will be missed...

I hope you'll reconsider (IMO you're wrong about others offering equivalent quality and value), but if not I wish you all the best in your professional and personal life.

 

[gtp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotJeffBuckley A shame, but I understand your reasoning. Any interest in publishing the schematic now that you won't be using it? If you were to make it public domain and include your specific list of parts, we could all benefit from your design

Yes, or even better in my eyes, sell only the Go-Vibe boards like the Pimeta/Mint/PPA? On some level, this might require a bit of support, but after you have the directions and parts list written out, it shouldn't be too much work.

 

[fewtch]

Norm -- gtp has an interesting idea. How about offering Go-Vibe *kits*? There's a real lack of good headphone amp kits around here, and that could be pretty cool, while making less of a demand on your time.

 

[xtr3me]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fewtch Norm, I'm shocked and saddened to hear this! This is a real blow to the budget end of the hobby in my opinion. Any chance you'd reconsider, maybe set a monthly quota of amps and just build a small number of them?

Not just your opinion. The go-vibe is like the reference amp when it comes to low budget amps, and it's a reference for starters in the headphones hobby. However it's also a product with great quality ...

Damn, and I was thinking about getting one in a couple of months

This is a real downer ..

Well, if there is no chance of you reconsidering Norm, I subscribe what fewtch said and wish you the best in your personal/professional life.

 

[mektarus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigger Well I think it's time to end the speculation once and for all. First of all, it is true. The go-vibe V4 is almost sold out and about to be discontinued. It's too bad that such hostility has developed in this thread. This is after all a hobby, not politics! I guess that is the main point here. I have built headphone amps for 3 years as a hobby, not a business. I earn my living by other means. I have tried hard to offer the best I can in every way, both in the amps I have built and in my communications with my fellow headphone hobbyists. This last month has been quite difficult for me with an average 30 emails per day + 50 go-vibe V4s built and shipped! I have enjoyed the amp hobby for the most part and I appreciate the many words of encouragement and support I have received from my clientele but the time has come to bow out and leave the hobby for good. Some of you may remember me giving up Headsave 1 year ago and returning shortly after with the go-vibe only, to keep things simple. Well, it got unsimple again and this time it's for good! Not to worry, there will be many others who will offer similar and perhaps better products than I did. So long folks - happy listening - it's been a blast! Norm

Good luck, Norm. And take care. Drop in and say hi from time to time.

 

[Arnoldhasmail]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fewtch You're allowed to complain, but others are allowed to call you on it. You haven't even purchased an amp, and here you are complaining about the lack of free help, as if Headsave was your personal answering service or something...

And I have purchased amps from Norm in the past...just not a go-vibe...I owned a fully maxed out home.

I think Norm has made the right decision...based on his situation...

 

[Ripley]

Thanks for all the amps, Norm, and good luck with wherever your future takes you.

 

[fewtch]

I wanted to add this -- if it hadn't been for Norm selling high quality amps at such an inexpensive price (headamps were generally less common and pricier in 2003 when I joined here than they are now) I may never have taken the first step in getting an amp in the first place, getting the resulting good sound and then continuing with the hobby. In other words, I owe a portion of my involvement in this hobby to Norm.

Thanks Norm, for everything you've done for the hobby, for me and for all of us here on the budget end of things. You're leaving more of a void than you may suspect, but hopefully as you say it will be filled.

 

[anearfull]

It's true!!

So long Norm ... I'm listening to your V4/AD8397 amp as I type this and it's really a shame you can't keep making them. I guess I've got a "collector's item"

Good luck and more relaxation in your new endeavors.

Peter
Ottawa

 

[familyman]

OMG so i got v4 number X out of 50? SWEET!!! now it will be worth more!! and i still wont sell it EVER!

Now i see where all this hostility has come from... all these head-fiers are just upset that they can't buy the BEST AMP FOR UNDER 100 BEANS anymore!!!

GOOD LUCK NORM AND THANKS

Shane

 

[3DCadman]

WOW, I'm sure glad my sister got me a V3 for Christmas this year!!!!!!

I emailed him a few weeks back wanting to upgrade my opamp to an 8620, and he replied back pointing me to buy from Brown Dog. He said shipping would be cheaper. Did it, and am even MORE impressed w/my 'vibe.

Thanks for the GREAT amp Norm. Best to you in the future!

 

[familyman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3DCadman WOW, I'm sure glad my sister got me a V3 for Christmas this year!!!!!! I emailed him a few weeks back wanting to upgrade my opamp to an 8620, and he replied back pointing me to buy from Brown Dog. He said shipping would be cheaper. Did it, and am even MORE impressed w/my 'vibe. Thanks for the GREAT amp Norm. Best to you in the future!

oh yeah! 8620 all the way!

 

[fewtch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by familyman OMG so i got v4 number X out of 50? SWEET!!! now it will be worth more!! and i still wont sell it EVER!

Now don't go all collector's item... this isn't a Grado HF-1. Maybe the v3 with engraved end panels will appreciate a little in value (*maybe*), but the ones in standard Hammond/PacTec cases probably won't ever be worth more than they are now.

 

[familyman]

strange.... my govibe sounds better now

 

[HiWire]

Thanks for the great sounds, Norm! Best of luck to you in your future endeavors.

(Hugs Classic)