tbonner1
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2002
- Posts
- 1,565
- Likes
- 12
I have looked through the archives and have not read much feedback about Rockhopper Audio so I thought I would report on my experience.
Stephen Katsaounis is the “Head Penguin” (how can you not like anyone who loves Penguins) and he has just started his own business building headphone amplifiers. On his website: http://homepage.mac.com/skatsaounis/...udio/index.htm he lists his products and services. Currently he sells variations of the most popular amps: The Mint, Pimeta, PPA and the new M3, which I recently purchased from him. What is unique is that he offers a three year parts and labor warranty. Most other builders have up to 1 year or no mention of a warranty at all. If you don’t think this is important you haven’t had to take you prized component to the audio repair doctor lately. The cost of repair frequently exceeds the value of an item such as a headphone amp and many do not use the high end components (i.e. Alps, Black Gates, Elna Cerafine) that differentiates the sound of these amps and is their reason for being.
We are a very hard to please group here. Armed with enough technical information to be dangerous and ask technical questions about individual components such as opamps and buffers, but without the underlying electronics knowledge to know how what we are really asking about folds into the big picture. For example, I have found that merely upgrading to modern opamps on 2 different vintage FM tuners of similar design does not result in the same signature sound of that opamp you would expect. Seasoned amp builders such as JMT (who I have done business with in the past) have set the competitive bar very high. Thankfully, Tangent has provided well engineered and supported standard reference PCB platforms from which we can build on.
I was originally going to buy a PPA from Stephen a few months back. I had many questions about the Glassman buffers vs. the Intersil buffers. Then I was confused about the Larocco buffers, the V.2 version of the PPA and the new M3. Stephen took the time and answered every inane question with patience, fortitude and knowledge. If he didn’t know the answer to one of my questions he would tell me he didn’t and get back to me after he researched it. He always kept his agreements, which is extremely important to me. My amp was built on time with website updates on the build status and delivered with obvious care.
Stephen worked very hard to earn my business before and during the sale. I will submit a separate review of the M3 but the quality of his build and the components he uses shows the same high level of detail and integrity as the way he deals with people. I have read others say he a great guy(as is JMT) and I can tell you he is also a great guy to do business with. I also like the fact that he is active within our forum(username:Thrice) and attends various headphone meets.
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Rockhopper Audio and have bought my amp for the same internet price as anyone else with no discounts or incentives. Be careful as many Internet based audio companies now offer rebates, T-shirts and other incentives in exchange for (positive) reviews.
Stephen Katsaounis is the “Head Penguin” (how can you not like anyone who loves Penguins) and he has just started his own business building headphone amplifiers. On his website: http://homepage.mac.com/skatsaounis/...udio/index.htm he lists his products and services. Currently he sells variations of the most popular amps: The Mint, Pimeta, PPA and the new M3, which I recently purchased from him. What is unique is that he offers a three year parts and labor warranty. Most other builders have up to 1 year or no mention of a warranty at all. If you don’t think this is important you haven’t had to take you prized component to the audio repair doctor lately. The cost of repair frequently exceeds the value of an item such as a headphone amp and many do not use the high end components (i.e. Alps, Black Gates, Elna Cerafine) that differentiates the sound of these amps and is their reason for being.
We are a very hard to please group here. Armed with enough technical information to be dangerous and ask technical questions about individual components such as opamps and buffers, but without the underlying electronics knowledge to know how what we are really asking about folds into the big picture. For example, I have found that merely upgrading to modern opamps on 2 different vintage FM tuners of similar design does not result in the same signature sound of that opamp you would expect. Seasoned amp builders such as JMT (who I have done business with in the past) have set the competitive bar very high. Thankfully, Tangent has provided well engineered and supported standard reference PCB platforms from which we can build on.
I was originally going to buy a PPA from Stephen a few months back. I had many questions about the Glassman buffers vs. the Intersil buffers. Then I was confused about the Larocco buffers, the V.2 version of the PPA and the new M3. Stephen took the time and answered every inane question with patience, fortitude and knowledge. If he didn’t know the answer to one of my questions he would tell me he didn’t and get back to me after he researched it. He always kept his agreements, which is extremely important to me. My amp was built on time with website updates on the build status and delivered with obvious care.
Stephen worked very hard to earn my business before and during the sale. I will submit a separate review of the M3 but the quality of his build and the components he uses shows the same high level of detail and integrity as the way he deals with people. I have read others say he a great guy(as is JMT) and I can tell you he is also a great guy to do business with. I also like the fact that he is active within our forum(username:Thrice) and attends various headphone meets.
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Rockhopper Audio and have bought my amp for the same internet price as anyone else with no discounts or incentives. Be careful as many Internet based audio companies now offer rebates, T-shirts and other incentives in exchange for (positive) reviews.
