[Jones Bob]

A lot of the thru hole parts sound better than their SMD equivalents.

 

[Ableza]

Huh?  No.

 

[Jones Bob]

Uh, yeah. Some thru hole parts are non-magnetic. SMD are for pick and place.

 

[AlterAnthony]

@Jason Stoddard: Is the current production run of the Valhalla 2 having some issues? It has been delayed twice now (if I'm counting correctly) and the amp's been backordered for at least a month and a half.

 

[daerron]

Uh, yeah. Some thru hole parts are non-magnetic. SMD are for pick and place.

 
Ever heard of pneumatic suction? 

 
 
Through hole components are a thing of the past. If you want to keep up with new technology a lot of components are only available as SMD options. Its more convenient for component manufacturers and electronic companies with automated production lines. The usual issue is with ordering where you are often forced to order SMD reels rather individual components which can increase your initial costs.

 

[Jason Stoddard]

A lot of the thru hole parts sound better than their SMD equivalents.

No, they don't.
 
Many manufacturers in our industry have been trying to perpetuate this myth, for several reasons:
 
1. When you make 25 pcs of a $25,000 product, there's no benefit to SMD. It may even cost more. Plus, you can't have someone sitting at a desk next to you putting them together--SMD is fundamentally more short-run unfriendly than through-hole.
 
2. They don't know how to work with SMD for optimal performance. If you're used to through-hole layout, you're going to find SMD work an alien experience at first...and it will take a while to learn the tricks.
 
3. They are unaware that the "good old days" parts have largely been superseded by parts that are only available in SMD, which offer higher performance, smaller size, better thermal characteristics (when coupled to proper layout), or all three.
 
While it's true that thick-film SMD resistors aren't the most stellar things on the planet, that's why we typically use thin-film SMD resistors (with tighter tolerance and lower tempco than through-hole parts, at the same price or less, plus 10x less assembly cost.) That's about the only thing to watch out for.
 
And...there are places where we don't like using SMD, or where it's impractical. I don't like large SMD resistors for plate loads, for example, because we end up pretty near their voltage ratings. Neither Valhalla 2 nor Lyr 2 use SMD for plate loads, for example. Same goes for large electrolytic capacitors--I'd much rather have the physical security of pins going through holes. 
 
But, SMD sounds bad? 100% BS.

 

[7ryder]

A lot of the thru hole parts sound better than their SMD equivalents.

 
 

 
No, they don't.
 
Many manufacturers in our industry have been trying to perpetuate this myth, for several reasons: <SNIP>
 
But, SMD sounds bad? 100% BS.

Love getting the straight Schiit instead of the usual audiophool BS!  Thx Jason!

 

[Armaegis]

But bigger parts means bigger and better sound! Everyone knows that

 
 
Through-hole is still far friendlier for hobbiests though.

 

[bearFNF]

In my younger days at Honeywell, I stuffed prototype boards (usually 20-25 per run) with SMD parts. Was a challenge, you need good eyes and steady hands. Would not like to do it for larger quantities. That's where the pick n place and wave solderer comes in.

 

[Alex Martin]

Sorry about the continuing delay on Valhalla 2.  We are in a perfect storm of delay with that product. 
 
We don't have the outer chassis, the updated and twice postponed due date for the chassis is now next week.  Our metal guys have actually been trying very hard to keep everything in stock- we put in a lot of large orders in anticipation of Christmas and they've been doing their best to stay caught up. 
 
The transformers were delayed and are expected around Christmas.  We are pushing hard for sooner but that is out of our hands. 
 
Finally, one of the WIMA capacitors and a few of the through-hole resistors have proven a bit hard to find.  We have orders in for all of the THD parts and it looks like those parts will be showing up soon.
 
The problem with custom, single manufacturer, and low quantity parts is that when your suppliers are out of stock- you are dead in the water until they get more stock.

 

[Jones Bob]

I guess I am just too old school.

 

[adamaley]

Uhm, here you go kids, PLAY!:
 
http://schiit.com/products

 

[Otheronek]

  Sorry about the continuing delay on Valhalla 2.  We are in a perfect schiit storm of delay with that product. 
 
We don't have the outer chassis, the updated and twice postponed due date for the chassis is now next week.  Our metal guys have actually been trying very hard to keep everything in stock- we put in a lot of large orders in anticipation of Christmas and they've been doing their best to stay caught up. 
 
The transformers were delayed and are expected around Christmas.  We are pushing hard for sooner but that is out of our hands. 
 
Finally, one of the WIMA capacitors and a few of the through-hole resistors have proven a bit hard to find.  We have orders in for all of the THD parts and it looks like those parts will be showing up soon.
 
The problem with custom, single manufacturer, and low quantity parts is that when your suppliers are out of stock- you are dead in the water until they get more stock.

 
Fixed that for ya... not to worry, all is good...  those that truly want will wait.  Patience is a virtue, Virtue is a grace.... waiting for the good schiit will put a smile on your face. 
 
 Peace OOK

 

[VXAce]

  Uhm, here you go kids, PLAY!:
 
http://schiit.com/products

+1 for device output name. Actually, +1 for basically that whole page. My finger is itching.

 

[AndreYew]

Also for high-speed stuff, SMD is far superior to through-hole, because of lower parasitics. The inductance on the leads of film caps alone is enough to make them useless for bypassing DACs, high-speed op-amps, or any device with a large bandwidth.