Point to Point Wiring


I'm relatively new to audio but pretty well informed about tube guitar amps. The great guitar amps are, almost without exception, point to point wired. My '67 Super Reverb is a good example.

When reading reviews of supposedly top of the line audio amps, whether solid state or tubed, I usually see references to the amp's circuit board-- even Lamm and other cost-no-object amps don't feature point-to-point wiring.

In guitar amps, it's the simplicity of design and "less-in-the-signal path" goal that dictates avoidance of circuit boards, in addition to the fact that burned out circuit boards take out the whole amp at once.

Wondering what the reason most audiophile amps aren't point to point wired, other than the fact that circuit boards are cheaper and faster.

D
dkidknow
If sound oriented, cost no object an non mass-oriented home amplifier's designer, the like of like Air Thight and Zenden use the different "point to point wiring" versus "circuit board" approch, as they do, we would then be forced to conclude that, "implementation" will be more of a "factor", then the use of one, over the other.
What do you thinck ?
Quicksilver also produces hand soldered point to point amplifiers, at a fraction of the cost of Air Tight. I cannot attest to these amps, as I have not personally listened to them, but it's interesting to note that it isn't only the very highest end that's making point to point wired components.
Blue Circle uses almost all point-to-point wiring. I think only the CS line and their phono stage don't. Also check out DeHavilland (sp?) I think they make SET amps and even some SET guitar amps for those who have that kind of money.