please chime in...

Makes sense to me. I use tube pre/ss power and it works quite well IMO.

As for the price difference, you're comparing a mainstream manufacturer who sells via traditional distributor/retailer channels to a direct marketed brand that caters to the DIY enthusiast. A Bottlehead's MSRP would be 3-4 times higher if it had to pass through as many hands as a SimAudio to get from Doc to you.

In a market as inherently small as high end audio, economies of scale in manufacturing and distribution are difficult to achieve. The value-for-cost battle cannot often be won by ramping up volume, the demand simply isn't there to support it. Manufacturers seeking to provide greater value can do so by eliminating layers between themselves and the end user. Go to CES and you'll see the companies that prefer the traditional, high cost distribution chain. Go to VSAC, MWAF or similar shows and you'll see the manufacturers who prefer the lower cost direct sales route - and you'll see many components that offer outstanding performance for your dollar.

Bottlehead, Cain & Cain, Galibier, Teres... there are plenty of examples.

thanks doug never thought about it like that. a little validation goes a long way. can't wait to get my scout back into the chain...

I would wait until the turntable returns.I enjoy listening to digital,but after listening to analog-there should be no comparison.

Lots of audiophiles are using tubes, cables and other tweaks to tame the harshness coming from their digital front-ends. The problem with this is that result is loss of detail, HF/LF extension and usually dynamics. If you get the RIGHT digital front end, it can be sibilance-free, dynamic and extended - very analog-like. This is the music that I prefer - more live.