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Name brands that are not so well known are skipped

I've noticed that the lesser known brands on Audiogon's Auction and Classified listings receive significantly fewer page hits than do the name brands. It's understandable if they're being skipped due to keyword searches. What I don't know if if they're being skipped simply because people don't know who they are and simply pass over them for that reason. Gaining knowledge of the market is fun, free and takes little time. If fact, if it were me looking for a new amp, preamp, etc... I would NOT do a keyword search, but take my time and scroll down through the listings.
lamphear_electronics
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
I agree that point-to-point is more reliable, easier to repair, and easier to modify; not sure if one approach is any better or worse for sound quality. I imagine one advantage to circuit boards would be consisteny from prototype to units on the market and less variance between units due to more precise duplication of circuits from unit to unit. You do make a very valid point (no pun intended) that point-to-point gear eliminates much possible obsolence in repair down the road.

P.S. All my gear non digital electronics is point-to-point.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
My Lamm preamp (L2 Reference and LL2 Deluxe) were both circuit boards, as I believe were my VAC amps.

I'm not sure I've read here any instances of Lamm, VAC, ARC, BAT or CJ gear going bad due to their circuit boards.

I have often read about the better reliability of point-to-point wiring, but I'm not certain it's based on real world statistics comparing repair frequency of one method versus the other...especially in the more established brands.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
I don't think the problem is that circuit boards tend to go bad (not good ones), but if they do they are not easy (possible) to repair. Of course if you own ARC you are not likely to have to worry about a replacment board. I'm not sure you hear many argue that point-to-point is inherently better sounding - don't know about that on way or the other.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I understand that point to point is easier to repair, and that it's possible for almost any trained tech to do the work.

To me, this would be more of an issue with products manufactured overseas and from small companies without substantial history in the business.
lamphear_electronics OP
9 posts
 
Hopefully most businesses will have a web site with an 'about us' page in order to help people learn about their background. A good deal of the time people starting new businesses in audio electronics will have some prior work experience in the electronics field and their work will be first rate. Typically an email or call will answer most questions if their site doesn't or if they're a hobbyist. Allot of what I said may seem obvious, but the skipped pages says otherwise. Assumptions can lead to undiscovered great products.
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