Neurochrome HP-1

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Cspirou, Oct 26, 2016.

  1. fishski13

    fishski13 Friend

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    The love is requited.
     
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2017
  2. tomchr

    tomchr MOT - Neurochrome

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    Now in blue. Everything is now in stock and the documentation is almost done. Cheers!

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Tom
     
  3. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

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    Is that the standard color now or is it an option.

    Also did the price just go up to 1250? Wasn't it 1K before?
     
  4. tomchr

    tomchr MOT - Neurochrome

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    The standard colour is now RAL5010 gentian blue with a light low gloss texture (as shown in Post #302). For an additional cost, I can get the enclosure made in RAL3002 carmine red, graphite grey, or black with the same texture.

    The blue looks quite a bit darker in real life. There's just something about flash photography that really makes that colour pop.

    I had the amp on sale for $1199 (I think it was) until December 26th. Don't count on sales. I will sometimes have an intro sale to get some product moving right after release, but I tend to believe in Schiit's philosophy that sales hurt everybody.

    Tom
     
  5. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    Some general visual advice - try not to bunch up external elements, arrange them according to principles of photographic composition. Central horizontal line is a good easy start, vertically you can establish thirds, fourths... Oh, and always try to maintain a constant border from faceplate edges. I know that a lot of this sounds like a PCB redesign, but keep this in mind, if you want to sell actual assembled products.

    As for bolts, always try to use countersunk heads. For faceplate non-Philips heads like hex or torx usually look best. Always try to do a few photographs of the product in its natural environment. Flash is good for forensic photo where you need to get maximum information, but you really need to get the kind of look it has in real life.
     
  6. Grahad

    Grahad Guest

    I believe sans serif fonts with thicker weights will look better at that size too.

    Flash is still needed but diffused by bouncing or even using a balloon in front of the flash will help get a natural feel.
     
  7. tomchr

    tomchr MOT - Neurochrome

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    Agree on the fonts. They're a little thin. The manufacturer is aware of this and I'll work with them to figure out something a little thicker for the next order. Meanwhile, what I have actually looks quite nice, so I'm not going to go out of my way to create more problems.
    Screws: I'm limited to what's available from the manufacturer. Either pan head hex drive or flat head philips.
    Some will argue "just use a different manufacturer" and that's super easy to do from the couch. In reality, there are very few manufacturers who will make a small order of custom enclosures for a reasonable cost. Many manufacturers require AutoCAD or SolidWorks files, which involves multi-$k licenses to use. I do have a lead on a manufacturer of fancier enclosures and need to get in touch with them to see what they can offer and what they require for design files.

    I use a shoot-through umbrella on my off-camera flash. I place it as close as possible to get the largest light source -> highest amount of diffusion. I also make use of reflectors. Those interested in improving their lighting skills can likely benefit from reading Strobist: http://strobist.blogspot.ca/2006/03/lighting-101.html

    I do agree that shooting the amp "in its natural environment" would make for a nice sell shot. That's been on the back of my mind for a while, actually. The natural environment in my case is a cluttered living room, not the exclusive expansive living room leading to a soft-focus dining room with a 2000 year-old bottle of Scotch that you see in hifi ads these days. My living room would not make a good sell shot, though it is a "natural environment". This means I need to set up a "natural environment". As my living space is limited, this "natural environment" will need to either be collapsible so it can be stored when not in use or useful in my daily life. I am certainly open to suggestions here. Please be specific, constructive, and realistic in your recommendations.

    As for the arrangement of the components on the face plate, I only control the left/right placement. The vertical locations is controlled by the various manufacturers of the components. I did my best to select components that would end up at the same height, but my hands were pretty tied there. Some will argue, "just use a separate PCB for the controls" and that is certainly one option. In reality, though, it just moves the problem around. It also runs the most sensitive node in the circuit (the output of the volume control) the longest distance. Not good for performance. Also, now two boards are required by each project, which increases cost and complicates inventory management.

    I did the best with the time and budget I had available. I like the way the amp looks. There's always room for improvement. I appreciate the constructive criticism received so far and will continue to improve.

    Thanks,

    Tom
     
  8. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    I know this might sound stupid, but consider reasonably well-off non-nerd friends and family, who might have a "natural environment" that is a little less intense. Like you, I am not a tidy person, and I have the interior design instincts of a technology nerd, too- so I sympathise.

    Consider who you know and like, who has a cool home and maybe owes you a favour. Ask them if you can abuse their living space for an hour or two, in return for going for a drink afterwards, or maybe ordering in food and having a catch-up.

    If you only know similarly "functional living"-centric nerds, then you could even hire a plush-looking Airbnb for a day.

    The other option is to ask for quotes from some professional photographers, whose work you like the look of.

    Edit: Also, the "Please be specific, constructive, and realistic in your recommendations." comes across as a little pettish and aggressive. If you're actually expecting people to help, you might want to tone that down a little.

    Edit 2:

    Here's the one I was looking for- you don't need a terribly fancy room, with some nice composition- try stealing ideas that work.. this one is really nice:

    [​IMG]

    It's not the corner of a plutocrat's underground lair, you could probably swing something like this, and you know you could light well enough already.

    However, I still say get a couple of quotes from likely people- it won't cost you much to ask around a bit. You never know, you might get a good deal from a photog who'd like to know a feral amp designer ;)
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2017
  9. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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    It seems to be that time of week again, where the HP-1 thread goes to shit.

    *sigh*
     
  10. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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  11. tomchr

    tomchr MOT - Neurochrome

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    How much extra would any of you be willing to pay for the HP-1 if it was advertised with a glamour shot? If your answer is zero, then this discussion is moot... Every dollar I need to spend on photo shoots means I have less for necessities such as rent, food, utilities, etc.

    I do agree 200 % that I could do a better job at marketing. I suck at marketing. I'm an engineer. I do apologize for this personality flaw. :)

    Tom
     
  12. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    @tomchr you need to hire at least one hot babe to feature your amp. And they better stroke and lick your amp with a smile while at it.

    If you can pull out something similar to what Fang Bian did with the HFM driver material, all dressed up as a scientist and playing around with driver material that would be kool. Better yet, maybe a video similar to what Audeze did by putting sand on their driver and have it vibrate. In your case, maybe power a plasma lamp with your amp may suffice.
     
  13. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    The HP-1, hiding amongst all the other gear...
    [​IMG]
     
  14. tomchr

    tomchr MOT - Neurochrome

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    That's my kind of natural environment. :)
     
  15. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    As a fellow engineer, I can empathize.

    "This is the thing. I designed it to do the thing you want in the best thingly way possible. Buy the thing, because that's what makes sense (you luddite)"
     
  16. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    This was the clean version. I'm pretty sure I had to clean up the laundry that was hanging on the chairs to dry behind the stack :cool:
     
  17. tomchr

    tomchr MOT - Neurochrome

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    Buy the HP-1. It'll make you feel better. You'll be all warm and fuzzy inside. Humans are emotional critters. The glamour shots are all about creating an association between the product and the POSH environment. By buying the product you become part of the POSH environment (and feel better, warm & fuzzy, etc.)

    The Air B&B idea is actually pretty cool. Thanks for that. It would be even cooler, if the owner would allow access for a few hours at a lower cost and maybe allow me to rearrange furniture to get things out of the background. I'll add that to my list of things to think about.

    Tom
     
  18. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    You're welcome, I wish I could lend you my crazy colleague who is great at blagging locations for free, but sadly, I don't think even she has contacts in your neck of the woods.

    I'd make up a simple release form, too- which is common when filming or photographing on private property. Talk to the owner first, and once they agree, get them to sign a form, just so you're covered from any copyright complaints etc..
     
  19. Jh4db536

    Jh4db536 Friend

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    Glamorous shot of topless HP-1 on top of a loaner M9...
    [​IMG]
     
  20. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

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    that oughta make a good write up
    m9 vs hp-1
     

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