Better than SET? The radically different 535SE Headphone Amplifier/Preamplifier

Discussion in 'Product Announcements' started by liamstrain, Jun 2, 2016.

  1. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    Dear Lord, this thing is pretty.
     
  2. jacal01

    jacal01 Friend

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    Managed to stir me out of my end game cave. Now let's see if the topology delivers as expounded.
     
  3. liamstrain

    liamstrain MOT: The Audio Guild

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  4. dmckean44

    dmckean44 In a Sherwood S6040CP relationship

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    The pictures in the review are so gorgeous.
     
  5. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    That said, headfonics appears to like everything, it's one of those sites. Still looking forward to grumpy (and honest) old pirates giving it a listen.
     
  6. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    I feel like I'm right there, smoking that pipe... :rolleyes:
     
  7. liamstrain

    liamstrain MOT: The Audio Guild

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    Heh, I can dig it. Though they don't seem to hold back when they think there is something worth critiquing, even on something they like. :)

    The demo amp will be at a Head-fi meet-up in Philly near the end of January, if you want to come take a listen. We're also looking to try to get one to CanJam NYC in February.
     
  8. liamstrain

    liamstrain MOT: The Audio Guild

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    We have received some feedback that some buyers are wary of crowdfunding platforms, so we have set up pre-orders from our website as well, if people prefer. You can use credit cards, Paypal or Apple Pay. The same discount applies to the first 25 units regardless of where you order.

    http://www.theaudioguild.com/the-collection/emac-535se

    Thank you!
     
  9. eastboundofnowhere

    eastboundofnowhere Facebook Friend

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    I think that's a good call. I was your second order but almost backed out because of the crowd funding. For better or worse, I think the love affair with kickstarter and the like is nearing its' end for a lot of people.
     
  10. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    That's a good move- I would imagine that a lot of people don't want to risk a four digit amount on a crowdfunding project, with no comeback. There's too much downside for the punter. I hope that this change works in your favour!
     
  11. liamstrain

    liamstrain MOT: The Audio Guild

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    @Hands has the amp this week, and hopefully he'll be chiming in with a review in the impressions thread here:
    http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...he-emac-better-than-set-solid-state-amp.3730/

    SBAF member Jcal01 did a brief review over at headfi, for those of you interested - http://www.head-fi.org/t/833728/emac-535se-impressions-thread#post_13251889

    I mention all this because the pre-order period for the first run is ending this week (on the 17th), and with it the only chance to save the $200 off the regular price. Orders placed later will of course be fulfilled, but you won't get the advantage of the discount or any guarantee of that first delivery period.

    If you are seriously considering but want to wait until you have a chance to read Hand's impressions, let me know and we can see if we can figure something out, since the timing is so close.


    Thanks all!

    http://www.theaudioguild.com/
     
  12. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    would also like to add that @Hands is bringing the 535SE to a Clandestine SBAF Micro Meet in Denver on Feb 18.
    at least 4 more pairs of our SBAF ears will be hearing 535SE with Utopia, Elear, HE1Kv1, HD650, etc.

    if somehow the pre-order discount period could be slightly adjusted for interested parties, that would be well appreciated!
    thank you!
     
  13. liamstrain

    liamstrain MOT: The Audio Guild

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    Excellent news. A nice surprise.

    I'm sure we can accommodate, but do reach out as soon as you can so we can adjust ordering of some of the longer lead-time components accordingly.
     
  14. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    I will post full impressions after I listen through the week, and once some other CO folks get a chance to try it.

    Anything could change before then as I continue to listen and wrap my head around it, but, for now, I actually feel pretty good about the 535SE.
     
  15. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    Pardon my ignorance, but is Steve Eddie associated with this project?
     
  16. liamstrain

    liamstrain MOT: The Audio Guild

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    That depends on whether you think that's a good or a bad thing. ;)

    All kidding aside, yes. He is a founding member of The Audio Guild, and this circuit design (and most of the industrial design) on the 535 are his as well.
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2017
  17. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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  18. jacal01

    jacal01 Friend

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    Funny, that's the same thing I told Steve Eddy afterwards, that I was sorry to see it go... This despite the fact that I had high end gear around awaiting my beck and call. That may be the most telling emotion about this amp ("Deco"), once it's all said and done.
     
  19. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    It could be that it's appealing if you have, say, a nice tube amp that specializes in one sort of driver over another and want a SS buddy to go with it. Saw a lot of people get the Black Widow for that reason, or because tubes weren't an option. I'm not sure I would buy it as my only amp, but I have particular needs and tastes. But I fall into the camp that wants it as a secondary. The overall, non-sound-related charm helps one want to keep it too.
     
  20. jacal01

    jacal01 Friend

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    Yeah, I envision it as a desktop amp with some considerable visual appeal. But I was referring to its sonic presentation, which I found quite charming and easy to listen to, especially as session ambient music. That tonal quality is what I found myself somehow attached to, that I was missing while packing it up to send on. Don't think that part was visual.
     

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