Rerurn to Romy the Cat's Site
In the Forum: Melquiades Amplifier
In the Thread: “Melquiades” amplifier: a year later.
Post Subject: Selling an amp to EverymanPosted by Paul S on: 12/5/2006
Obviously I have not carefully read everything you've written about Melquiades, mostly because I have just been stopped in my tracks by the ML2s, so I still have a lot to think about as it is. But if anything could "sell" Melquiades I'd guess it would be something that plays to the widely-held notion that the amp to have is either "the best" or it it "by far the best for the money". That both of these statements mean squat out of context is neither here nor there, as far as I can tell. So IMO the "universal" version of your amp would be most likely to "succeed", even if the pinnicle of your efforts is in fact the 4 or 5-way, band-specific version. But then again, how many people own what you - the amp's designer - think of as high-efficiency speakers of the sort you'd deem acceptable for use with Melquiades? If the answer is, "Lots of people", then this might just be the beginning of a surge in interest in your amp.
As for myself, I would not tackle something like Melquiades unless and until I felt I had sufficient understanding of your listening and design criteria, so I could compare those to my own wants. So far, where your "taste" is concerned, I'm one for one with the "vintage" ML2s, but still can only speculate about the other, super-esoteric gear you use, and I wonder how many people are familiar with your references. After all, the way most manufacturers "succeed" selling hi-fi is just by mucking in with other mainstream manufacturers in the classic hi-fi version of the circle jerk. And what this gets them, if nothing else, is recognition in terms that everyone "understands", for better or for worse.
As for the DIY crowd, those you'd think were most likely to pick up this gong, it may be that the most technically proficient among them are most interested in the projects, per se, and in some cases also the fellowship on their websites.
Basically, Romy, I think you have got a "niche product" on your hands. Not many guys as vehement as you, and of those still fewer with the time, money and drive to see it through.
Best regards,
Paul SRerurn to Romy the Cat's Site