Brainstorming session

[Doc B]

For the first time since Covid hit PJ, PB, Eileen and I had a day long brainstorming session at world headquarters. Great to get back into the old groove.

The highlights were as follows -

The second BeePre2 upgrade kit is nearing readiness for orders. We just have to do some final edits and make sure our inventory is complete.

Moreplay updates are next in the queue and we have a pretty good sense of how those will go together. PB will do some prototypes and once those are signed off we will do our best to fast track the manual write.

The high powered amp project is not dead. It has just been in hibernation, due in part to our transformer winder being so behind on production the past several months. Now that they are getting caught up we will ask for the prototypes we sent specs for a while back.

And of course we went off on a fun exploration of new ideas. This one was proposed by PJ, a small (like bookshelf size) speaker that is reasonably efficient like the Jagers. Ideas were kicked around and parts were ordered for a POC prototype before the day's end.  It might be great, it might suck. But it will be fun to experiment and learn from regardless.

 

[kgoss]

The brainstorming session sounds great, thanks for the update. I know its been really rough lately with the supply chain issues plus only you and Eileen doing all the day to day stuff. Thanks for hanging in there and keeping Bottlehead going!

 

[ccmccull]

I'm so excited! And I love that you posted this peek-behind-the-curtains info that most companies would keep super secret!

 

[aragorn723]

I'm curious about the bookshelf speakers, though my wife prefers towers lol.  Havent had a chance to experience a SET system (though I don't have a SET tube amp yet), but maybe if the price is right.

Dave

 

[Doc B]

Well, so am I. We have a couple different drivers on order and we'll see how they sound.

 

[Jameson]

I could absolutely do the mental gymnastics required to buy some bookshelf speakers. And I’d have to power them with something, so I guess you’d immediately talk me into a new SEX amp.

 

[Mucker]

I'm sure if the speakers come to fruition, they will be high quality pieces. My Kilpsch RP-600M's are excellent with S3X. An even more efficient BH bookshelf should be spectacular and a great match.

I am interested in the updated Moreplay. Will be keeping my eyes peeled ..... very nice to hear the company pushing forward!

 

[debk]

Thanks for the update.  Look forward to the BeePre2 and Moreplay upgrades!

 

[Lowercase]

Really excited for Moreplay upgrades and bookshelf speakers! Any ideas how many upgrades you see for the Moreplay?

 

[Paul Birkeland]

The Moreplay will have two upgrades (that we know of so far). 

I just received PC boards for the first half of the first upgrade. 

 

[triode]

"The high powered amp project is not dead"
Is this 845 SE amp? more hint please...

 

[Paul Joppa]

"The high powered amp project is not dead"
Is this 845 SE amp? more hint please...

No, it's not.

 

[robertod]

Thanks for sneak preview.  Looking forward to end results to all of your ideas.

 

[Thermioniclife]

Probably available next April.  8)

 

[OverAnalyst]

Just as I was getting content with my setup with all the upgrades over the last couple years, you tease us with the Moreplay upgrades. Looking forward to them!

 

[smodtactical]

Moreplay upgrades interesting... just built it.

A high powered amp would be incredible!

Doc B I would love maybe upgrade options? Either you offering the parts yourself or having a little article at the bottom of the manual that suggests parts that would work.. Like maybe Audio note transformers. Mundorf caps.

Ok I have a secret desire to build a bottlehead amp that can rival the best DNA amps for less... you caught me.

 

[Paul Birkeland]

For Mundorf caps, just buy an identical part to what's there.  If you want Audio Note transformers, you'll need to get an Audio Note amp as they aren't going to fit on our chassis plates and aren't going to work in our circuits.

 

[smodtactical]

Have you guys ever thought of doing a non plate based design? Something where its like a box and parts can be screwed in? I guess it would be more complicated and lead to more issues.

 

[Paul Birkeland]

The box would have to be metal, and that would still have to be machined somehow.  We do our best to offer kits that can be built by someone living in an apartment (or even a dorm room), and requiring metal machining is a little beyond what a lot of people want to do and making one mistake in this process can lead to having to start over. 

On a higher level, if someone wants to buy one of our kits but also wants to change out all of the parts for something else, that is a substantial investment in time on our end to try to support something we've never tested nor listened to, and sometimes it puts us in the awkward position of trying to tell someone that some of the fancy parts they want are a downgrade from what we provide. 

 

[smodtactical]

Paul good points, I appreciate that.