I recently bumped into this site decware, where they make SET amplifiers without circuit boards. Being a complete electrical engineering idiot, Im wondering if there is any merits to it. If im not mistaken, audionote uk does not use circuit boards too.


There's the internals to one of his speaker amps. Im quite tempted to put down an order for one just for novelty sake and the lifetime warranty. If im not mistaken he makes headphone amps and kind enough to include the schematics. Quite skeptical about the beeswax caps though.

http://www.decware.com/newsite/TABOO.htm

 

Point to point wiring (PTP) and nothing unusual for a SET amp. 

Good PTP is a work of art, bad P2P is a rats nest.

A properly designed thick PCB with FR4 material and 2 oz copper is nothing to sneeze at.

 

Cons and pros apply for both approaches.

Edited November 8, 201312 yr by johnwmclean

There is no doubt in my mind that a properly designed circuit board is better to p2p wiring.  Consistency being the nr.1 feature but the PCB also offers safety, parts can be placed in much closer proximity and with a full ground plane the PCB offers a lot shielding and thus better noise performance.  The only snag is with AC filaments running on the PCB, twisted wires pushed right up to the chassis is a better way to do that.  The problem though is that the wast majority of PCB's just aren't that great.  The layout and execution is lacking so the end result is below par. 

 

Now I like to do p2p amps but now we have dirt cheap PCB's so it's just as easy to draw up a circuit board and have it made.  I'm pretty cynical but it also always seems to me that manufacturers try to sell very simple circuits off as good when done p2p. 

here's some nice ptp porn..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is it wrong to see so many problems with such simple amps?  I really like the second from the top, thinking that adding Muse caps to the DC heater supply will make up for it being unregulated.  "Heater supplies for people who like buying new tubes all the time...." 

Yeah, just because it's neat doesn't make it right.

Yeah, just because it's neat doesn't make it right.

 

Indeed, sometimes a rat's nest amp will work better. Too neat often induces cross-talk from wires running in parallel while proper star grounding can look like a mess.

 

PTP is great for one-offs and simple designs, but there are definitely places where a well designed PCB is superior.

Or....you can do both!

 

^^ 

Which cartridge is that from?

I think Pete may have done it best.

And don't forget Crank Cooter, a real master in PTP.

You are correct, frank does exceptional ptp. I was, however, referring to Pete's unique use/integration of ptp and pcb. In particular I liked his use of the backplane board as both the ground plane and layout structure for the individual terminal posts.

Indeed, sometimes a rat's nest amp will work better. Too neat often induces cross-talk from wires running in parallel while proper star grounding can look like a mess.

 

That's what I try to tell myself since every one of my DIY projects resembles a ball of spaghetti. 

I have great admiration for people who can do neat PtP wiring, it's a skill which continues to elude me.

And don't forget Crank Cooter, a real master in PTP.

 

Lets keep his personal business out of this