Last Call for Eddie Current

Discussion in 'Product Announcements' started by purr1n, Feb 23, 2020.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,778
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    Posting this on behalf of Judi at Eddie Current:

    For over a decade, Eddie Current has served the audiophile community. However, it is time to switch the quest with new endeavors. We are selling out the last of new stock (20% discounted) and prototypes sold at cost.
    Contact Craig by email [email protected] or call 818-651-2734.
     
  2. Sqveak

    Sqveak Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    916
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    NSW, Aus, Terra, Sol.
    Sad to see the end of Eddie Current.

    I hope Craig's new endevours work out for him and keep him happy and occupied for as long as he has the passion to pursue them.
     
  3. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

    Staff Member Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    8,145
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Exit stage left....
    OMG. I weep at this news of EC. :(
     
  4. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

    Pyrate BWC MZR
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    18,653
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    On planet
    In a world of instant-gratification and measurement mania, Eddie Current has been holding the lines for quality craftsmanship providing auditory excellence over the decades. Craig is probably weary from bearing the cross of trvth for so long.

    My ZDSE will never be up for sale until I go deaf from age.
     
  5. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,070
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Cape Town, South Africa
    Glad to have a piece of EC to enjoy. Best of luck to Craig, Judi and all those involved.
     
  6. tommytakis

    tommytakis MOT: E.T.A Headphones

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2018
    Likes Received:
    5,465
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Home Page:
    ZDS is still probably my favorite tube amp of all time! I wish for the best for both of them!!
     
  7. insidious meme

    insidious meme Ambivalent Kumquat

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,999
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Sector 8023 of the Third Quadrant
    Glad to be a keeper of part of the Eddie Current legacy. Good luck with whatever happens next for them.
     
  8. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

    Pyrate IEMW
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,724
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    California Bay Area
    Home Page:
    NOOOOOOOoooooo......
     
  9. raif

    raif Man made lobster/plankton

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    308
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Sacramento
    Man, that is a bummer, Craig has been a stalwart in our little hobby.

    Just this last week I had been eyeballing the Studio and thinking to myself “someday...”

    So much for that!
     
  10. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

    Pyrate MZR
    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,999
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Tempe, Arizona
    I had the immense pleasure to own 3 pieces of Eddie Current gear; Zana Deux (modded to be similar to ZDS spec), Black WIdow, and Aficionado and each amp brought such an enjoyable listening experience, truly statement level pieces of gear. Thank you both Craig and Judi for all that you have done and I hope for the best in whatever new adventures come your way.
     
  11. Koth Ganesh

    Koth Ganesh Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,637
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Chennai, India
    I would like to thank Craig for the ZDS and the BW1. Absolutely wonderful amps. I had sold the ZDS to my friend and just yesterday he sent a text stating he was "eternally grateful" to me for the ZDS. Here's wishing Craig and Judi the very best in the future.
     
  12. Captainsubtext

    Captainsubtext New

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2018
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    13
    Location:
    New Delhi
    I'm that friend and I'll take the ZDS to my grave. Thank you for all the joy Craig and Judi and all the very best for whatever is next.
     
  13. kevnin

    kevnin #facetweeting - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    366
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    San Diego
    I am saddened to hear of the ending of Eddie Current, but I wish Craig and Judi the best in whatever they decide to pursue next.

    I was listening to some records with EC Classic phonostage and EC 445 tonight and it doesn't get any better than that! I will never part with my 445 and I really hope it lasts forever.
     
  14. SeanT

    SeanT Facebook Friend

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2020
    Likes Received:
    63
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    Indiana
    I figured this day was coming. Still a surprise, though. Years ago I dreamed of owning a Zana Deux after reading about it on head-fi. Never did get to hear any of Craig's amps, but they'll always be a legend in my mind.

    Hopefully Craig and Judi get to enjoy this next chapter in their life!
     
  15. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2017
    Likes Received:
    3,026
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Rapallo, Italy
    :(

    I'd have never sold the Af anyway but now I'm triple never selling it.
     
  16. philipmorgan

    philipmorgan Member of the month

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,790
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    In the wind, so to speak
    Home Page:
    Is Craig still planning on making schematics available to DIYers?
     
  17. pavi

    pavi Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    May 17, 2017
    Likes Received:
    286
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    usa
    listening right now to my ac aficionado - here's wishing craig & judi the best in their next quest!
     
  18. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,709
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    India
    Craig is one serious soundstage alchemist. I wish he could pass on the recipe to someone worthy.
     
  19. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,063
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Aurora, CO
    Home Page:
    Listening to (and greatly enjoying) a recent ZDS. Having also owned a Studio and S7, and been fortunate to enjoy a Balancing Act, Af and BW - Craigs mad skills have brought many many hours of listening enjoyment.
     
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2020
  20. pure5152

    pure5152 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,595
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Southern California
    Had a wonderful long talk with Craig on the phone, he's a great guy to talk to and I laughed and learned a lot.

    Sounds like he's just fed up with dealing with running a business (managing parts inventory, building stuff, dealing with customer service and bad customers), he's getting old and doesn't have the patience or time to deal with that anymore. He said, though, that he still plans to remain in the community somehow, maybe start a DIY audio website to share some of the things he learned over a lifetime in the hobby, maybe share some circuit designs he came up with. He's also apparently picked up some contract work, and will be doing designs and getting royalties as more of his main gig. He'll stay in the hobby, just not running a business, and he seemed pretty content with that. Great for him.

    A little aside, I was interested in the black widow, and he shared some interesting stories about the amp that I hadn't heard before, so wanted to share them (sorry if this is common knowledge already, I haven't kept up in depth):
    • Apparently the reason why the black widow 2's chassis changed was people wanted to stack the amp on top of the gungnir, so the BW2 was designed to match the gungnir perfectly. There was so much space even with the power supply in the chassis, though, that Craig decided to add a shunt regulator to the power supply - an improvement that helped irregular push/pull impedances in the regular power supply. Otherwise the BW1 and BW2 were the exact same amp, with the only difference being the BW2 had the power supply integrated.
    • One problem with the BW2, though, was something about the circuit board not being cut or soldered properly, so he lost roughly 40 boards and that cost him roughly $60k. The BW2 apparently wasn't as reliable as the BW1, and he mentioned ~10 had to come back for repairs. Part of the reason he never made another batch.
    • Interestingly enough, because the BW1 was hand-soldered, he mentioned it being extremely reliable with no BW1 ever needing to be brought back for repairs. He only sold 10 BW1s ever, so that's probably why we haven't heard much about it. But he mentioned it being more versatile because of the external power supply (run it out of any power supply you wanted) and footprint. He also said he should've really just continued making the BW1, since that amp was super reliable, and regretted changing things for the BW2.
    • As a small anecdote, Craig mentioned the original Black Widow was supposed to be named "red top", but the chassis manufacturer screwed up and made the bottom red instead. "Black top" wasn't as appealing, so Craig looked for other names and his daughter suggested "Black Widow". Apparently his daughter still bugs him for commissions haha.
    One last thing: he said the studio jr is the best amp he he's ever heard, but because it was only released last year, it hasn't received much publicity/traction and no one's buying it. Not encouraging blind buying, but it could be the real deal, and I'm sure Craig would love to talk about it if someone called.

    That was a lot of stuff, but wanted to get everything down when things were still fresh in my mind. If anyone's nervous about calling just call the guy. Friendly and sharp and a joy to talk to.


    EDIT: Random blast to the past, but found this post about the "red top" on changstar.
     
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2020

Share This Page