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

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

  1. liamstrain

    liamstrain MOT: The Audio Guild

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    Just as an FYI - we're coming up on the last day to get a 535 in the first production run, before we have to close the order window. Orders that come in afterwards we expect will ship in June (rather than the April delivery of the current batch).

    Thanks so much for all your continued interest.

    @Hands - thank you for the review, we're so pleased you liked it.
     
  2. liamstrain

    liamstrain MOT: The Audio Guild

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    New production boards are in. Even the innards are pretty. ;)

    Moving right along, on schedule. Might have some big news for those that missed out on the intro pricing and first production run - to share in the next week or two as well. Stay tuned!

    [​IMG]
     
  3. liamstrain

    liamstrain MOT: The Audio Guild

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  4. liamstrain

    liamstrain MOT: The Audio Guild

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    18 hours remaining! Once the Massdrop ends, we will be closing the window for this production run, so get your order in now (also last shot at this kind of discount).

    Thanks to those of you who have ordered!
     
  5. liamstrain

    liamstrain MOT: The Audio Guild

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    Apologies for the radio silence on updates. I know we've spoken to a few buyers with concerns, and thought it was worth sharing with the community.

    We've had some frustrating issues with two of our key vendors, which finally seem to be resolved. I don't have a solid ETA on shipping, but at least everything is moving forward again. On the plus side, some compromises we were afraid we'd have to make on the chassis and switches are no longer a concern, but at the sacrifice of speed of production.

    Our apologies for the delays. We're getting your 535's out to you just as soon as we can.

    Thank you,
    Liam (and Steve)
     
  6. liamstrain

    liamstrain MOT: The Audio Guild

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    Chassis are built, passed QC, and off to powder coating and silk-screening. Finally getting down to where we will be able to start putting them together for shipping.

    Our updated expected ship date is 7.31 - and thank you again! I'll do my best to keep you all updated on any possible changes.
     
  7. AppleheadMay

    AppleheadMay Friend

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    Hi Liam,

    I just found out about the 535SE beginning this week and contacted you through the web form but didn't get a reply yet.
    I had the amp in my cart and tried to pull the trigger today but alas ... sold out.
    How do I go about getting this amp? Any chance of a pre-order for a next batch?
    Intersted in the whole set I just found out about with those big vintage speakers.
     
  8. liamstrain

    liamstrain MOT: The Audio Guild

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    Sorry about the bad timing. We are in the process of trying to get this batch out the door in the next couple weeks. I'm not sure what that will mean for the timing of the next batch. We are hoping to be able to sell from stock rather than pre-ordering. But that, of course, comes with its own challenges. I'll discuss with Steve, and will get back to you as soon as I can.

    If you'd like to send me an email at [email protected] - that might make communication easier.

    L
     
  9. AppleheadMay

    AppleheadMay Friend

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    Thanks Liam, will send you an email!
     
  10. AppleheadMay

    AppleheadMay Friend

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    Mail sent, hope to get some good news soon! :)

    I suppose the 2.5V my Marantz NA-11 S1 puts out won't be a problem?
    No idea what the output impedance is and about DC offset voltage though.

    Edited, found the answer to my phones question.
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2017
  11. highflyin9

    highflyin9 Facebook Friend

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    Liam good to see you on here. I was chatting with Steve about the amp a little while back. You guys really have something special here... very impressive on many different fronts, from the topology to the materials selected and the overall look. Keep me in mind when one of those review units frees up ;)

    Also, didn't really understand why Headphonics had a problem with the 2w output, that's pretty hefty for a headphone amp and will drive all headphones aside from perhaps the K1000.

    ...anyway, keep up the great work!
     
  12. liamstrain

    liamstrain MOT: The Audio Guild

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    Sorry for the lack of communication. We are not dead - it's just been complicated. I should opt for more communication rather than less, but my tendency is to clam up until I am sure, and in this situation, sure is hard to come by.

    Barring anything else unforeseen (and we've had enough of those, thank you) - we are expecting that a couple units will ship out at the end of the month, with the remaining units shipping in the second week of November. At that point we will revisit the timeline for the next production run and consider re-opening sales. We will also have some units available from cancelled orders (due our delay) - which may be available in a shorter timeframe. We're still pending input transformers for those, however, so I don't want to promise an availability date yet.

    Thank you all who have stuck with us this far. We'll get there!
     
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2017
  13. eastboundofnowhere

    eastboundofnowhere Facebook Friend

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    Awesome, thank you sir. In situations like that my instincts are exactly the same, but it's backfired on me several times. I look forward to hearing it and even though I don't contribute often (more experience here than I will ever acquire) I promise to write up everything I can on it.
     
  14. liamstrain

    liamstrain MOT: The Audio Guild

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    Last bits being delivered this morning! First units should start shipping in the next couple days. Will keep you all posted!
     
  15. AppleheadMay

    AppleheadMay Friend

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    Any news on an extra or canceled 220V unit or a next batch Liam?
    I contacted you by email. ;)
     
  16. liamstrain

    liamstrain MOT: The Audio Guild

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    Hey there! It looks like we'll have one for you not in this weeks build out, but probably the first week of December-ish. Our transformer supplier is winding a new batch for us, and that's the hold up on those.
     
  17. AppleheadMay

    AppleheadMay Friend

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    Liam ... I could kiss you! :):p:D
     
  18. AppleheadMay

    AppleheadMay Friend

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    Any new info on the power amps or speakers? What would be the size of the speakers?
     
  19. liamstrain

    liamstrain MOT: The Audio Guild

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    Ok - so 'next couple days' got complicated. But now I mean it. We should be shipping starting on Monday. *

    * I freaking hope.
     
  20. liamstrain

    liamstrain MOT: The Audio Guild

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    All domestic units are built and shipped. If you have not received a tracking number, let me know and I'll pass it along.

    240 boards are still being tested, but should go out soon!
     

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