Aitos EV 903 250 watt OTL amplifier

[microstrip]

Surely the best approach will be to stick with those companies that are tried and tested, the usual suspects, and those left-field candidates that have a solid provenance like NAT Audio. How many companies on your friend’s Mono And Stereo website are still in business 12 months later?

I think that geographic location and distribution is a key point in this search. Many of these small companies have excellent products, give good local assistance and service, but are not able to give worldwide assistance.

Playing the devil's advocate, IMHO NAT Audio ranks with the other usual suspects ...

 

[spiritofmusic]

I’m not so sure about that Francisco. Nat Audio from Serbia sell very healthily in E and Central Europe, Germany, Russia and China. They’ve had US distrbn before, and Dejan has been in direct communication w Ked, Ron, me etc.
They’ve been around successfully for nearly two decades now, so fulfil the provenance/experience criteria that Ron values.

 

[Ron Resnick]

I agree with you, Marc.

I am less thrilled with Dejan's (reported) tendency to make on-the-fly component changes along the way of his production.

 

[microstrip]

I’m not so sure about that Francisco. Nat Audio from Serbia sell very healthily in E and Central Europe, Germany, Russia and China. They’ve had US distrbn before, and Dejan has been in direct communication w Ked, Ron, me etc.
They’ve been around successfully for nearly two decades now, so fulfil the provenance/experience criteria that Ron values.

I surely expected that you would disagree, but you confirmed exactly my point. I do not know about Ron criteria, but they would not please mine.

 

[KeithR]

Call me snobbish, but I don't why anyone would build a SOTA system around an amp that looks like it is built in a garage.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Ron, you surely don’t believe Nat are alone in doing this? I believe Musical Fidelity regularly used to alter tube configuration from one “identical” amp to the next.
I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of designers just pick up the nearest component on the test bench and crow bar it into the chassis.
I like the fact my NATs are unique compared to the next guy’s.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Hey Francisco. Years ago I wouldn’t have touched Nat on principle. But they’re ability to combine tube delicacy and SS like muscle is totally addictive, and 4 years of ownership has only intensified the love.
But I would never expect anyone else to overlook their own requirements if Nat doesn’t satisfy them.

 

[bonzo75]

I think that geographic location and distribution is a key point in this search. Many of these small companies have excellent products, give good local assistance and service, but are not able to give worldwide assistance.

Playing the devil's advocate, IMHO NAT Audio ranks with the other usual suspects ...

I agree, it is a one man co with Ltd distribution and service suffers as a result. Such companies the person should be willing to engage direct, go through long periods of shipping back and forth for repairs, or have a local technician handy locally.

 

[microstrip]

Hey Francisco. Years ago I wouldn’t have touched Nat on principle. But they’re ability to combine tube delicacy and SS like muscle is totally addictive, and 4 years of ownership has only intensified the love.
But I would never expect anyone else to overlook their own requirements if Nat doesn’t satisfy them.

Surely - you now live in the UK, close to the European service center. We will speak again after the Brexit ...
BTW, I have no doubt NAT sound quality represents great value for money - particularly considering their low prices in Europe. But this is Ron's thread!

 

[bonzo75]

After brexit UK will become a tax haven and all rich audiophiles will move here as well as struggling audio manufacturers to take advantage of negligible corporate tax. My trips will be confined to tube travel and evenings

 

[Ron Resnick]

Ron, you surely don’t believe Nat are alone in doing this? I believe Musical Fidelity regularly used to alter tube configuration from one “identical” amp to the next.
I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of designers just pick up the nearest component on the test bench and crow bar it into the chassis.
I like the fact my NATs are unique compared to the next guy’s.

I hoped NAT was alone in doing this!

Yes, Marc, I know you like bespoke! I know you like one-of-a-kind even better.

But one-of-a-kind scares me. I am the guy who wants the last Ferrari off the assembly line (for greater reliability after they had a lot of practice making the earlier copies), not the first one (for early adopter bragging rights).

 

[spiritofmusic]

No way Ked.
You DO know we’re not exactly leaving?
We mirror EU “high standards” ad infinitum, while never sitting at the table to influence those standards.
About the worst dogs dinner compromise you could come up with.
No chance we become Singapore On The North Sea.
I’m afraid your Air Miles will continue to rack up.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Ron, you mean the last one just as the scandal of dodgy practices is about to get revealed.
Don’t go for a coastal drive that first day.
*not referring to Ferrari, could be any make.

 

[bonzo75]

I was kidding. Trying to rationalize, like audiophiles do after making an incorrect decision (like many Brits did) that can't be reversed

 

[spiritofmusic]

You can’t say it was an incorrect decision. You can say it’s not the decision you’d have wanted. But the customer is always right, all 52% of them. If the Govt actually provided Brexit, there’d be something to talk about.