Looks like you’re learning a ton and narrowing down what you want and looking for which is awesome. I found that when I read about the design philosophy behind the products I’m considering or already purchased, if what the manufacturer is saying resonates with me, I’m more likely to purchase and enjoy. That’s very true to how Riviera approach amplification, what Lukas said about Poseidon and how the Antipodes group think of servers.
I’m now reading and watching more content from Audio Group Denmark and they’re definitely on the shortlist of speakers I want to try next.
Yes, very much what I am finding as well. The other builders have been great and gave me tons of info on why their amps are great, how they will fit my needs, and tbh in the end their’s may be “better”. But the one builder i am having the longer and deeper conversations with is the one I am leaning towards. It helps that also has similar music tastes and hit all my hot points before i brought them up.
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@Polygonhell thoughts on transformer coupled vs cap coupled (the caps would be price appropriate here, no orange drops)? Is this like the AC vs DC argument? Or is it more one sided? Perhaps end goal oriented?
High end amps tend to use interstage transformers.
But there isn’t really a better choice between the two, the transformers can inductively load the pre tube, but you could do that with a choke, or get the same effect with a gyrator, or use a CCS.
You have the flexibility to step a signal up or down with an interstage transformer to better match gain for the power tube.
Both will roll off bandwidth, but there is so much more than just cap vs transformer, what cap and what transformer in what circuit. Your better just trusting the designer.
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I spent the past 2 weeks listening to music daily across a few chains and really nailing down / refining my preferences. A lot of thinking about what music do I really listen to and why do those tracks and artists appeal to me. And just as important as what details can I hear, is why do i connect to this music EMOTIONALLY.
To avoid getting too in the weeds I really continually gravitate towards more “moody” pieces. Yeah i always like a good ear worm, fun EDM bop, or heavy metal riff, but it is the more atmospheric works that i repeatedly go to and take me away the furthest. Ones where the artist’s energy and emotions are on full display.
Now to translate this to explainable audio parameters and sound properties. For me it tends to lead to things that embellish macro dynamics, add romance and harmonic richness to the mids, and tend to be more intimate at least for vocals. Aforementioned things like tactility and texture help portray the energy of a performance like the grit in a voice or how hard they strum an instrument. And separation lets me hear what each piece is doing and adding to the mix.
I went back to all builders who had returned my messages and explained this the best I could. Some seemed lost, and some kind of explained how the amp is what it is. Both of those i respect as they are not just “Yessing” me. One builder continually just seemed to understand what i was getting at and was able to not only relate but apply his own experiences and at times better relay the ideas i was forming. And with that I put down a deposit.
There is still a bit to do but most of this is waiting for the new amp, then deciding on one dac, finagling cables, etc. etc. But I am very excited to hear how this all turns out.
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A few updates as we plod along…
I received a call from the builder about some urgent news from Japan. I figured that it was something like the transformers were lost or will be delayed. But an actual good surprise. Since Japan did a real good job hoarding the real deal audio gear, components, and tubes a very nice piece popped up. A TDK 2p65cs to be exact. It is one of the highest regarded stepped attenuators even to this date, and I believe it is used in the high end Lamms. But like everything great it was discontinued and is a bit rare, so an available one popping up is an decision to add on. I only found one other legit unit a few years ago but didn’t buy it because “what would i do with a $300 piece that o had no immediate use for.” 
They are much more money now unfortunately.
With this though, there needed to be more room in the chassis to accommodate. So we have moved to a 2 chassis design. Much smaller than what others proposed footprint wise though and the slab i picked out should be able to be used for the front of both so it will look splendid together.
But with the 2 chassis there is also a few other things we can do. First thing is there is now room for paper-in-oil caps in the power section. The other is the C3gs can now have all their own dedicated regulators.
The builder has been great to work with so far and has been pretty informative. He also has noted that going “to the limit” on some of these things will make very little difference and letting me know what could easily be updated down the road if i didnt want to go full bore right away.
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This is EXACTLY why you always buy today what you might need tomorrow…you never know 
Congratulations on the lucky purchase, this is going to be such an epically aweome piece 
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Finally got some pics as the pieces come in. He waits for everything to come in to make sure it will physically fit before making the CAD layout and putting together the box.
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Apparently TKD still makes these, but you need to be an industry insider and Japan native to even have a chance.
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That doesn’t look like like any Alps pot I’ve ever seen.
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Maple, Bubinga, Cherry
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Def have maple and cherry but no clue about the last one. Bubinga is as good as any I guess… Sapelle looks like that as well but don’t know its raw color.
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Oh and the one up against the wall is easy! Oriented strand board. 
Bubinga is the main one. We picked a rich red/copper waterfall figured piece. I wanted redwood but forcthe use it needs to be stabilized and i didnt want to do that. Maybe this will make me miss my Atrium less.
The other is birch, at least the pieces on the left. I admit the ones on the right look a little more like fresh cherry or maple, hard to tell since its a quick low-rez pic and it may be for another project.
But the “B” woods are mine!
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