Just ordered a pair of Le Amp II's but...

Rob Babcock · « **on:** 14 Apr 2003, 09:02 am »

I almost immediately got to thinking I shoulda ordered 3 instead of 2. I sorta thought to try 'em first in my music/HT rig for the front 3 channels. Ultimately I plan to integrate them into my (stereo only) upstairs system.

Also, I'm getting a little antsy to see what they're actually gonna look like. I sorta have this mental picture of the amp looking similar to the one in JWong's photos but with LED power indicators & some badging. But I was also told that the heat sinks & casework will be different, so I don't know what to expect. Hopefully I'll see a picture, otherwise I won't know till they show up!

aaird · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 Apr 2003, 11:48 am »

I'm sure you will know a few days before you get yours. I am fairly sure that Mbarnes will post photos asap on his website, and that will likely be days or possibly even weeks before the finished product starts rolling out the doors in quantity.

Andrew

MaxCast · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 Apr 2003, 11:59 am »

The II's will look like a "mini-me" Stratos. The heat sinks will be a bit larger than the ones at MAF and the front will have a logo behind the front plate's window.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 Apr 2003, 08:11 pm »

Any idea what the color will be, Maxcast? A mini Stratos-that would be a high grade of cosmetics, indeed!

Especially for $200 bucks!

Guess I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for new pics.

mbarnes · « **Reply #4 on:** 14 Apr 2003, 08:32 pm »

Our idea for style is to make it look somewhat retro. I didn't want to use blue LEDs because everyone is doing that. I prefered to have a screen. I was thinking of something like My Bedini but with a blue background. It would be something like a cell phone screen.

The sides are heatsinks. One side is for the power supply and the other for the amp.

Obviously, with the price, we can't get crazy with styling. I want a good look but I also want users to know that we spent more money on the inside than the outside.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Apr 2003, 03:18 am »

The wait's killin' me, MB! Are we gonna get a sneak peak in the near future?

The blue LED thing is sorta ubiqitous, I guess, but classic. A screened logo is okay in my book, too. I agree the bucks whould be better spent on the guts than the case. But only too a point; I'd think it was worth a few bucks to ensure it looked decent. But simple is good, and cheap!

ABEX · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Apr 2003, 05:48 am »

I totally agree with the opinion of putting the most important emphasis on the parts performance rather than aesthetics.

Some designs that I really do not like in Monoblocks are Monarchy’s gaudy big white lettering. I think Blue Led like Odyssey uses are good. Amps really do not have to jump out at you the way a unit like a preamp needs to because you need to see the functions of a preamp.

Light grey or light blue anodized faceplate with black heatsinks might look cool, but I do not know what the letter coloring might be. You could mix and match to see what might look better for lettering style and color.

In the end the looks for an amp are not as important as what goes inside, but there is always the WAF involved , those Park Ave. ad people and Interior designers that will recommend a product on looks alone as a selling point. Something that reminds people of Space Odyssey2001 goes far for the younger up and coming crowd.

I will have 3 sets of these things so I hope they do not look gaudy. Great big lettering would be out for me. I’d have to put them in a cabinet. A small blue LED for the power switch looks cool.

Just a few thoughts!

Follow-up note:
I made a mistake about the NAK STASIS amps being badly reviewed.Reviews I read tonight were positive. Atleast from the ones that owned them.I do remeber seeing them,but cannot remember hearing them. either way knowing what the amp can do and that the desiner was infkuenced by Nelson Pass is great news to me.

http://www.audioreview.com/Amplifiers/Nakamichi,PA-7/PRD_116032_1583crx.aspx

nathanm · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Apr 2003, 08:42 pm »

The real art of case design comes from not necessarily throwing money at it, but rather the skill of the designer to make an attractive form regardless of price. If they really wanted to, the mass market stuff could emulate the look of hifi gear, but they choose not to. Well, that's not entirely fair there are some cheap components I've seen that look pretty slick.

ABEX · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Apr 2003, 08:49 pm »

Just to add to that.Of what I have read the most costly part of the amp is the heatsinks.The most costly part of speakers are the Cabinets.

That being the case I really do not see big discrepency in making the Faceplate and other parts of the case unless you really get ultra fancy like fancy silkscreening, heavy thickness,special plating and specialty screws .

That's only what I have read in the past today things might be different

Whatever the outcome for the price I am not complaining!Orderd mine today and of what MB wrote back we are looking at early to mid May for delivery!