[hometheaterdoc]

Everyone,

With the addition of a black pair of A100 Monad amps to my main demo system (these things are *beyond* spectacular.... my new reference amplifier by a long shot) that replaced a monoblocked pair of TDB-2250s that used to sit in their place, combined with a couple open box situations, I have a few demo and open box TDB-2250 amps for sale.  Contact me for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

If you haven't read some of the threads here at Audio Circle or on other boards, you're missing out on a fine piece of machinery that will startle you with more liquid, tubelike sound, yet still retain the benefits of solid state.  New, sealed units also available.  Contact me for more info.

http://www.butleraudio.com/home.php

Thanks!

[Double Ugly]

Congrats on the new addition, Shane.  I've enjoyed my Butler Monads for over a year now, and have found no reason or justification to go looking for something else.

For those interested parties who aren't quite sure about the TBD 2250s, I owned two of them and loved what they did in my system.  Shane's right; the tubes affect the areas of the presentation that need it, but no more.  The rest (specifically the bass) is tightly controlled by the hybrid 2250s.  I'd still have them today if it wasn't for a so-called friend who hounded me until I tried the Monads.  The 2250s were great, but the Monads were other-worldly, and the 2250s went up for sale shortly after the audition.

I used the 2250s in bridged-mono, pumping something like 800W into my 8 ohm SP Technology Timepieces.  The dynamics were scary, and no doubt the amps sounded even better working half as hard most of the time.  Lonewolfny42 now has a set-up very similar to what I had (thanks to the purchase of one of my amps), and last I heard, he was still extremely happy with them.

I've never done business with Shane, but I've conversed with him on a number of occasions and found him to be a straight-up guy.  If he says he'll make you a good deal, I'd believe it.  If you're interested, my only concern would be waiting too long and allowing someone else to snatch them up.

FWIW...

Jim

[lonewolfny42]

DU :

Lonewolfny42 now has a set-up very similar to what I had (thanks to the purchase of one of my amps), and last I heard, he was still extremely happy with them.

[/list:u]Yep....extremely happy.....

And if you can get one (or two) at a discount....great !!!! [/list:u]

[hometheaterdoc]

Jim,

Thanks for the kind words.  I agree with you.  These Monads (who in final production form are much more pricey than your pair.... talk about hurting the pocketbook!!) are "other-worldly".  Best money I've yet spent in this hobby (even above the Tact gear!)..... and I've spent a LOT of money on all kinds of gear over the years....

If guys come through today, these may all be gone (to the point I may have to throw a new one in at demo price cause I may have oversold them hehehe)

Give me a buzz though if anyone is still interested because it's a fairly common thing to have folks change their minds after sleeping on it.

[Double Ugly]

Thanks for the kind words.  I agree with you.  

You're welcome.

These Monads (who in final production form are much more pricey than your pair.... talk about hurting the pocketbook!!) are "other-worldly".  

The price hike that coincided with the new chassis was surprising, but apparently necessary given the hours it takes BK to build them.  I looked into getting the newer chassis, but the cost of the change was almost as much as I paid for my amps.  

According to BK, the larger (aka production) chassis allows for slightly larger heatsinks and a redistribution of the internal parts, which in turn makes it easier to make repairs.  He said the internal parts themselves - those that matter - are all the same save for a different cap he’s gone to.  That being the case, I couldn't justify paying a premium for a larger chassis, especially since they may be too tall to fit where I want them.

One of my Monads had a couple of caps give up the ghost recently, so I had BK change all the caps to the current model.  I can’t hear a difference, but maybe he went with them for durability - not sonic - purposes.

I suppose you needed the current look to do the retail thing, but I'm glad I made my purchase when I did.  They're amazing amps, but I can't afford the current iteration.

[hometheaterdoc]

Jim,

I don't know if it came across the right way in my note.  I was trying to state that if I think they are the best money I've ever spent on this hobby and they are other-worldly in their performance, you got an even greater screaming deal because you got the older chassis and price that went along with it.  You're right in that the only circuit changes were the caps.  You've now got my amps, just in the older chassis.  

BK finally stopped and figured out how much time it was actually taking to build these things plus added up the cost of all the parts. Given that they are all hand made (and tested to within an inch of their life by BK himself), he was severely underpricing them given the amount of time and the cost of the materials inside.  The CNC work to make the chassis from the solid aluminum blocks is also very very pricey and the new chassis, being quite a bit bigger, even further adds to the price.

The biggest advantage to the new chassis for users is that it runs a LOT cooler than the older chassis... not that the old chassis ran incredibly hot...  But for a fully Class A biased amp to run this cool even after being on 24 hours straight and running hard is quite a feat.  I can only imagine that's going to mean longer lasting parts as a result.  All that extra alumnium really comes in handy in this case.

It would be fantastic if I could get these amps for what they used to sell for before BK realized he was losing his shirt on them  Oh well... that's the way she goes  Even the manufacturers have to try and make a dollar or two sometimes

[Double Ugly]

Jim,

I don't know if it came across the right way in my note.  I was trying to state that if I think they are the best money I've ever spent on this hobby and they are other-worldly in their performance, you got an even greater screaming deal because you got the older chassis and price that went along with it.

I'm not sure what impression my comments evoked, but  I thought you were simply making note of the fact that they cost you a lot more now than mine did me a little over a year ago.  I don't have a problem with spending less money for essentially the same product.    IOW, I agree with the "screaming deal" part.

Nah...I wasn't upset or offended, and apologize if my reply made it seem otherwise.  

BK finally stopped and figured out how much time it was actually taking to build these things plus added up the cost of all the parts. Given that they are all hand made (and tested to within an inch of their life by BK himself), he was severely underpricing them given the amount of time and the cost of the materials inside. The CNC work to make the chassis from the solid aluminum blocks is also very very pricey and the new chassis, being quite a bit bigger, even further adds to the price.

When I first spoke to BK, he tried to talk me out of even auditioning the Monads.  In fact, he even went to far as to say he wished people would stop ordering them.  So even though I suspect BK is a vastly better designer and engineer than manager or accountant, I think deep down he knew he was losing money...or at least suspected it.  

He told me what was required to produce a single pair of amps, and though I didn't say anything to BK (it's called counterproductive), I had to wonder if they weren't a losing proposition at their pre-production price.  That's saying a lot - especially since even the old price was a fair chunk o' change ($12k) - but BK spends an inordinate amount of time personally tending to every aspect of their build.  His time is worth a lot IMHO, and when you factor in outlays for the blocks themselves, machining costs, the remaining pieces and parts and standard overhead (building, lights, etc.), it adds up quickly.

The biggest advantage to the new chassis for users is that it runs a LOT cooler than the older chassis... not that the old chassis ran incredibly hot... But for a fully Class A biased amp to run this cool even after being on 24 hours straight and running hard is quite a feat. I can only imagine that's going to mean longer lasting parts as a result. All that extra alumnium really comes in handy in this case.

BK mentioned they run cooler, but didn't seem to think it was that big a deal.  Of course, I suspect that was to make me feel better about not going ahead with the change.

You're right, though, on both counts; the "old" design doesn't run nearly as hot as one would expect, and if the new chassis runs so much cooler, it's like money in the bank.  

It would be fantastic if I could get these amps for what they used to sell for before BK realized he was losing his shirt on them  

If that were true, and if BK offered me the same trade-in deal using the old price, I'd already have a new pair.  

Oh well... that's the way she goes  Even the manufacturers have to try and make a dollar or two sometimes

Absolutely.  And although it has and probably will keep me from ever purchasing another pair, I'm glad BK realized his error before it broke him.

[lonewolfny42]

Spotted this over on 6moons.....

[hometheaterdoc]

Spotted this over on 6moons.....

I'm interested to see what he has to say in the full review... I've not even remotely agreed with the reviewer in some of his other reviews.  I don't think he and I hear the same way.... so I'm curious as to what he has to say here...

All demo and open box amps are now sold.  Only new, sealed amplifiers remain (and I have another order in place to restock since even those have been going fast!!).  Give me a call or shoot me an email if you are interested in a new Butler amp.  I'm happy to help!

Shane

[Double Ugly]

I don't think he and I hear the same way.... so I'm curious as to what he has to say here...

I’m with you.  Aside from a few select items, I’ve disagreed with him to varying degrees on virtually everything with which I was familiar.