Red Wine Signature 30 prototype pics

Paul_Bui · « **Reply #20 on:** 29 Mar 2006, 02:35 am »

IMHO, it will deserves the "Signature" name not only in sonic virtues but also look and feel. Therefore, another vote for red wine color & finish.

fu_man · « **Reply #21 on:** 29 Mar 2006, 01:44 pm »

>I have also been considering a wooden enclosure, but there are so many wood finishes and who knows what would be the most popular?

oh yes now you're talking...!
I don't want to be negative, there is nothing wrong with the prototype housing, but there is nothing particularly special about it either. It seems conservative and blends in with the crowd. it doesn't seem to reflect it's heritage. I thought it was a bit of a shame the SB3 lost the big Auricap stuck on the back. Its a modded unit and why shouldn't it look like one? ( although i wouldn't really support putting it on the back for aesthetics alone) A 'stylised DIY' look is much more interesting than looking like one of the mass market products.
The 47 Labs Shigaraki gear is bang on IMHO. The int. amp is a masterpiece. Simple, downplayed, "looks dont matter it's all about sound" (even tho we know it IS about looks) but somehow still uniquely stylish.
Of course i'm not suggesting you copy that look, but a plain pine banged-up box (with a nice logo) and stunning sound, that would be a statement... Unfortunately, I dont think you would sell quite so many!

Oh well, sorry i couldn't give a more useful response... keep up the good work.

davidada · « **Reply #22 on:** 29 Mar 2006, 04:33 pm »

Vinnie please do not go overboard on the looks - this is a very very difficult area to get "right".
That is what large corporations hire trained industrial designers. Obviously this is not an option so the best approach is to keep it clean and simple - including your logo.
Think 47 labs, amp 1, Olive musica 9 (please make it in the same form factor) , bel canto, etc.
I actual think the prototype is there, clean up the logo, do not use the grapes and wine, focus on the product, lose the cursive script , Helvetica would be great.
Finally only two choices plain aluminium or anodised black( white lettering)
very discreet size.
Leave the wood finishes and coloured finishes to the Chinese manufacturers - or hire a trained ID designer.
My two cents worth.

hmen · « **Reply #23 on:** 29 Mar 2006, 05:58 pm »

Vinnie,
What are the dimensions? It looks smaller than most amps. That would make it ideal for a bedroom system.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #24 on:** 30 Mar 2006, 04:58 am »

Quote

I have also been considering a wooden enclosure, but there are so many wood finishes and who knows what would be the most popular?

Chris[/list:u]

fu_man · « **Reply #25 on:** 30 Mar 2006, 07:52 am »

I've haven't seen the original Lotus, but that sounds like the money.

I'm unsure of Davidada discourteous remarks regarding Chinese Audio Manufacturers of wooden housings, but there are plenty of good examples, not forgetting your own Lotus. The classic McIntosh housings; Welborne Labs gear isn't too shabby; and how about the Walker Audio Velocitors... that is a seriously smart design.

Perhaps my point is better summarised like this:
A simple wooden case has more potential to result in a character which reflects the nature of your product and company. And hopefully it also means keeping the cost down and the $ spend focussed on the serious audio bits.
To achieve the same result using Al or SS for example takes some seriously sophisticated product design.

Any pics of the original Lotus around?

davidada · « **Reply #26 on:** 30 Mar 2006, 12:47 pm »

Fuman sorry if you took my remarks of chinese manufacturers the wrong way, in fact I am a big fan of Opera, Dared and Meixing, my point was that there are already so many superb offerings in exotic woods and laquered finished that it would be difficult for Vinnie to compete with these companies.

Bwanagreg · « **Reply #27 on:** 30 Mar 2006, 02:13 pm »

For what it's worth, my vote would be to put the money into the parts you can hear and keep the case simple and relatively inexpensive. I like the basic look in the photo. Perhaps a fancy case can be an upcharge for those who feel they "need" it?

kbuzz3 · « **Reply #28 on:** 30 Mar 2006, 03:19 pm »

Figured Id bump this again......been waiting for something from vinnie with a little more juice to try with my LS35a's.....a blend of the state of the art and the ancient

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #29 on:** 30 Mar 2006, 03:34 pm »

Quote from: Russell Dawkins

I've got it!

All except faceplate and maybe back panel anodized dark red, knob included .
Faceplate anodized black with engraved logo stained dark red to match body. This way the faceplate would closely match the design of your logo, which is a good-looking logo.
The very appearance of the faceplate would then be an extension of your logo.

This could be the "house look" for all similar products.

...

Hmmmmmmm, black face plate and black back plate with dark red top, bottom, sides, and knob. You may have something here Russell! This would certainly give it a unique look that will be very classy

Quote from: onemug

Hi Vinnie, I like the idea of dark red or burgundy for the majority of the surface. With it being your signature model and all, why not a nice wine color.

Good call, onemug!

Quote from: davidada

lose the cursive script , Helvetica would be great.

Welcome to Audiocircle and thanks for posting, David! It sounds like there are a few comments about the font. I thought the script gave it some charm, but if it is too difficult to read I can try others...

Quote from: hmen

Vinnie,
What are the dimensions? It looks smaller than most amps. That would make it ideal for a bedroom system.

-- Dimensions will be approximately: 10.5" wide x 8" deep x 3.5" tall

There are some more specs discussed here:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=25932&start=0

This will all be cleaned up soon and listed on my website.

Quote

For what it's worth, my vote would be to put the money into the parts you can hear and keep the case simple and relatively inexpensive.

For this Signature 30 amp, the custom machined case is certainly going to cost a lot more than my other enclosures. I am looking for something with SOLID build quality and fit/finishing.

The sound quality is definitely top priority, but that is pretty much nailed (I'm getting the best sound yet with the Sig 30...). I knew the enclosure was going to be the last piece of the puzzle, but I have found that aesthetics are very important to many so I don't want to skimp out.

All your feedback is very valuable to me and I really appeciate it!

Thanks again,

roymail · « **Reply #30 on:** 30 Mar 2006, 08:15 pm »

Vinnie,

I sent you a PM with my thoughts about the enclosure. Please give it a read. Otherwise, I have this to add. If you do the front and back plate in black anodized aluminum and do the body in the plain anodized aluminum finish (ie: Ack dAck enclosure upgrade), using a polished aluminum volume knob would look very nice IMO. Make the script, or whatever you decide to use, contrast with the black front matching the knob and even the dimples. Actually, as far as the dimples go, I can take them or leave them. Non-issue for me. Maybe some others will comment on this scheme, too. Thanks for considering our ideas. Regardless of what you decide about the enclosure, I know it's going to be a hugh seller for you.

-- Roy

Nick B · « **Reply #31 on:** 30 Mar 2006, 08:36 pm »

Very attractive chassis any way you go. My vote goes for black anodized with maroon/dark red for the lettering and dots or use of an alternative logo with the red wine theme in mind.

fu_man · « **Reply #32 on:** 31 Mar 2006, 11:24 am »

Davidada,
oops sorry it seems i did misinterpret you comment... my apologies.

davidada · « **Reply #33 on:** 31 Mar 2006, 01:41 pm »

Quote from: fu_man

Davidada,
oops sorry it seems i did misinterpret you comment... my apologies.

No problem fu man

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #34 on:** 4 Apr 2006, 12:58 am »

All,

I can't thank you guys enough for all the feedback!

I have received lots of emails and PMs regarding this, and more recently have been asked a few times if I can keep it simple and use the black anodized enclosures that I have been using for the custom Clari-Ts (the 6" x 8" x 3"). I certainly can use them, but would need to use one to house the battery power (remember, this amp uses two larger SLAs) and one for the amp. These could be either stacked or placed side-by-side.

If I stick with these enclosures, this opens the door for some more customization (e.g. multiple inputs) because I can drill them myself in a build-to-order fashion, which is what I've been doing all along and my customers seem to really like this. Perhaps it will be a good idea to offer a couple of different packages on my website, and carry this over for the 6 watt Clari-T as well (a new version of the 6 watt Clari-T that will be similar to the newer one, but with 6 watts instead of 30).

I would like to at least see if I can come up with a nicer looking faceplate for these.

I have to figure this out really soon. I'll keep you all posted.

Again, thanks for all the feedback and support!

watersb · « **Reply #35 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 03:26 am »

Quote from: Vinnie R.

How do you guys feel about the vertically mounted binding posts? Would it be better if they were arranged horizontally?

Ha ha... Vinnie, you might recall my egregious installation error when I first installed my modded Teac... it sounded Rather Strange (I connected + of each channel to the right-channel output of the amp, and - to the left... no smoke...)

The design in your photos is un-ambiguous. Even I would be able to hook it up OK.

I like it just the way it is in the photos! I want a honkin' heavy aluminum one, it would dissipate heat well and would be a match for other pieces. Something really simple works for me!

Awesome!

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #36 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 03:40 pm »

Quote from: watersb

Ha ha... Vinnie, you might recall my egregious installation error when I first installed my modded Teac... it sounded Rather Strange (I connected + of each channel to the right-channel output of the amp, and - to the left... no smoke...)

The design in your photos is un-ambiguous. Even I would be able to hook it up OK.

I like it just the way it is in the photos! I want a honkin' heavy aluminum one, it would dissipate heat well and would be a match for other pieces. Something really simple works for me!

Awesome!

Hi watersb,

Yes, I remember your wiring troubles

Thanks for your input.

The knob shown in the photo is 2" diameter. I just tried a 1.5" diameter knob and I like it better. It still has a nice feel too it, but looks less cluttered.

I am still working out enclosure details with my local machine shop. I am actually looking into having a custom aluminum extrusion made (split body) locally, and having the front and back plates machined. Laser etching is also a possibility

More soon....

roymail · « **Reply #37 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 11:46 pm »

Vinnie,

You're obviously putting lots of R&D into this project. I just hope that all this work and extra goodies doesn't cause this wonderful amp to be priced out of my budget. But if so, I'll be stuck with my wonderful modded Clari-T... and wouldn't that be awful?

-- Roy

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #38 on:** 7 Apr 2006, 11:54 pm »

Quote from: roymail

Vinnie,

You're obviously putting lots of R&D into this project. I just hope that all this work and extra goodies doesn't cause this wonderful amp to be priced out of my budget.