[sjh500]

Just came across these guys on Gary Valez's website, he says the preamp is the nuts. I am wondering if anybody has ever tried or has one of there amps? They look really well made, use their own transformers and otherwise use very high grade parts. Thanks!

[sjh500]

Wow, in this world of crazy hi-fi....I can't believe know one has heard one of these?

[denjo]

There are so many new brands these days with cottage industry manufacturers on the rise! I checked Aural Thrills website and must say the preamps and amps look gorgeous. Not sure who the founder is, he does not mention his name though he provides a biodata. Other companies from Thailand are IRD Purist and Norh.

I rather doubt any AC would know of this company. Best to do your due diligence (ask and ask and ask). Who knows, this might be "Audio Note" in the making!

Best Regards
Dennis

[Jon L]

AT is more famous for their cables, especially their "active" shielded cables.  I'm rather fond of their Palladium cables myself.  They are also the only one of 2 companies I know of who make actively shielded cables that are driven by tube based shield drivers, the other company being Synergistic Research with their "Enigma" tube shield driver.  AT is a LOT cheaper  aa

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/auc.pl?cablintr&1198297299

[sjh500]

O.K., I checked out the company where these components come from...it is sacthailand.com? I guess they make a lot of the parts that go into these products! So, has anybody heard of sac?

[acresm22]

I've heard the SAC Minuet (EL34 SE amp) on a pair of Fostex FE127 speakers...sounded wonderful. Comparing it with a SI Super-T on the same speakers, I preferred the Minuet hands down. Aural Thrills is the US distributor, and Tom Kenny is a great guy to deal with.

From what I understand, SAC is primarily a transformer company (Silk trannies) that engineers amps around some of its custom-made iron. They make only a certain number of any given amp, and then retire that design and develop a new one. I believe they are now sold out of the Minuet, and its replacement won't be out for another couple months. Earlier they made an EL84 SE amp that went by a different name (the "Minute" I think). I've traded emails with someone who owns that amp (and writes for sixmoons), and he's very fond of it.

No affiliation whatsoever with SAC or Aural Thrills. I just like what I heard.

[sjh500]

I wonder why they don't continue successful designs? Maybe, they aren't like most audio companies...the dollar being the only motivation?