[Norman Tracy]

Bent Audio gets a nice mention in this Industry Feature on 6moons:

http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/passive2/1.html

John, I do have a question resulting from something Srajan Ebaen writes:

"The forthcoming Audience Wavemaster does have it but is projected to sell for around $12.000. The design itself is apparently based on John Chapman's OEM Slageformers, 61-tap autoformers packaged very compact to avoid the rat's nest in my former MFA. To not compete with his OEMs, Chapman has righteously discontinued manufacture of his own turnkey Tap-X preamp. That incorporated the very same relay-switched AVC module Audience will use. Incidentally those multi-tapped autoformers were co-developed with expert winder Dave Slagle when Music First cancelled their former licensing agreement with Bent Audio for their popular TVC modules."

OK, I know you are more focused on the OEM engineering side. But when I go to your web site bentaudio.com the TAP-X is still listed along with pricing. Is it for sale or not? With the mention on 6moons might be a good time to clarify. I totally understand if the web site is stale as I am guilty as charged it that regard.

Of course what I really want is a MOD system. 



happy listening

Norman Tracy
Audio Crafters Guild

[John Chapman]

Hello!

Always good to see your name Norm - I hope all has been well! I have indeed stopped making finished units. Also as you have guessed the web page is well out of date and really needs an update. Will get it done this fall..... I keep waiting for some new diy / oem parts to be buttoned up that I would like to include as part of the update but at some point just need to get it done as it does create some confusion....

I only did a couple of those MOD controllers - they were fun but no better sounding than the single box units and so there was not any good reason to spend the $ for most folks. If I really catch up one day (ya - right....) I will make up a few more MOD controllers to have around so folks could use them as part of diy projects - saving them from worrying about making a nice front end for the pre-amp.

Thansk!

John

[shib]

As a result of the 'Going Passive - again' article, John and BENT are mentioned in the Trafomatic Audio Kaivalya review.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/trafomatic5/kaivalya_5.html

Check out the new remote control! 

[John Chapman]

Hello!

Always fun (and flattering) to see my stuff mentioned like that. Thanks for the comment on the remote. Believe it or not that thing took as much design time as the TAP-X did..... It is 100% custom including buttons, custom extruded body and the pcb inside. I am going to add them to my web page (update is so long overdue it is silly now) and they will sell for $100. Crazy high amount for a remote but each one takes some time to put together and the parts cost alone is a big chunk of that price.  Mostly this was done for OEM customers who make much higher dollar gear. They really needed a remote that suited the gear they were building.  There is also a 2 button version for the stepped switches like Goldpoint, Dact and Shallco. I will soon have a new plastic version here that will be available as a budget alternative.

Thanks!

John

[rlabarre]

Thanks for the comment on the remote. Believe it or not that thing took as much design time as the TAP-X did..... It is 100% custom including buttons, custom extruded body and the pcb inside. I am going to add them to my web page (update is so long overdue it is silly now) and they will sell for $100. Crazy high amount for a remote but each one takes some time to put together and the parts cost alone is a big chunk of that price.  Mostly this was done for OEM customers who make much higher dollar gear. They really needed a remote that suited the gear they were building.  There is also a 2 button version for the stepped switches like Goldpoint, Dact and Shallco. I will soon have a new plastic version here that will be available as a budget alternative.

John, any progress yet in getting that remote on your web page?

[John Chapman]

Hello!

Not online yet....The photo on that page is better than any photos I ever manage! I do have them around now so they are ready to go for anyone wanting one.

Thanks!

John

[jtwrace]

Hello!

Not online yet....The photo on that page is better than any photos I ever manage! I do have them around now so they are ready to go for anyone wanting one.

Thanks!

John

Will it work with an ALPS unit?  I would just want volume.  Same price?

[John Chapman]

Hello!

It will run fine with the alps kit I sell - although it is almost as expensive for the metal handset as the alps kit....

Thanks!

John