Anyone else turned off by PCBs?

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

I know that well designed PCBs are extremely consistent and durable. But some part of me gets a big limpy when I hear handwired amp and then see it is a pcb.

Anyone else feel similar? I think bogner and mesa both really get me because there is so much shit going on. Mesa are complicated and stack components. Bogner has fuses on the PCB..weird shit

 

[BlueParfait]

I used to, but honestly I don't give a hoot anymore since I won't be the one reparing it if it breaks

 

[RaceU4her]

nah

 

[7704A]

Well-designed and maintainable PCBs are sexy. Mesa boards look like a nightmare.

 

[Bon Darzini]

I know that well designed PCBs are extremely consistent and durable. But some part of me gets a big limpy when I hear handwired amp and then see it is a pcb.

Anyone else feel similar? I think bogner and mesa both really get me because there is so much shit going on. Mesa are complicated and stack components. Bogner has fuses on the PCB..weird shit

 

[Rackman]

If anything I'd say the exact opposite. Engineers are funny that way

Seriously, while PCB mounted pots, jacks and sockets can be an issue I would say in general PCBs are a good thing. They're God's way of making the layout and signal integrity of your amp match all the others.

 

[jasonP]

if the layout is nice and serviceable I don’t mind it like I used to in the past when I thought it actually made a tonal difference. Now I get more turned off when I see like various brand of components or like 3 watt wire wound resistors in a cathode. With all that being said it still is fun to see like gut shots of a Larry amp.

 

[thegame]

I’m sure @Techdeth has had a lot of PCB experience

 

[70 Mach 1]

Buy quality non massed produced shit and you'll be just fine

 

[Eazy-ESP]

ENGL style yes. Fryette style/2203 style (Pittbull II excluded) no.

I would love to avoid, but really most of my favourite tones seem to be from PCB amps.

 

[BlueParfait]

ENGL style yes. Fryette style/2203 style (Pittbull II excluded) no.

I would love to avoid, but really most of my favourite tones seem to be from PCB amps.

+1 to ENGL

Very well built in terms of chassis and topology, but err

 

[Mike Oxhuge]

+1 to ENGL

Very well built

The Engl Artist and Blackmore are badass sounding amps that can do most anything but now that I see the paper thin PCB and traces I feel very lucky to have spent as many trouble free years as I did with those amps. But the fucking tones are top tier, especially High Lead.

 

[Findthetone1]

Not anymore. It's been a thing for quite a while now so for the most part they are reliable.

 

[BeZo]

I don't kick them out of bed.

 

[BlueParfait]

The Engl Artist and Blackmore are badass sounding amps that can do most anything but now that I see the paper thin PCB and traces I feel very lucky to have spent as many trouble free years as I did with those amps. But the fucking tones are top tier, especially High Lead.

Nice.

My JVM's PCB almost gave me a heart attack, but it was repaired properly at least

 

[rsm]

I’m sure @Techdeth has had a lot of PCB experience

I thought that was PCP?

/S

 

[rsm]

I'm no amp expert, but ...

If the amp circuit is simple, my preference is a turret board. I think many modern amps with more complex circuits make PCBs the preferred method due to the complexity...even if hand wired turret boards could be used, it would probably make the cost even higher.

That said, it still pisses me off that my JTM-45 reissue, a simple circuit, still made in England, isn't hand wired with a turret board; it uses a PCB, but the price is still high for what it is....still cheaper than vintage JTM 45 I found when I was looking.

IMO

 

[Simon Dorn]

I know that well designed PCBs are extremely consistent and durable. But some part of me gets a big limpy when I hear handwired amp and then see it is a pcb.

Anyone else feel similar? I think bogner and mesa both really get me because there is so much shit going on. Mesa are complicated and stack components. Bogner has fuses on the PCB..weird shit

Another reason why i like my Marshall. Also: The Amp has to have a choke.

 

[thegame]

I thought that was PCP?

/S

Yes dammit

 

[67mike]

No, if they are good quality, I have zero issues.