Does anyone beside me think that the word "clone" in relation to audio should denote something that looks and sounds exactly like an original audio piece of gear? Here is a picture of the original JC-2 preamp:
Reminds me of the movie: "Multiplicity" where a clone was made from another clone instead of the original. That "clone" had issues as does this "clone?"
This clone does sort of redefine simplicity, however!!
Does anyone beside me think that the word "clone" in relation to audio should denote something that looks and sounds exactly like an original audio piece of gear? Here is a picture of the original JC-2 preamp:
I just think it's funny when people make/sell audio gear that is reputed to be a "clone" of some expensive piece of audio gear and it looks far worse than a pathetic Chinese knock-off of something of value.
I just think it's funny when people make/sell audio gear that is reputed to be a "clone" of some expensive piece of audio gear and it looks far worse than a pathetic Chinese knock-off of something of value.
unless....the original manufacturer took the shortcut of using a cheap off-the-shelf amp circuit as the innards of that 'expensive piece of audio gear'.
7 years ago i was going to buy a pair of Rowland 301 monoblocks for the rear channels of my multi-channel effort. i needed a small powerful competent amplifer.
then i ran accross a pair of Chinese clones using the same B&O ICE module that the $7k+ Rowlands used for 25% of the retail price of the 301's. and i got a great discount from that modest list price. they looked great, and sounded quite good. my son has used them for 5 years with no issues.
might the real 301 have sounded better? i read that you could not tell them apart by listening, but i never directly compared them.
Does anyone beside me think that the word "clone" in relation to audio should denote something that looks and sounds exactly like an original audio piece of gear? Here is a picture of the original JC-2 preamp:
you can find clones of classic Jadis, VTL, levinson, audio research, etc. from many sources in asia. its the circuit thats copied the 'clones' PCB often looks nothing like the original in many cases. I dont think they care one iota of the looks, its aimed at the hobbyist that wont or cant spend the money for the real thing and wants a DIY project. lest you think this is proprietary stuff, the schematics are out there in the public domain, its not hard to clone many sought after classic designs.
you can find cloned PCBs of classic Jadis, VTL, levinson, audio research, etc. from many sources in asia. I dont think they care one iota of the looks, its aimed at the hobbyist that wont or cant spend the money for the real thing and wants a DIY project. lest you think this is proprietary stuff, the schematics are out there in the public domain, its not hard to clone many sought after classic designs.
they are clones to the extent they copy the original circuit which soncially should be close to the orignial amp. the JC-1 clone on ebay uses way better parts than john curl had at his disposal back then, in theory the clone can be made better. same goes for some of the ARC clones that substitute better parts than they had in the '70s like schottky diodes/rectifiers, nichicon electrolytics, teflon caps, etc.
