Buckeye Amps: 2nd Generation Purifi EIGENTAKT 1ET9040BA Amplifier

[Julf]

It's not that bad. When I was first getting started in 2020/early 2021, the USD to EUR was lower than it is now.

Really?

 

[Julf]

See my above post. It's not anywhere near how bad it has been before. So it's not even on my radar for worry/consideration yet. As of right now it is just tariffs I have to consider and adjust for.

So what you are saying is that you have a high enough profit margin?

 

[Buckeye Amps]

So what you are saying is that you have a high enough profit margin?

I wouldn't say the profit margin is high, especially when compared to most other brands.

But being the sole employee, I can absorb swings in things like the dollar value or shipping costs or incremental price increases by vendors without it making/breaking the business.

I drew a line at the tariffs, however.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

Really? View attachment 445804

Your chart indicates the point I made very clearly in 2021...so yes, really.

 

[David_M]

Yes.

Sure, as long as the US amp builders don't use any foreign components. Too bad pretty much all PCBs are made in China, assembled from semiconductors are made in China, Malaysia and Taiwan, using photo-lithography equipment from The Netherlands. Oh, and even the enclosures are made from steel from Canada or India.

As for our favorite class D amps, the Purifi modules will be tariffed from Denmark @10%, and AC/DC switching power supplies from some foreign country @10%, (as long as it's not China @145 or 245% !!!). PC boards, ICs, and passives can be locally sourced easily. Chassis can also be made locally. Ditto for power cords, etc. So, our exposure is not that great, I believe. Do I have this right?

 

[Buckeye Amps]

As for our favorite class D amps, the Purifi modules will be tariffed from Denmark @10%, and AC/DC switching power supplies from some foreign country @10%, (as long as it's not China @145 or 245% !!!). PC boards, ICs, and passives can be locally sourced easily. Chassis can also be made locally. Ditto for power cords, etc. So, our exposure is not that great, I believe. Do I have this right?

You would have to ask each brand/manufacturer for a breakdown. For instance, the price difference between having PC boards manufactured in the US vs. China is still such a drastic price difference that even a 500% tariff would be cheaper than turning to US manufactured PC boards.

 

[Full Zhou]

"Ha, how much is a square meter of two-layer FR4 made in the USA? Currently, the price for double-sided PCB in China is 210 RMB/square meter."

 

[David_M]

Since 1$ = 7.3 rmb (approx) ==> China price of 210 rmb/meter = $28.77/square meter or per 1550 square inches. That's quite a big panel capable of tens (or more) of pre-amp pcbs for the Purifi modules.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

Just wanted to put a PSA out there so no one reads into the current extended lead times for something they are not (such as thinking it is due to issues procuring parts, cost barriers, etc). It is merely because we are finally taking an official vacation for the first time in over four years:

For the first time in over four years, we are taking a short vacation here at Buckeye Amps. We will be gone for 10 days at the end of May/beginning of June. Once we return from vacation, we will work diligently to bring the build times back down to previous levels. Thank you everyone!

 

[muslhead]

Just wanted to put a PSA out there so no one reads into the current extended lead times for something they are not (such as thinking it is due to issues procuring parts, cost barriers, etc). It is merely because we are finally taking an official vacation for the first time in over four years:

For the first time in over four years, we are taking a short vacation here at Buckeye Amps. We will be gone for 10 days at the end of May/beginning of June. Any new orders starting today (5/8) will have an extended build time of 4-5wks. Once we return from vacation, we will work diligently to bring the build times back down to previous levels. Thank you everyone!

Enjoy your time off

 

[JRT]

FYI... The follow-up article, which Dylan had mentioned that he was expecting in the June issue of Stereophile, did make it into the June issue, on page 109 of the printed version, which arrived in my USPS mailbox yesterday (Saturday, 10 May 2025). Not sure, but that issue may also be out on the news stands by now. Not sure if or when the online version may be updated with the follow-up.

 

[JRT]

FYI... The follow-up article, which Dylan had mentioned that he was expecting in the June issue of Stereophile, did make it into the June issue, on page 109 of the printed version, which arrived in my USPS mailbox yesterday (Saturday, 10 May 2025). Not sure, but that issue may also be out on the news stands by now. Not sure if or when the online version may be updated with the follow-up.

The follow-up content has been appended to the online version of the article.

Here is a link to John Atkinson's new set of measurements of the newer version of the pair of monoblock amplifiers with proper functioning modules representative of current regular production.

Here is a link to Kalman Rubinson's report on his follow-up auditions of that new pair.

These had not yet been added at the time of when I posted yesterday.

 

[Carlton80@0]

Nice amplifier that can be sourced here for USA buyers. Nice set of features and options that other assemblies don’t offer without a much higher price of entry. Unfortunately due to space constraints of my current setup and the width they will not fit side by side in my allotted space.

 

[kyuu]

Pretty telling how little (read: no) difference technical faults of that magnitude, due to a faulty module, made in practice. Perhaps people shouldn't obsess so much about their amps (or electronics in general)...

 

[Julf]

Pretty telling how little (read: no) difference technical faults of that magnitude, due to a faulty module, made in practice. Perhaps people shouldn't obsess so much about their amps (or electronics in general)...

This! Lots of worrying about amps, DACs and even cables and connectors, when it is the speakers, room and source material that make the difference.