The measurement-first principle
Every product we release begins with a target: a noise floor, a distortion figure, a frequency response window. These targets are not marketing numbers; they are engineering tolerances entered into our test jig before a single component is sourced. If we cannot achieve the target measurably, reliably, and repeatably — with unit-to-unit variance below ±0.5 dB in the passband — the product does not ship.
This approach runs counter to much of the audiophile industry, where subjective listening impressions frequently override objective data. Our position is different: we listen extensively, but listening sessions are calibration checks, not design tools. If a measurement is good and the sound is not, we look for what the measurement missed — and we add that measurement to our test suite.
Workshop & assembly
Our workshop occupies a former industrial unit purpose-converted for precision assembly. The floor is isolated from the building structure on anti-vibration mounts. The soldering stations are temperature-controlled to ±2°C and logged. Each technician assembles a complete unit from first solder joint to final box seal. No assembly-line specialisation; a single pair of hands and a single mind is responsible for each product.
After assembly, every unit runs a 48-hour burn-in at rated output before measurement. The measurement suite covers: THD+N sweeps from 20 Hz to 20 kHz; SNR at −60 dBFS through full scale; channel separation (electrical and acoustic); frequency response at 12 spatial positions for speakers; wow & flutter for mechanical drive products. The logged measurement sheet ships inside the box.
All mechanical components are inspected under 10× magnification. Bearing surfaces are measured against reference gauges. Platter flatness is verified to 0.005 mm. Tonearms are aligned with a calibrated digital stylus gauge before packing.
The listening room
Our listening room is acoustically treated to RC-25 (N) standard — a noise criterion that allows meaningful listening at very low playback levels. The room is 18 m² with asymmetric first-reflection panels, a front wall absorber, and a rear diffuser array. It is not an anechoic chamber; it is calibrated to sound like a well-controlled domestic listening room, because that is where the products will live.
After technical sign-off, completed systems go into this room for 2 hours of critical listening against reference recordings that expose specific performance characteristics: the first movement of Bartók's Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta for dynamic range; Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section for spatial imaging; Joni Mitchell's Court and Spark for midrange tonality and sibilance control. If a product passes measurement but fails this listening check, it goes back to the workshop — not because measurements lied, but because we missed something.
Materials & sourcing
We do not use off-the-shelf driver OEM units without validation. Every speaker driver is characterised for Thiele/Small parameters on delivery and matched to tolerance before being accepted into production. Passive component tolerances are 1% or better throughout signal paths. Capacitors in RIAA circuits are hand-matched pairs within 0.1% of each other.
Cabinetry is made from 22 mm void-free MDF with internal bracing calculated by finite element analysis to raise the first panel resonance above 300 Hz. Veneer finishes are applied in-house; the Walnut grade requires eight coats of hardwax oil with sanding between coats.
The five-year warranty
Our five-year warranty covers parts and labour against defects in materials and workmanship. We repair, not replace, wherever possible. Spare parts for every current product are stocked for a minimum of ten years from the date of discontinuation. Out-of-warranty repairs are accepted at a fixed bench rate plus parts — no hourly billing uncertainty.
