Talking tech with Sunn Amps - Do they live up to the legacy?

Описание: This interview was shot in August 2023 and was delayed due to the original edit and files being ruined. I was able to sit down with CEO James Lebihan and CTO and designer Darius Mostowfi for a chat about the upcoming products, plans for future releases and just how much effort went into not only making a historically accurate reimagining of the classic amps, but making them better overall.

This is the first in a series of more in depth interviews with companies, designers, builders and techs in the industry where we go beyond the tone. What makes the products tick, what motivates the designers and importantly, are they thinking of you the player and keeping the gear going longer?

00:00 Intro
00:54 Working with the original Sunn engineers
01:55 Repairability and the decision to use PCBs
05:01 Safety and the polarity switch
06:21 Remaking the original transformers
08:14 Will the new transformers work on vintage amps?
09:49 The magic of the 6AN8 phase inverter
12:50 Class D in the Beta Lead amps
15:13 Do the Beta Leads use the same switching circuit?
18:03 Are the Class D amps modules?
23:32 Why are the preamps in the same format as the heads?
22:40 New parts for old Sunn amps
26:00 Talking cabs
27:04 Recreating the JBL D150 speakers
29:59 Why not reissue Sunns own speaker designs?
31:49 Watts aren't the key to volume in speakers
35:27 Did you make any changes to the cabinet designs?
38:00 Sunn FRFR monitor discussion
40:29 Is 100W enough for an FRFR monitor?
45:01 Designing for international markets and the future of availability
47:29 Universal primary transformers?
48:27 Here's your Model T question because that's what you're here for
50:26 A baby Model T on the horizon?
51:13 Making new versions of models for modern players
53:58 New designs and future products including pedals
56:39 Old Sunn documents and prototypes
59:16 An ode to Conrad Sundholm


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