As a few of you know, I open up the case of almost any product that I buy, looking to see what makes it tick. The range is wide and more unpredictable than I would have thought. For example, I purchased an Emotiva CD player about a year ago for $500, and didn't expect much in the way of quality. I was wrong. Not to say that it is the best that I have seen, but way above it's price point. Opening up a BPT power conditioner was untouchable in quality construction. So much so, that I just stared in awe, and respectfully buttoned 'er up. Not so with another brand from an aircraft manufacturer that decided to put out a product for audio. The knobs were plastic, and cheap at  that. The case was decent, but that is all downhill from there. When I was changing out electrolytic capacitors, I had much trouble with the traces delaminating. I was carefully using flux, a good solder staion and Chemtronics wick. That is a combination that I rarely have trouble with. I am holding my breath, but well knowing that there will be a few band aid jumpers here and there. The few remaining products that I think less about worrying about damage or disappoint are in fact Decware, BPT, and only a handful of brands besides those. Just thought that I should share this with those folks who may be spending thousands, not realizing that it ain't always what you thought when the bill came due.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that peeks into things and just gawks at the design, engineering, and layout. I suck at layout, so I marvel when I see it done well.