[R-390] Off Topic - Transistor R390A sounding good.

[Bill Hawkins]

There's an enormous number of transistor types because
of Moore's Law - the device performance improves by an
order of magnitude every 18 months or so. The result is
an enormous number of obsolete transistor types that can
be replaced by the latest, soon to be obsolete, types.

Of course, you can't replace Germanium with Silicon devices
without making some circuit changes for the lower base to
emitter voltage.

There are high-priced tubes because there are people who
have too much money. They attract predators who know how
to prey on their emotions. They do not have enough tube
knowledge to be able to think rationally. They read too
many magazines designed to market emotional stuff. It
does not matter if they are suckers, they have the money
and they crave the very best that money can buy. The fact
that something advertised to suck the bad stuff out of
their amplifiers is a polished rock just doesn't matter.

"Did you see the article on the rock that cures bad stuff?"

"Oh, yes. I've got ten of them, and everything sounds so
much better!"

Did you see anything quantitative in that conversation?
I mean, besides the "I've got more rocks than you" statement.

Understand, not just anyone can create value where there is
none. First you have to build a group of loyal followers by
offering stuff that really does improve things, or otherwise
build a reputation within a group of wealthy people. Think
of the marketing efforts of the tailors in "The Emperor's 
New Clothes."

Happy New Year, group.
Bill Hawkins