The map is not the world

Stan Curtis relates how he noticed that there was often an audible difference between his ratsnest-point-to-point prototype designs and the final product. These final product mechanical implementations have evolved through the years, from lug-and turret boards, combined with neat loom-type cable runs, through hand-drawn PCB layouts, CAD designed boards and finally to the indiscriminate use of SMD parts on 4-layer boards. In each case, something changed audibly and almost never for the good. He explored the impact of solder joints on audio quality and even experimented with laser welding. This is very much an investigation in progress and may well be followed with a further installment in a later issue.