Massdrop had Darkvoice 336 SE and this 1502A . Both are tube amps for headphones but which one is better ? 336 looks like has points to points soldering and 1502A uses PCB board. Is the point to point soldering is better ?
patrckPoint-to-point is more period-appropriate, but is generally less reliable than PCB unless they used some very expensive military or industrial components and techniques.
SocrateaseNot necessarily. Many small manufacturers hand solder their boards as the volume is too low to engage a wave soldering supplier. Also even if spending high dollars for thick traces and PCOCC board plating (not common) , a point to point unit can easily have better quality conductors and can use better solder (silver bearing and/or low rosin) than one would find with a wave soldered board.
With a simple circuit like this, I would almost always take a well done point to point wired tube unit over a pcb based unit.
jewel942Yes, not necessarily, but all other things being equal. I've built P2P, through-hole PCB, and SMT, and my experience tells me that PCB is more reliable and more consistent. YMMV.
SocrateaseAgree ymmv. After 30+ years dealing with pc board fabrications for IBM, auto suppliers and board manufacturers, I have seen every quality and performance issue imaginable with pc boards, even in the highest tech facilities.