when another target date is missed


I wasn't aware that *another* target date had been missed. In all posts from Patrick (or Rob) regarding the subject they have been upfront with what they want as a target date, but *also* about the fact that this is an unofficial 'third-party' kit that will be ready when it is ready.

Obviously there are a lot of people interested in this kit, but the vast majority of them understand the 'rules' and are waiting patiently, even though we'd all admit that it is difficult to do.


I'm probably blowing my chance of getting one of the first batch by saying this


Well then, why say it??????! The first batch is, IIRC, 70 kits limited to a max of 2 per person. I'd guess that the first batch will sell out within a day - and would do so even if it were twice the size. But you're probably in luck, I doubt that Rob or Patrick would be vindictive and discount you from the first batch. (Obviously I don't speak for them so I could be wrong. ) But you'll still have to run the gauntlet with the rest of us.

What you need to remember is that Patrick has a lot of his own money sunk into this project that he'd like to recover as soon as possible. I obviously don't know the exact figure, but suffice it to say, it is probably in the $10k region. I'm sure that Patrick has a lot of potential uses for that money.

As you have observed, this is being done in Patrick's own time. As with all of the third party hardware and software offerings by members of the board, we have to accept that Patrick has to put bread on the table too.

There are also precendents for empeg-related projects involving patient waits;

The original Mk1 Empeg.
The button LED kit. (About 8 months waiting list)
Mark Lord's docking bay. (Takes 3rd place to work and climbing)
...and others.

I don't think that this tuner kit is unique in that aspect.

I'm sure that Patrick could have produced a couple of hundred built tuners and had them all shipped by the end of September if he'd really been inclined too. But the price would have probably been $300+, and that may have been too much for the market to bear. The reality is that low volume electronics is an incredibly tough market to be in - and I for one am thankful that despite knowing this, Patrick is still prepared to invest his own time and money into producing the tuner kit for us.