China 2006

Wow, what are those?

Modules awaiting attachment to the chassis. "It looks like kits."

The inside view of a Dussun X-500 power conditioner.

"We only do final assembly," Zou said. "I can't afford a larger staff, given Shanghai salaries, so we purchase the component parts from all over—the resistors are European, the circuit boards are the best, and we buy chassis parts from David Zheng at EKTG."

XLH's SL-INS preamplifier ($5000). No, I didn't get a chance to hear them—Mr. Hou is still building his second AEF-1812, having sold his previous sets.

Mr. Hou's tasty vintage Fender Jazz bass.