Hi, new to this forum. In 1983-1984 I was a student intern, and worked with a guy that was a partner of Streets (but it wasn't Mr Streets, whom I never met). He was telling me about the product they were launching (which was probably this model, since the Audio article is from 1985). It really was the heyday of audiophile stuff and they were electrical engineers of course. I am not sure where or how they did the production but it was obviously a high-end small-volume project.
The one thing I remember him telling me is that for this level of product, it had to be massive and heavy (well, a toroidal xformer will already give you some of that). But they picked extra-thick metal for chassis and front plate because that is what people would expect in something that I assume sold for $Ks at the time. Apparently the big market they hoped to impress was Japan, where form and function overlap to a greater degree than it did here (until Apple, maybe). But the physical impression of the product as being superior workmanship and quality was equally important.
I never actually did see one of the amps; not even sure they had then yet or were just planning production. And as a lowly 21-yr-old, my focus was on paying rent or cars or planning my future full-time job, so I didn't enter the audiophile world until a few years later. But I'd definitely buy one for $180 just for old-times sake. And actually because I like quality old-school amps.
