From a certain design perspective, the ideal amplifier is a “clean wire with gain,” which amplifies a signal (gain) without imparting any sonic artifacts of its own. Of course, such an amp is not meant for this world, but the projects below attempt to approach that ideal as closely as possible while negotiating the very real restrains of physics, cost, and practicality. This means you won’t find many (if any) transformers or tubes in these projects or any attempt to replicate any “vintage mojo” that does not belong in the first place to the signal being amplified. Put another way: some amps are great for what they add, others for what they don’t remove.