Atma-Sphere vs. Supratek

I've long heard about questionable build quality of Supratek, although reportedly have good sound quality. I've looked at internals of some of Supratek line, very messy, does not look good to me. Atma Sphere above reproach. Link to questions and internal pictures of Supratek, https://www.stereonet.com/forums/topic/127427-supratek-preamp-owner-opinionsdiscussion/ And there are many more blogs and forums that speak to this.

I just know I've built a few amps from kits, modded quite a number of components, and seen internals of many, Supratek is about as messy as I've ever seen. I'm not casting aspersions on sound quality, which is reportedly quite good. I just don't trust the build quality and/or reliability of their builds. I'd pick Atma Sphere over this mess in a minute.

@david_ten Yes, my setup is complex, but the internals of each component is neat and tidy. And I didn't make negative comment as to sound quality.

@david_ten I don't see this as subjective opinion or biases affecting our judgement. There are  objective value judgements in regard to what are best build practices in assembling audio components. I can only say the photos I've seen of Supratek internals don't conform to these best practices.

Reliability is our means to measure whether particular product conforms to best build practices. Chorus claims he's observed reliability issues, this is only anecdotal evidence at best. Only a survey of many Supratek owners over relatively long period of time will reveal true reliability. If there are no reliability issues, messy internals are only esthetic issue, otherwise it is an issue.

On presumption it isn't an issue. Why bother with neat and tidy, well laid out wiring and parts if reliability is of no concern? Is this kind of assembly and build quality only a marketing ploy?

@jetter  Exactly!  Originally, I heard about this issue with Supratek from good ole Georgehifi (now banned), I just thought some of his criticism justified here, unlike many of his contentions.

I presume showing people side by side internal photos of Supratek and Atma-Sphere and asking which one appeared to be better constructed, I'd bet nine or ten out of ten would pick the AS. This is not judging the book by the cover, we are seeing the guts with our own eyes. I agree, sound quality is another thing altogether.

I'd like to throw out my above comments as to assembly tidiness and best build pracitces to audio equipment manufacturers out there. I understand you may not want to come out and criticize Supratek, but tell us why you observe and conform to well organized, neat and tidy build practices? Does this have bearing on sound quality or reliability? Are there objective best build practices, or is it an arbitrary construct that you feel obligated to follow?

More AS internal pictures, http://649445976

Sorry, link doesn't work, here's anotherhttps://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=otl&m=37090

OP asked about AS vs Supratek, I mentioned issues with messy wiring and possible issues with reliability. Is questioning messy wiring and possible issues with reliability not allowed? I have no knowledge of either reliability or sound quality and have made this clear in my posts. Does this forum exist for free and open discussion, which may include questioning build quality and assembly of certain components? I've criticized components I've purchased in this forum, should I be accused of bias for that?

Here are internals of some AS equipment, https://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=otl&m=37370 I will leave it to others to judge assembly practices.

Here are pictures of one of my amps, https://6moons.com/audioreviews2/coincident2/2.html This is what I call neat and tidy.