There are several companies producing gear of excellence.. Despite claims to the contrary, audiophiles are very brand and status conscious. I know of a few companies producing excellent gears at a down-to-earth prices. I can name a few: Salks Sound whose speakers have to be heard so good and good-looking they are, Seaton Sound , their line of subs and let's not forget of Active speakers are the real deal, Emerald Physics, l. There are others especially in the realm of electronics, Odyssey Audio, Wyred for Sound. I heard a few years ago an amp made by a gentleman by the name of Henry Oh, driving an Apogee Diva to glorious sound, I think the late Muralman had his amps...
I talked to Parts Connexion and they can supply these kits with parts to specification....I think that is great,as you can voice the unit the way you want. I will definitely try this.They also offer a MC kit for the L3.
Thanks for this Roger! Once I'm mobile again (leg injury) I'll drop by and have a talk with the guys at PC. Nice to know that I can start with the MM unit and then get it upgraded to add the MC module should I need it.
High-end audio is essentially an hobby, and getting good value for money is also part of it. Considering it is permanently going through technological evolution, with large improvements in sound quality, I think that there is nothing wrong about giving a good priority to the resale value - changes will happen sometime in the future and you will be happy you thought about it.
And yes, I also consider that having a good relation with manufacturers, distributors and retailers and trusting them is a must. But I would not pick anything expensive or large from very small manufacturers unless were my neighbors.
High-end audio is essentially an hobby, and getting good value for money is also part of it. Considering it is permanently going through technological evolution, with large improvements in sound quality, I think that there is nothing wrong about giving a good priority to the resale value - changes will happen sometime in the future and you will be happy you thought about it.
And yes, I also consider that having a good relation with manufacturers, distributors and retailers and trusting them is a must. But I would not pick anything expensive or large from very small manufacturers unless were my neighbors.
The biggest problem today is finding value....years ago you could put together a fine system for 20k. Now a "A" rated phono preamp can cost 30K+.....why? What has really changed? No wonder everybody is worried about resale value!
The biggest problem today is finding value....years ago you could put together a fine system for 20k. Now a "A" rated phono preamp can cost 30K+.....why? What has really changed? No wonder everybody is worried about resale value!
Most of all the expertise and the tools available to the designers, as well as a the progressive possibility of using more expensive components.
Many years ago, you could put more money in a preamplifier but it would not sound much better - perhaps more power but not a real improvement in sound quality.
Please note that more expensive does not mean better quality per se. But in a few cases, the more expensive really sounds better. It is these cases of success I am addressing, and I will feel very happy when in a few years brilliant people will get similar results with much less expense. .
Most of all the expertise and the tools available to the designers, as well as a the progressive possibility of using more expensive components.
Many years ago, you could put more money in a preamplifier but it would not sound much better - perhaps more power but not a real improvement in sound quality.
Please note that more expensive does not mean better quality per se. But in a few cases, the more expensive really sounds better. It is these cases of success I am addressing, and I will feel very happy when in a few years brilliant people will get similar results with much less expense. .
Yes components are better but most manufacturers do not use them. most people will not sit and listen for a 300 hour breakin period. Silver transformers add some top end detail,but for the cost,might only produce a small improvement. For every dollar spent on parts manufacturers need to charge a 500 pct markup. If your upgrade costs are 1K you need to charge 5K. Ultra high end maybe? but I will continue on another path to audio nirvana.
Hey John,
Find out if PC can build a L3, when your leg heals, and if so I'll buy it. You can break it in for me and see how you like it, then you can ship it to me. I'll probably do it in December.
High-end audio is essentially an hobby, and getting good value for money is also part of it. Considering it is permanently going through technological evolution, with large improvements in sound quality, I think that there is nothing wrong about giving a good priority to the resale value - changes will happen sometime in the future and you will be happy you thought about it.
And yes, I also consider that having a good relation with manufacturers, distributors and retailers and trusting them is a must. But I would not pick anything expensive or large from very small manufacturers unless were my neighbors.
Heard recently Apogee Diva driven by Krell KMA-160 Electronics .. One has to wonder what is so large about improvements about sound quality. Ever heard an IRS V? Or a quad ESL (57 or 63) or a Soundlab almost anything or a Burmester 911 or 808 a Dar Tzeel NH 108B or an FM Acoustics anything or The Avant Guarde Speakers (Trio, Duo, Uno) or ... ? These designs are usually decade (or more) old and sound incredible to this day, moreover if one is talking about "value" in any language , High End Audio with its stratospheric prices is hardly the place. It is of course good to have a good relationship with manufacturers etc but somewhere along the line you got to take a chance.. Some people did take a chance with most of the companies that are now the darling of the industry,, when they were in their infancy, Wilson, Magico, Rockport, ARC, C-J and many... Not all manufacturers are able or wlling to cozy-up with the strange world of the reviewers and all that it entails ... Not supporting them with our money doesn't do the sector of music reproduction any favor.
Yes components are better but most manufacturers do not use them. most people will not sit and listen for a 300 hour breakin period. Silver transformers add some top end detail,but for the cost,might only produce a small improvement. For every dollar spent on parts manufacturers need to charge a 500 pct markup. If your upgrade costs are 1K you need to charge 5K. Ultra high end maybe? but I will continue on another path to audio nirvana.
Hey John,
Find out if PC can build a L3, when your leg heals, and if so I'll buy it. You can break it in for me and see how you like it, then you can ship it to me. I'll probably do it in December.
Tore a muscle in my calf 9 days ago. Have been pretty much immobile since, but I'm finally noticing some improvement. Hoping my doctor will let me go back to work soon.....nice being off, but I'm bored and love my work. Have a private masseuse though, so don't feel too bad for me.
Heard recently Apogee Diva driven by Krell KMA-160 Electronics .. One has to wonder what is so large about improvements about sound quality. Ever heard an IRS V? Or a quad ESL (57 or 63) or a Soundlab almost anything or a Burmester 911 or 808 a Dar Tzeel NH 108B or an FM Acoustics anything or The Avant Guarde Speakers (Trio, Duo, Uno) or ... ? These designs are usually decade (or more) old and sound incredible to this day, moreover if one is talking about "value" in any language , High End Audio with its stratospheric prices is hardly the place. It is of course good to have a good relationship with manufacturers etc but somewhere along the line you got to take a chance.. Some people did take a chance with most of the companies that are now the darling of the industry,, when they were in their infancy, Wilson, Magico, Rockport, ARC, C-J and many... Not all manufacturers are able or wlling to cozy-up with the strange world of the reviewers and all that it entails ... Not supporting them with our money doesn't do the sector of music reproduction any favor.
Yes, I have heard or owned or own a few of the amplifiers and most of the speakers you refer for longer than an afternoon. But IMHO some recent designs or just versions of them sound significantly better, and most of all, when matched with their own preamplifiers that complement them show facets of music that were unheard with older amplifiers.
One aspect that I find significant is that modern designs can accept a wider scope of recordings than previous ones. Many older great systems would play very nicely some type of music but could not play adequately large coral recordings, showing the inner details of the sections of singers or individual players.
I recently hosted a Krell KSA100 - older pure Class A dual mono model. The owner considered it as a miraculous amplifier. When we replaced it with a DartZeel NH108B he immediately understood the limitations of the Krell.
A great system will be always a great system, independently of age. But I find fascinating the level of improvement of audio components during the last five years. YMMV, as they say.
Yes, I have heard or owned or own a few of the amplifiers and most of the speakers you refer for longer than an afternoon. But IMHO some recent designs or just versions of them sound significantly better, and most of all, when matched with their own preamplifiers that complement them show facets of music that were unheard with older amplifiers.
One aspect that I find significant is that modern designs can accept a wider scope of recordings than previous ones. Many older great systems would play very nicely some type of music but could not play adequately large coral recordings, showing the inner details of the sections of singers or individual players.
I recently hosted a Krell KSA100 - older pure Class A dual mono model. The owner considered it as a miraculous amplifier. When we replaced it with a DartZeel NH108B he immediately understood the limitations of the Krell.
A great system will be always a great system, independently of age. But I find fascinating the level of improvement of audio components during the last five years. YMMV, as they say.
The dartZeel is a 11 years design.You may need to find a more recent amp. As for the "more than an afternoon inuendo, i have lived with Burmester, Quad and Apogee several afternoons ...
The dartZeel is a 11 years design.You may need to find a more recent amp. As for the "more than an afternoon inuendo, i have lived with Burmester, Quad and Apogee several afternoons ...
I know it, it is why I am selling it soon - even if this particular sample is a SMTP version, a considerable upgrade on the original design.
Nice to know we shared a long time love for the Quad's and the Apogee's. BTW, now I understand better your love for the Magico's ... Are you still looking for that unique midrange purity and easiness of the Apogees?
I know it, it is why I am selling it soon - even if this particular sample is a SMTP version, a considerable upgrade on the original design.
Nice to know we shared a long time love for the Quad's and the Apogee's. BTW, now I understand better your love for the Magico's ... Are you still looking for that unique midrange purity and easiness of the Apogees?
Has the Dar Tzeel been surpassed by newer designs? You are selling just because the design is not new????? I suppose you wouldn't use NOS Tubes either .....
Now for your second paragraph
Yep! i find the Quads exquisite inthe mid and and the Apogee had/have a bloom few speakers even today's best approach. As for the Magico they are that rare speakers that combine the purity of midland the best ESL are capable of with the punch, dynamism and slam of cones. I think they surpass what I heard from the Apogee of yore. Not in midbass bloom though
Has the Dar Tzeel been surpassed by newer designs? You are selling just because the design is not new????? I suppose you wouldn't use NOS Tubes either .....
Yes. It is why Herve is working hard on new versions. I owned the complete DartZeel setup for a few years, and at that period it was really on top. However later I found new equipment that could surpass the combo sound quality in my opinion. Anyway, it is still an excellent amplifier, the reasons I am selling it are simply that I am not using it and the product of sales can be better used elsewhere.
Fortunately I not use NOS tubes - my equipment uses mainly currently produced tubes that are not easy to get in NOS class. I am out of this particular debate. But if you want to exchange a few selected NOS 6H30 for a bottle of some similar age Porto wine I will not say no ...
