What the world needs now is a $250,000 power amplifier

[NorthStar]

Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems Relentless

• Relentless Monoblock Amplifier / Specs

 

[cjf]

Hrrrrrrmm...one would think that for a cool $1/4 MIL we shouldn't be seeing 1cent crimp-on connectors and galvanized steel buss bars deployed throughout the design of this beast

 

[BlueFox]

Wouldn’t you need two?

 

[NorthStar]

The price is for a pair. So, $125,000 if your main listening source is mono.
And for a full Dolby Atmos top Trinnov surround sound system ... with 24 speakers (Auro-3D voice of God), ...

 

[DaveyF]

Looking at your photo really doesn’t do the amps justice. These guys are very large and hefty, much more so than the photo has a way of depicting.
If you look at the case work alone, you can see where a lot of money is being spent.

 

[NorthStar]

 

[Bruce B]

I think Naim had a $250k amp a couple years ago. It was a monolithic eye sore.

 

[parkcaka]

Oh boy, this amp reminds me of this.

 

[jeff1225]

I think Naim had a $250k amp a couple years ago. It was a monolithic eye sore.

And the system they put together at CES with the big Focals was terrible.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Wouldn’t you need two?

I need five.

 

[Al M.]

Looking at your photo really doesn’t do the amps justice. These guys are very large and hefty, much more so than the photo has a way of depicting.
If you look at the case work alone, you can see where a lot of money is being spent.

If I'd be in the market for such an amp I could do without the bling, if that would make it cheaper. The look as is does have some appeal (to a certain extent) but for the money saved I'd rather buy a real work of art to hang on the wall.

 

[Bruce B]

If I'd be in the market for such an amp I could do without the bling, if that would make it cheaper.

This is my biggest complaint with "audiophile" vendors. Another culprit is Dartzeel.

A few years ago Weiss built the same exact DAC.... one for the Professional and the other for the Audiophile. They were identical inside with the Pro DAC costing thousands cheaper! Needless to say, that's the one I had!

 

[microstrip]

If I'd be in the market for such an amp I could do without the bling, if that would make it cheaper. The look as is does have some appeal (to a certain extent) but for the money saved I'd rather buy a real work of art to hang on the wall.

Most probably if the amplifier did not have the bling it would sell in even smaller numbers and would become even more expensive ...

 

[Al M.]

This is my biggest complaint with "audiophile" vendors. Another culprit is Dartzeel.

A few years ago Weiss built the same exact DAC.... one for the Professional and the other for the Audiophile. They were identical inside with the Pro DAC costing thousands cheaper! Needless to say, that's the one I had!

Excellent. Bringing the 'cosmetic' costs down is also a declared goal of Schiit, the manufacturer of my Yggdrasil DAC. The rounded aluminum case, made by simple bending, is the result of cost saving efforts. Incidentally, the case does look sort of nice. On the inside they did not skimp on costs: the four AD5791BRUZ converter chips are expensive, among others.

 

[Folsom]

I feel like we are living for little if looks have no value at all.

 

[Al M.]

I feel like we are living for little if looks have no value at all.

Did anyone complain about looks of high end gear 25, 30 years ago? I think everyone values looks, but the bling obsession with it is something else entirely.

 

[C.A.P]

Knowledge is power No PUN ! Dan has been at this for a while. He learned early on that there are audiophiles and then there are audioPHALICS ! Build it and charge what you want. Are there $250,000 worth of parts ? NOPE ! If you cant build an amplifier there is $250,000 in knowledge !

 

[NorthStar]

Amen, everything is for sale. If looks could kill the world ... as we know it.

 

[PeterA]

If I'd be in the market for such an amp I could do without the bling, if that would make it cheaper. The look as is does have some appeal (to a certain extent) but for the money saved I'd rather buy a real work of art to hang on the wall.

That's what a lot of people say about the faceplate of my Pass XA.5s mono amps. A smooth rectangular box might sound just as nice, but people like putting their amps between their speakers for everyone to see, and some think they look cool. I'd like to put mine in the basement out of sight. Everyone has a different taste.

 

[Folsom]

That's what a lot of people say about the faceplate of my Pass XA.5s mono amps. I smooth rectangular box might sound just as nice, but people like putting their amps between their speakers for everyone to see, and some think they look cool. I'd like to put mine in the basement out of sight. Everyone has a different taste.

Should someone make a "hide-an-amp" ottoman or table or something? It would probably need active cooling.