sky-hi amp prices

Freo-1 · « **Reply #80 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 01:42 am »

Quote from: Marbles on 27 Sep 2007, 01:34 am

So are you telling us how to spend our money????

How do you know what we give to charity etc..?

Thanks for the morality...and what are you doing on this forum?

What, now we have thought police? Honestly...(in my best Austin Powers accent)

People have a right to question 20K for cables..(think PT Barnum). And others have a right to disagree with that view. This is a very subjective area.

I would love to see poll results on the occupations of people who spend outrageous amounts on audio gear (and the accessories). I think it would be very revealing.

BradJudy · « **Reply #81 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 01:55 am »

Quote from: Rob Babcock on 27 Sep 2007, 12:13 am

Sadly I've not had the chance to hear any $30,000 amps, nor is it likely that I will anytime soon.

You should come out for the RMAF and you can see/hear some of this crazy expensive stuff. If you're like me, you'll walk home quite happy with your own "budget" system. Unfortunately, lots of people get sucked into the craziness and crave the $$$$ items after such a show. They've had two channel systems ranging from ~$5k to $250k+, including the Edge pyramid amp shown in this thread, Lamm equipment, Nordost, Wilson, and pretty much everything else mentioned here.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #82 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 02:26 am »

I've heard that if you match up a sky-hi amp with a dirt cheap preamp,
you get beautiful music. YMMV ...

Double Ugly · « **Reply #83 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 03:17 am »

Quote from: Freo-1 on 27 Sep 2007, 01:42 am

What, now we have thought police? Honestly...(in my best Austin Powers accent)

People have a right to question 20K for cables..(think PT Barnum). And others have a right to disagree with that view. This is a very subjective area.

There's nothing wrong with questioning $20k cables, or $20 cables for that matter. But then I don't believe that's the line of questioning to which Marbles objects.

Questioning - or put differently, judging - equipment is fine; however, what has often precipitated a spiral into the abyss known as the IGWB is passing judgment on people. The purpose of this forum is not to provide a convenient platform for those interested in judging the actions of other members. acresm22 knows this, thus the "slippery slope" comment.

Besides, one man's "outrageous amounts" of money is another man's pocket change. You know that, just as you know you wouldn't appreciate someone telling you how you should or shouldn't spend your money.

That's a long-winded way of saying you're free to *think* judgmental thoughts about anyone and everyone, Freo... just don't write about it here.

Lyndon · « **Reply #84 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 03:21 am »

I like Woodsyi's comment that there needs to be a different thread for all the components.

Almost all of our stereo shops are gone in Salt Lake City. We have one high end left, and like many others, they have had to really focus on home theater to survive. But they have several wonderful showrooms with
Wilson Sophias, Maxx, Ayre, Classe, SME Turntables, and so on.
They know I can't afford any of it, but have always been cordial when I used to stop by to chat with their tube and vinyl expert technician. It is wonderful to hear some of the systems, my favorite being some Ayre monoblocks with a Levinson preamp and silver Wilson Sophia's and that rubber band SME turntable. Wow! (Cue Rubberband Man by the mighty Spinners)
George is right that these threads don't lead anywhere, but they are fun to read.
I'm happy with all of my systems, but need to control the diy aspect, as I just got an email that confirms that I have a source to produce the exact transformers for the Krell KSA-100, but I also have boards to produce the Pass F4 amps (First Watt)
I love my old Eico ST-40 in the bedroom with the Coral speakers, but would also love to hear a good system with an 845 SET amp. Isn't that part of the fun of audio???
Final thought, sure some stuff is priced a wee bit high, but I like to support people like Nelson Pass, who produces gear, and when it has had its commercial run, releases schematics to trickle down to diy fans like me and others. It's all fun!

acresm22 · « **Reply #85 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 03:57 am »

You're right, Double Ugle. Didn't mean to offend, Marbles...twas all in the spirit of generating a lively debate.

Double Ugly · « **Reply #86 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 04:42 am »

Quote from: acresm22 on 27 Sep 2007, 03:57 am

You're right, Double Ugle. Didn't mean to offend, Marbles...twas all in the spirit of generating a lively debate.

I understood that, acresm22, and I was confident you'd appreciate my position. Besides, the thread seems to have turned itself around anyway.

FWIW, I wasn't directly addressing your comments, but Freo's 'concerns' about Marbles'. Your post was just the catalyst.

KeithR · « **Reply #87 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 04:45 am »

guess i shouldn't mention that the new Lamm ML-3 is 135k

jon_010101 · « **Reply #88 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 05:38 am »

Quote from: BradJudy on 27 Sep 2007, 01:55 am

You should come out for the RMAF and you can see/hear some of this crazy expensive stuff. If you're like me, you'll walk home quite happy with your own "budget" system. Unfortunately, lots of people get sucked into the craziness and crave the $$$$ items after such a show. They've had two channel systems ranging from ~$5k to $250k+, including the Edge pyramid amp shown in this thread, Lamm equipment, Nordost, Wilson, and pretty much everything else mentioned here.

I get this effect too. Shows generally make me feel great about my system. I take secret pleasure when the "big deal" systems sound subjectively worse than my humble rig.

Nevertheless, I went to Deja Vu Audio once and heard their Audio Note Japan gaku-on system. Holy Moly! Totally different league from the AN UK "300B" sound. Balls, dynamics, and clarity. I understand why a rich guy would pay $500k for a rig like that. No need to fart around with tweaking or DIYing, it can instantly turn a small room into a temple for music. It was a synaesthetic experience -- I could "watch" the music like a movie, and I still remember the experience in pictures. Totally effortless. Probably cheaper than drugs in the long run.

The Lamm approach is notably different from the AN Japan approach -- extensive use of industrial parts and modern-ish Soviet-design tubes. The Lamm amps actually measure quite well, and I have no doubt that they would sound very good. Price is high relative to the cost of parts, but not everyone has the time or desire to build their own amps. -- Really, any of this high end stuff can be equalled for less money, but it's going to take massive effort and you'll need to build it yourself. If one has the drive to do that, the rewards are there. But, for a guy with cash who can pay someone else, the cost may be justified.

Double Ugly · « **Reply #89 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 12:08 pm »

Quote from: jon_010101 on 27 Sep 2007, 05:38 am

synaesthetic

Eazy wit dem big werds, 'ere boy. Ever' time wonna u city boys use a werd I hafta look up, I git gas.

BrianM · « **Reply #90 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 12:29 pm »

I just wanna point out that this managed to be an engaging thread despite the naysayers.

Freo-1 · « **Reply #91 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 12:42 pm »

Quote from: Double Ugly on 27 Sep 2007, 04:42 am

Quote from: acresm22 on 27 Sep 2007, 03:57 am
You're right, Double Ugle. Didn't mean to offend, Marbles...twas all in the spirit of generating a lively debate.

I understood that, acresm22, and I was confident you'd appreciate my position. Besides, the thread seems to have turned itself around anyway.

FWIW, I wasn't directly addressing your comments, but Freo's 'concerns' about Marbles'. Your post was just the catalyst.

I think you missed my point about the exchange (I should have stated it more clearly). When someone asks "What are you doing here on this thread anyway", that smacks of political correctness, and that is what I was concerned with. If one is offended, fine, state so, state why, and try to work it out. People write judgment comments all the time on these threads, so why single out just some of them?

At any rate, this is an interesting topic, and it comes down to an individual's value reference as to what is desired, and what one is willing to pay to obtain that. The set of requirements one uses to arrive at purchase decisions is subject for debate, and to that extent is fair play.

Marbles · « **Reply #92 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 01:03 pm »

I never said "What are you doing here on this thread anyway", I said, "what are you doing on this FORUM".

Not censorship, but if he is looking for info to buy any musical product at any price here, maybe he should do what he implied, and give that money that he might invest/spend to charity instead of preaching morality to us. Picking the $$$$ figure is arbitrary to him, as it is to all of us. Of course I don't know what he's doing here, and maybe he has done just that. That's why I asked the question.

When someone...and again I'm picking on acresm22 here (but in reality I think he's cool) says that over x dollars it's a waste and that money should be given to a better cause, I think screw you. Who are you to judge me and my spending. For that matter, maybe I've given billions of dollars to charity and if I want to buy myself a nice stereo that costs penny's, why shouldn't I?

Then the (forum) comment was..look at what you're doing. Why are you here? Is it to learn what products to buy next? Why not give that money to charity?

Freo-1 · « **Reply #93 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 01:12 pm »

Quote from: Marbles on 27 Sep 2007, 01:03 pm

I never said "What are you doing here on this thread anyway", I said, "what are you doing on this FORUM".

Not censorship, but if he is looking for info to buy any musical product at any price here, maybe he should do what he implied, and give that money that he might invest/spend to charity instead of preaching morality to us. Picking the $$$$ figure is arbitrary to him, as it is to all of us. Of course I don't know what he's doing here, and maybe he has done just that. That's why I asked the question.

When someone...and again I'm picking on acresm22 here (but in reality I think he's cool) says that over x dollars it's a waste and that money should be given to a better cause, I think screw you. Who are you to judge me and my spending. For that matter, maybe I've given billions of dollars to charity and if I want to buy myself a nice stereo that costs penny's, why shouldn't I?

Then the (forum) comment was..look at what you're doing. Why are you here? Is it to learn what products to buy next? Why not give that money to charity?

Well, that's fair enough then. I now see where you are coming from more clearly. You actually were questioning the relevance of his arguments, but it came across somewhat different.

BrianM · « **Reply #94 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 01:14 pm »

Hey Marbles, did you know there are people starving in Africa?

Marbles · « **Reply #95 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 01:16 pm »

Yes, and dying of AIDS. People are starving in many places in the world.

macrojack · « **Reply #96 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 01:19 pm »

Nobody's starving at Wilson or Lamm.

Marbles · « **Reply #97 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 01:25 pm »

And GOD bless them. It's hard enough to make it in any business. It's even harder to make it in a dying industry. If they found a way, then I admire them for it. Why does it sound like you don't Jack?

arthurs · « **Reply #98 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 01:26 pm »

or at Zu....right Jack?

macrojack · « **Reply #99 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 01:36 pm »

You'll have to credit that to your hearing, Marbles.

As for Zu, I have heard no reports of malnutrition, although sometimes they get so busy they forget to eat.

What does anyone think of Zu pricing?