Ultravalve price increase coming soon!

avahifi · « **on:** 4 Jan 2011, 04:34 pm »

We have been informed by our vendors that we will have a very significant price increase for the chassis and transformers for our award winning Ultravalve vacuum tube amplifier immediately. Blame it on the Chinese for buying up all the copper.

Anyway, as of January 15th the price of the Ultravalve amp must go up to $1999.

That means if you are considering one now, don't consider for too long. Until our 15% off sale ends on January 15, you can acquire a new Ultravalve amplifier for $1444.15. After that its $1999!

We hate to do this, but the cost of materials is going up much more than we had expected.

Order now. Call us at 651-330-9871 to lock in the sale price.

Best regards,

Frank Van Alstine

pelliott321 · « **Reply #1 on:** 4 Jan 2011, 08:42 pm »

I got mine ordered!!
thanks Frank for the good deal and the heads up
Happy New year

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #2 on:** 4 Jan 2011, 08:53 pm »

Quote from: avahifi on 4 Jan 2011, 04:34 pm

We have been informed by our vendors that we will have a very significant price increase for the chassis and transformers for our award winning Ultravalve vacuum tube amplifier immediately. Blame it on the Chinese for buying up all the copper.

It's not the Chinese this time...it's JP Morgan: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703471904576003940890805016.html

gjs_cds · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 Jan 2011, 09:12 pm »

Quote from: TheChairGuy on 4 Jan 2011, 08:53 pm

It's not the Chinese this time...it's JP Morgan: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703471904576003940890805016.html

This is hysterical. Because there *might* be a supply shortage, we will create a supply storage by buying up 1 billion dollars worth of it. Then, we will profit.

And we blame the price of oil on the arabs... Sheesh...

Tom Alverson · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 Jan 2011, 11:45 pm »

Quote from: TheChairGuy on 4 Jan 2011, 08:53 pm

It's not the Chinese this time...it's JP Morgan: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703471904576003940890805016.html

Are you sure the Chinese don't own JP Morgan by now?

Minn Mark · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Jan 2011, 07:35 pm »

Reminds me of a song...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RCXZ0dcjPg

rollo · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Jan 2011, 08:04 pm »

Whatever the reason metals are going through the roof. No doubt. But $500 ? That is a 33% increase. Did metals go up 33% ? Just saying.

charles

dminches · « **Reply #7 on:** 6 Jan 2011, 09:45 pm »

It is only $300 by my math. The price shown reflects a 15% discount. Without the discount the price would be $1,699. So, the increase is about 18%.

rcag_ils · « **Reply #8 on:** 6 Jan 2011, 09:56 pm »

18% increase is very significant. My humble opinion is the vender for the chassis and transformers got a little greedy and he knows that he's got a monopoly to Frank relying on him for parts to maintain production. I don't think the Chinese buying up the copper has anything to do with it.

Price increase always affects sale. Frank should source parts from other vendors. Only competition will keep the prices down.

Wayner · « **Reply #9 on:** 6 Jan 2011, 11:07 pm »

Well, one might think that, but that is not the case here. These are carefully made transformers and not just "anybody" can make them. There are other vendors, but none produce the same sound quality. Besides, the other vendors are going to be hit with increased material prices and they will raise their component prices too.

Wayner

rcag_ils · « **Reply #10 on:** 7 Jan 2011, 12:09 am »

Quote

These are carefully made transformers and not just "anybody" can make them.

I am not saying "anybody can make them", but they are not the only one that can make them.

If you only have one vendor, then he's got you by the balls. The guy at Dxxxxxx.com (I assume that's who they are) probably knows that this amp becomes more popular and wants a bigger cut of the pie. Keep in mind that this amp is on the recommended component list of a major magazine, and he knows that.

But if Frank has more than one vendors, even just one more, then the price increase might not have been so significant, hence would affect sale less.

Even other vendors who are capable of making the same transformers are getting the same hit from material price increase, they would still offer the lowest price they can to get the business. I do believe there are more vendors out there that can make the same transformers.

Metal price goes up and down, I don't see them decrease the part price when the metal price go down.

I'd say Frank should put the bid out and see.

rlee8394 · « **Reply #11 on:** 7 Jan 2011, 03:55 am »

It's hard to say without all of the facts. After all, Frank is setting the price, not his supplier or the Chinese. Frank can set his price wherever he likes. Did he only increase the price to cover the delta between the current price and the newly expected increase? Who knows. Ask him if it really is an issue for you. FWIW Dyn****arts.com has the current ST-70 bundle listed for $300.00. Frank probably gets a bit better price if he buys in quantity. When Dyn****arts.com changes the list price from $300.00 to $???, then you'll have more of the story. Will the new price be $600.00? I doubt it. We haven't discussed the chassis yet.

Of course the best way to keep the price low is to flood Frank with orders so he has to buy as many chassis and trannies as possible at the current lower price!!

My guess is that Frank has priced the future UltraValve fairly and competitively.

To my knowledge, Frank still sells the Ultimate 70 rebuild kit for the ST-70. That will give you the best bang for your buck if you really want to hear what the UltraValve sounds like, and don't care about the aesthetics. That's what I did for two of my ST-70s. I bridge 'em and they are very capable of driving whatever you have. Hell, I may just have to sell my DH-500 Insight + and get the new Vision DAC and maybe an AvaStar preamp!!

Ron

bregez · « **Reply #12 on:** 7 Jan 2011, 04:23 am »

Quote from: rlee8394 on 7 Jan 2011, 03:55 am

FWIW Dyn****arts.com has the current ST-70 bundle listed for $300.00. Frank probably gets a bit better price if he buys in quantity.

The Dynaclone ST-70 (from tr**de) bundle is currently going for around $360.00. They do include a $13.00 choke with that. I would say this is Dyn****arts.com main competition as far as direct replacement transformers for Dynacos.

Wayner · « **Reply #13 on:** 7 Jan 2011, 12:59 pm »

Lots of suppliers have been holding back big price increases due to the sluggish economy. Mark my word, that when things come around, and they seem to be doing that now, you are going to see a wave of inflation, due to price increases by everyone, like you haven't seen for years. It will be a tidal wave of price increases across the board, food, cars, clothes, everything.

Wayner

jtwrace · « **Reply #14 on:** 7 Jan 2011, 01:52 pm »

Quote from: Wayner on 7 Jan 2011, 12:59 pm

Lots of suppliers have been holding back big price increases due to the sluggish economy. Mark my word, that when things come around, and they seem to be doing that now, you are going to see a wave of inflation, due to price increases by everyone, like you haven't seen for years. It will be a tidal wave of price increases across the board, food, cars, clothes, everything.

Wayner

Unfortunately, you are 100% correct.

rcag_ils · « **Reply #15 on:** 7 Jan 2011, 04:48 pm »

Quote

Of course the best way to keep the price low is to flood Frank with orders so he has to buy as many chassis and trannies as possible at the current lower price!! My guess is that Frank has priced the future UltraValve fairly and competitively.

I'd like to see everyone flood Frank with orders, but unfortunately that's not how it works as far as keeping the prices low.

In a competitive environment, assuming many other manufacturers could produce the Ultravalve amps, when demend goes up, prices go down because of competition. In a monopoly environment, meaning only Frank can produce the Ultravalve amp, when demend goes up, prices go up, because the parts vendor wants more, and the producer want more, they are in control of the market.

The other guy said when enconomy turns around, there'll be a massive inflation, everyone will raise their prices, it's just hogwash. First, competition will keep the prices down, also the Fed will raise rate to slow things down.

rcag_ils · « **Reply #16 on:** 7 Jan 2011, 04:53 pm »

PS, if Frank doesn't mind supporting jobs going oversea, contact the Chinese and get the transformers made there.

Many other hifi manufacturers are doing it, just send the Chinese the spec. they will make whatever you ask. The Chinese are already making other electronic parts there, why not the transformers and chassis.

Wayner · « **Reply #17 on:** 7 Jan 2011, 05:09 pm »

Part price is based on Quantities Ordered. Sometimes, the break is significant. The current supplier does a fantastic job and there is no need for any other activities.

There is also lots of labor assembling tube amps, and labor is why many products are now assembled overseas. No need for that.

Wayner

jtwrace · « **Reply #18 on:** 7 Jan 2011, 05:50 pm »

Quote from: rcag_ils on 7 Jan 2011, 04:53 pm

PS, if Frank doesn't mind supporting jobs going oversea, contact the Chinese and get the transformers made there.

Many other hifi manufacturers are doing it, just send the Chinese the spec. they will make whatever you ask. The Chinese are already making other electronic parts there, why not the transformers and chassis.

Really? That's what you would want? Take another small USA company and have the product made in China?

rcag_ils · « **Reply #19 on:** 7 Jan 2011, 06:03 pm »

Quote

Really? That's what you would want? Take another small USA company and have the product made in China?

No, that's not what I want, I want the price not to go up. And that's what the market want also. We don't just give the Chinese jobs because we are nice guys, we do it because the consumers want the price to be low.