[Agrippa]

Well, that's what I'd like anyway...

Don't know how many others feel this way, but as a European I frequently find that I know absolutely nothing about the equipment that's being discussed on American forums.  By all means; I know Krell, Classe, Lamm and the other big, internationally established brands, but Van Alstine, Channel Islands, Odyssey, Omega, etc, etc, etc means nothing whatsoever to me.

My request then, is as follows:

Couldn't some of the more experienced owners in here give me and my fellow Europeans (surely there are a few around?) some thorough reviews of their "indy" amps, preamps, speakers, RIAAs and whatnots here in this thread?  Preferably comparing them to components made by the better-known manufacturers and explaining why one ought to go "alternative" instead?  I'm sure at least some people would find such a reference thread very interesting when next they have a look around eBay or Audiogon and wonder whether it's worth importing something unknown.

How about it?

Agrippa

[Ferdi]

Hi Agrippa, not much time so a short post:

- I own an Odyssey Stratos Stereo + Cap upgrade and IRD Purist pre. Both bought remotely and after checking the web. Both are great bits of equipment. Period. However, you can of course try making comparison's to other equipment but I haven't done that. I have been satisfied with just greatly improving my music playback system.
I would also recommending checking out the other offerings Odyssey and IRD have.

- Another good reason to go with American (or other USD-economy) based suppliers is that at the current exchange rate, Europeans get an additional discount.

- Both Klaus (Odyssey) and Curt (IRD) are great guys and provide service as it should be. Many brick-and-mortar shops should learn from this. In fact, that should read "most".

- Importing isn't much of a problem. In a typical EU country, your cost would be: equipment price (paid directly to supplier) + shipping cost (paid directly to supplier) + Import duties over price+shipping cost + VAT. Depending on where you are, the difference between USD and Euro should about pay for the taxes.
Shipping times are short: my Stratos took a while to get built (built to order) and my IRD came from stock. Both took about 4..5 days to travel halfway across the world.

I have limited my comments to Klaus and Curt as I only own their equipment.

Hope this helps.

[mcgsxr]

I guess you mean North American audio companies, as Classe is Canadian - nothin against the US folks, but I do have to stand up for the Canuck companies!

Mark

[rosconey]

mcgsxr-
the only reason we put up with canadians -they make good audio stuff- bryston, axiom,classe ect
other wise we would have invaded because of your wmd factories-molson,labatts ect.also a lack of oil has saved you a war with us.
cross your fingers beer companies dont spend as much as oil & haliburton  too buy the next  u.s. election-if they do bush will be up there so fast , flight suit and all- also watch out for american pharmacuticals, your selling tooo cheap -that also could start a war-

odyssey has a britt distributor now-  
odysseyaudiogb.com for Great Britain = Matthew

[Agrippa]

Actually I meant everything on your side of the pond mcgsxr, but I have a notion that South America is a bit underrepresented (!) as far as quality Hi-Fi goes...

Ferdi: "Depending on where you are, the difference between USD and Euro should about pay for the taxes."

You seem to be blissfully ignorant as to out VAT levels....     I believe Denmark leads the way with their 25%.

John M.

[PhilNYC]

I guess you mean North American audio companies, as Classe is Canadian - nothin against the US folks, but I do have to stand up for the Canuck companies!

Mark

I've definitely found a strong liking of Canadian gear.  In addition to Classe, you've got great component companies like Blue Circle, Sim Audio, Bryston, and speaker companies like Energy, Paradigm, Focus Audio, etc.

Check out this link to the Canadian National Research Council; a big part of Canada's success in audio has to do with government-sponsored research in acoustic:

http://ims-ism.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/asp/acoustics_e.html

...and specifically in loudspeakers...

http://ims-ism.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/asp/speaker_e.html

That's where I'd like to see my tax dollars go!  

[WEEZ]

Hello Agrippa,

My response to you would be-first of all- to search the many posts here on Audiocircle- as there are many user reviews and sometimes comparisons to other gear that is also present within a particular circle.

Secondly- most of the manufacturers' sites post customer feedback as well as magazine reviews or their equipment. I am in the process of doing this very thing as I will be putting together a new system this year.

Lastly-major brands like Proac, Classe, Dynaudio, etc.,etc... use a dealer network so their gear can be auditioned more readily. This, however, has a price attached to it- a generally higher selling price. Most of the manufacturers represented on Audiocircle are smaller companies who build really fine equipment and can offer build quality and sound quality that meets or surpasses that of the "famous" brands because of either lower overhead; lack of distributor and store-front markup; or by limiting their offerings to fewer choices.

The most important thing, IMHO, is that we view the equipment as a means to an end- not an end in itself. The goal is to enjoy the music !

Good luck,

WEEZ

[mcgsxr]

Rosconey, you crack me up!  I wonder how long it will be before I am spending money with no colour on it - wait, is US cash headed for colour soon?

The point about South American audio is well taken, though I am not sure of any companies of this origin - it cannot be long before Brazil jumps in with some product competitive with the Chinese made goods.

Another excellent Canuck brand is Totem speakers.  Yes I have a set, but wish I could move up in their line.

When assembling my system, modest I think at around $5000 US total, it is interesting to see the mulitinational content.

British hand made amp
Canadian hand made speakers
Japanese transport, mass produced
ART D/IO modded in the good ol US

A global audio hug from my basement bunker!

Mark

[manek]

Agrippa

Can you recommend some European audio forums to me ?

manek.

[Agrippa]

I'd love to manek, but all of those I frequent are Norwegian, Swedish or Danish and I'm not sure if you'd get much joy out of them.  You could post of course, and I'm sure people would answer, but a for reading what's already there....

Of course, if you do read and write either, get in touch and I'll show you a few.

Agrippa

[manek]

dont read or write either norwegian, swedish or danish.

lookin for english forums in europe. I'm sure these must be a few out of the UK.