US/Canadian Made Cheap and Cheerful Components

nomeans · « **on:** 5 Oct 2011, 10:14 pm »

So I've been on a quest to find US/Canadian made audio components that don't require someone to take out a second mortgage on their house. I'm aware of Schiit Audio, and am really excited about their future components. However, that's about the only company I can find. Does anybody know of any other companies that produce quality components that are reasonably priced?

WC · « **Reply #1 on:** 5 Oct 2011, 11:22 pm »

Some of the more boutique brands make things in the USA. Some of their DIY or simple offerings might fit under Cheap and cheerful. What components are you looking for? I am going the DIY route with many of my components many are made in the US. Not sure if your into DIY or not.

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 Oct 2011, 11:33 pm »

I say used Classe....from the David Reich era. They are Classic Classe and never really go down in value...actually, their construction technique and built finish is something rarely seen today unless you pay in the 5 figures.

I say this after being an owner of the Classe DR-6...and its build is incredible.

nomeans · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Oct 2011, 01:13 am »

Quote from: WC on 5 Oct 2011, 11:22 pm

Some of the more boutique brands make things in the USA. Some of their DIY or simple offerings might fit under Cheap and cheerful. What components are you looking for? I am going the DIY route with many of my components many are made in the US. Not sure if your into DIY or not.

Specifically, I'm looking for an integrated amp. I emailed Schiit Audio, and he said an IA is on the "to do list" but it won't happen this year. So I think I might give the DIY IA a try. Does anybody have website/book that could help me out? I'll give Classe' a look.

WC · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Oct 2011, 01:25 am »

For an American made integrated, AVA makes a good one, but it is a little more than cheap and cheerful at around $1500.

shadowlight · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Oct 2011, 01:57 am »

Quote from: nomeans on 6 Oct 2011, 01:13 am

Specifically, I'm looking for an integrated amp. I emailed Schiit Audio, and he said an IA is on the "to do list" but it won't happen this year. So I think I might give the DIY IA a try. Does anybody have website/book that could help me out? I'll give Classe' a look.

Look through the stickied classd thread where folks have used the classd amp boards with nelson pass buffer and gary dodds buffer to create a integrated. There is also a thread about nelson pass buffer in the cheap and cheerful section and gary's buffer/preamp in gr-research circle.

JLM · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Oct 2011, 12:59 pm »

A/C options: Nightshade, NuForce (the little stuff), Virtue, Vista

Other options: Bottlehead, Decware (they carry everything except turntables), Mapleshade (vintage refirbs)

How "North American made" are you looking for? (headquartered, originated, assembled, modded, all major components, all materials, etc.)

Note that these are rather low powered options, but opening the door to less "pure breds" would allow for more power/expensive alternatives.

nomeans · « **Reply #7 on:** 7 Oct 2011, 10:44 pm »

Quote from: JLM on 6 Oct 2011, 12:59 pm

A/C options: Nightshade, NuForce (the little stuff), Virtue, Vista

Other options: Bottlehead, Decware (they carry everything except turntables), Mapleshade (vintage refirbs)

How "North American made" are you looking for? (headquartered, originated, assembled, modded, all major components, all materials, etc.)

Note that these are rather low powered options, but opening the door to less "pure breds" would allow for more power/expensive alternatives.

I wasn't going to get all super anal, but essentailly I wanted the majority of the money to stay in North America. So at least, headquartered and assembled. I have my eye on Van Alstine. Does anybody have any of his IA's?

charmerci · « **Reply #8 on:** 8 Oct 2011, 06:33 am »

Van Alstine makes great stuff. You won't be disappointed - especially for the price. Plus, he has a 30 day money-back guarantee. I've been a loyal customer for decades.

eclein · « **Reply #9 on:** 8 Oct 2011, 09:49 am »

Musical Paradise.....I have the MP-301 and 301MK2 both tube integrateds and for under $300 each a very good way to explore tubes and not buy a second home.

http://www.musicalparadise.ca/mp/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=75

timind · « **Reply #10 on:** 8 Oct 2011, 10:37 am »

Quote from: eclein on 8 Oct 2011, 09:49 am

Musical Paradise.....I have the MP-301 and 301MK2 both tube integrateds and for under $300 each a very good way to explore tubes and not buy a second home.

http://www.musicalparadise.ca/mp/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=75

Aren't those made in China?

eclein · « **Reply #11 on:** 8 Oct 2011, 11:00 am »

Canadien Company, designed and home office in Canada...made in China..the OP said that situations like that were OK.....if I read his posts right.

eclein · « **Reply #12 on:** 8 Oct 2011, 11:02 am »

I see....I misread, the op said designed and assembled in North America...your right tim...oops...just ignore my too early in the am to totally comprehend posts of mine....oopps!!

PSB Guy · « **Reply #13 on:** 8 Oct 2011, 01:55 pm »

Quote from: nomeans on 7 Oct 2011, 10:44 pm

I wasn't going to get all super anal, but essentailly I wanted the majority of the money to stay in North America. So at least, headquartered and assembled. I have my eye on Van Alstine. Does anybody have any of his IA's?

I recently bought a gently used AVA integrated from Frank. Thing is built like a tank and sound-wise, it's the best amp I've ever owned. He sells used equipment for AVA owners through his website, and even stands behind it with a one year warranty.

Cornelis

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #14 on:** 8 Oct 2011, 05:38 pm »

Very few of the suggestions meet both the OP's request and C&C guidelines. For example AVA components are highly recommended around here, but even used come no where close to pricing guidelines on this circle. Agreed the OP sets a tall order, and other than US companies that source off shore I can't think of an integrated that would meet requirements either (Think Dayton amps from Parts Express). Some used stuff on eBay or A-gon might do it. The Class D thread amps mentioned previously would pass as you're assembling the amp here in the US, but I don't know if DIY is in the province of the OP.

However this is the fun of C&C, finding totally off the wall components at ridiculously cheap prices. I'll dig thru Google for a bit sometime this weekend and see if I scare anything up.

Poultrygeist · « **Reply #15 on:** 9 Oct 2011, 01:46 pm »

The Canadian Athena speaker line that was on close out from Bestbuy a few years ago. I think I paid a little under $200 for a pair of the huge F2 floorstanders.

Poultrygeist · « **Reply #16 on:** 9 Oct 2011, 01:53 pm »

These horns are hand built in Leesville, South Carolina.

http://www.thehornshoppe.com/

Mass. Wine Guy · « **Reply #17 on:** 9 Oct 2011, 02:51 pm »

I forget exactly what price range cheap and cheerful runs, but there is a good handful of talented Americans building their own stuff and selling it for relatively real-world prices. Red Dragon Audio is one guy in Utah building what appears to be very fine gear:

http://www.reddragonaudio.com/products/

Then there's Virtue Audio, which I guess is engineered here and made overseas. Very reasonable.

Scour Audiogon often, especially the New Today section to catch some deals.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #18 on:** 9 Oct 2011, 03:45 pm »

Quote from: Mass. Wine Guy on 9 Oct 2011, 02:51 pm

I forget exactly what price range cheap and cheerful runs, but there is a good handful of talented Americans building their own stuff and selling it for relatively real-world prices. Red Dragon Audio is one guy in Utah building what appears to be very fine gear:

Again, some really attractive gear, right in the price range I go for, but somewhat over guidelines. I've been thinking that perhaps the price points should be raised slightly, on the other hand we haven't been exposed to run away inflation in the last few years and Mariusz set this up in 2009. Maybe I'll run a poll thread to get everyone's opinions. Anyway, here's a quote from a portion of Mariusz's original post that applies to this thread as MWG isn't the only person posting on this thread who seems to be unsure. (It's stickied BTW)

- maximum stereo system price = $1000 (I'll accept 20% overhead given variations in 2nd hand
market and currency difference)

Individual components shouldn't exceed $350 however in cases of full featured components like integrated amps with DAC, phonostage or headphone amp - its value can be as much as $650.
DIY and kits are more then welcome.

You can see why the OP sets up a very hard criteria if we eliminate off shore (China) assembly. I would think the best that can be hoped for is a US design constructed off shore, or perhaps major components sourced off shore with finishing touches here. I don't know why you would do the second save for being able to say US made.

This is suppose to be fun, so no ones post is going to be flamed or banished just because you failed this very hard test. I think it's great that the OP's question brings in to focus the state of the world and how much competition the US workforce faces. Why we can't find an inexpensive integrated amp constructed in NA is a microcosm of why we are in the finacial straits we are in this country.

eclein · « **Reply #19 on:** 9 Oct 2011, 05:28 pm »

I think Schiit audio will do that next myself...a nice modestly priced American Made Integrated. I'm watching them and Virtue for some new exciting new products!!!!