Modern Linestages

Applause to Charles1dad for actually backing up his convictions by naming names.

At this point I may be talking out of both sides of my mouth but I think it comes down to what the consumer thinks he is paying for. I believe that Atmasphere's comments are correct when the consumer is focused on sonic issues. The consumer has many choices and the competition is fierce. In accord with basic microeconomic theory a manufacturer in this situation would have a hard go if he tries to price his product significantly above the competition. The situation changes radically if sound quality is not a high priority. If the consumer is buying because of, let's call it exclusivity, then the manufacturer has far more leeway in what he can price his product. The consumer has to believe that the product cannot be easily substituted for by another product of equal or better quality. In their mind there is something unique or exclusive about that particular product. If you want to buy the model of car that won the 1962 24 LeMans, that's one thing. If you want to buy the actual Ferrari that won the race, it's a whole other thing.

Based upon the responses to this thread by actual owners of high cost linestage they very clearly state that they purchased based upon sound quality.

I am not familiar with every company you mention, but I suspect Kondo and Audio Note fall into the exclusivity camp. That's not to say these companies aren't making superb products -- it's only to note that there is heavy mystique surrounding them. Magico has clearly moved into the sound quality camp. When they were doing one-off horns they might have be exclusivity sellers, but that's not the case now. Their product line has diversified and they freely admit that their newer, less expensive products are better than what they sold before.

Correction - Absolute Sound has the Constellation Altair preamp review not Stereophile.

...I find it interesting that "OR" can stand for either Operating Room or Oakland Raiders. Coincidence? I don't think so.

Lately I've been dividing my attention between Irene and this thread. One is a phenomena that is wreaking havoc, upsetting people and causing a lot of anxiety. The other is a hurricane.

Onemug,

H.S. Thompson has nothing on you ;-)

Vbr,
Sam

Grannyring, it was the Constellation review that prompted my original post. It appears to be an enormously complex product for a linestage. Whether or not the Constellation pushes some theoretical state of the art is a question I'll probably never know. But I will ask is that level of complexity and its resulting cost really necessary for top level performance? My gut level reaction is that's it overkill for a device that adds 12dB of gain, switches between sources and adjusts the volume level. It's just my opinion.

Up front I `ll admit to being an advocate of free market capitalism. Sellers can set what ever price thay want and the consumer either complies or rejects(for what ever reason).
Grannyring you make some interesting points concerning factors that determine the cost of a product. Where I differ to some degree is the case touted for complexity. Generaliy It seems simpler circuits/designs built to a high standard with superior parts usally sound better(exceptions of course) than their highly complex competitors. While one can marvel at the impressive engineering achievement, many of this uber technical products don`t often past the "natural" sound test i.e. tone and realism of voice and instruments.

I`ve attended numerous audio shows including CES 4 times and have heard many of the praised high power-ultra expensive components and have been rather disappointed. Obviously this is subjective, they can sound very spectacular in an audiophile-hifi realm, but deviate from what natural music really sounds like. The simpler (within reason) circuits tend to sound like the live music I`m used to hearing, organic flow and sheer purity.Ears are good true detectors. Just one humble opinion.