Tube Integrated for Von Schweikert VR4 Gen III HSE

04-15-06: Jmcgrogan2
The word I heard on the Avatar was that VAC shut it down until they could find a way to make it more cost effective

Wow, John. That's interesting. At $6500, you'd think there'd be some profit in it. Well, selfishly, I hope Kevin finds a way to offer a "low cost" VAC integrated that offers the outstanding sound of his other products...and I'd like to ask for a triode switch. :)

Grant, maybe you should look at the older Avatar's, pre Super, 1999-2003. The original Avatar and Avatar SE had a triode switch. 30 wpc triode, 60 wpc ultralinear.

I didn't say that there was no profit, just not enough profit. Companies count on their products to make a certain percentage of profit. From what I heard, they were costing too much to make and not enough profit. VAC didn't want to raise the price, so they suspended production until they could figure out how to build them and still realize their profit goal.
Can't blame them really, a company wants to stay in business. They could outsource to China like many others, but I don't think Kevin wants to do that.

John

I spoke with someone at VAC a couple months ago about the Avatar Super replacement & if I remember correctly, it will be in the neighborhood of $10K retail. I got the same story about not enough margin on the discontinued Super. Those used Avatars look pretty good after hearing that figure.

04-15-06: Jmcgrogan2
Grant, maybe you should look at the older Avatar's, pre Super, 1999-2003. The original Avatar and Avatar SE had a triode switch. 30 wpc triode, 60 wpc ultralinear.

Those are nice features. I don't think there's anough power there to push my system up hill.

I didn't say that there was no profit, just not enough profit. Companies count on their products to make a certain percentage of profit

I understand completely, and I agree VAC should charge whatever they want to charge.

http://iar-80.com/page68.html

Here's an interesting quick review of the original Avatar and the current Super that might help put some things into perspective.Scroll down to Avatar.