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What is the purpose of any kind of upgrade........

What is the purpose of any kind of upgrade option given directly by manufacturer?
{For example some manufacturers have a cap upgrade option in their amplifiers}

1. The manufacturer doesn't have enough knowledge, he found out later the sound may be improved by some kind of upgrade.
2. This is done on purpose to take money out of customer's pocket.

Did you ever think about it? I don't get it.
Why should one buy anything that is upgradable? Does it say that the original component isn't good enough?. Why should I buy such a product anyway and pay again for something that was already paid?
Any ideas welcome, sane comments please.
mamba
bigkidz
3,381 posts
 
In addition, technology is always improving. Look at the chip sets in DACs. They have been improved and changed over the last ten years. Look at Steve McCormack and the older DNA amps. He states that the design was the best he could do at that price point and nopw better parts are available to him to upgrade his designs that were not availabe several years ago.
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect
2,013 posts
 
Well yes and no...often an upgrade or "signature" model is designed around one of the manufacturers best selling items...and the upgrade is often "trickled" down from a higher model...such as the Vandersteen 2ce signature which features a tweeter from model 3...among other things...but to answer your excellent question...is the additional cost worth it yet? I have mixed views...I will use Vandersteen as an example...you could also use Meadowlark Hotrod...or a number of products...for these...the upgrade models cost roughly 4-500$ more(APPROXIMATLEY 1/3 OF THE ORIGINAL PRICE)...and since they are applied already to a speaker in production...the additional cost for the manufacturer is not that much greater...the kicker: are u really making a significant gain in performance to justify the extra...in absolute terms...the gain is marginal...we are afterall talking about VERY GOOD SPEAKERS to begin with...however...if u see yourself owning these speakers for a considerable amount of time...and want the most current design...then the upgrade is worth investigating...although you will be severly testing the law of diminishing returns
lugnut
1,190 posts
 
Mamba, I've upgraded my turntable through the years as the improvements bacame available. I'm glad I did. I've owned the piece for almost 20 years and it performs equally with what is available new today. Upgradeability is a strong reason to buy an item in my book.
Patrick
ohlala
1,235 posts
 
Why should I buy such a product anyway and pay again for something that was already paid?

Don't think that you are paying twice. The point is to spread the component out to more price points, knowing that audiophiles tend to upgrade. I think it is easier than going through the buy-sell-buy hassle, if you happen to really like the component. The manufacturer benefits from keeping an intro buyer buying from them.
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