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Advantages of owning equipment from major audio brands vs. boutique shops?

As someone new to home audio, the many brands of equipment is overwhelming. I learn about a new brand almost daily. Today it was Valvet and their A4 MKII monoblocks. Is it correct to assume that advantage to owning equipment from the major players is a result of the dollars they invest in R&D and the company stability, translating to piece of mind via their warranty, and the ability to get a component repaired? I would think resale value also plays a factor.

Because the small shops often sell direct, cutting out layers of profit, there appear to be some good deals on well performing kit. Other than price, are there advantages to investing in boutique brand equipment? It seems the offset to a better price might be their instability in the market, resulting in possibly owning a very heavy, expensive paper weight should they close their doors and your component need service, and a lessor resale value.


kcpellethead
terry9
2,243 posts
 
Best of all is the ultimate boutique: DIY. No more trying to shoe-horn big caps into little boxes. Etc.
lancelock
1,085 posts
 
I have purchased products from Modwright and Linear Tube Audio and both companies have outstanding service before, during and after sales. These folks are not just in it for a buck like so many large companies. These small boutique companies are run by music lovers and audiophiles like me.
larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,002 posts
 
I wish I had listened to SALK speakers before I purchased mine.  They sell direct and are able to build their speakers using much better drivers because they don’t have to cut corners selling to dealers.  I listened to their Song3 Encores priced at $6,500 at the RMAF and they sounded better than a pair of $60,000 speakers down the hallway.  Call Jim Salk and tell him Larry Edwards sent you,
agrippa
160 posts
 
There’s a lot to like about boutique companies, but one major downside: you don’t know if they’ll survive or not. I’ve owned a number of boutique devices myself, but I would never, ever want to be an early adopter. I prefer others to do the beta testing for me and to take the initial risk.
tom8999
151 posts
 
Here is my 2 cents. I have been into audio since college -1972. Moved from EPI speakers to Magnepan in 1980 and I have stuck with Maggie’s ever since. They are still around and still innovating. Please give them a listen - their speakers cover a wide price range. Started with Dynaco 400 amp and PAT 5 preamp. Now out of business. Switched to Krell 15 years ago - on my third Krell integrated now - the first one just died after 15 great years of service. Krell has been around a long time and migrated thru some tough times but they are still here and innovating, and servicing their equipment. Their new integrated is not cheap - $7,000, but the reviews are great. Should have mine in a week. Digital music is the way to go - CDs and Turntables are expensive. MultipleDACs are out their in multiple price brackets. I use a LUMIN D1 - it is a streamer and DAC in one box - I stream Tidal HiFi with MQA and am happy.
Good luck on your journey - Happy Listening and Happy New Year!
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