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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
tom8999
153 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!
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,682 posts
 
*S*...and I, for one, will thank y'all for the 'product R&D' that your $ support in the name of 'better audio reproduction'.

'Boutique' equipment....*pause*....I'll put it on a par with F1 motorcycles and cars....

What was once 'unobtainium', is now SOP...or SOEquip.

Fuel injection....supercharging....variable suspension....anti-lock...all that.

Keep it up. ;)

Happy New Year/Decade to you, and to all. ^5's
wspohn's avatar
wspohn
607 posts
 
Buy whatever sounds good to you and hasn't got a rep for unreliability.

I own several items long out of production, whose manufacturers no longer exist and that keep on giving me great service (phono stage made in total of 200, preamp with less than 300 made, big power amps that I own 3.5% of total production - 133 made.

A good electronics tech can usually rectify any age related issues that crop up as long as they can get parts or equivalents.
limomangus's avatar
limomangus
1,428 posts
 
I usually by audio equipment went the old model is going out and new stuff coming in....the older stuff is now helluva lot cheaper now....I call it a win.
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