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D'agostino amplifiers: where's the beef?

So I've owned two of the classic monster Krell amplifiers from the distant past, the KSA 50 and later the KSA 250.  Both great amplifiers in their time and both collectible for those interested in that kind of stuff.  I'm generally a fan of D'agostino as a consequence.

I'm currently shopping for a new solid state amplifier to pair with potentially new speakers (Wilson or YG or Von Schweikert or Magico or Joseph - long story for another day).

 So recently while auditioning at my local dealer the system was powered by the current D'agostino M400 mono amplifiers.  While the sound was good I couldn't help but notice how TINY the $65K amplifiers were sitting on stands near the speakers.  OK they had nice metal work and were shiny but I couldn't help wonder WHY are these things so expensive?!  Later at home photo's of the insides of these amps on Google led me to wonder even more!!  The power supplies and interior construction in these things are nothing like the monster supplies and parts in the classic Krell's

Plus while the Krell's were expensive in their day (with great sound) the current D'agostino's have absurd pricing, far exceeding inflation.  

Are people spending this kind of money for fancy heat sinks?  Really?

I'd rather have an old Krell and a new Porsche Boxster or C8 Corvette for the same money.

Any one else have similar impressions?
bobbydd
4425
861 posts
 
My experience with Dag has been exceptional. Dan took the phone on a call I made about a small issue. He was pure gentleman and fixed the situation immediately. Likewise the staff is very responsive and nice to deal with.
All that said I love his products visually and sonically. As stated above it’s expensive because he can charge what he wants. He’s earned it. No one has to buy his gear.  I doubt, as previously stated by another poster, that all Dag buyers are foolish. I’m pretty comfortable with my judgement, feeling not the least bit challenged. Envy is at play here. The new US pastime. Beat up the well to do. 
decathlon1991
220 posts
 
I don’t look at it that way at all. When you’re  happy with a product, you definitely don’t have to convince anyone it is a great product. I’ve owned a lot of hi dollar gear. I’ve even owned Chord and Jeff Rowland top of the line monoblock amplifiers. That’s jewelry within itself. I just Prefer tube and that’s why I currently own Audio Research Reference 250SE. Like I said, it’s a choice. Pick what you like but never feel you have to convince one to buy a product. 
cycles2
208 posts
 
@bobbydd

Couldn't agree with you more. To me it's the same issue I have with the Ayre MX-R Twenty amps, most of the weight and cost seems to be in the aluminum casing.  
teo_audio
2,197 posts
 
The best sounding amplifiers have one or two tubes or transistors per channel.

No single person or company has ever been able to beat that simple equation.
rooze's avatar
rooze
640 posts
 
Consider the cost beyond the constraints of 'practical value.' Think of them as 'functional art', and as with a piece of fine wall-art or metal sculpture, attribute part of their monetary cost to aesthetic value.
To a small group of discerning owners their capacity to elicit emotional pleasure comes from the eyes as well as the ears. (Not to forget the bragging rights they afford in a capitalist society.)

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