An individual can import from China a Valve Amplifier for a $2Kish.
Pass the Amp onto a Skilled EE, to have it treated to be absolutely safe electronically / electrically and able to used in the home with no concerns.
The EE may have some ideas themselves to take the design to a much improved design.
This additional overview can be at a cost of $300 - $400
Depending on Valve Types both Input or Output, well respected NOS Valves could be sourced for not much more than $1K.
This then supplies a state of the art amp' at a cost that has not been overly prohibitive to consider. The Amp' is certainly not Vintage in any way, apart from where the initial design for the circuit has been born.
What it has done as a Purchase Method, is produce a very very attractive product that compares favourably to designs produced in an Olden Era, the purchase method also serves to avoid the inflated costs associated with a Brand name from a Olden Era, that is overly priced due to the limited numbers of the Brands Models seen as a sale item in the current market.
Why would one want to add such a weight to a cost, just because it is a Brand from an another period of audio production.
This current market is witnessing silly Mark Up prices attached to a large range of items. If the Buyer wants to extend their buying into a Market where Items on offer are obviously with a silly Mark Up, then this is their choice and few mote coals on the fire to encourage the next ascending jump in price.
It isn't like the price hikes have anything to do with Covid and the new impact of costs on manufacture. It is more to do with individuals making their own charges because prior charges were met without challenge.
Do not overlook the average user of Valve Equipment knows s**t about valves.
The average user of Valve Equipment is satisfied if the are able to create a sound with their choices made for the Valves in use. How many of these Valve Equipment users are owning the attractive Vintage Brands Valves that have been paid for at a silly price and are not near the Manufactures recommendation measurements for being optimal as a Valve?? My experiences of purchasing Valves suggests their are plenty with this having occurred.
I am a honest customer who had their own practices used to protect themselves.
I only buy Valves at the silly prices seen and fairer prices under the condition, I have them measured shortly after being delivered and as long as they are extremely close to supplied measurements with the sale are they being kept. I have returned to Vendors their supplied Valves on a regular occasion when buying, and received a full refund for Valves able to create a listenable End Sound, but are on their last legs when using the data supplied with the taken measurements.
I am also a take a Punt Purchaser, and if a Valve that is wanted is seen very cheap, I will be the first in the queue to purchase without any conditions on the sale, only a broken Valve arriving would be the reason to raise a issue. My most recent purchase with this method was a 6SN7 VT231 KR Black, it showed up when I was purchasing in the far east and had it delivered to the door for £23, this Valve has Factory Spec' measurement, and I once more have a very very close match pair.
Here is the conundrum, I am not attracted to the KR Black, they are superseded by a few similar vintage Valves that are much much more attractive when used in the audio systems circuits. Should the very high spec' measured KR Blacks be sold on in the current market for the best part of £300 or sat on to be sold in a later market where new massages to the prices create a sale near to £500 in a few years.
I use 6SN7 Valves in my systems circuits as a comparison, where alternate Valve options are costing almost the same as the lucky price had for the KR Black.
I can assure anybody, these alternate Valves options are very attractive when compared.
The KR Black are prone to be noisy but do have their unique sonic they inject, which is plenty of Low Frequency Presence.
Compared to much lesser costing Valves, the KR Blacks are not offering much on the Mid's and Upper frequency, the Bass Heavy KR Black causes colouration to the point it is noticeably starving the upper frequencies of being able to project and sing.
There are much cheaper 6SN7's, that are generally quieter and easier to find in a good measuring condition, that really allow the Mid and Upper Frequencies to be projected and sing in a very very attractive manner, but also have a decent presentation of the Bass Frequency.
Once more, does an individual really have to extend their budget to have Olden Era Brands Items put to use in their own systems circuits. Which as a sale having occurred without the correct after sale support being available when purchasing, can be a very purchase that is a expensive ' Pig in a Poke ' , with unknowingly having the most unwanted outcome.
When silly monies are being asked by a Vendor, Caveat Emptor is ones very very best friend. Tyre Kicking is certainly allowed from the Buyer, along with ensuring as a buyer there is something in agreement between Vendor / Buyer that is weighted in the Buyers favour to protect them. Walk away at the first signs of Vendor Manipulation or Bullying.
