Art Audio Vinyl Reference vs Maxxed Out K&K

I don't think you have to worry about Kevin getting out of the kit business any time soon. The Sonas Venice is too expensive and complex for Kevin to consider offering as a kit. The retail cost of just the transformers is more than a Maxed Out. Having built one, I can hazard a guess that Kevin would not want to deal with all the problems kit builders would encounter. That said, the new version of the Maxed sounds very good. Maybe not as refined as the Venice, but the retail price of the Venice is supposed to be $18k! Does it sound $15,400 better? Not for someone with my bank account. The market for the Venice is not the same as the DIY market. As to where Kevin is heading with his business, check out the new products that he has announced for 2011 on his forum. Doesn't seem like he plans to abandon the DIYers anytime soon.

Thanks everyone I appreciate and value your input.

I spoke to Kevin myself recently. Seems that his pesky customers and the business they are bringing is getting in the way of finalizing the Sonus Veritas(?). So, if you guys will just leave Kevin alone, he will eventually market the SV. But I saw a post on this product as old as one year, so don't hold your breath(s); the SV was descrbed as imminent even in that year-old post.

Kevin had the goods at RMAF, just not in the finished package. The room sounded great. After dealing with Kevin on the phone a number of times it was great to finally meet him in person. I hope he keeps both lines running.

I own one of Kevin's upgraded Maxxed out phonostages and it would be a pity to see him discontinue it. I would think that his existing product support is from a money concious group that want big performance from little exspense, not big performance from big exspense. I'm sure he would have a handful of dedicated followers but my guess is that would be the exception and not the rule. Hopefully he would still support his existing product which has garnered a healthy following. Don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of Kevin's existing products, but the buck would stop there for me unfortunately.