Avalon Acoustics Arios????

Ulrik - we actually tend to get ripped off in Europe compared to the US. Your explanation of a different brand name in order to justify price difference is the correct one based on my own findings. Because of that I am seriously considering going for European made speakers like the Piega P10 (see last issue of the Absolute Sound)

I think both of you are unfair. The very poor exchange
rate for American goods is having its effect on the European market. The mark/dollar rate is 2.3, not very good at this time. I can get a Leica M6 for less money today than 15 years ago when I bought my first one.

As fare as the Piega goes I think the Avalon are much better.
I currently work in a hifi store and we deal Piega (but not Avalon SOB!!!!), and we have had the P 8 Limited in the store for about 3 month and I think they are to bright and sharp with both tube and SS.
I currently use Quad ESL-63 and Avalon is the only speakers I have heard that make me want to change. I have not yet auditioned the ESL-989!! but I plan to in the future.
To answer Shubertmaniac I am not comparing the the Europe prices with the US prices but with how much other US brands charge extra in Europe, but you do have a point about the bad exchange rate, though not to such a degree that it justifies the differens.

Regards

Ulrik G. Madsen

The Arios is the same as the Arcus.
The name Arios is used in German-speaking countries (was explained to me by a Berlin hifi salesman)

They had to change the name because Arcus is a german hifi company which does electronics.