New Vandersteen oil cooled hybrid amplifiers

$52K?!
Perhaps Richard might have forgotten his Dutch roots appreciation for value. Which IMHO might be part of what made him and his past products so particularly appealing.

Dutch roots? I'm certain that Richard's family was responsible for the tulip speculation crash that ruined the Dutch economy. Otherwise, my old 1Bs were an amazing value and sounded great.

Sometimes I get the sense that these sites are designed to illustrate the worst of human nature; is this all just a study in sociology disguised as an audio site?

Rpeluso: Spot on!

A speaker manufacturer who starts making amplifiers tends to damage relations with amplifier manufacturers with whom they have worked in the past, hurting themselves. Time will tell, but I expect Vandersteen is aware of the risk. I wish him luck.

I know there's a lot of guys here that like to stir things up tongue in cheek but let me remind you Vandersteen has been in the amplifier business since 1982 with the powered 2WQ subs, The lower bass section of the Quattro, Five series and Seven as well.
This is no difference here except, instead of an amplified speaker, he has given the customer a choice. Any amplifier can still be used with the Model Seven.
If the customer listens to them and prefers the M7-HPA for less money he can go for it. Nothing has changed except for having one more option. The M7-HPA has power conditioning internally, very high quality pure silver speaker wire and acoustic isolation built in which is included for 52K
Its a lot of money but brings a lot to the table and the consumer will decide. Vandersteen is no fool and I am sure he gave this a lot of thought and it sure must have cost a lot to develop such a unique amplifier.
JohnnyR Vandy dealer.