Could they sell a high-end amp without the fancy


cabinetry.I'm talking about the quality of Pass, Ayre, Rowland, etc, etc. It seems when you do buy these products you are paying a lot for the packaging. Do you think someone could make an amp the quality of the above mentioned companies without the bling factor. It could sell for a lot less and create a new niche in the marketplace. If this is already being done I haven't seen it. I am talking about high-end audio not mid-fi.
taters
+1 to what Unsound said. There are manufacturers out there that spend more on the innards than the outtards per se. However, if it's not in an impressive looking case, will the audio journals give it their highest ratings.....doubtful. Most want to pay for the jewlery/name. If you don't, you can find small manufacturers that don't play the game, like PBN, Bear Labs, Music Reference, Quicksilver, TRL, CODA, etc.
That's the beauty of DIY. You can make it as bling-infested or as utilitarian as you desire. Spending more on the components than the casework should result in better sound and a heavier wallet. Hell, if you're only making one, you can even spend 6 months on the casework to make it a masterpiece, for no more cost than that of your spare time.
I agree with Peter S. Music reference makes great stuff without the bling factor or the bling price.
Hegel stuff is expensive and raved about in reviews, and I'm sure they thought about the way the stuff looks...its design is every bit as intentional as a Rowland or Pass amp.
If it fell out of an ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down, some, not all wouldn't care as long as it sounds fantastic. Others, the looks brings you in and the sound captures you.