Wilson Tune Tot

...and thus I will forever be a mid-fi guy.

I'm just not getting the logic. If the higher end players like Wilson are aiming at the Asian markets, why did I see them so often in US markets/shows ? I get that's there's a market for every wage scale, but dang if there aren't more higher end brands than you can shake a stick at.

Lets face it, these higher end brands are looking for the top 3% of wage earners, a narrow field. Why...at these shows do we not see some more down to earth brands like Salk/Taylor/Usher/PSB/totem, and a cast of hundreds more ? The only budget type of brand I ever see is Textron, which plays very well in the company it keeps. I think more people would be interested in audio in general if they could actually afford some of the products. Least carry a variety of gear aimed at different clientele. Mastersound coming out with a 1500 buck int. is a smart move in my book. It will introduce people to the brand, give them good sound, and give them some thoughts on moving up within the brand.

Much the same way Polk has a variety of series for every wallet, I don't see much of that with many other brands. When your "budget" speaker starts at 10k, something is off kilter in the logic. With so much of audio purchases being online now, and the brick and mortar stores going away or having limited inventory, doing these shows would benefit some of the lessor brands that are not found at BestBuy.

How many of you wander into a Ferrari dealer to browse ? Knowing you'll never be able to afford anything in there ? Maybe once....just to awe at the magnificent workmanship/style that goes into one. You never plan a weekend around it though do you ? Why would you do the same for audio gear ? To me anyway, audio shows are cool and all, but if the majority of stuff displayed is way out of my reach, my interests go south rather quickly.

Audio Review's Buyer's Guide from 1980 I believe , was the Pinnacle of Audio gear and speaker production. I still have a bunch of those old Buyers guids and the wealth of info they provided was astronomical!

You're right, It's dwindled down so much, It's hard to get exposed to some of these brands of audio gear and such except from word of mouth or that Computer algorithms that POP an ad for something that relates to a search we did. SVS POPs up all the time on my screen. I don't mind too much, since I know they sell a great product and I might buy one someday. Isn't that their goal!! To keep their product fresh in my mind? It works!

But PSB is hardly known outside of our communities. Wilson and others too.

I'm glad Polk Audio still advertises in Sound & Vision.

That's the Mag. that shows SOME affordable gear and speakers that most of us can just afford somewhat. Thay also review $$$$ stuff most of us CAN'T afford too.

What other PAPER mags. SPREADS info from the Audio World to the masses? Stereophile is the other one I know about and get also. But are there any others?

Or are Co.s targetting I-Phones and that realm?

I don't own an I-Phone yet so I don't know what POPs up on those screens.

Does anybody get Audio advertising ads on your I-Phones?

I see audio related ads on safari sometimes, but they are a part of the website, not apple. I do apparently look at too much white van stuff on eBay though, that is all I ever seem to get for recommendations. that and Orb audio.

marvda1 wrote: »

the mastersound box is $3000 not $1500

Addicted to Best!DSkip's Avatar

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Join Date:Aug 2013Location:Arlington, TXPosts:202




MastersounD BoX - 35 watts of single ended power for 1.490,00€



A few articles are hitting the internet now and I feel the need to 'announce' it somewhat to our members. MastersounD's new integrated amplifier, the BoX, is hitting the European market this month with other markets to follow shortly thereafter. While this amplifier holds true to the single ended designs MastersounD is known for, the chassis is a far cry from what has been released thus far. I've never been one to like enclosed tube amps, but I think they did a wonderful job on this one with the window on the front.

Power will be provided by three el34 per channel, producing 35 watts of parallel single ended power. It will also include a phono input and four other line level inputs. Best of all is the price - for those in Europe, you get all of this for an incredible price of 1.490,00€.

http://hifipickup.it/mastersound-box/


Doesn't say 3k here Marv. At todays exchange rate, roughly 1766.00 bucks American.

Ok, I get adding a remote to increase costs, check. Importing goods should not be all that much, unless they are starting to charge that stupid 15% sales tax they just voted on also. Don't we ship stuff there ? Is an American made piece thousands more in Italy ?

I don't really know, that's why I'm asking. But at 3K, it's no longer a slamming' deal in my eyes. Almost cheaper to buy a plane ticket and go bring one home yourself....or wait for them to hit the used markets.