New integrated amp/pre-amp for 2014

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

I'm sure the $45,000 price will bring D'Ag products to a "broader market"....

This integrated is twice the price of a DarTZeel CTH-8550....

Stephen
That is a ~$22k savings over the pre and stereo amp combination and ~$43k over the pre an mono blocks. It as if you are getting the power amp for only about $12k and that is a bargain. Even I ask whether any pre is worth $32k.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Stephen
That is a ~$22k savings over the pre and stereo amp combination and ~$43k over the pre an mono blocks. It as if you are getting the power amp for only about $12k and that is a bargain. Even I ask whether any pre is worth $32k.

Jim,
Not at all questioning the savings...or the quality of the product. I just found the press release a bit "ironic" in talking about the release an audio product that costs $45,000 as a way to create a "broader market." $45,000 is a LOT of money any way you slice it.

And no disrepect to Dan or his loyal customers, but for me personally, if I were shopping for an integrated in this über high-end price class, I'd have the DarTZeel and pocket the extra $20-25 large...but then again, you're talkin' to a guy that's never spent more than $5k for a piece of stereo equipment.

[Toobs]

Originally Posted by wizard

Dan D'Agostino's long-awaited Momentum Integrated has finally come to fruition. The original plan was to make it a multifunction device with streaming and digital functionality, but the finished product is essentially a combination of circuit boards from the Momentum Preamplifier and Stereo power amplifier in a chassis that's not as deep as the separates but makes up for it with height. This is because the power supply is underneath the distinctive copper-flanked casework. Dan D'Agostino explained that he built the Momentum Integrated because he saw demand for a totally uncompromised integrated amp -- that's why this model has the same transformer as the Momentum Stereo power amplifier and delivers 200Wpc into 8 ohms and 800Wpc into 2 ohms. It has a copper-and-aluminum "thermal engine" to provide cooling. The price is $45,000, and it will begin to ship in March.

$45000 for an integrated amp That's absolutely insane

[dirtbag]

At least it looks expensive.

[KeithR]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Stephen That is a ~$22k savings over the pre and stereo amp combination and ~$43k over the pre an mono blocks. It as if you are getting the power amp for only about $12k and that is a bargain. Even I ask whether any pre is worth $32k.

To put things in perspective - the monoblocks cost 44k a pair less than 2 years ago...Dans pricing has gotten loony. Hardly a bargain.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by KeithR

To put things in perspective - the monoblocks cost 44k a pair less than 2 years ago...Dans pricing has gotten loony. Hardly a bargain.

Hey if you think this his current pricing is looney just wait 'till the new line(s) are introduced. The gap will be greater than Boxter to Turbo S. They are still a bargain compared to any other amps you want to include in any State of the Art list.

[mwjw]

Dans pricing was getting looney at Krell before his departure. The price of admission was getting so high that only a small number of customers could play. This might explain the new lower price points from Krell. There are few young audiophiles willing or able to drop $20k or $40k on an amp. I understand that Dans gear is awesome but does it really have to be so expensive? Is there as much R & D and parts and labor in an amp as a new Porsche?

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by mwjw

Dans pricing was getting looney at Krell before his departure. The price of admission was getting so high that only a small number of customers could play. This might explain the new lower price points from Krell. There are few young audiophiles willing or able to drop $20k or $40k on an amp. I understand that Dans gear is awesome but does it really have to be so expensive? Is there as much R & D and parts and labor in an amp as a new Porsche?

The short answer is No but that hasn't stopped the leading manufacturers from pricing as there was.

Each of us draws the line at what we are willing to pay for "state of the art" products. I can say that I have no buyers remorse on anything I currently own. That does not mean that I am wiling to fork out large sums of money to upgrade to XLFs, Vivaldi stack, or possibly even Dan's pre-amp. Actually I believe the manufacturers have the credibility to offer products at these ridiculous price points. So have Focal, Boulder, Magico etc. what bothers me is that some start up company with no track record thinks they can price their products higher than McIntosh. Pass Labs etc. I am not paying premium pricing for an upstart company that may not be around in 3 years.

[BillK]

The bottom line is if the prices are too high, sales will suffer and prices will fall.

To date, they haven't.

[rthomeint]

The arrogance and egos were in full affect at CES last week.i would be willing to bet most of these designers couldn't afford to buy there own products if they had to pay retail. I wonder how some of these companies survive with 5 dealers across the country. I saw at least six Vivaldis in various rooms. I wonder how many high dollar units these companies sell to easy other.