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Dan D'Agostino site visit
After RMAF, my wife and I spent some time in Moab, Utah, and, like Ed, a few days in Sedona before heading to Scottsdale for a business meeting. On the way to Scottsdale, we stopped off at Dan D'Agostino's facility. We were warmly welcomed by Bill McKiegan (president), Dan, his wife Pietra, and 2 German Shepherds. Bill and Dan showed us around, and then later, while Bill, Dan and I talked audio, Pietra and my wife talked dogs
Since a group of us had just been to Boulder's operation during RMAF, this was an interesting comparison. The Boulder facility is larger, they do their own case machining, and the building is what I can only describe as more "high-gloss" and perhaps a bit more professional-seeming - glass front, formal reception area, incredibly sophisticated listening room, Kanban system, and so on. The overall impression when first seeing D'Dagostino's operation is of a smaller, family- and people-oriented, friendly shop. The front entrance opened right into the production area, so that I even asked if we were at the right entrance. Everything is open, and Pietra came from her desk to greet us when we came in. I mean absolutely nothing disparaging to Boulder by saying this, but the atmosphere at D'Agostino vs Boulder was similar to how I think of their sounds: warm and inviting versus neutral and a bit dry. I'm also a sucker for a dog-friendly workplace Here's the front of the building. I didn't ask, but I assume the Ferrari is Dan's. Inside, the facility looks to be about 10,000 square feet, with various workstations doing assembly, testing, design, etc. Here are a few facts about the business Bill shared with us: - 18 employees - production of approx. 70 units per month (from this I would estimate their revenues at about $25-30m per year - pretty good for the square footage and number of employees.) - casework is machine in Colorado Springs. - approx. 55% of their business is exports, the majority to Asia. - largest export market is China, followed by Thailand. Bill said they have a very active dealer there. - They do well in the Netherlands, but in general the European market is not as strong for them due to the economy and also high import costs, which put them at a disadvantage to high-end European brands like Burmeister. A few more pictures: Momentum amps under construction: Classic 3s under construction - these are a set of 3 x 3 channel amps being delivered to Definitive Audio in Seattle for a home theatre installation that will be tri-amped across the front: Progression - Bill said one of the big cost differences between the Progression and Momentum was the cost of copper vs aluminum heatsinks. The copper dissipates heat more effectively, which allows a smaller case, but at a cost. Dan with Momentum HD Preamp: M-Life - the Momentum integrated with built-in streaming and dac. The dac chip is outsourced. Dan said he has no plans to develop their own dac technology. Momentum pre and power supply casework: This is Dan's prototype and his personal phono stage, which he said they occasionally send out for audition. Note the turntable, an old Sanyo - Bill said they deliberately use this old table for testing because it's very noisy. Also you can see a dCS dac, although I don't recall which model. Work in progress: Stromtanks - Bill and Dan are pretty high on these: The listening room, which is also their conference room. As Ed reported in his visit, it's still a work in progress. There's an incredible chandelier, which we all agreed was pretty cool - they plan to move it to the main fabrication area where there's a section of high ceiling. The speakers are YG (don't know which model). Dan said YG needed an amp and they need a speaker so they did a trade. There was no equipment hooked up, but Dan said the acoustics were surprisingly good due to the shape of the room and the sloped ceiling. They have no plans to rebuild the room into an extreme acoustically isolated space, they like the idea of evaluating their equipment in more real-world conditions. Apparently much evaluation is also done in Dan's home. I was also showed the casework for the new Progression integrated being introduced later this year, but Bill said I was the first consumer to see this and asked me not to share photos. Overall this was a very enjoyable visit. Dan, Bill and Pietra were all very welcoming and open, the work atmosphere was relaxed and positive, the facility was clean and organized, and it was clear much attention is paid to quality. It's nice to be able to see how my equipment is made, it increases the enjoyment and sense of connection to the people who make it.
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Tony D'Agostino Momentum S250 MxV & HD pre; Linn Klimax Organik DSM, SonicTransporter, EtherRegen; Acoustic Signature Typhoon Neo, Koetsu RSP, Boulder 1108; Sf Il Cremonese; Shunyata Everest, Altaira, Sigma & Alpha v2 Last edited by Antonmb; 12-26-2019 at 01:22 PM. |
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Awesome pictures Tony, hopefully I’ll be able to get out there someday and meet Dan and the rest. When you said the Phono pre is a prototype......is that something new he’s working on or just the original prototype of the Momentum Phono pre?
- Buck
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Library: Speakers: Avalon Acoustics Isis, Subwoofers: (2) REL Acoustics 212SE Amplification: D’agostino Momentum preamplifier, D’agostino S250 stereo amplifier Digital: dCS Rossini CD/SACD transport, dCS Rossini DAC/streamer/master clock. Analog: Brinkmann Taurus table, Lyra Etna Lambda, Audio Research Ref. Phono 3 |
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Quote:
Just the original prototype, not something new.
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Tony D'Agostino Momentum S250 MxV & HD pre; Linn Klimax Organik DSM, SonicTransporter, EtherRegen; Acoustic Signature Typhoon Neo, Koetsu RSP, Boulder 1108; Sf Il Cremonese; Shunyata Everest, Altaira, Sigma & Alpha v2 |
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Tony... very cool, thanks for sharing.
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Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
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Dan D'Agostino site visit
I haven’t stopped thinking about my DD visit and RMAF - glad you could make it and to share the story.
Every manufacturer I have contacted or visited has been responsive with a warm welcome. |
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Great pics Tony.
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Thank you for sharing Tony!
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Source Esoteric K-01X Preamp Audio Research REF 10 Amplifier D'Agostino Progression monoblocks Speakers Wilson Audio Maxx 3 Cables Transparent Reference Gen 5 Equipment rack and amp stands HRS Power conditioning Transparent Power outlets GTX-D(G) Gold-Plated duplex receptacles dedicated 20 amp lines. |
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Thank you very much, Tony. Like you, meeting the folks behind the faceplate and getting see where the equipment is made gives me an even deeper appreciation for the magic.
Steve
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VPI HW-40 Anniversary DD turntable, Grado Aeon3; Taiko Audio Extreme server, dCS Vivaldi APEX DAC and Master Clock, Cybershaft OP-21 reference clock, Playback Designs Pinot ADC. D’Agostino Momentum M400 amps, Momentum HD preamp, Momentum phono amp, Wilson Audio Alexx, 2X3 SVS SB16 Ultra subwoofer stacks. Shunyata Triton v3 & Typhon QR, Typhon. Shunyata Sigma NR & NR v2 cords and cables, Stillpoints ESS grid system rack, Stillpoint Ultras, ASC Tube Traps . . . and lots of music! |
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Tony, nice report of your visit.
Pretty cool to meet the creator of your beloved gear, isn't it?! Thank you very much for sharing.
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Stereo: Hegel H590, Grimm Audio MU1, Mola Mola Tambaqui, Burmester 948 - V3 & V6 racks, Vivid Audio G2 Giyas, REL Carbon Special (pair), Silent Angel Bonn N8 Ethernet Switch & Forester F1, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse IC and SE SC, Furutech Digiflux AV: Hegel C-53, Marantz AV8802A, Oppo BDP-203EU, Pioneer Kuro 60", Vivid Audio C1 & V1w's, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse, SE & E Second system (veranda): Halgorythme preamp and monoblocks, Burmester 061, Avalon Avatar, Sharkwire & Wireworld cables |
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