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  1. #1
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    DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Actually, more expensive (mods, can you change title) Swiss stopped pegging their currency against the Euro. It's now surging 12%- from 0.98 to 1.11 CHF/USD. Yikes

    Swiss Franc Roils Markets as SNB Abandons Cap - Bloomberg

    I'm surprised we haven't seen Japanese gear actually get cheaper- the Yen is 40% lower than it was two years ago.

    KeithR
    Brinkmann Bardo w/ EMT HSD-006 cart, MSB Reference DAC --> Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL --> Ampzilla 2000, 2nd Edition --> Fyne Audio F1-12

  2. #2
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    re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Whazat? I dont FEEL any richer!
    NORMAN
    Custom PC with Memory Player Software Suite/ Modded Denon CD transport>Lampi GG1 (and sometimes PACIFIC) DHT tube Dac> Rowen 850W Isolating Transformer/ Rowen SS Preamp and PA1 monoblocs/Lampi Silk power cond. with Phase flipper> Heil AMT KITHARA & Syrinx in parallel hookup. Swiss cables (Reference line) for PC/interconnects and speaker cables. Goldmund Sweetcord PC. FTA Callisto unpowered USB cable. Basic analog: vintage Lenco L78 TT with Rowen mat, Denon MM cart, iFi iPhono2 with 15v Hynes SR3 LPSU. Synology 12 TB NAS. 2nd system:KenWin Bluetooth speaker 3rd system TBI Millemnium amp with Aulos speakers and SB Duo hookup.

  3. #3

    re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Yes that was a huge surprise to the markets and somewhat inevitable given likely QE moves by the ECB. But the move today in the Swiss Franc is dizzying, strengthening13% against dollar and close to 15% against the Euro!! For a one day move in currency markets this is tectonic!

    So yes, Swiss-made high-end audio just got 10% more expensive for sure. Conversely US-made and Euro-priced high-end audio for Swiss customers just got a lot cheaper
    Cyril
    Speakers/Amp/Preamp: Thiel CS2.4 / ARC Ref 110 / ARC Ref 3
    Sources: Basis 2001/Graham2.2/Nagra BPS/Benz Micro Glider SL, Dynavector 20X2-L, ARC CD7, Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Cables/Power/Other: Nordost Heimdall ICs, SCs / Shunyata Hydra 8, Shunyata Python Helix PC / VPI 16.5, HRS Nimbus isolation system

  4. #4
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    re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    time to buy Grand Seikos instead of IWCs? Lol.
    Brinkmann Bardo w/ EMT HSD-006 cart, MSB Reference DAC --> Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL --> Ampzilla 2000, 2nd Edition --> Fyne Audio F1-12

  5. #5

    re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Quote Originally Posted by cmalak View Post
    Yes that was a huge surprise to the markets and somewhat inevitable given likely QE moves by the ECB. But the move today in the Swiss Franc is dizzying, strengthening13% against dollar and close to 15% against the Euro!! For a one day move in currency markets this is tectonic!

    So yes, Swiss-made high-end audio just got 10% more expensive for sure. Conversely US-made and Euro-priced high-end audio for Swiss customers just got a lot cheaper
    This helped spook the markets today too.
    Micro Seiki SX-8000 air bearing table, SME 312s arm, SME 3012R arn, Dynavector XV-1s cartridge, Lyra Etna SL cartridge, ARC Ref 3 phono stage, Otari MX-55 2 track R2R, Ampex 350 tape repros, Roon Nucleus Plus music server, HiFi Rose 150B DAC, ARC Ref 6, ARC Ref 75 with KT-150s, Parasound JC5 amp , JBL 4345 speakers, Viero Equilibro Level 3 speaker cables, and Definitive Technology Ref subs.

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  6. #6

    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Quote Originally Posted by mep View Post
    This helped spook the markets today too.
    It sure did along with key reversal in oil mid-day which continues its monumental decline
    Cyril
    Speakers/Amp/Preamp: Thiel CS2.4 / ARC Ref 110 / ARC Ref 3
    Sources: Basis 2001/Graham2.2/Nagra BPS/Benz Micro Glider SL, Dynavector 20X2-L, ARC CD7, Oppo BDP-83 SE
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  7. #7
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    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Quote Originally Posted by cmalak View Post
    It sure did along with key reversal in oil mid-day which continues its monumental decline
    Good. Since it hurts 7% of the economy and helps about 93% of the economy - good.
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  8. #8
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    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Quote Originally Posted by cmalak View Post
    Yes that was a huge surprise to the markets and somewhat inevitable given likely QE moves by the ECB. But the move today in the Swiss Franc is dizzying, strengthening13% against dollar and close to 15% against the Euro!! For a one day move in currency markets this is tectonic!

    So yes, Swiss-made high-end audio just got 10% more expensive for sure. Conversely US-made and Euro-priced high-end audio for Swiss customers just got a lot cheaper
    I'm glad I just purchased my Soulution 520.

    Ken
    "No summit worth climbing is easily attained."
    --------------------------------------------
    Source: MSB Select II DAC with Two Mono Powerbases and Femto 33 Clock; Renderer V2 Digital Input Module and Roon Nucleus Plus; MSB UMT V Signature Transport
    Amps: Vandersteen M7-HPA Mono Amps; MSB M204 Mono Amps
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  9. #9
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    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    oil crashing doesn't help the economy. oil in a steady slide over many years, would.
    Brinkmann Bardo w/ EMT HSD-006 cart, MSB Reference DAC --> Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL --> Ampzilla 2000, 2nd Edition --> Fyne Audio F1-12

  10. #10

    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    Good. Since it hurts 7% of the economy and helps about 93% of the economy - good.
    Mike...I hear what you are saying. 70% of GDP is consumer-driven and lower gasoline and heating oil prices means more money in peoples' pockets, which is good for the majority of folks out there and yes it might increase disposable income for some and those extra dollars will find their way back into the economy. But it also depends why oil has been declining so precipitously and so fast. If it is purely excess supply (shale revolution in US, resumption in production levels in Iraq, and a few other factors, ...) then it is a great thing because all the major economies in the world (US, Europe, China, and Japan) are net oil importers and this would represent a big stimulus to those economies in the form of lower consumer and producer costs, which can be reinvested in other parts o those economies. But if the fall in price also speaks to a precipitous decline in demand because of stalling economies (which we are experiencing in Europe and Japan and slowing down in China), then global growth slowing will invariably have knock on effects here in the US and might mean slower growth for us down the road. Markets are very worried that this stalling growth is mounting and producing deflationary pressures (which oil price declines is but a factor but think also job cuts, wage declines, etc...) which might throw us back into a global recession shortly. Not good for anyone if that is the case.

    That's why Mario Draghi is expected on Jan 22nd to be announcing a major Quantitative Easing program (essentially buying hundreds of billions of Euros in European bonds), driving down rates even further in Europe to incent risk-taking (investments seeking higher returns) and to drive inflationary pressures, which is what prompted the Swiss Central Bank to quit the peg to the Euro today.

    Interesting times. It seems like the US economy was starting to reach escape velocity in the last couple of qtrs. but the rapid decline in oil concomitant with stalling European economies and decelerating Chinese economy has put a renewed question mark on global growth and that's what's causing market jitters in the new year.

    The rapid drop in oil prices also means localized pain in key markets (Texas, Dakotas, Ohio/Pennsylvania) in the US where shale plays are concentrated, as well as in commodity exporting economies (OPEC countries, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Russia, and West Africa).
    Cyril
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  11. #11
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    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Nice analysis, Cyril!

    Ken
    "No summit worth climbing is easily attained."
    --------------------------------------------
    Source: MSB Select II DAC with Two Mono Powerbases and Femto 33 Clock; Renderer V2 Digital Input Module and Roon Nucleus Plus; MSB UMT V Signature Transport
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  12. #12
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    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    My opinion is that it has zero to do with Euro economies. It's the middle eastern countries driving down oil prices on purpose by rapidly increasing production and hence supply to put the U.S. Fracking companies out of business. Fracking is too expensive, just like oil sands if oil is $40 a barrel.

    Don't overthink these things. European economy slow downs = minuscule oil price drops. These massive drops are deliberate.

    A contrarian would jump in with both feet and boy those oil futures right up.
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  13. #13

    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Mike...the answer is a bit more nuanced. The only swing production capacity in the OPEC countries was in Iraq as its production has come back on line over the past couple of years (Saudi has an incremental 500K bpd left in swing production capacity). All the other OPEC countries are already producing flat out and cheating on their quotas. For price to have gone from $100/bbl on WTI down to $46, you are talking more than just the increase in US production from the shale plays (which has been on the order of 1-1.5 mm bpd in the last couple of years which is humungous), you are also talking about a concomitant drop in demand.

    Now what you are saying is true, which is the Saudis have seen the threat of incremental supply from shale plays in US displacing some of their market share and given that the Saudis have much lower lifting costs (i.e., their production is economical at these and lower prices), whereas many of the shale plays need $70-80/bbl to be economically viable (let alone Canadian oil sands which need >$90/bbl) and they are taking the current weakness in the market as an opportunity to squeeze out the "high" marginal cost producer, which happens to be a lot of the US players. But it also has the consequence of also hurting a local competitor in the region (Iran) whose economy is dramatically hurt at these price levels.

    But for me, looking at the numbers, the supply-only argument doesn't justify the drop we have seen (although markets always over correct in either direction admittedly). As for the contrarian play, no need to step in right now and potentially still catch a falling knife. If prices stay low for long enough, the high marginal cost producer will shut in production (supply goes down but it will take a few qtrs.) and demand among consumer nations will increase and the supply/demand curves will re-equilibrate at some price level probably somewhere in the $60-$70 range, which would be a nice 50% rebound from current levels, but I think you can wait for the commodity price to form a base down here before jumping in. You might miss the first 10% of the move but I'd much rather do that then jump in too early and potentially get spooked by heightened volatility and eject out of a trade with a loss.
    Cyril
    Speakers/Amp/Preamp: Thiel CS2.4 / ARC Ref 110 / ARC Ref 3
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  14. #14
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    DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    I disagree Cyril. It's a macro issue, not a micro issue. Wise investors don't overthink things. The production may indicate we "should" be at $60, but who do you think has control over OPEC? They can make the price what they want - just long enough to scare off the US frackers - who are losing their shirts breaking contracts right now.

    I think we will see $30/barrel - maybe $25. But trying to time the market is like trying to catch a falling knife. I do know, if I was investing, I would be buying oil stocks/futures up. Oil will go back up to $70ish I predict. This is just a short term blip.

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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  15. #15

    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Mike...we are saying the same thing. My profession is to invest and yes you are right that one should keep their investment thesis simple. Everything I was saying is macro-based by definition. Not sure what you meant by micro issue in terms of what I was saying. In any case, directionally I think we both agree, oil is trading lower than will rebound and form a new base (not back in the $80-$100 range) but most likely around $70. How long it takes it to do that remains to be seen. I think it will take longer. You seem to think it will be a shorter time frame. Although we have not defined longer and shorter time frames . For me, I don't think you see $60-$70 until Q4 of this year and maybe towards the latter end of that but who knows.

    I disagree with "who do you think has control over OPEC? They can make the price what they want..." Do they have power over the direction of commodity prices right now, yes. By deciding to continue to produce at their current rates and not cut back on their quotas, they (and by they I mean Saudi because Iran and Venezuela both OPEC members have been pushing for quota reductions to help get oil prices back up) want prices to remain low to "scare off the US frackers" that is absolutely correct. And by the way, that is exactly what they should be doing. In a commodity business, to the lowest cost producer go the spoils. So they are signaling to the market that they can withstand these low prices and they want to scare off as you put it the high cost producers (essentially run them out of business). They are using price as a competitive weapon). Where I disagree is in the mechanics. They do not set the price. The only think they control as a cartel is how much they produce. The price is set by thousands of commodity traders (oil companies, refineries, oil trading companies, and financial speculators) who trade both the physical commodity in the spot markets and the futures contracts in the paper markets. So the price is set continuously by the market at each trade based on the latest supply/demand and geo-political information that is available. But yes they have a big influence on the price based on their production decisions.
    Cyril
    Speakers/Amp/Preamp: Thiel CS2.4 / ARC Ref 110 / ARC Ref 3
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  16. #16
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    DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Agreed Cyril. My point is that some folks over think these things and start thinking $20 a barrel is here to stay because the economy in Scotland is doing poorly. That has little to no impact. The US moves the needle like very few others can.

    Too many investors live in the moment. Being a contrarian is the only way to reap rewards - but it requires a major gut check.

    When the real estate market crashed in 2008 - I was pleading with my Inlaws to buy homes in Florida with the cash they had in the bank making 0.000001% interest. But they kept saying "what if it goes lower?" Now they are kicking themselves.


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  17. #17

    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Mike...I am with you a 100%. It's hard being contrarian because it requires going against the crowd at the maximum pain point (when everyone else is running in the other direction, headlines daily scaring you to death,...) which is why a big component of investing is psychological and learning how to take the emotion out of your decision-making (very hard to do )
    Cyril
    Speakers/Amp/Preamp: Thiel CS2.4 / ARC Ref 110 / ARC Ref 3
    Sources: Basis 2001/Graham2.2/Nagra BPS/Benz Micro Glider SL, Dynavector 20X2-L, ARC CD7, Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Cables/Power/Other: Nordost Heimdall ICs, SCs / Shunyata Hydra 8, Shunyata Python Helix PC / VPI 16.5, HRS Nimbus isolation system

  18. #18
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    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Quote Originally Posted by cmalak View Post
    Mike...I am with you a 100%. It's hard being contrarian because it requires going against the crowd at the maximum pain point (when everyone else is running in the other direction, headlines daily scaring you to death,...) which is why a big component of investing is psychological and learning how to take the emotion out of your decision-making (very hard to do )
    Very. Personally, I am sitting on the side lines waiting for the 15+% drop I've been predicting since last year. I may sniff out some oil stocks or futures next week. We will see.

    Or, just buy more gear.


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    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  19. #19
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    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    I cant see where QE can cause an incentive in old Europe. Labour and other laws are just too rigid as are business regulations in general. The Swiss CB likely bailed because the policy was bleeding them dry. They mau=y have to reimpose it if Swiss Industry starts to squeal too loudly.

    If you all thought this is chaos, what if the referendum on Gold reserves had passed 2 months ago…THEN the $h!^ would have hit the fan.
    NORMAN
    Custom PC with Memory Player Software Suite/ Modded Denon CD transport>Lampi GG1 (and sometimes PACIFIC) DHT tube Dac> Rowen 850W Isolating Transformer/ Rowen SS Preamp and PA1 monoblocs/Lampi Silk power cond. with Phase flipper> Heil AMT KITHARA & Syrinx in parallel hookup. Swiss cables (Reference line) for PC/interconnects and speaker cables. Goldmund Sweetcord PC. FTA Callisto unpowered USB cable. Basic analog: vintage Lenco L78 TT with Rowen mat, Denon MM cart, iFi iPhono2 with 15v Hynes SR3 LPSU. Synology 12 TB NAS. 2nd system:KenWin Bluetooth speaker 3rd system TBI Millemnium amp with Aulos speakers and SB Duo hookup.

  20. #20
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    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Quote Originally Posted by cmalak View Post
    Mike...I am with you a 100%. It's hard being contrarian because it requires going against the crowd at the maximum pain point (when everyone else is running in the other direction, headlines daily scaring you to death,...) which is why a big component of investing is psychological and learning how to take the emotion out of your decision-making (very hard to do )
    Mhhh,

    It is forecasted by some that we are in for a rough 4 years or so starting in Q3-4 of 2015….
    NORMAN
    Custom PC with Memory Player Software Suite/ Modded Denon CD transport>Lampi GG1 (and sometimes PACIFIC) DHT tube Dac> Rowen 850W Isolating Transformer/ Rowen SS Preamp and PA1 monoblocs/Lampi Silk power cond. with Phase flipper> Heil AMT KITHARA & Syrinx in parallel hookup. Swiss cables (Reference line) for PC/interconnects and speaker cables. Goldmund Sweetcord PC. FTA Callisto unpowered USB cable. Basic analog: vintage Lenco L78 TT with Rowen mat, Denon MM cart, iFi iPhono2 with 15v Hynes SR3 LPSU. Synology 12 TB NAS. 2nd system:KenWin Bluetooth speaker 3rd system TBI Millemnium amp with Aulos speakers and SB Duo hookup.

  21. #21

    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Quote Originally Posted by wisnon View Post
    I cant see where QE can cause an incentive in old Europe. Labour and other laws are just too rigid as are business regulations in general. The Swiss CB likely bailed because the policy was bleeding them dry. They mau=y have to reimpose it if Swiss Industry starts to squeal too loudly.

    If you all thought this is chaos, what if the referendum on Gold reserves had passed 2 months ago…THEN the $h!^ would have hit the fan.
    Norman...agree with you. QE needs to be followed through with significant reforms (labor regs, fiscal reforms, etc...) to help jump start Europe but even if it does not make a big impact on the underlying economy, just use the US as an analog and it should (as it did in the US) cause European equity markets to go up as investors hunt for higher yields vs. negative real yields in Euro bonds.
    Cyril
    Speakers/Amp/Preamp: Thiel CS2.4 / ARC Ref 110 / ARC Ref 3
    Sources: Basis 2001/Graham2.2/Nagra BPS/Benz Micro Glider SL, Dynavector 20X2-L, ARC CD7, Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Cables/Power/Other: Nordost Heimdall ICs, SCs / Shunyata Hydra 8, Shunyata Python Helix PC / VPI 16.5, HRS Nimbus isolation system

  22. #22

    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    Very. Personally, I am sitting on the side lines waiting for the 15+% drop I've been predicting since last year. I may sniff out some oil stocks or futures next week. We will see.

    Or, just buy more gear.

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Mike...if I were a betting man, I am going to guess there is more new gear in your future
    Cyril
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  23. #23

    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Word from some "movers and shakers" is that this massive drop in oil priceing was caused by US manipulation.......wanting to poke Russia in their economic eye. Russia and China have began an orchestrated dumping of the US Dollar, trying to further de-stabilize it as the world currency. Russia's economy is tied heavily to the sale of petrol.
    Saudi's are going along with the US, as they want to run some of the other countries out of the oil business. So they are flooding the market with oil. Asian and middle eastern countries have been making their own deals to buy/sell oil in their own currencies........AND NOT US Dollars. This was never allowed (OPEC rules) until just recently. This is what kept the US Dollar propped up as the world currency. But China and "partners" want this to end. This is what will eventually cause the demise of our US dollar....so it is believed. Just fodder for thought....?

  24. #24

    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Quote Originally Posted by KeithR View Post
    I'm surprised we haven't seen Japanese gear actually get cheaper- the Yen is 40% lower than it was two years ago.
    It is a lot cheaper. Simply bypass the sluggish, high margin importers/distributors and directly import from Japan (i.e. gray market). The Price Japan site is your friend! In my book, a 5% fee for no value added beats the hell out of 100%+ markup (on an already expensive base item) with minimal value added -- assuming of course that you're importing goods with a good track record for quality and reliability.

  25. #25
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    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Quote Originally Posted by JDLaudio View Post
    Word from some "movers and shakers" is that this massive drop in oil priceing was caused by US manipulation.......wanting to poke Russia in their economic eye. Russia and China have began an orchestrated dumping of the US Dollar, trying to further de-stabilize it as the world currency. Russia's economy is tied heavily to the sale of petrol.
    Saudi's are going along with the US, as they want to run some of the other countries out of the oil business. So they are flooding the market with oil. Asian and middle eastern countries have been making their own deals to buy/sell oil in their own currencies........AND NOT US Dollars. This was never allowed (OPEC rules) until just recently. This is what kept the US Dollar propped up as the world currency. But China and "partners" want this to end. This is what will eventually cause the demise of our US dollar....so it is believed. Just fodder for thought....?

    Yup, sounds about right.
    NORMAN
    Custom PC with Memory Player Software Suite/ Modded Denon CD transport>Lampi GG1 (and sometimes PACIFIC) DHT tube Dac> Rowen 850W Isolating Transformer/ Rowen SS Preamp and PA1 monoblocs/Lampi Silk power cond. with Phase flipper> Heil AMT KITHARA & Syrinx in parallel hookup. Swiss cables (Reference line) for PC/interconnects and speaker cables. Goldmund Sweetcord PC. FTA Callisto unpowered USB cable. Basic analog: vintage Lenco L78 TT with Rowen mat, Denon MM cart, iFi iPhono2 with 15v Hynes SR3 LPSU. Synology 12 TB NAS. 2nd system:KenWin Bluetooth speaker 3rd system TBI Millemnium amp with Aulos speakers and SB Duo hookup.

  26. #26
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    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Quote Originally Posted by mulveling View Post
    It is a lot cheaper. Simply bypass the sluggish, high margin importers/distributors and directly import from Japan (i.e. gray market). The Price Japan site is your friend! In my book, a 5% fee for no value added beats the hell out of 100%+ markup (on an already expensive base item) with minimal value added -- assuming of course that you're importing goods with a good track record for quality and reliability.
    but you must use a transformer for US- that's not an option acceptable to many.
    Brinkmann Bardo w/ EMT HSD-006 cart, MSB Reference DAC --> Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL --> Ampzilla 2000, 2nd Edition --> Fyne Audio F1-12

  27. #27
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    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Quote Originally Posted by KeithR View Post
    but you must use a transformer for US- that's not an option acceptable to many.
    I've heard there is a switch/pins/something inside to go from 100v to 120v, but I've never confirmed.
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  28. #28
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    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Mike - that is true for some models/brands, while others require a change of the transformer or power supply that is used. In either case while the potential cost savings is often significant, with many such products you cannot obtain manufacturer approved service (even if you're willing to pay for it) on such unauthorized imports without sending it back to the country of origin. Just as most US built gear sells for significantly higher prices when exported through proper established channels, we should expect to pay more for gear that is being imported into the US than it sells for in its country of origin. There are significant costs associated with establishing a brand along with proper support in a new region.

  29. #29
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    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Quote Originally Posted by wisnon View Post
    Yup, sounds about right.
    Yes, except for the last two sentences. The U.S. dollar has dramatically increased in value over the last year relative to the Russian Ruble, the Chinese Yuan, the Euro, the British Pound Sterling and the Japanese Yen. Only in Russia's wet dreams.
    "No summit worth climbing is easily attained."
    --------------------------------------------
    Source: MSB Select II DAC with Two Mono Powerbases and Femto 33 Clock; Renderer V2 Digital Input Module and Roon Nucleus Plus; MSB UMT V Signature Transport
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  30. #30

    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Forgetting Alex Jones conspiracy theories and getting back to the original subject. The equipment price is set by the importer and thus they can choose whether or not to pass along the increased costs. Know Jonathan reads the forum and hope he adds his comments.
    Myles B. Astor, Senior Editor, PF, www.positive-feedback.com
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  31. #31
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    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Quote Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor View Post
    Forgetting Alex Jones conspiracy theories and getting back to the original subject. The equipment price is set by the importer and thus they can choose whether or not to pass the increased costs along. Know Jonathan reads the forum and hope he adds his comments.
    And now back to our regular scheduled programming....
    "No summit worth climbing is easily attained."
    --------------------------------------------
    Source: MSB Select II DAC with Two Mono Powerbases and Femto 33 Clock; Renderer V2 Digital Input Module and Roon Nucleus Plus; MSB UMT V Signature Transport
    Amps: Vandersteen M7-HPA Mono Amps; MSB M204 Mono Amps
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  32. #32
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    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Quote Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor View Post
    Forgetting Alex Jones conspiracy theories and getting back to the original subject. The equipment price is set by the importer and thus they can choose whether or not to pass along the increased costs. Know Jonathan reads the forum and hope he adds his comments.
    Unless his policy has recently changed, he prices Dart gear in CHF, so uses the current exchange rate.
    Brinkmann Bardo w/ EMT HSD-006 cart, MSB Reference DAC --> Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL --> Ampzilla 2000, 2nd Edition --> Fyne Audio F1-12

  33. #33
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    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    After the blip to 1.20, we are all the way back down to 1.05. Wow, what a crazy shift in the currency market.

    (Get your DarTZeel now!)
    Brinkmann Bardo w/ EMT HSD-006 cart, MSB Reference DAC --> Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL --> Ampzilla 2000, 2nd Edition --> Fyne Audio F1-12

  34. #34

    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    That was a great relief. I just ordered a full set of electronics (Transport, DAC, Power Supplies, Monos and Cables) from a Swiss company.

    Hi Myles. Miss ya buddy! See you in the Big Apple in May.

  35. #35
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    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Which Swiss company? CH Precision?
    NORMAN
    Custom PC with Memory Player Software Suite/ Modded Denon CD transport>Lampi GG1 (and sometimes PACIFIC) DHT tube Dac> Rowen 850W Isolating Transformer/ Rowen SS Preamp and PA1 monoblocs/Lampi Silk power cond. with Phase flipper> Heil AMT KITHARA & Syrinx in parallel hookup. Swiss cables (Reference line) for PC/interconnects and speaker cables. Goldmund Sweetcord PC. FTA Callisto unpowered USB cable. Basic analog: vintage Lenco L78 TT with Rowen mat, Denon MM cart, iFi iPhono2 with 15v Hynes SR3 LPSU. Synology 12 TB NAS. 2nd system:KenWin Bluetooth speaker 3rd system TBI Millemnium amp with Aulos speakers and SB Duo hookup.

  36. #36

    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Quote Originally Posted by JackD View Post
    That was a great relief. I just ordered a full set of electronics (Transport, DAC, Power Supplies, Monos and Cables) from a Swiss company.

    Hi Myles. Miss ya buddy! See you in the Big Apple in May.
    Good to see you here Jack!

    Look forward to meeting face to face and hosting you in May too!!!
    Myles B. Astor, Senior Editor, PF, www.positive-feedback.com
    Zellaton Plural Evo speakers, Doshi Audio EVO phonostage, VPI Avenger direct-drive turntable/VPI 12-inch gimbal Fatboy/vdH Colibri Master Signature/Triangle Art Apollo cartridges, SAT LM-12 tonearms/Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, VPI 12-inch gimballed Carbon Fiber arm/vdh Black Crimson and Sumiko Songbird, Mutech Hayabusa cartridges
    Technics RS1506 reel-to-reel with low inductance Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi Audio EVO tapestage, AudioQuest Dragon Zero, Audience FrontRow, Ensemble PC, Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna Realization speaker cable, Ikigai Kangai speaker cable, SRA Craz 3/OHIO 2.3 platforms and Symposium ISIS/Ultra rack/platforms, Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC.

  37. #37
    Quote Originally Posted by JackD View Post
    That was a great relief. I just ordered a full set of electronics (Transport, DAC, Power Supplies, Monos and Cables) from a Swiss company.
    That sounds possibly Nagra to me. What swiss co are we talkin bout?

  38. #38

    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Florian and Thierry's company guys.

    See you then Myles! Hope your elbow is all healed up!

  39. #39
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    Re: DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

    Oh, CH then.

    I dont know Thierry, just Florian.
    NORMAN
    Custom PC with Memory Player Software Suite/ Modded Denon CD transport>Lampi GG1 (and sometimes PACIFIC) DHT tube Dac> Rowen 850W Isolating Transformer/ Rowen SS Preamp and PA1 monoblocs/Lampi Silk power cond. with Phase flipper> Heil AMT KITHARA & Syrinx in parallel hookup. Swiss cables (Reference line) for PC/interconnects and speaker cables. Goldmund Sweetcord PC. FTA Callisto unpowered USB cable. Basic analog: vintage Lenco L78 TT with Rowen mat, Denon MM cart, iFi iPhono2 with 15v Hynes SR3 LPSU. Synology 12 TB NAS. 2nd system:KenWin Bluetooth speaker 3rd system TBI Millemnium amp with Aulos speakers and SB Duo hookup.

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DarTZeel gear just got a lot more expensive....

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