My next preamp: Cary SPL-90 CLONE

Shadowfax said:
Here is a question for the Clone Crowd. If it was just another pc of Chi-Fi and they did not mention it was a clone of a well known brand, would you still buy it? Or are you relaying on the Brand Name that was cloned to make you think it will be just as good?
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Now that is a good question I hadn't thought of. Would someone buy a $700 XYZ preamp, maybe, especially if there were some good reviews from users. Using an established name to sell off of would seem to be an advantage though.
 
Mr Peabody said:
Now that is a good question I hadn't thought of. Would someone buy a $700 XYZ preamp, maybe, especially if there were some good reviews from users. Using an established name to sell off of would seem to be an advantage though.
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It was a great question for sure. I think many of them love pretending they are getting something "just as good" or "almost as good" (which we all know it's not) for a lot less.

I think it is that psychological need that makes them fall victim to their own confirmation bias they accuse us of into thinking their fake gear sounds better than it really does.
 
Mr Peabody said:
Now that is a good question I hadn't thought of. Would someone buy a $700 XYZ preamp, maybe, especially if there were some good reviews from users. Using an established name to sell off of would seem to be an advantage though.
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Many "clones" are reviewed. Above I referred to a guy who reviews lots of them, HiFi Zone on YouTube. I've bought a couple of clones based on his reviews and they were well-constructed and sound pretty good. Would I buy a cheap non-clone based on a good review? Maybe.

Do you think I thought they were just as good as the original? Not necessarily; certainly the clones might have be as well made, or have the same quality parts, or PCBs as well laid out, nor, for that matter, are they necessarily completely true to the originals designs. One thing is for sure: they are tremendously cheaper -- so if not "just as good" perhaps better value nevertheless.
 
One problem I previously noted is the marketing use of a respected hi end manufacturer to sell. a clone. It obviously exists and the original manufacturer receives no benefit or compensation from its brand name use. Same issue exists in music. Royalty fees and compensation is entirely justified.
 
ggdudeabides said:
One problem I previously noted is the marketing use of a respected hi end manufacturer to sell. a clone. It obviously exists and the original manufacturer receives no benefit or compensation from its brand name use. Same issue exists in music. Royalty fees and compensation is entirely justified.
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The other reality: many of the clones are clones in looks but then use typical crap parts. What's the point in buying that?
 
Feanor said:
Do you think I thought they were just as good as the original? Not necessarily; certainly the clones might have be as well made, or have the same quality parts, or PCBs as well laid out, nor, for that matter, are they necessarily completely true to the originals designs. One thing is for sure: they are tremendously cheaper -- so if not "just as good" perhaps better value nevertheless.
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Further this, it's worth mentioning that an important way clone makers achieve low cost is the use of standardized, mass-produced components. Obviously everybody uses mass produced resistors, capacitors, transformers, relays, etc., but clone makers use mass produced cases and assembled components such as ALPS potentiometers (obviously), and resistor ladder volume controls, and remote control hand units.

The case, display, remote selector mechanism and resistor volume control used on the "SLP-90" I bought are all used on maybe a dozen other "clones". The cases are amazingly solid and uses heavy, solid aluminum. In this case the PCB is made by reputable "clone" PCB board makers, Zero Zone, whose boards are used by many assemblers. (There is a considerable similarity to the generic PC assemblers.) The unit I received seems to be meticulously assembled.

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Michaels HiFi said:
Can you share your ASR measurements with us to prove "Chorus voices unexpected stood out distinctly, and *more expectedly) solos had charming warmth and lustere" and it wasn't just more of your expectation bias?
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Still waiting for ASR measurements to support the claims of the SQ - especially since there was no DBT used. :).

Funny how they don't practice what they demand of us, isn't it?

Oh....and he forgot to mention the other ways they achieve lower costs - IP theft, product espionage, and slave labor.
 
They are profiting off another manufacturer's brand / reputation. That is theft pure and simple. Otherwise, why would they market the clone in the manner they do. Why don't they name it something with no ties to the hi end market? If it had a different, unrelated name, would the OP have bought the product? IMO, slim to none. What raised his initial interest regarding this clone?

I previously posted why this is a financial rip off to hi end manufacturers, which is a very unique, small volume, small market industry. Please explain the purpose of a thread dedicated to hi end manufacturer brand / reputations intellectual robbery other than espousing the ASR rant and dogma against hi end gear pricing which most consumers recognize (and agree) is off the rails with certain manufacturers? WHY?
 
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