Speaker costing.
- Thread starter wisnon
- Start date
BlueFox
New member
They forgot the labor cost. Magico is in the Bay area in California, and I suspect they pay their employees a living wage.
Other than that the writer can't understand why nice, complex things made by skilled labor are expensive.
- Thread Author
- #5
The article is more to show reporting of audiophilia in the mainstream press.
In terms of labour cost, Switzerland has even Cali beat.
Imagine what these cost (I was at a demo session there last night):
Stenheim Reference Statement speaks, Nagra HD dac, Absolare Monoblocs, CH Precision preamp and electronics, CH Precision electronic X-Over. Not played were the Monster NAT amp with special tube outputting 120wpc, and the Nagra 300b Tube amp.
The neat thing about the Stenheims that weigh 250 kilos is that once placed, you dont have to move them. The MTM array in the middle is movable with a remote control (swivelling).
In terms of labour cost, Switzerland has even Cali beat.
Imagine what these cost (I was at a demo session there last night):
Stenheim Reference Statement speaks, Nagra HD dac, Absolare Monoblocs, CH Precision preamp and electronics, CH Precision electronic X-Over. Not played were the Monster NAT amp with special tube outputting 120wpc, and the Nagra 300b Tube amp.
The neat thing about the Stenheims that weigh 250 kilos is that once placed, you dont have to move them. The MTM array in the middle is movable with a remote control (swivelling).
Norman, with prices like the Swiss charge, the world must be upside down.
CPP
Active member
Anything nice cost money, not to mention the labor averages have changed since the 1950's. IN 1950 the average wage was $0.75 a hour. today a US avg is around $7.25. The price of petroleum in the 50's was $2.75 a barrel; today is avg is $48.06 and we all know there are so many things made using petroleum. And then we have the increase in price of materials. Materials to make the magnets in speaker drivers to the woods used in cabinets. Yep everything is expensive these days not just audio speakers. You priced a gallon of milk
(in the 50's 17 cents a gallon and today $3.86 per gallon. Hey its still a cow but its the rest that cost (feed etc..)- Thread Author
- #8
LoL
The Swiss are perfectionists and perfection costs money.
On the Dartzeel big amp, just the faceplate costs a grand and if it has the slightest imperfection, it has to be junked. I know, as I have one as a souvenir. LoL
CPP
Active member
That's why I like their Cheese
puroagave
Active member
I was there as a kid, i'm sure much has changed but I recall it was an austere and somewhat restrictive country with lots of laws/rules. I would imagine Dartzeels investment - before they produce a single thing - must have been considerable just to open for business...and they say California is a business unfriendly State, we're just par with even the most lax Europeans countries.
puroagave
Active member
Zurich and Geneva. I recall you couldn't flush a toilet at certain hours (noise restrictions) or hang clothes out to dry (for appearances), there were other rules I thought strange at the time. then there's the costs, what does an average two bedroom flat in Geneva rent for?
Nice! I am guessing that was at Stenheim's listening room? How did you like the Nagra HD Dac?
- Thread Author
- #14
Never had a noise issue in Gva…not as likely as the German part. 10pm is the cutoff time, I have been told…never seen that in Geneva though.
2br apt…probably $2.5K, but could be even $3K (like in the old town). 10 years ago its was possible to get a 2br for like CHF1,800, about $1300 at the time…Problem is that the currencies are at about parity now.
Hang clothes out on a balcony is just simply not done, unless its put of sight. Too slummy for the Swiss.
- Thread Author
- #15
I will probably do a write up for PTA.
No, the soiree was at the owner/CEO's house. the setup was temporarily there.
Hard to tell about the Nagra Dac, as all was new to me, plus the source was a lowly MB Air running A+.
He loved the Dac (he is ex-Nagra), but he was shocked to learn that though the Nagra was a "tube" Dac, my Dac was using big bottles like that Nagra 300B am tucked away at the back right of the foot. I explained to him that DSD loved DHT..Hahaha. It took him a while to understand that.
The Nagra Dac also costs more than a Golden Gate SE Dac, so seen in that light, I cant get too excited. I found no fault with it though and I suspect its a very competent performer and better than most in DSD, given that Koch has a hand in the Digital section.