Suncoast Audio welcomes B&W

Re: Suncoast Audio welcomes....

still-one said:
In my mind B&W along with McIntosh are probably the two value leaders in Hi-Fi. You will usually pay more for equal quality and both hold their value better than most products out there. Nice addition.
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I say this being someone who grew up in Binghamton, in the shadow of the McIntosh plant. I cannot call McIntosh a value line of gear. They were always called the Doctors equipment because the reputation was very high quality, good sounding, fancy design and extremely over priced.

This is how audiophiles in Binghamton felt about McIntosh. Not bad at all, but we all knew that you could get better performance equipment for a lot less money; we also all still strived to own at least one McIntosh piece. I had several pieces back in the day but always moved on because of better performance for less money.

I feel their starting price, entry level is too high. Their current entry level amplifier is what, $5000 and preamp is $4500. Their receiver is $7500. For some people this is pocket change but for a vast majority of people looking to get into a quality stereo system these entry levels are far too high. So great equipment that holds their price well, but certainly I can't call a line of equipment with an entry level at over $7000 a value line, and that is not even considering sources and speakers.... If you want a full McIntosh system you are looking well over $20,000 to start... way beyond most Americans means.

With all of this said, if an opportunity came up to move my SET amps to say a MC-152 or other similar amp I might well consider it. Again Binghamton boy... I recently sold my classic Mc piece so I do need to get another one in my system :).....
 
Re: Suncoast Audio welcomes....

Randy Myers said:
I say this being someone who grew up in Binghamton, in the shadow of the McIntosh plant. I cannot call McIntosh a value line of gear. They were always called the Doctors equipment because the reputation was very high quality, good sounding, fancy design and extremely over priced.

This is how audiophiles in Binghamton felt about McIntosh. Not bad at all, but we all knew that you could get better performance equipment for a lot less money; we also all still strived to own at least one McIntosh piece. I had several pieces back in the day but always moved on because of better performance for less money.

I feel their starting price, entry level is too high. Their current entry level amplifier is what, $5000 and preamp is $4500. Their receiver is $7500. For some people this is pocket change but for a vast majority of people looking to get into a quality stereo system these entry levels are far too high. So great equipment that holds their price well, but certainly I can't call a line of equipment with an entry level at over $7000 a value line, and that is not even considering sources and speakers.... If you want a full McIntosh system you are looking well over $20,000 to start... way beyond most Americans means.

With all of this said, if an opportunity came up to move my SET amps to say a MC-152 or other similar amp I might well consider it. Again Binghamton boy... I recently sold my classic Mc piece so I do need to get another one in my system :).....
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Last year for the first time I listened High end systems. KEF Reference 5, Focal Sopra 3 with full Mcintosh gears. I expected my jaw to drop big time but both auditions turned out to be disappointment.:hmmm: :dunno: I have heard so much about all three brands, especially Focal-Mcintosh combo. but it wasn't I expected. I always wondered if Mcintosh was the weakest link in the system?? Someday would love to hear KEF, Focal, B&W with BAT, Pass Labs, Simaudio. Heard Bryston's new cube series is major improvement from previous version.
 
Re: Suncoast Audio welcomes....

Randy Myers said:
I say this being someone who grew up in Binghamton, in the shadow of the McIntosh plant. I cannot call McIntosh a value line of gear. They were always called the Doctors equipment because the reputation was very high quality, good sounding, fancy design and extremely over priced.

This is how audiophiles in Binghamton felt about McIntosh. Not bad at all, but we all knew that you could get better performance equipment for a lot less money; we also all still strived to own at least one McIntosh piece. I had several pieces back in the day but always moved on because of better performance for less money.

I feel their starting price, entry level is too high. Their current entry level amplifier is what, $5000 and preamp is $4500. Their receiver is $7500. For some people this is pocket change but for a vast majority of people looking to get into a quality stereo system these entry levels are far too high. So great equipment that holds their price well, but certainly I can't call a line of equipment with an entry level at over $7000 a value line, and that is not even considering sources and speakers.... If you want a full McIntosh system you are looking well over $20,000 to start... way beyond most Americans means.

With all of this said, if an opportunity came up to move my SET amps to say a MC-152 or other similar amp I might well consider it. Again Binghamton boy... I recently sold my classic Mc piece so I do need to get another one in my system :).....
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It is your prerogative to define where the high-end is in this hobby for you.

You are correct that the vast majority cannot afford to participate in our hobby. The cutoff for many is when gear gets above big-box store pricing.

I won't debate that you can find gear that performs equal to McIntosh for less cost. Yet I stand by my statement that even at the price points you noted McIntosh offers value. I have owned about a dozen pieces of McIntosh gear in the past 15 years. I would guess that I didn't lose at most $3k when selling all of that gear. I actually made money on some units.

I look at McIntosh similar to Rolex and Cadillac. Excellent products, fine reputations, excellent service and aspirational products for many. Yet for those who are involved with watches, cars and audio, other options that could be considered.

When I was ordering a car when I lived in Europe I was asked why I chose a E-Class Mercedes? They felt those were only for butchers and bankers. (and taxis)
 
Re: Suncoast Audio welcomes....

I don't disagree Jim, however I do believe that their entry cost point is a bit too high. With that said I am fairly certain that I will probably eventually end up with a McIntosh amplifier as my main amp at some point in time. We will see.

To me it is obviously a bit more than just quality and performance because it is sentimental to my home town. I still believe that there have always been better sound for the price. Therefore, now that I feel I have reached the sound level that I desire, the next step will be to, as availability permits, to possibly move into a "prestige" piece such as McIntosh knowing full well the performance for the dollar will not be improved.
 
Suncoast Audio welcomes....

Randy Myers said:
Therefore, now that I feel I have reached the sound level that I desire, the next step will be to, as availability permits, to possibly move into a "prestige" piece such as McIntosh knowing full well the performance for the dollar will not be improved.
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Why the hell do it then? Just for the name prestige and the hometown feeling?....
 
Re: Suncoast Audio welcomes....

MikeCh said:
Why the hell do it then? Just for the name prestige and the hometown feeling?....

No wonder regular people think us audio people are wacked in the head.
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Of course I am wacked in the head :D...

It would only happen if the right deal came along and it would have little to do with the "prestige" but everything to do with the hometown feeling :).

I do not expect this kind of thing to happen anytime soon because a deal of this kind that would make me sit up and take notice is a rare occurrence and I am very happy with my current setup.
 
Re: Suncoast Audio welcomes....

Congratulations Mike on the new brand! I've had experience with older B&W speakers (1990s Matrix) and depending on amplification they could sound amazingly good. Also have listened to the D2 versions and was pretty impressed as well. I can only imagine how good the D3 has progressed.
 
Re: Suncoast Audio welcomes....

MikeCh said:
Congratulations Mike on the new brand! I've had experience with older B&W speakers (1990s Matrix) and depending on amplification they could sound amazingly good. Also have listened to the D2 versions and was pretty impressed as well. I can only imagine how good the D3 has progressed.
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Thanks Mike


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Re: Suncoast Audio welcomes....

LOL, when this thread was young and I read your post I noticed B&W in the line up, I thought you always had them.

I couldn't see the picture so when someone said Tidal I thought Vimberg since there was a bit of discussion after Axpona about them.

Randy, doesn't Mac have an integrated at $3500.00?
 
Re: Suncoast Audio welcomes....

Mr Peabody said:
LOL, when this thread was young and I read your post I noticed B&W in the line up, I thought you always had them.

I couldn't see the picture so when someone said Tidal I thought Vimberg since there was a bit of discussion after Axpona about them.

Randy, doesn't Mac have an integrated at $3500.00?
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Nope. I was wondering if anyone would notice the updated signature. LOL. I shipped Buddy’s album today.


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Re: Suncoast Audio welcomes....

Mr Peabody said:
LOL, when this thread was young and I read your post I noticed B&W in the line up, I thought you always had them.

I couldn't see the picture so when someone said Tidal I thought Vimberg since there was a bit of discussion after Axpona about them.

Randy, doesn't Mac have an integrated at $3500.00?
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I just verified, their standard line integrated starts at $5500, but I did forget, that little hybrid they came out with, the MA252 is indeed $3500.

However this won't save anything since it does not include a DAC or the Din connector from their lowest price spinners. Therefore for any entry system it would actually cost more. :(
 
Re: Suncoast Audio welcomes....

Mike said:
Thanks Rance. I was really looking for an entire lineup of floor standing speakers below $30k (not just one or two). For example, the 702 S2 is $4500/pair. I will be starting with 800D3 in black, 802D3 in Prestige (shown above) and 803D3 in white.

I’ll be looking at the 702 S2 and new Formation wireless speakers as well.



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I just checked out the new Formation Duo wireless speakers on the B&W website. Two-way with 125W x 2 amps and a 6.5" bass/midrange driver spec'd to go down to 25Hz. $4000 a pair. Available in black or white.

Formation-Duo-Info-Sheet.pdf

I bet you'll be selling some of these Mike.
 
Re: Suncoast Audio welcomes....

rrwmd said:
I just checked out the new Formation Duo wireless speakers on the B&W website. Two-way with 125W x 2 amps and a 6.5" bass/midrange driver spec'd to go down to 25Hz. $4000 a pair. Available in black or white.

Formation-Duo-Info-Sheet.pdf

I bet you'll be selling some of these Mike.
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I’m thinking of a pair of these with the new B&W Formation Sub.


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Re: Suncoast Audio welcomes....

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First pair is here! Unfortunately I’m on my way to Munich, so I won’t get to hear them until I get back in 3 weeks.


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Re: Suncoast Audio welcomes B&W

Hehe... I here a collective "Dam" all across Florida.... I envision many SUVs and pickup trucks starting up; like Rat Race heading towards Tampa :)....
 
Re: Suncoast Audio welcomes B&W

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