Top Tier Amps
- Thread starter Mike
- Start date
bzr
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2014
- Messages
- 2,033
Still totally amazes me where the realisation of the concept went with this thread
bluegrassphile
Member
This is not aimed at anyone in particular. Unless the shoe fits. It does with me. Just an observation...it's interesting how some people are drawn to components made by one man, two man, or otherwise small shops often for no other reason than it's different. For some it's financial. I suspect some are drawn to obscure name components only because they are new and, well, obscure name components. Or, because they're the flavor of the month. It seems to be a psychological kind of phenomena, I don't know.
As I mentioned above, I've occasionally been guilty of this, with guitar amps, electric, and acoustic guitars, mandolins, and banjos. But, you have the larger companies that have researched, designed and built audio components often for decades, and spending thousands of dollars on R&D. And along comes a small shop that, all of a sudden, makes the greatest component ever designed and the best sounding piece of equipment ever, "hands down." OTOH, you might have a highly trained and experienced person that perhaps worked in a large corporation designing audio components and they've designed and built something truly remarkable in their one man shop.
I guess if there is any take home message to this rambling post it's...just because it's new and obscure doesn't necessarily equal good. It has to perform and compete successfully with any company, large or small. And that can be a pretty tall order. Especially if you have to compete against well established companies like Pass Labs, Luxman, Harbeth, Klipsch, Bowers and Wilkins, etc. OK, that is all. Like I said...just an observation.
As I mentioned above, I've occasionally been guilty of this, with guitar amps, electric, and acoustic guitars, mandolins, and banjos. But, you have the larger companies that have researched, designed and built audio components often for decades, and spending thousands of dollars on R&D. And along comes a small shop that, all of a sudden, makes the greatest component ever designed and the best sounding piece of equipment ever, "hands down." OTOH, you might have a highly trained and experienced person that perhaps worked in a large corporation designing audio components and they've designed and built something truly remarkable in their one man shop.
I guess if there is any take home message to this rambling post it's...just because it's new and obscure doesn't necessarily equal good. It has to perform and compete successfully with any company, large or small. And that can be a pretty tall order. Especially if you have to compete against well established companies like Pass Labs, Luxman, Harbeth, Klipsch, Bowers and Wilkins, etc. OK, that is all. Like I said...just an observation.
Randy Myers
Well-known member
This is the closest thing I found:
Chalice Audio
104 Mt. Laurel Drive
Lynchburg, VA 24503
Phone: (434) 258-5278
web address: www.chaliceaudio.com
But the website no longer exists. I did not try calling them since I have no interest in their products, however if I were interested in their $80,000 amplifiers I would sure proceed with extreme caution.
CPP
Active member
I buy based on two things, company longevity and after the sell support.
Feanor
Member
This thread is a source of bemusement to me. What really are the criteria for Tier placement?
I'd love to have an amplifier that was high on all these criteria -- such as those suggested as some in the OP and various other postings. However for me the ain't going to happen. Accordingly I'm constrained to be select one or two of these potential criteria: for me they are performance, i.e. ultra-low distortion, stability, and sufficient power for my need. For now I'm content with my Purifi-based amp and consider it "Tier 1" in the category that matters to me.
- Shear performance?
- Subjective musicality?
- Potential longevity?
- Elegance of appearance or construction?
- Brand prestige?
- Resale value?
I'd love to have an amplifier that was high on all these criteria -- such as those suggested as some in the OP and various other postings. However for me the ain't going to happen. Accordingly I'm constrained to be select one or two of these potential criteria: for me they are performance, i.e. ultra-low distortion, stability, and sufficient power for my need. For now I'm content with my Purifi-based amp and consider it "Tier 1" in the category that matters to me.
a.wayne
Well-known member
All of the Above to be a top tier amp, so no Class D at any price will make the top tier category , as well as many others of course ...!
Regards
Regards
Feanor
Member
Well like I said, criteria for Tier inclusion is vary by person.
Some but not all class D amps are very high performance. So for instance Halcro is probably the lowest distortion amplifier in the world. Then again, detail, transparency, dynamics, and controlled bass aren't everyone's cup-of-tea.
a.wayne
Well-known member
Correct , just as Real, natural timbre and non hifi sound is not everyones cup of tea ..!
Sound preference is just one of the limited criteria for top Tier
Regards
Sound preference is just one of the limited criteria for top Tier
Regards
- Thread Author
- #290
Brand prestige. Not sure why so many people have a problem understanding it.
Ferrari - brand prestige
Kia - not so much
Not a commentary on the products as the Kia is likely more reliable than the Ferrari. But what has a higher brand prestige?
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The Sandman
Member
Top-tier isn’t hard to define: of the highest level or rank with regard to quality, reputation, or importance.
That said, it will mean different things to audiophiles, reviewers, dealers, manufacturers and designers… they each have their own perspective.
Feanor
Member
Of course, chacun à son goût as they say.
But personally I think my Purifi beats the Pass I owned for several years in natural timbre. Preferring the "body", etc., delivered by tubes or many s/s amps is a personal thing.
a.wayne
Well-known member
Anything Audio is a “personal “ thing ....!
Regards
Regards
RDSChicago
Member
100% subjective! All that matters is how YOU like and enjoy the sound.
Agree with you Mike......it’s fairly easy to comprehend. The only thing I would add to that is the perception of prestige generally differs from people to people and region to region. For instance, Mercedes as a car brand is held as prestigious in Asia and more specifically Singapore but probably not so much in Germany where a Mercedes is a commonplace brand. Now I do caveat that statement by saying the top end Mercs to hold prestige value..... the same kind of holds true for audio to a large extent.
Hope it’s making sense....
Hope it’s making sense....
- Thread Author
- #297
Maybe in 2002 it was.
Nothing since then has earned similar acclaim on any mainstream audiophile magazine.
I've owned what was their top dog mono for 10 years. Then they went one better, and I had that on loan here for about a month. It doesn't really matter the price when you see no need to replace it after so long.
I've owned what was their top dog mono for 10 years. Then they went one better, and I had that on loan here for about a month. It doesn't really matter the price when you see no need to replace it after so long.
Rob181
Member
Halcro - the surgeons knife
My Choice - the surgeons wife
The only alternative ever to be credited with - a full body - a feel for of rhythm - three dimensional - a sculptured exterior - an orgasmic experience - sadly no WFA :lol::lol:
