Thank you for the kind comments! No discomfort whatsoever. Overall, I enjoyed the time at Krell, as it was a cornerstone to the better part of my audio industry education. Even though the latter course of events was unpleasant, it has awarded me a freedom I might not have exercised if I were still there.
I would be happy to share some of my insights in regard to consumers. I enjoy the customer interaction the most out of all the things I do. It is during these conversations where you really understand what is happening in the industry and where you fit in. Common threads emerge during these Q&A sessions and much is to be learned. I think the industry has done a poor job overall in educating and cultivating its customer base. Manufacturers, for the most part, are to blame as we collectively have done a poor job of conveying the message our respective companies are trying to send. The thing that makes our industry unique is that besides the overwhelming personal bias and taste, there is not a set of comparable specifications that adequately allow comparison. Distortion, Signal to noise, slew rate, power, damping factor etc… do virtually nothing to help understand how a product will integrate in your home environment. It may serve as a guide post for a more technical observer to get a peek into how a product is designed, but by no means does it translate to what you will hear. As an example, some of the questions I get at BSC are:
A. Who are you? And are you related to Dan D’Agostino? J
B. 60 or 100 watts isn’t going to be enough power for my system, right?
C. Is it true Dan D’Agostino sleeps in an oxygen chamber and has an “ID Monster” in his back yard? (I’m kidding of course about the oxygen chamber)
Now based on current market trends, it would appear as though 60, 100, 200 watts may not be nearly enough power in a market filled with 300, 600, 1K watt amplifiers. In some cases, this would be true, but all kidding aside, my 60 Watt amplifier gets the better of amps rated at several times its power. And — not to use this as a primer to sell BSC products — but this is where the education process can begin. This process is further confounded and turned into a proverbial “minefield” when mixing in variables like changing a power cord and having it affect the sound or comparing digital to analog sources, and makes it harder to educate the general public.
Automobiles are often used as a comparison when discussing audio equipment. So, why are amplifier power ratings not the same as horsepower ratings? Well, in essence they are, but interpreted much differently. If you have ever driven a 600hp car you understand how horsepower translates to the experience. Even at low speed, it responds a whole lot differently than a 100hp car. To muddy the waters a bit, if you compare a 600hp naturally aspirated car with a 600hp turbo charged car they respond differently, but at the track the end result can be conclusively measured on the time slip and all things being equal they should have similar track times. In audio, we have the same variables and different ways to achieve performance, but no conclusive performance indicator besides our ears. Ears are a powerful tool, but alas everyone hears things differently and preference is the most important factor. Another auto analogy pertains to build quality. Some cars, when you close the door, it sounds like a tin can and others, it sounds like a vault. I am always a sucker for that vault like sound when a car door is closed… In audio, some customers oppose expensive cosmetics and a higher quality fit and finish, regarding it as an unnecessary expense. For some, this will be true, but for most it rounds out the pride of the ownership experience and provides value in a sea of poorly manufactured products.
As a manufacturer, I hope to get a potential customers attention and desire to ask you questions. And if you are honest and objective, they will continue for years to seek your educated opinions and hopefully ask those same questions to other reputable manufacturers, and maybe even buy one of my products. Ultimately, the snake oil salesman gets ousted, and the customer hopefully feels good about their purchasing decisions. A good dealer can be a great asset in sifting through all the data, but they, also being customers of the manufacturer, have to be armed with the right education to provide service to the broader customer base.
I apologize for this lengthy response and I hope it didn’t go too far astray and answered a question or two. In a nutshell, the audio industry has to first work together to educate the public with strong fundamentals, without the use of superstition and wizardry, before it can provide insight into the more subtle refinements such as cables, power cords, etc. Having all of these opposing views, and none qualified assessments marketed as fact, is just confusing — even for a seasoned veteran.
Welcome, Bret, it’s great to have you aboard. I am new myself, here about a week.
Bret, may not remember me, but I have bought ten items from a former company of yours and your dad. The pair were terrific and they personally helped me out a few times. I have emails from Bret and he answered a lot of my questions. I’ve spoken on the phone with him, but not all execs are like that. So I had no hesitation of getting products from him.
I don’t want to make Bret uncomfortable at all, but when he left that company it also lost its presence on Long Island and I cannot go to a showroom, nearby, and listen to one of their products.
Bret is also right in many of the points he brings up. But let me say it a different ways. My first car was a Dodge Dart, which cost $2,832. But I knew about Cadillacs and Mercedes. You noticed them when you drove! Boy, I wanted one! So I worked hard all my life.
Well, High End gear is not so obvious; dealers need to introduce their clients to better gear. Have it on display. As I mentioned, if I came in to buy something else, and see this, and it’s not a problem, let me enjoy the moment. Look, how many Toyota buyers moved up from their first care, A Corolla, to a Camry and then began to look at the Lexus?
My friend owned a Camera story a couple of decades ago. Customers would come it and spend an hour there going over a camera and not buy it. Then they’d go down to Lower Manhattan at get it for $20 less. Amazon and the internet has made that easier these days, so I understand a dealers frustration.
I hope Bret could give us some insight of what it is like to deal with consumers from his point of view. That will be interesting and educational.
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I also wanted to remind folks, after reading a comment here, that I wrote “ When you tell a bunch of bad stories all at once it sounds like you had nothing but bad luck, but my stories are spread out over a couple of decades.”
I have had some great experiences with dealers and manufacturers, sadly many are gone now. But If I wrote, and this has happened, “I went into a dealer and listened to speakers. I liked them and bought them and love them.” It’s nothing to write about. That happens a lot.
For example, a month ago, I called VPI for a part for my turntable, but I didn’t know the name, but described it to them.. I got it two days later.
I went to my dealer, ordered the Oppo and got it. It’s great. Nothing to write about.
My dealer suggested that I get the Sonos because I get rotten FM reception. He installed it, I LOVE IT. Nothing to write about.
Gave my friend the best price on an S6 when they first came out!:woot:
