Solid State Power Amp for Impression 11A speakers

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Robert D

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Here is the X350.8 at an Australian dealer.

Basically......we take the "normal" price, and double it. :(


To be fair though we need to factor in:

Exchange rate
GST
Lower volume due to lower population
Rigourous consumer laws in Australia (which we do benefit from because they protect us) can add slightly to the price.

So I'd come up with about $24,000 - $25,000 as a fair price, leaving about $2,000 - $3,000 as "Australia Tax".
Wow, living in the US, that's crazy to me. I'm very glad we don't have that here. A lot of the things I currently own I probably would not if I lived there.
Thanks for the response.
So that's $27,000. I'm guessing that's your Australian currency and not US dollars? With the exchange rate, maybe its not that much in US dollars? Just checked. Looks like that's $18,000 USD.
 

amey01

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Wow, living in the US, that's crazy to me. I'm very glad we don't have that here. A lot of the things I currently own I probably would not if I lived there.
Thanks for the response.
So that's $27,000. I'm guessing that's your Australian currency and not US dollars? With the exchange rate, maybe its not that much in US dollars? Just checked. Looks like that's $18,000 USD.

Yeah - $USD 18,000 is about right.

So as I said - us Aussies like to complain about it, but it is not **THAT** bad to be honest.

It has been far worse historically.
 

amey01

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Here's one for my Aussie friends. You get the chance to buy a Pass amp for about the same price as our US friends. Only catch, you have to buy used :)

 

ejspain

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Wow, living in the US, that's crazy to me. I'm very glad we don't have that here. A lot of the things I currently own I probably would not if I lived there.
Thanks for the response.
So that's $27,000. I'm guessing that's your Australian currency and not US dollars? With the exchange rate, maybe its not that much in US dollars? Just checked. Looks like that's $18,000 USD.
Nope
 

Big Dog RJ

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Just checked on the USD to AUD currency exchange rate, it's sitting at $1.47 that's really good! Perhaps now is the time to upgrade on a few toys... don't know for how long that rate is going to hold.

I've never seen it at this low for ages! Must be a miracle. The only issue with this formula is that most dealers already purchased items from their importers at the much higher exchange rate, so in which case they're not going to sell below cost with no margin. What's the point in that? After all they're running a business. Direct importers are also hit pretty hard, so this is where dealer margins need to be negotiated in order for both parties to benefit. Otherwise, this will end up a fruit salad.

We'll see how it goes. As far as the real highend is concerned, it's a very very tiny market segment that can afford such gear. Hence, the brand new high end category is a waste of inventory, might as well stock with either entry to mid level gear, not highend.

Just as an example, Conrad Johnston's top of the line preamp, ART88, has a price tag of close to 50grand down unda. Only ONE unit was ordered in Aus for around 48grand. Not a single has been ordered since. However, CJ has run out of production, since the ART88 is a limited edition unit. CJ announced they will commence the second batch of the ART88 in May and that may be the end of production, who knows because only 250 units were being produced. The majority of orders are not from the US nor any Western countries, rather the far East. Already batch one is sold out... if the far east is really picking up, I'm wondering whether CJ may increase LE production to more than 250 units. Goes to show where the excess of disposable income really is.

Didn't get a chance to head out to Spore this Feb, rather the wifey & kiddo headed out to London & Paris. I'll head out in July instead, by then I'll get a chance to assess these top level gear, and make a decision. No point in engaging in such spend without auditioning, that's foolish.

Until then, enjoy those fine tunes!
Woof! RJ
 

Big Dog RJ

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Speaking of the far East... I'm beginning to think that those guys must have married camels 🤔 mmm... because "normal" wifey's simply won't allow such exhorbitant spend. Well, at least mine won't, no way Charlie! I'd be in the dog house without a bone.

I must say though that Vitus SS-103 Class A stereo amplifier is mighty mighty fine!!! It took the Expression 11A's to another dimension! It was a "stop the train" moment. It's similarly priced as the Dartzeel stereo version, which has been my reference point in terns of SS supremacy for a while now but that Vitus amp is something else! It took me a few consecutive auditions to really understand its finest capabilities, now I know. Mmm... definitely dog house coming, and no camels in sight!

Cheers maties, and do enjoy those very fine tunes!
Woofty woof'n RJ
 

Cayman

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A Big thank you all the wonderful people who kept this thread going and provided amazing insight.

I have been away traveling for a while, but just dropped by to say I managed to secure the 85kg behemoth, a Vitus SS-101 (2 generations behind the current model SS-103, but still a very capable amplifier).

I would be lying if I say, the post from RJ (immediately above) was not influential in making this decision.

I did not get the chance to listen to this amp with ML speakers before buying, so really looking forward to see how it sounds with 11As.

Will be back with listening impressions.

Thanks again!
 

Big Dog RJ

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Ah... the Vitus SS-101. Look out!
Get ready for a mind boggling ride... remember to fasten your seatbelt, not just at the waist but also your head & shoulders.

That's a phenomenal power amplifier, it really doesn't get any better than that. Unless you've got nothing else to do with your money. That is one end game amplifier.

Keep us posted on your journey and the initial run-in. The Class A bias on the Vitus SS series is superb! An excellent match with electrostats!

Woof!
RJ
 
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