AudiogoN Forums: Brand preference and opinions

Brand preference and opinions

Like cars with many brands, it is generally considered that Mercedes Benz, BMW, Lexus, Audi, Acura, Rolls Royce, Porsche, etc... to be in the top group. Ferrari, Lamborgini, Mclaren, etc... to be in the elite group and of course Toyota, Honda, Ford, Nissan, etc... to be in the general group.
Getting back to audio, I am looking for your opinion as to what is in the top group. For example, I think Conrad Johnson, Mcintosh, Mark Levinson, etc... brands to be in this group.
I like your opinion what would be in general the top brands for this group in the order of what is considered higher level.
My reasoning.... I am considering buying a amp/preamp or integrated amp based on brand only just like some people who buys a low end Benz for the prestige even though they could have had a higher end Lexus for the same money

Shsu (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

01-05-08

Responses (1-37 of 37)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

01-05-08 Shopping this way (by brand name) will be (unless the gods a ... Warrenh

01-05-08 How stupid. Pawlowski6132

01-05-08: Likecoiledsteel
It is hard to shop like that because, as high end cars are a finished complete product, the amp is just one piece of the puzzle and being top shelf alone does not mean it will perform good. I have heard very expensive amps and speakers sound terrible together (Lexicon and B&W) Synergy is just as important as the product itself. Some gear, no matter how expensive, just does not sound right.

If you have the set of speakers that you are set on keeping, that do everything you think is right, try testing different amps until you find the one that works the best. Speakers can be forward, laid back, image tall, short, focused wide, laid back, bright etc... you need to find the amp that will match your speakers signiture the best. Be patient and it will come. What type of speakers are you using?
Steel
Likecoiledsteel (Answers | This Thread)

01-05-08 Pawlowski, tell us what you really think. but to try to answ ... Timrhu

01-05-08 The sad part is shsu isn't the only one that buys gear this ... Gmood1

01-05-08 Gmood, you're right. why i wasted my time with that post is ... Warrenh

01-06-08 I don't think that shsu's approach is all that different tha ... Rar1

01-06-08 in that case, i would highly recommend brand x!!! buy it t ... Jmcgrogan2

01-06-08 It's not a new purchasing style. in the 1970's lots of peop ... Mt10425

01-05-08 I'd listen to the brands first. sure take the brand name in ... Wireless200

01-06-08 Shsu....let me jump in on the side of the minority opinion. ... Mags5000

01-06-08 My guess is you want to impress your friends more than for y ... Ryder

01-06-08 sound good to who? shsu seems to be more interested in wha ... Jmcgrogan2

01-06-08 Shsu is obviously a joker. Sc53

01-06-08 Excellent point mags5000 and well made. i only comment bec ... Entrope

01-06-08 I guess for me it comes down to if i don't have a chance to ... Shsu

01-06-08 The threads here are a wealth of information, recommendation ... Pawlowski6132

01-06-08 Mags5000.....if i could have said it as well as you, i would ... Baffled

01-06-08 Shsu, given what you said about the importance of resale, i ... Tbg

01-06-08 You need to include audio research in the group without a do ... Eee3

01-06-08 Bose and jvc must be included in your short list. Jeffreybowman2k

01-06-08 Shsu... what kind of speakers are you using? if it's just ab ... Dennis_the_menace

01-06-08 Bose 5.1 driven by mark levinson gear - you want people talk ... Mrjstark

01-07-08 Pass labs, balanced audio technologies, cary, audio research ... Dpac996

01-08-08 Brand loyalty is still a factor in audio. also companies wit ... Jaybo

01-08-08 Some of us actually have untrained ears to actually listen a ... Zyl8tr

01-08-08 Thanks zyl8tr when it comes down to buying something, i wou ... Shsu

01-08-08 If i was looking for best resale value in high-performing eq ... Sc53

01-08-08 I would lean towards mcintosh in that i think it can be sold ... Pubul57

01-08-08 My experience found conrad johnson makes reliable gear that ... Jtimothya

01-08-08 Mark levinson is ferrari. i think of mcintosh as mercedes ... Zyl8tr

01-08-08 Arc is like cadillac? cj like lincoln? mac is like mercedes ... Pubul57

01-08-08 You really have to listen to all the gear and don't worry ab ... Magnumpi205

01-08-08 Magnumpi205, you are 100% correct, but that does not appear ... Pubul57

01-08-08 lmao! i'm just trying to figure out if you like or dislike ... Jmcgrogan2

01-08-08 Hehehe.... no i love ferraris and mark levinson. both i ca ... Zyl8tr

01-08-08 Well, i'm with you on ferrari's, i love 'em but can't afford ... Jmcgrogan2