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Advantages of owning equipment from major audio brands vs. boutique shops?

As someone new to home audio, the many brands of equipment is overwhelming. I learn about a new brand almost daily. Today it was Valvet and their A4 MKII monoblocks. Is it correct to assume that advantage to owning equipment from the major players is a result of the dollars they invest in R&D and the company stability, translating to piece of mind via their warranty, and the ability to get a component repaired? I would think resale value also plays a factor.

Because the small shops often sell direct, cutting out layers of profit, there appear to be some good deals on well performing kit. Other than price, are there advantages to investing in boutique brand equipment? It seems the offset to a better price might be their instability in the market, resulting in possibly owning a very heavy, expensive paper weight should they close their doors and your component need service, and a lessor resale value.


kcpellethead

Showing 1 response by twoleftears

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 

A lot of variables.  Huge companies can be a nightmare dealing with to get a repair done (Sony, Marantz) and will eventually let the serviceability of a component expire.  Also, look at the thread on repairing Esoteric.

Small companies may close, but if they don't you're likely to get years and years of attentive care, concern, and if necessary service.

Different companies also have different identities: look at Bryston and their fabulous after-market rep.

Different components are going to have different lifetimes--a loudspeaker vs. the latest DAC.  You may well want to keep one going long after ditching the other.

Also, different components have different levels of repairability regardless of whether the original company is still around; again, a loudspeaker vs. e.g. a CD-player.

This doesn't even get into issues like specialization, commitment to a product type, experience, knowledge, R&D resources, etc. etc. 

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