New upper trim level Corvette or seven year old used amps?


Recently I have experienced quite a few people I know either passing on or being diagnosed with some type of cancer. And as I have never strived to be the richest guy in the graveyard, I was thinking of buying one of the new Corvettes. I also started to look at my older tube amps, good, but I had had them for about nine years, and the whole tube thing....then I started to think about some SS amps( I know, I’m going to hell). TAD M600, Dagostino M400, and then ventured into Dartzeel territory. Long story shorter: I came upon a pair of used Dartzeel 458’s, totally crazy price, totally crazy good. I have had them about a month and have enjoyed over 100 hours of listening nirvana. Had I bought the vette and drove it 100 hours, I’d have lost my drivers license, and spent thousands on tires, fuel, fines, etc.  
myth buster: it’s all worth it! Expensive power and speaker cables, interconnects, speakers, and Dartzeel 458’s.
Anyone that tells you otherwise is using cost not quality as a determining factor.
Enjoy the music and Life

Matt

mrmatt
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Enjoy the new amps until the honeymoon has worn off then by that time you can actually get your hands on the new corvette.  Sell the amps and get the C8. 
Thanks for the input. I wanted to be clear and I apologize for any confusion. I was using the Corvette as a unit of measure. Just a comparison of economics. It is a pretty cool car, but obviously some people disagree. Should I change the unit of measure to Big Macs?

Enjoy the music, enjoy your life, and let’s all be grateful, and forgiving. Peace and Love to all of you! Happy and Healthy Holidays and beyond!!   See, cannabis is a mellowing medication.
Matt,First, all the 2020 Corvettes are sold out....and deliveries don't start until March 2020.  However, if you still want a new C8 Corvette, dealers are now taking orders for the 2021 C8 Corvette.  At this time they don't know when delivery dates are planned for the 2021 Corvettes.
Del
I went through this dilemma a year or so ago. I decided to keep driving my car of the last fifteen years, which is in great condition and provides a lot of driving fun. Many of us work remotely and so the amount we drive our cars is fairly minimal. So for me it was easy to allocate the funds to a new TAD Evolution system. I listen to it everyday, though that often is as the sound for TV viewing. I get to use the gear much more than any new car that I would have just sitting in the garage. I am happy every night I hear my system and don’t at all miss not having a new car. Sublime sound results in me having greater enjoyment of life. I am truly blessed.
My new ( 2nd ) CRV Touring, can transport a pair of Klipsch Lascalas, to, and from, various locations rather easily, with economy, safety, and reliability. Best vehicle for me.......just sayin.....Happy Holidays to all, and....Enjoy ! MrD.
Lower center of gravity, more low end torque, typically lighter, simpler, more reliable and cheaper .... Yup, stupid that anyone would want that in a car.



The Corvette is a push rod engine A Museum Piece and now mid engine meaning No One will work on them. Why would you even consider buying an American lower middle class dream car when you have the sophistication of an Audiophile, and the means to pursue a higher level of the Arts specifically one which has its roots dating to the oldest prehistoric artifacts found on our planet, as musical instruments are among the oldest objects known to exist.    ENJOY !!! THE MUSIC AND YOUR HONDA.!
Gordon
Well I still have a 1966 show winning Red-on-red Corvette convertible in my garage as well as a 1969 Shelby GT350 Mustang and I get to drive each car at least once a week. And both cars have upgraded audio systems, so I can listen to CDs from my extensive collection. 
    And I still have a decent McIntosh/Focal audio system at home to enjoy as well. Best of all, we live here in the Phoenix area where you can drive your classic cars 8-9 months of the year. 
   So it is indeed possible to enjoy audio at home and on the road. 

   
adventure fishing !!!!! now that is a wallet draining adventure....
anything in the Blue and White Volvo Penta box makes almost any sports car look affordable.....

Yes, enjoy LIFE...ya dont see any U hauls or swiss bank accounts making the transit to heaven
.... Camping, another thing that has generating stronger and longer lasting memories than my sound system :-)

Yes, enjoying life!
Is the song, “Ain’t it funny how girls get prettier ‘round closing time”?

Okay, now we are on to boats. I have a Hobie 16 that I sail singlehanded on the trapeze, on a 20,000 acre lake, fun times ten. I also take my wife out on calmer days. My wife and I honeymooned on a 40’ Bennetau(sp) for 10 days in the W.I.’s. My favorite quote “Sailing is like camping, with the option of drowning”. 

Thanks for all the input!! I hope everyone is enjoying LIFE!, however that is. 


I am not a fan of country music, but this thread reminded me of this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQPjKSVe1tQ

As much as I like nice cars, I would give up fancy cars before the boats any day. The cars are much like the stereo. They are something that brings me enjoyment, but with odd exception (like special drives), they don't make for lasting memories. Time with friends and family on the water are some of the best times.
I had a '12 Cayman S before I got my 911, great fun, but I found it a little claustrophobic, amazing how much stuff you could get in it between the two trunks though. @jyadlon, what year is your GTS? We love ours. I know the Panamera's look is polarizing, especially the older version, but we love it and it can fit furniture. 
Millercarbon: wow touched a nerve, eh. You did not address my questions though. After just two years the GT40 engine was determined illegal by the FIA, so Ford pulled out. Where is the FIA based? Europe, where P and F cars are made. Why didn’t the FIA disqualify the 917 or 935 engines after a decade of dominance? Look at the early 80’s pics of Daytona 24 hrs. It’s like the 24 hrs of Porsche, with a mustang and two beemers. Also you didn’t address: why didn’t Porsche go head to head with the Audi at Lemans? Because they don’t Ike to lose, that’s why.
Fact: Porsche has made some of the best cars in the world. So has BMW and Bentley and Mercedes, and FORD!
Fact: the FIA is very political, and biased.

A racing rules body, political? Imagine that.
News flash: the race isn’t all on the track.

When you’ve mastered the subject, believe me, there are no nerves. There is however a sense of humor. Porsche afraid of Audi. Good one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clZOMYjaGt8
Stick with audio equipment.

I own a C5 Vette.
The first decent riding vette since inception. The rest were very very rough.
That was the year they almost canned the car and it was a rebirth for the model.

Vettes are racing cars especially now.

As an audiophile do not plan on enjoying music in your Vette on the highway the acoustics are horrible.  At best AM broadcast is most feasible. The cars are loud.  Even the new models. If that.turns you on well so be it but it is highly annoying to sensitive ears.
The Run Flat tires are absolutely rubbish for daily driving I swapped out for regular sport tires.

The C5 and C6 generations were the last of.the Romantics....the new one's are a vapid piece of machinery in that dept they have gone by the way of.the Transformers look like Camaros and Dodge sport cars.

All in all at 22k for a 04 with 30 thousand miles I am not complaining but Vettes are more myth and legend than they are cars.

Your physicality may pose a problem getting in and out of one too.

Woman could care the less about them and the ones that like them probably wont be your type.

Porsche has managed to keep the Romance going in my opinion albeit at.a much cheaper price point.

Credit to Paul McCartney who owns a C5 at his age still digging one..


Joyofsound 12-20-2019
Enjoy life in good health with loved ones and do the things that bring you joy, with no regrets.
This is probably the best single sentence in the entire thread, IMO, among many others that have been excellent as well. And best wishes for your own good health.

Love my 6-cyclinder 2014 Cayman S (981 series). When I need to carry things it can’t accommodate I use my 2018 Macan S, which is also fantastic.

Regards,
-- Al

 @saeyedoc  she does have a mean streak, her comment about our Zanzibar Red Boxster S was that it “ didn't match her skin tone “...I can assure you in the tight narrow roads of the Missouri bottoms it eats Vettes for lunch.

yes of course CPO...2006 996 Turbo w X-50 powerkit, $160 sticker for $72 in 2009... crazy depreciation...

still, missing my 993
The current (new) Corvette is the first one I'd look twice at - all of the older versions did nothing for me.  But I suggest that you wait about 2 or 3 years and buy one at a much depreciated price from an owner that just lost his license.....(my automotive tastes run more to the European cars - BMW, Lamborghini, Jensens, so part of my lack of love for the Vettes was the fact that they didn't handle very well in earlier series, didn't go very well in later ones and finally came of age with the C7 that was just a tad too transformerish in styling for me).

Having said that, unless you are a car nut like me that tends to keep his cars I like (I still own a car I bought in 1970) you'll probably have that amp much longer than you'd have had the Corvette and it will cost you less in upkeep.
Area 27 track is about 40 mins from here . About the only place you can open up things like that. Theres a big mountain highway 5 minutes from here but Smokey is usually in the bushes up there so basically having one you cant use is kinda stupid around here . So Gls it is . 
The Cayman probably is the best pure sports car currently in Porsche's portfolio. I really like the 718 body style and,  of course,  it would have to be a 6 cylinder.  I like the Macan alot, too, but I'll stick with my BMW M235 IX for daily driving for now. 

But in the world I grew up in, if you want a Porsche the 911 is proper choice. even with its "flaws" compared to the mid engine vehicle.



I've owned many Porsches.....in my world, the Cayman is the best of the lot.  ...not the turbo 4, but the 6.  ...not the 911 in any configuration.  They(911) may be a bit faster, but in the real world, those split second differences mean nothing.
I am 67 and the proud father of three grown daughters who we put through college, paid for it all, three large Italian incredible weddings and we are almost done paying off our HELOC and our first mortgage is done. So, now, it’s my turn, I have been accumulating Porsches (2) and audio equipment that I have held off on so we could get our girls off and running in life. All of my purchases are high quality preowned, Porsche Pano GTS and a 911, and Macintosh integrated and SVS subs and towers. I am a streamer so I save on other stuff. I enjoy it all 365 days of the year and for the first time in a long time I am not covering any major purchases. I am content. It’s a weird feeling, but I like it.    HI SPEED AND HI QUALITY SOUND
Millercarbon: wow touched a nerve, eh. You did not address my questions though. After just two years the GT40 engine was determined illegal by the FIA, so Ford pulled out. Where is the FIA based? Europe, where P and F cars are made. Why didn’t the FIA disqualify the 917 or 935 engines after a decade of dominance? Look at the early 80’s pics of Daytona 24 hrs. It’s like the 24 hrs of Porsche, with a mustang and two beemers. Also you didn’t address: why didn’t Porsche go head to head with the Audi at Lemans? Because they don’t Ike to lose, that’s why.
Fact: Porsche has made some of the best cars in the world. So has BMW and Bentley and Mercedes, and FORD!
Fact: the FIA is very political, and biased.

Sophmoric? That’s my line. And I want what you are smoking

happy holidays to all and to all a happy, healthy new year! 
I learned a valuable lesson having survived two separate rounds of cancer, perspective. When you have a life threatening illness you tend to have a frame of reference to compare with. Much like great speakers, it's life's measuring stick.
Enjoy life in good health with loved ones and do the things that brings you joy, with no regrets.
Toss the Amps, Toss the Vette, and get a 911, When U pass they will all be fighting over it !!!
"It is the essence of the human spirit to seek a reason for being."

"This is why functional designs are so beautiful, so calming."

This is beyond racing. This is beyond cars. This is Porsche.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOE9mNe5c7M
When I saw the title of this thread I was wondering why you would want to replace the audio system on the upper trim level corvette with a seven year old used amp... lol
Lots of people are saving up for when they're dead. Get an Airstream Interstate and go see America and Canada. @coasttocoastphotoatl
well....ok.

first off, congrats to Matt for your dart 458 acquisition. i loved those amps, and am very happy you are now loving them too. i’ve moved on to the 468’s and am enjoying the bump up in performance.

as far as cars and audio. 3 years ago i scratched a life-long itch and purchased a 2016 Porsche CS2. this was June 2016, it was a 10k miles factory demo. owned it for 18 months, had a blast, but it was basically a trophy kinda thing. whereas; i listen to my hifi system 30 hours a week, 52 weeks a year. i drove it about 5000 miles over that 18 months. so it was a couple of trips, and Saturdays in the summer time a few times a month.

when i sold it those funds have advanced my stereo system in various ways, and i have no regrets. there is no one right answer. and maybe someday i’ll get another 911.

i can tell you that to my ears there is nothing quite like the big dart mono blocks. i love how they tell you everything, yet always sound like music.

as far as cars; been in the car business for 45 years, and manage a Honda dealership.......so i know cars pretty well. i’m not and never have been a Corvette person, the Porsche is my kinda car. amazing product.
A question to the Porschephiles:
Why didn’t they go head to head with the Ford GT40 way back or more recently, the Audi R10 diesel? Instead they go to LMP2? Really? They always wimp out against dominating competition. They make great cars no doubt, but they do not like competitors, unless it’s them.


Baffling, sophomoric questions. Not surprised. Hardly anyone knows motorsport, let alone Porsche. Let me fill you in on just a tiny little bit:

From the beginning and for most of history Porsche was a very small company that could ill afford to spend much on advertising or racing. Porsche never did race for fame or glory nearly so much as to prove designs and reliability directly applicable to production. That is why the first epic Porsche wins were races like the Targa Florio (where Porsche trounced Ferrari and all other much more powerful cars, and for which the Porsche Targa is named) and the Carrera Panamericana (same deal, and from which the Porsche Carrera and Panamera take their names).

Then and to this day Porsche has focused on endurance racing. Porsche does not race against Ford, or Ferrari, or Audi. The competition for Porsche is perfection. 

The 24 hours of LeMans is the pinnacle of motorsport. Porsche has more outright LeMans wins than anyone. Its not even close. Porsche so dominates LeMans they maintained their historic record despite not even being there for many years. Then despite their long absence very nearly won on their first year back, proceeded to win the next 3, and in 2015 established a motorsport record never to be equalled by anyone, ever:

17th overall victory at LeMans

ALL GT titles in the US Sports Car Championship

FIA WEC GTE Pro Manufacturers', Drivers', and Team Championships

FIA WEC Drivers Champion

FIA WEC World Champion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWd6Y86oPtk

So remind me again, what was that question about Porsche being afraid of competition? 
Not over cbd and weed ... just weed. CBD no issue, smoking weed is smoking.
Hi, this is far from an audio thread input on my part but I could not resist the subject of CBD and weed.

I don't agree or disagree with the two individuals fighting over cancer and cbd and weed.

But others reading may get confused. Nowaday you don't need to smoke weed to get high. You get high from the substance in cannabis called thc. You can get it in non smokeable  formats.

CBD does not make you high and you don't smoke it. It is being heavily studied because it seems it may have beneficial effects in many medicinal aspects, including helping fight cancer.

We all know how to Google. Just choose quality places to get informed.

I'm of to listen to some music. FYI, I never took any drugs or even smoked a cigarette. Not advocating drugs. Am advocating knowledge.

Happy Holidays to all
After driving around like a tool i would still want to come home to a stereo of a certain caliber. 
I tried the Cayman and found it to be the best handling car I had ever driven. The downside was virtually no boot which precluded carrying my golf clubs. So if you need to carry people or golf clubs try the Camaro Hellcat.
Audi and Porsche are owned by the same company.

Other than that .... https://michelinracingusa.com/rivals-porsche-vs-ferrari/


Seems a big day for conspiracy theories in audioland.
A question to the Porschephiles:
Why didn’t they go head to head with the Ford GT40 way back or more recently, the Audi R10 diesel? Instead they go to LMP2? Really? They always wimp out against dominating competition. They make great cars no doubt, but they do not like competitors, unless it’s them.
That should stir the pot. Speaking of pot.....

best wishes to all of you maniacs in the new year
I just looked at the  TAD M600 website.  They discussed vibration dampening.  How can an amplifier vibrate?  
Or....Do Both.  Amps & a Slingshot....cheaper than a 'Vette.  And you get to wear a helmet,,,fit it some good 'phones....

Turns 'n Tunes....^5's! *G*
The Torque in the 4 electric motors (one for each wheel) will probably take all the air out of your lungs.  I’m with you, electric sports cars are the future with better reliability. As battery manufacturing matures, in the near future you will be able to get 1K miles between charges.  The less moving parts the better so less is more is true in this case. 
@mrmatt   Your new amps...used to belong to Mike L...??
If so, I'm sure they are incredibly well taken care of and basically like a new amp! Now you can start saving up for the new Vette. ( or maybe better still, the new Tesla Roadster...will probably dust off the Vette with no problem)
Buy a Lotus...

It’s all power/weight ratio, after all. :)

...and it’s more fun to suck their doors off with something that doesn’t look Threatening...nor familiar....

That, and they handle like the 'go-kart' that you used to want.

And 4 cylinders won't eat ethyl like an 8 doing so.....Toyota parts, too.  *S*
Miller,

Porsche prices tend to be pretty regional, so what may go $40K where you are, goes for much less in other areas. Where I am, $40K will buy you a <15 year old 911 with <60K miles. You may even find one on the fringe of that for close to $30K. i.e.2008 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S/SPORT CHRONO . 60K miles, $38K + taxes and licensing. That’s not a one off either. 2008 Porsche 911 CARRERA 4 6SPD 997 SUNROOF AWD ... 52K miles, $34K + taxes and licensing.


$ for $, the Cayman is a better sports car. To the OP, as nice as the new Vette looks, you can rarely use that much power. I would take out a Cayman before buying the Vette.







The New Vette is certainly a hell of a car and without a doubt an amazing value in this category.  I doubt you will see many 60K ones out there.  I played around with a build and to do it right you are running closer to 80K. Still quite a machine for that kind of $$.

I might even attempt to get a test drive.

BUT, no matter how terrific it is, it will not replace my 2006 911S. In fact, I would not trade it , even up, for a new 992.  I just love my car.  It wraps around me like a driving suit. Its sounds right, it does not have electric steering and it has 3 pedals.  

My audio setup is really sounding great to me and has really re-established my interest in listening to music.  Worth the $$ I spent on updating it.  If it were a choice between the music machine or the 911 I enjoy 8 months out of the year,  the car would be staying. I would miss the audio system but I would miss opening the garage door and (still) saying--that's my car? How did I get so lucky ? , even more.

I intend to keep my 911 till I can no longer drive it comfortably. 
Always amazes me how some "hobbies" cross-over to others.

Bought my first car at 19, a '68 427 ragtop, still have it. Still makes me smile. Don't drive it as hard as I used too.  Have a 2016 Z-51 vette, 
fabulous car, but the downside (as someone mentioned) is that once you have been on the track with it a number of times it is really hard to drive on the street. Porsche makes beautiful very capable cars, have driven many, never had the desire to own one. Same goes for Ferrari.

But, I was an audio fan first, so that really is my first love.
The only downside is I can't take it on vacation, the upside is I've never
got a speeding ticket while on the couch.

BTW Chevy has officially stated that the C8 for 2020 is sold out. I'm waiting on that Grand Sport variant.
Easy to decide:  GET THE CORVETTE.

Full disclosure:  I own a '66 and went to the Corvettes at Carlisle this August and saw the car.  OMG, as the kids say.  It is a totally amazing car and I am obviously a huge C2 fan. 

The most surprising part was seeing the car in various colors AND I have pics of it "blown apart"--that is, the INSIDE of the structure.  I will be glad to send them to you if you wish--this is SOME CAR, believe me.  AND, the most amazing and elegant color was a Caddy borrow called Zeus Bronze.  Now, I HATE brown cars with a passion, but once again, OMG!

I live in what most people think is a "ritzy" town--been here for 50 years and it wasn't so "ritzy" when I moved here, but that's another issue.

Anyway, cruising up to the club in this thing would displace the MANY exotics normally seen there--you know their Italian and German and American names by heart--this car in that color--get right out of town!

Since it may be sold out where you are, possibly wait for next year as they have, according to Tadge, the chief Corvette engineer who spoke to us, MANY surprises coming--including a sound system that had to be dialed BACK it was so good.

Cheers!
I just bought a classic Vette myself, yes sir! A 1986 Chevette. If I say it fast enough though, some might only pick up on the Vette part! Sigh...Its all good...