Dan D'Agostino Momentum

I have auditioned both.  I own a Burmester 032.  Why people would choose a Momentum integrated:

• They have the means to spend twice as much as an 232.  I am not ashamed to admit I do not. 
• Their personality requires them to own the more expensive product, not necessarily the best.  
• The industrial design is gorgeous and they prefer it to the 032, also gorgeous in its own right, but more refined.  
• They require the huge power and current requirements that are much higher than the output of the 232.  
• They prefer the sound palette which is very different is philosophy over the 232. The Momentum presents with realism in density, dynamics, force, slam, and emotion.  The 232 presents with sweet clarity , more air, better staging even though images are less dense, better micro dynamics but not macro dynamics, and just a more refined or polite view of reality.  

Personally, I chose the Burmester view of reality because I did not have funds for a momentum and was afraid I would get fatigued by its aggressive presentation.  So it’s a matter of personal taste.  In general I consider the Momentum a step up from a 232 if you can afford it and like its sound.  If I had the means, I would have both to switch off depending on mood.  Alternatively, the best integrated I have auditioned is the Audionet Humboldt that combines the advantages of the 232 and Momentum in SQ but is a standalone integrated, not a modular device with DAC.  

We buy particular pieces of audio equipment based on many factors with the actual sound only being one of them. Expensive audio gear is like other luxury goods where the story and the brand identity drive sales as much as the quality. The same question you pose could be asked about hundreds of gear choices.

I have a Krell KSA 300S amp and a KRC 2 preamp, and I have been a Dan D’Agostino fan boy for decades. His video interviews are entertaining and you can really get a sense of where he is coming from. For example, in the 80’s Dan realized that off the shelf bipolar power transistors were not ideal for his beefy power amplifiers. He went to Motorola and told them that if they would manufacture a transistor optimized for his use he would buy a million of them (he bought way more). That took balls and it paid off. There are several other stories like that where Dan didn’t accept things as they were - he changed them. His amplifieers along with Levinson and Pass allowed speaker manufacturers to design with very low impedances which freed them from tradeoffs that they previously had to make.

I went to the 2018 AXPONA and had a chance to talk to a D’Agostino engineer during a slow time. I won’t go into detail here but he told me what it took to manufacture those copper heat sinks on the Momentum amplifier and it was an incredible story. D’Agostino equipment is very much about pride of ownership. Dan designs gear to his vision and it costs what it costs.  There are certain well-to-do audiophiles that are attracted to this. And no, I can’t afford his new gear either but I’m glad he’s making it.

@jsalerno277 Precisely my point Audionet Humboldt is probably better overall than the Momentum and costs $25,000 less which is a substantial savings.

@jsalerno277 Personally, I would stick with my 232 but when I upgrade in a few years, I would rather go with Burmester separates by spending a little bit more than $75K.. Is Dan putting magic into the Momentum? Top notch German integrateds like the Humboldt and Swiss integrateds cost far less.

I’ve never been a fan of integrated anything and would really like the momentum HD preamplifier. But when I was in the buying mood a while back they were doing transitions and I opted not to do it.  I went with a Conrad Johnsen preamp and that seems good. I was also in the tube mood too. But I think DAgostino solid state stuff makes tubes irrelevant possibly, curious what others may have to say about this.

The huge dial on the front I think annoyed me a little bit too. Maybe it's too cute and pretty. But I looked at the black one and that looked really nice.

 I do like the monos Dagostino offers and I have spoken to him and he’s a lovely man.