Anyone hear the Van Alstine CA1 Control Amplifier or NP1 amp demoed?

@agwca there are a few hubs of audio brain power and manufacturing in the US, tend to be coastal CA, the Boston area, and the twin cities. So I have no doubt it’s a solid amp, being from Minnesota. I made a list of about 6 amps in the 1000-ish range and based on the reviews the AVA jumped out. I didn’t know why Hegel was marked up, but you explained it.

On a second thought the phono input makes sense to people who occasionally listen to vinyl and for people like me who occasionally would use a DAC, an optical input would make more sense (Hegel)

Looking at this forum and my favorite hifi youtube channels, the price is a bit too high for budget audiophiles and too low for serious spenders. And when I say too high, I don’t mean by much. But you got a good deal on it, one that I would have probably jumped on.

I think there is a lack of choices in the small output (<60 Watts), minimalist with high SQ integrated segment under a $1000. I know ~$1000 is not much these days, but for a dad in a family with a lot bills, a college student, a middle class single person with rent, etc. it’ a choice between new tires on the car or trip to grandma, or new laptop for the kid, there is no $1000 lying around. It might not happen until a big break financially.

I think Schiit does exactly what I am talking about, lower priced, high quality, modular setup. It’s the design that’s not my style but I assume they are doing great.

The Hegel costs more than twice. So I am not sure you are calling this a great value or not. (By great I mean fantastic in comparison to similar amps. Is it as good as an amp twice the price?)

Van Alstine is factory direct. With Hegel, you have a US distributor markup and a 50 point dealer markup. 

If Van Alstine attempted to sell in Europe at dealers....prices would double. 

We are lucky in America that we can buy Van Alstine, Odyssey, & Schiit amps at such low prices. I would exhaust those types of options before looking at imported amps sold at dealers. 

If one can consider themselves a budget audiophile, say someone who has had the typical introductory receivers, integrated and such, these 50 to 80 watt amps open some doors into a level that could satisfy for a long time.  While there isn't alot there's still some, typically the larger brands but fewer among the more boutique manufacturers.  

So far I like it and still its an adjustment from what I have had.  Paired with good speakers and a decent dac is all I need.  I have the dacs covered and the Opticon for a budget speaker is pretty decent.

I may get that SVS sub woofer connector which I take from the phone call converts the signal output to a voltage a powered sub can take rather than buying a better sub and without changing the power output to your speakers.  I only use it for fill-in.

Looking at some other speakers. From experience there's alot I can take off the list. Somewhere around the $2K mark give or take perhaps in a size and design I want.  I can wait as well.  No rush.

I to put this amp on a short list from the reviews and talking to Frank.  He seemed pumped about it.  Who knows, it could become an American classic, if there is such a thing in audio.  Competitor amps run much higher in price in some cases.

I still stand behind the Keces E40 as a small room/office/desktop option but it drove my gear well in a LR setting as well.  The CA-1 is both different and better in certain regards, and a bit more powerful.  And I feel comfortable lifting 20 lbs. 

Budget audiophiles could look at the Keces. It's half the price and typically less used, but doesn't come up used that often.  Made in Taiwan by a brand known for power conditioners when they started.

Hegel like many popular brands cost. They sound good but also safe. Boring to some, exquisite to others.  It is powerful but overkill for me in spite that it has the connectivity I prefer.  I like it but this CA-1 is different and I like it so far too. 

@seanheis1 that's a big difference I guess. But then Hegel must think that they have to give something for costing twice. Norwegianness?

Sometimes when people pay more they think they get more...

@gano true. If you're gonna cost twice and still be made in China (Hegel)...that gives me pause.