Avalon Acoustics Arios????

I think both of you are unfair. The very poor exchange
rate for American goods is having its effect on the European market. The mark/dollar rate is 2.3, not very good at this time. I can get a Leica M6 for less money today than 15 years ago when I bought my first one.

As fare as the Piega goes I think the Avalon are much better.
I currently work in a hifi store and we deal Piega (but not Avalon SOB!!!!), and we have had the P 8 Limited in the store for about 3 month and I think they are to bright and sharp with both tube and SS.
I currently use Quad ESL-63 and Avalon is the only speakers I have heard that make me want to change. I have not yet auditioned the ESL-989!! but I plan to in the future.
To answer Shubertmaniac I am not comparing the the Europe prices with the US prices but with how much other US brands charge extra in Europe, but you do have a point about the bad exchange rate, though not to such a degree that it justifies the differens.

Regards

Ulrik G. Madsen

The Arios is the same as the Arcus.
The name Arios is used in German-speaking countries (was explained to me by a Berlin hifi salesman)

They had to change the name because Arcus is a german hifi company which does electronics.

Interesting enough, but the Arcus/Arios has been discontinued to the the limited availibility of the focal tweeter (I think Focal cut off Avalon or stopped production on the specific tweeter). The Avalon Ascendant is the replacement and from what I understand, superior in sound.