Billie MK3 Pre order and Price!!

I don’t have any experience with any version of the Billie amp. But how much do you think a quality integrated amp should cost? Do you really think 2800.00 is too much? 
 

If it performs well, sounds like a fair price to me. Maybe you want to pay cheap receiver prices for quality audio? 

 Do you really think 2800.00 is too much?

Yes, it is!  The origional and MK2  was around $2K.

Maybe you want to pay cheap receiver prices for quality audio? 

What a silly question! There are good Integrateds from Rogue Audio, Schiit, Rega, etc. that are less than $2K

So how much should the Mk 3 be? Is that a silly question too?

Hmmm. I wonder if the cost of his parts went up. Maybe the machining for the new casework is higher. Perhaps, a different design and production run of modular circuit boards. He doesn’t have the same purchasing power for volume discounts as his bigger competitors.

Is it possible that Billie’s cost-of-living has gone up? Car insurance? Health insurance? Business liability insurance? How about the rent for his shop? I’ve used the same independent auto mechanic for 10 years. His shop labor has risen from $70/hr to $140/hr. I suspect he’s using the same socket wrenches.

steakster;

You are overpaying. When I got out of the service in late 1970, I went to work at a Lincoln-Mercury dealership. Our retail labor rate was $7.00 per hour

Hi -

I purchased the Heaven 11 Bille MK II amp just about 2 years ago.  I paid roughly $1600 USD new.  It is used in a second system with Golden Ear BRX speakers, PS Audio SACD transport and GainCell DAC, and a Technics 1500 turntable.  The Billie amp replaced a Rogue Sphinx MK 3 integrated that I really liked, but was just too damn noisy.  A REGA Brio amp preceded the Rogue.

I paid $1600 USD new for the amp.  I splurged and got the marble volume knobs.  Very pretty.

I wanted an integrated amp with phono.  Bluetooth and DAC were not of interest.  The amp was an attractive buy at $1600 and was keeping with the Rogue price wise.  At the time, if it were $3000, I would have looked for something else.  

Don't get me wrong, it is a nice performing amp.  Watched the Steve Guttenberg YouTube videos for a more full review as he delves into all the audio niceties.  Reviewers all praise this amp.  I like the amp, I just don't love it.  Maybe it is Class D fatigue.  The overall sound doesn't move me and I have tried different speakers (Zu Omen Monitors), swapped interconnects, just not sure how to tweak this one.  

If I were going to drop $3k, I would probably go with something like the Prima Luna EVO 100 integrated.  Granted, prices have gotten stupid crazy over the last few years, but $3k is steep in my mind for my uses.  

Rich 

Then don’t buy anything if prices are too high.  

Then don’t buy anything if prices are too high.

As if the Billie MK3 is the only Integrated available.

Like I have pointed out, many good alternatives out there, at lower prices.

You are overpaying. When I got out of the service in late 1970, I went to work at a Lincoln-Mercury dealership. Our retail labor rate was $7.00 per hour

$7 per hour in the late 1970's is equal to $36 per hour today.

Please save your money. All these are as good and available used online.
Belles Aria
Modwright
Prima Luna
Hegel
Manley
Rogue

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650162862-belles-aria-signature-integrated-amp-with-phono/
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650047144-modwright-kwi200-integrated-amplifier/
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650176354-modwright-instruments-kwi-200-integrated-amplifier-excellent/
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650168655-primaluna-dialogue-premium-hp-integrated-amplifier/
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650126090-hegel-h190-dac-amp-integrated-amp-nib/
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650100080-primaluna-evo-200-integrated-amplifier-gold-lion-kt88s-3-gold-lion-12au7-4/
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650069456-manley-stingray/
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650165145-rogue-pharoah-integrated-amplifier/

I have signed up and waited for an email with the price. Even emailed them and I was told by Itai that I would receive the price this week.

I haven’t received anything. In the age of barfing meme crypto whatever virtual billions, I can’t say what’s a lot vs a little. But it sure isn’t comparable with MkII, at nearly twice as much. I had been super interested but at that price point, I am good. Quad, Sugden, Simaudio, Vincent Audio, Primare, Hegel, Creek, Bryston, Hegel are better value.

I do think though that the Billie is a unique product, with smart engineering and quality parts and slick marketing. If I could walk into any store in a 100 mile radius, I would sure drive/take the train to hear it.

$7 per hour in the late 1970’s is equal to $36 per hour today.

?

More like North of $100/hr. @ a Dealership, and North of $75/hr. for an independent mechanic.

hilde45 has some good suggestions.

I have the Billie “1.5”. I consider the 1 a beta. The 1.5 beta+ and the 2 as a release version. If they offered a trade up incentive, I would consider doing it. I should drop Itai a note. 

It's just price gouging. Move on. Read any in depth review of a $3K integrated from the last 3 years and see how the Billie measures up. It's not worth the novelty. Another example of limbic capitalism. 

All the best,
Nonoise

Limbic capitalism -- love that phrase. 

Want to buy new and can spend $3k? Perhaps try this wonderful maker:

https://www.erhard-audio.com/Basie.html

or this one

https://quicksilveraudio.com/products/integrated-amplifier/

when an amp is tube, are all expectations for any aesthetics out the window? Or the laws of aesthetics cease? I am curious, I am kind of a design nerd and always found it odd. There are exceptions like the always stunning Luxman so I am not sure