Can someone explain to me why : Accupahse Equipment is that expensive ?


…….I was recently looking into their Power Conditioners as well as their Amplifiers and for a company where there is very little reviews done on their products, along with a small ( here in the US anyway )  almost a cult following if someone could tell me why is their prices the way they are. I just don't understand it. I have listened to their equipment and is nice and the build quality is very good but ; I always said to myself ; '' Not for that price ". I do not mean to be in an any way inflammatory with this statement but is :  Accuphase the McIntosh of the East ?  McIntosh makes some nice stuff but is no way priced like Accuphase, however it seems to operate very much with the same business model ; you are paying for the name and the pride of ownership and the sound is very much dated. Maybe I am missing something here and the sound is very good and like Rolex you buy a piece and you are set for a lifetime. FM Acoustics is also another one of the those companies......Just looking for a really good amp and these companies come up in my search but I am just sitting here scratching my head ?           
garebear

Showing 2 responses by andysf

I researched this about two years ago when I was looking for an integrated amp.  At that time, I could buy two Accuphase amps from Japan for less than the retail price in the US.  And that includes the shipping.
The distributor markup is exorbitant!  All reputable manufacturers maintain distribution and repair facilities whether their goods are imported or not so that is not an excuse for these prices.  Customs and shipping are also very little relative to value.
Plenty of companies (Leben is one) manage to bring their goods to the US market at prices very close to Japan.  Last time I checked Luxman's markup was about 35% over Japanese retail.  Can't help but feel that Accuphase must be indifferent to the US and European markets to have chosen such a distributor.
Luxman is only about 25% less than Accuphase in Japan.
In the end, I bought a Luxman 507UX demo here in the US and I have been very happy with it.  Wish it looked more like an Accuphase though.
Rolex is a charity.  That is why they are able to sell their watches at such giveaway prices!
I don't get all you guys bending over backward to excuse what is clearly an exorbitant markup. There is no other excuse other than greed that I can see.