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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
andysf's avatar
andysf
269 posts
 
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!
garebear OP
1,154 posts
 

Thank you Mr andysf - as I am now coming to that conclusion as a well and appreciate your response as their does appear to be some more heavy handiness involved here . 

Mr-retsock thank you as well but I checked into Esoteric as I have whole stack of that stuff and Esoteric / TEAC is fine as a subsidiary of The Gibson Company as it is they you are struggling and not Esoteric.   

teezee's avatar
teezee
1 posts
 
If you want good stuff go with McIntosh. I have McIntosh pieces and they have a great solid "feel" to them. Every knob, switch has that same feel. And when they are turned on that "teal green" color and the blue meters is exquisite and sets them apart from everything else on the market.
kleech
130 posts
 
if you have the space and budget, a second A-03 run in mono would likely solve you power deficit... 
rwwear
2,871 posts
 
HiFiDo in Japan often has used Accuphase at good prices.
http://www.hifido.co.jp/?M=&LNG=E&G=1&KW=accuphase
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