Some brand names are important to me. Accuphase is a high end Japanese manufacturer that has to please the fanatical Asian audiophile, where there exists a sense of "honor" that has been lost to most of the western world. Reputation is EVERYTHING! Consequently, I know that when I buy an "Accuphase", the build quality, research & engineering, and resale value will always be first rate. Ralph Karsten at Atma-sphere has been building OTL tube amps and been doing it right for over 20 years. He is one of the few remaining larger independents. Think that when you call Levinson, Mark will be answering the phone? On several occasions, Ralph was PERSONALLY fielding incoming calls! This creates a kind of intimacy with the manufacturer and product that is rare today. Don't we all wish that we lived in a magical kingdom where we could audition all kinds of equipment combinations in our homes? In the real world sometimes reputation, reviews, and research has to take the place of an actual audition! Happy Tunes!
How important is "brand name"?
How important is "brand name" when purchasing audio equipment? I noticed that some brands that advertise in the magazines have no Retailers in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have been getting referred to a Retailer in another state and so no auditions of any kind. Some brands have a very small following and so selling used equipment for this brand is very difficult if not impossible. The Retailers for some brands have limited other equipment so that auditions are not possible. Some popular brands that were hot last year and are no longer in business. Some Distributors change their distribution channels and Retailers get dropped (this happened to me on two brands that I own). Any comments? thanks..