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LFD NCSE MK3

I don’t know anything about electronics, so I would just like for someone to explain to me, based on its internal pictures, what exactly justifies this integrated amplifier’s price tag of $7,350! The parts inside don’t seem to cost more than $1200-1300 combined. Casework is nothing special. I understand that makers have to charge more than what it costs them to produce, but what am I missing here? Everyone raves about it, so its price is justified because it sounds good?

I tried to compare internal pictures of LFD NCSE MK3(https://img.usaudiomart.com/uploads/large/2144793-1dcbef2f-lfd-ncse-mk3-integrated-amplifier.jpg) to those of Belles Aria integrated(https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.powermodules.com%2FewExternalFiles%2FHFC_41...) and Valvet E2SE(https://positive-feedback.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Valvet-Open.jpg). One is a little more than $2,000, and the other is $4,000. Parts-wise, the other two seem to have more parts inside (and quality parts, based on reviews), yet they cost less.

Don’t get me wrong, everyone is free to charge whatever they want. And if I were to audition and like it, I’d probably buy it as well. I just think that I might be overlooking something here, that I’m not experienced yet to be paying attention to, and I don’t wanna dismiss something good in the future because of the same mistake.

On a side note, has anybody compared LFD NCSE MK3 to Belles Aria or Valvet E2SE? On another side note, how do First Watt amps compare to those?
audioinfidel

Showing 4 responses by audioinfidel

audioinfidel OP
20 posts
 
Well, if you look under the hood of Gryphon, you'll know that you're getting your money's worth. Let me try to clarify my question above: is the unit empty inside because of some exotic parts, of which you don't need as many, or are they charging a lot simply because they can? Either way, I'll be the first one to buy it, if I like the sound. I was simply asking out of curiosity, nothing more. I've read a lot of raving reviews of the NCSE MK3, and few videos on youtube, which featured this amp, sounded very good! I so wish you didn't write that...now I'm beginning to want to hear for myself what the fuss is all about :-)

My dilemma eventually will be to decide between two choices:
1. Pass Labs HPA-1 + Valvet E2SE
2. LFD NCSE MK3
audioinfidel OP
20 posts
 
Actually, I'm seeing a third choice on the horizon:
3. Pass Labs Int-25
audioinfidel OP
20 posts
 
I used to think that amount of parts means everything, and was going to get a Schiit Yggdrasil, but ended up getting a Chord Qutest. In the case of the Qutest, I know where the money went to - FPGA and stuff. Here I was asking for the same, i.e. for someone to point me to that expensive part, or explain to me how this design is amazing because of this or that technology being used.
audioinfidel OP
20 posts
 
"Unless you’re an engineer or electronics expert, don’t go by layout. Go by sound" - This is exactly what I said above, that I’ll be the first one to buy it, if I like the sound. Let me clarify my original inquiry again: I’m only asking out of curiosity!
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