"if a brand is not well-known and represented by a very small company, a potential buyer will have many concerns, such as longevity of the company, customer service and resale."
I can attest to the truth of that statement by Mrtennis, at least as far as it concerns me. I know my conrad johnson gear doesn't offer the sex appeal nor the elite exclusivity of boutique brands, but they've been reliable performers. Phone calls to cj, even on issues not directly related to the performance of their gear, have been met with knowledgeable concern. I did send my preamp back for repair once and found the cost and turn-around to be very reasonable. Also, I prefer a design that is not so complex that only it's designer is competent to work on it.
I can attest to the truth of that statement by Mrtennis, at least as far as it concerns me. I know my conrad johnson gear doesn't offer the sex appeal nor the elite exclusivity of boutique brands, but they've been reliable performers. Phone calls to cj, even on issues not directly related to the performance of their gear, have been met with knowledgeable concern. I did send my preamp back for repair once and found the cost and turn-around to be very reasonable. Also, I prefer a design that is not so complex that only it's designer is competent to work on it.