The buyer's dilemma

[Neil McCauley]

Imagine you are in a comparative demonstration comparing one CD player against another, switched by the Manley Skipjack (probably the most neutral switcher available today: http://www.manleylabs.com/containerpages/skipjack.html) at identical volumes through state-of-the-art speakers and amp. They are virtually identical in price.

One is an established brand and the other is a new brand. Both are well within your budget.

What basis do you have for making the purchase choice?

---//---

[Mike]

1st. Performance

2nd. Performance

3rd. Performance

[Neil McCauley]

Okay, so far - so good. Now here's the cruncher. What do you if sonically these two units are indistinguishable?

---//---

[Filterlab]

Go for the new one with a decent warranty; two reasons:

1. Nobody else will have one (exclusivity).

2. If it breaks, the chances are the new company will fall over itself to get a replacement / repair done with the minimum of fuss (make a name for itself).

That's just my opinion though.

[Neil McCauley]

Go for the new one with a decent warranty; two reasons:

1. Nobody else will have one (exclusivity).

2. If it breaks, the chances are the new company will fall over itself to get a replacement / repair done with the minimum of fuss (make a name for itself).

That's just my opinion though.

Thank you. I'm with you 100% on this.

Regards

Howard

[lurcher]

If I found myself in that situation, I would ask to either

1. Borrow both and try them over a longer period at home.

2. Ask to listen to a cheaper and more expensive player against the original two, as if they both sounded the same, I would like to know if I could get the same sound and pay less. And if not, what difference would I hear against a more expensive model.

[Rick O]

What basis do you have for making the purchase choice?

---//---

Which ever is the most musical.

[Steve Toy]

I think Howard was suggestion that they were both equally musical, hence the other criteria.

[shane]

Assuming they really were sonically and financially identical, and that Nick's questions didn't reveal a better alternative, then I would look at the following:

1) Aesthetics (I do care what this stuff looks like, but not as much as what it sounds like).

2) Reliability.

3) Politics and geography. Where was it made? Do I approve of them, either the company or the country?

[greenhomeelectronics]

I think if people were totally honest it would come down to aesthetics every time.