Neil McCauley
04-11-2008, 18:08
The full story, as requested by Marco after the abridged version was posted here.
Out of the blue a package arrived here recently. It contained a stereo pair of interconnects with reassuringly solid locking plugs. (HP Edit 7/1/09: Locking plugs too expensive. Makers have reverted to high quality non-locking) The cables felt curiously lightweight. Ordinarily I’d think … oh no …, not again, not another cable sample. But this one came from a person who I’ve worked with on and off for years – and who isn’t currently a supplier.
So I plugged them in. Cold and straight out of the jiffy bag.
Into my current fave system:
* Benchmark DAC-1 preamp
* LFD PA2M SE twin mono power amps (single chassis version),
* Eggleston speakers and
* Venerable, old but much loved Meridian 508.20 used as transport.
It didn’t matter where I inserted the interconnects in the system, the impact was the same. All the usual stuff like taut bass, sweet treble, openness – I guess you know the sort of phrases. The thing is though, initial reports indicate that these frankly extraordinary interconnects will apparently sell per channel for £19.00 – yes nineteen pounds. £38 per pair + carriage.
There’s no VAT. the company is too small.
And yes, they are making the industry standard profit. I know - because I asked. Makes you wonder about the margins the 'other guys' are making - right?
So now what do I do?
On the face if, this initial sample is not only sonically engaging as the best I have to offer – but available at truly a fraction of the lowest price interconnects I sell.
Let’s put this into perspective, with my commercial hat on.
If my target retained profit for interconnect sales (using my current interconnect range) in any one month is say £x as a consequence of selling y stereo pairs, then with these new interconnects as mentioned above, I have to sell at least, and I do mean at least 9y in order to achieve £x.
So – nine times the amount of work but on the other hand, potentially 9 times as many delighted customers.
I’ll very probably opt for the latter – if (a) I can persuade the maker to let me sell them and (b) production releases are as consistently engaging as the pre-production sample that I’ve received.
---//---
(HP Edit 5/1/09: The makers told me today that the run on cost per metre per channel is £2.00. XLR terminations are not currently available due to ongoing experimentation to hold the rather thin but sheathed wires securely in place.)
(HP Edit 7/1/09:For a AOS members-only reduced price special offer and 90 day sale or return, please click here: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1774)
Out of the blue a package arrived here recently. It contained a stereo pair of interconnects with reassuringly solid locking plugs. (HP Edit 7/1/09: Locking plugs too expensive. Makers have reverted to high quality non-locking) The cables felt curiously lightweight. Ordinarily I’d think … oh no …, not again, not another cable sample. But this one came from a person who I’ve worked with on and off for years – and who isn’t currently a supplier.
So I plugged them in. Cold and straight out of the jiffy bag.
Into my current fave system:
* Benchmark DAC-1 preamp
* LFD PA2M SE twin mono power amps (single chassis version),
* Eggleston speakers and
* Venerable, old but much loved Meridian 508.20 used as transport.
It didn’t matter where I inserted the interconnects in the system, the impact was the same. All the usual stuff like taut bass, sweet treble, openness – I guess you know the sort of phrases. The thing is though, initial reports indicate that these frankly extraordinary interconnects will apparently sell per channel for £19.00 – yes nineteen pounds. £38 per pair + carriage.
There’s no VAT. the company is too small.
And yes, they are making the industry standard profit. I know - because I asked. Makes you wonder about the margins the 'other guys' are making - right?
So now what do I do?
On the face if, this initial sample is not only sonically engaging as the best I have to offer – but available at truly a fraction of the lowest price interconnects I sell.
Let’s put this into perspective, with my commercial hat on.
If my target retained profit for interconnect sales (using my current interconnect range) in any one month is say £x as a consequence of selling y stereo pairs, then with these new interconnects as mentioned above, I have to sell at least, and I do mean at least 9y in order to achieve £x.
So – nine times the amount of work but on the other hand, potentially 9 times as many delighted customers.
I’ll very probably opt for the latter – if (a) I can persuade the maker to let me sell them and (b) production releases are as consistently engaging as the pre-production sample that I’ve received.
---//---
(HP Edit 5/1/09: The makers told me today that the run on cost per metre per channel is £2.00. XLR terminations are not currently available due to ongoing experimentation to hold the rather thin but sheathed wires securely in place.)
(HP Edit 7/1/09:For a AOS members-only reduced price special offer and 90 day sale or return, please click here: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1774)