Bargains on ebay?

[Marco]

Hi Simon,

Thing is though, that Kondo amp is solid silver all the way through, all capacitors and the output transformers, there's several KG of the stuff in there and that's where a lot of the price comes. There's several k of silver in there, add the 10x retail multiplier and away you go.

Sure, experience tells me you're right, and it also tells me that solid silver doesn't necessarily sound better than the purest quality solid copper, but it's a great way of giving a product increased 'cachet', as well as beefing up the price tag!

The 10X retail multiplier, although 'the norm', is sheer greed, too

Marco.

[Ali Tait]

Well, the best output transformers I've heard have been silver, definitely a cut above any of the coppers I've heard.

[Marco]

I don't doubt it, Ali, but it's not a magic bullet, like some people think.

Much depends on other things. I've just rejected an all-silver wound SUT for a (very high quality) copper one, which was undoubtedly sonically superior.

Marco.

[Mr Kipling]

Hi Simon,



Sure, experience tells me you're right, and it also tells me that solid silver doesn't necessarily sound better than the purest quality solid copper, but it's a great way of giving a product increased 'cachet', as well as beefing up the price tag!

The 10X retail multiplier, although 'the norm', is sheer greed, too

Marco.

Think there could be more to it than that:

http://enjoythemusic.com/magazine/so...s/2/ongaku.htm

http://www.nutshellhifi.com/triode1.html

[The Grand Wazoo]

The current spot price of silver is US$27.118 per troy ounce. (HSBC at 12:07 today)
There are 32.15 troy ounces in a kg.

That makes silver worth US$871.84 per kg

[MartinT]

At what price point would you say SPPV ceases to apply; ie the law of diminishing returns means spending more ceases to bring about worthwhile improvements?

For a power amplifier? My Chord SPM-1200E now lists at £7,500 and I consider it to be excellent SPPV considering its build quality, its longevity and reliability (I've had it for over 10 years), and finally the sound quality it has given me. I haven't wanted more since I bought it. Consider it to be an alternative viewpoint for those who want a solid state device rather than valves (although I like both).

After all, I have to uphold my SS moniker

[Richardl]

Looks like a bargain for someone, but it's a bit of a gamble I suppose.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MADRIGAL-P...item4ab988c78f

[sq225917]

And Kondo claim there is 10kg of silver in the Gakuon. 8k worth...

[Wakefield Turntables]

Looks like a bargain for someone, but it's a bit of a gamble I suppose.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MADRIGAL-P...item4ab988c78f

I had a cheeky punt on this and it ended at 362 quid, blimey

[The Grand Wazoo]

This one's shaping up to being a real bargain!