Due to poor distribution practices...

[BrianB]

As some folks here have noticed, I dropped the Loth-X line of affordable, high-efficiency minimonitors a couple of months back. Why? The answer is simple. Although the product was outstanding, the U.S. importer simply did not support his dealers. Instead of taking out blanket ads for the product line, he chose instead to take out ads for his own little audio shop, which offered nice discounts on all Loth-X products. Additionally, he did not refer potential customers to nearby dealers, and often did not respond to dealer orders for weeks at a time.

No respectable dealer wants to work with such a company. Yes, I can readily understand why a manufacturer or distributor might sell direct in certain circumstances. But to advertise direct sales at a discount is inexcusable in my opinion, as "regular" dealers for the product line simply cannot compete.

I was sad to see Loth-X go - that is, at least until Audio Note introduced their comparably-priced AX-series minimonitors, which sound at least as good as the Loth-X models.

And now it's happening again!

Several months ago, I began searching for an affordable line of fine single-ended amplifiers. The search boiled down to two candidates: Antique Sound Labs and Consonance (Opera Audio). I wound up choosing the latter because it seemed more "unique". But the U.S. distributor for Consonance is now behaving much like the distributor for Loth-X. He doesn't just sell direct - he also advertises special pricing of Consonance products via high-profile ads on AudiogoN. It's little wonder that some of the better dealers who had originally invested in this line are now dropping it.

And I will be dropping this line, too.

Again, I will be sad to see it go. Many of Consonance's products - particularly their less-expensive Cyber-series SET amps - were fantastic values in my opinion.

But I won't be sad for long, as I will be replacing Consonance with Antique Sound Labs next month. Like Consonance, ASL makes some absolutely fantastic single-ended amplifiers at unbelievable prices. Plus, ASL offers a number of other affordable products that no doubt will appeal to many AudioKarma members, including high-quality tube phono stages and headphone amplifiers, sub-$100 push-pull monoblocks, and a passive preamplifier that ranks among the best I've heard at any price.

Look for the Antique Sound Labs line to be added to my AUDIOKARMA SHOP in August.

Happy listening,
Brian
Venus Hi-Fi

[ProAc_Fan]

Yeah Brian ain't it a kick in the balls when a manufacturer cuts you off at the knees by selling direct at a discount? Thats the reason reputable companies like Axiom and Paradigm don't undercut their sellers by offering their products cheaper online. In fact I know Paradigm even discourages their dealers from selling to U.S. customers due to the fact that their products cost less here in Canada. Well there's always another company ready and willing to step up and replace the "losers". Good luck with the new lines.

Mike

[Wardsweb]

ALRIGHT ! The Wave 8 is a fantastic deal for someone wanting to get into tubes. So guys if your on a budget, you can't go wrong here. And for the serious tube-o-holic ASL high end gear is to die for. I'm glad to see you add them to your line card.

[ProAc_Fan]

Yeah Brian I'll take one pair of these.




Mike

[THOR]

What is a push pull monoblock and a passive pre amp?

[reyneman]

Hmmm, sounds like you need to clear out that old stock.

Hey, hey, hey:cool:

[BrianB]

Originally posted by THOR
What is a push pull monoblock and a passive pre amp?

Hi Thor,

One of the better descriptions of both push-pull and single-ended amplifiers I've come across is on a web page created by a guitar amp manufacturer. Here's the link:

push-pull versus single-ended (http://www.aikenamps.com/SingleEnded.htm)

Please note that push-pull amps are FAR more common in audio than single-ended amps...

Monoblock amplifiers serve the same function as stereo power amplifiers, except that the left and right channels each receive their own dedicated amp, housed in separate chassis and with no shared circuitry. Folks who believe that separates (preamp plus amp) are sonically superior to integrated amps and receivers often prefer monoblocks to stereo amps.

A passive preamp is simply a preamp with no "active" amplifying circuitry. In other words, passive preamps provide no additional gain to the source signal - they merely offer a way to adjust the volume and switch between different sources. (Unless a passive preamp has a remote control, it typically does not need to be plugged in.) Detractors often claim that passive preamps offer weaker dynamics and bass extension than "normal" preamps. But advocates feel that, due their the simpler signal path, passive preamps are tonally purer.

Hope this helps!

[BrianB]

Originally posted by reyneman
Hmmm, sounds like you need to clear out that old stock.

Hey, hey, hey:cool:

Yes, one or more of my demo units will undoubtedly be showing up here in the near future...

[THOR]

Hmmm those monoblocks might be nice for my Altec Model 15's down the road, how much are they again? What does the passive pre amp go for?

[Wardsweb]

Thor you moving up to the next level? The HURRICANE 200 DT amps retail for $4400.00 and the Passive T1 goes for $399. Mabe Brian can work you a package deal ? :rolleyes: :D

[moondog]

Did some research on the Wave 8's that Ward spoke about. Here's one of the reviews I found. Little suckers look interesting indeed... Especially for the price.

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0302/aslwave8.htm

[ProAc_Fan]

Yes they do and being made just outside of Toronto that means no duties for us lucky Canadian consumers. When I get lucky enough to acquire a VERY efficient pair of speakers, I'll be buying a pair of the Waves and a matching pre.


Mike

[WildWest]

Sadly for the middleman distributor, he is fast becoming a dinasour in today's market. More and more manufacturers are selling direct to the installers or end customer. I for one am glad to see it in my industry. The product I need to have for my business by the time I get my hands on it has been stepped on so much that I have little or no room for mark up before is it damn near impossible to sell but to a very limited market.

Antique Sound Labs you say? When I was looking for a pre amp I talked to these folks. Yes, literally talked to them. I didn't much care for their communication or lack of it to be honest. I sure hope they take better care of you. Good luck! :)

[BrianB]

Originally posted by THOR
Hmmm those monoblocks might be nice for my Altec Model 15's down the road, how much are they again? What does the passive pre amp go for?

The Wave 8 monos retail for $99 each ($198 for a stereo pair), and the T1 passive preamp retails for $399.

[BrianB]

Hey moondog,

Here's yet another review of the Wave 8 monos - and this one's from MSNBC, no less!

MSNBC looks at retro audio! (http://www.msnbc.com/news/775758.asp)

Oh, and check out the comments on the Final Labs battery-powered amps, provided by yours truly! :D

[Jack G]

ASL makes some very nice amps. Some of their SETs are killer for the money. I have their Leyla, and it is surprisingly good(integrated as well). Be aware, that one will need to swap tubes to get the best out of them-in the case of the leyla, that's SEVEN 6SN7s.:-(
enjoy,
Jack

[millerdog]

Brian,
Is the NA distributor still Divergent or are you dealing directly with Joe Lau?

[sasaki kojiro]

Which Audio Note speakers will you be handling? Will you be posting a price list?

[BrianB]

Originally posted by millerdog
Is the NA distributor still Divergent or are you dealing directly with Joe Lau?

Divergent is still the North American importer.

[BrianB]

Originally posted by sasaki kojiro
Which Audio Note speakers will you be handling? Will you be posting a price list?

Hi SK!

I'm currently handling Audio Note's entire line of product, including all of their speakers. Indeed, I showed off both the AX-Two and the AN-J/LX loudspeakers at the Midwest Audio Fest this past April.

Pricing is available upon request. However, the Audio Note line is unlikely to become a fixture at the AudioKarma Shop, as Audio Note strictly forbids internet discount offers. (Audio Note is not alone in having such a dealer policy, which is why many of the other lines that I carry - Brinkmann, Cain & Cain, Living Voice, Magnum Dynalab, etc. - also do not appear as regularly discounted items on my Vendor forum.)

Happy listening,
Brian

[Wardsweb]

Brian let me know when your good to go with ASL. Looks like I'm in the market for a phono pre and I like the looks of the ASL mini phono with the separate power supply. Maybe you could wave your magic deal wand over one for me. :D

[BrianB]

Originally posted by Wardsweb
Brian let me know when your good to go with ASL. Looks like I'm in the market for a phono pre and I like the looks of the ASL mini phono with the separate power supply. Maybe you could wave your magic deal wand over one for me. :D

Your wish is my command! ASL has just been added to THE AUDIOKARMA SHOP...