Agree to disagree is Ok in a discussion, we were not calling each other names.
As indeed we do share the HiFi hobby/passion.
Best for you too.
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I prefer to buy systems for the reason of synergy. PS Audio sure likes to sell systems, why else would they have introduced the I2S interface of which I like the concept.
Components of different manufacturers are OK as well, but I prefer to listen at the dealer and when it all works together. Getting equipment to try listen at home is very hard.
So if you cannot afford to buy a complete system at once, the synergy of a single manufacturer or even series is your best bet.
Each of these approaches is fine.
But regardless of one’s decision, it is not the manufacturer’s responsibility to make certain you can afford your next upgrade.
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Indeed it isn’t the responsibility of a manufacturer to maintain a price level. But neither should the manufacturer be surprised that customers will be happy when the prices are increased.
I think it’s positive if people complain, they seem to care. People who don’t care don’t complain, they simply buy something else.
I assume this forum is for those who care.
I think some people take things too seriously. I can’t afford the PSA gear I want (I can afford some but not what I want). So what? Making products affordable for everyone is not PSA’s business model. If you want that, there are plenty of Denon receivers and various affordable speakers. There are also plenty of companies in between - take a look at Schiit (probably the best value for money on the market).
As for the “bigotry”, stating facts is not bigoted. Luxury items tend to be purchased by people of means which in the US and EU tend to be older and white. That’s a fact. Facts are neither bigoted nor anything else. They simply are.
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Going direct had to be a tough call for them to make. It’s just a totally different world then it was 5, 10, 20+ years ago. Look how many people go to their computer on Black Friday vs visiting a store!
My two local audio stores both state 80-90% of their business is home theatre products, both started as 2ch audio store! Neither would stock any PSAudio products, one stated they did years ago and dropped the line when consumers could purchase off the companies website.
I still prefer going into stores to purchase whatever I am looking at which is becoming extremely difficult for stereo equipment. Not only are the local audio stores mostly home theater, but the 2ch products they do carry are way out of my price range.
I did take a tour of PSAudio last winter, great experience! Even though they didn’t push their products on me a single time, I new I wanted a directstream dac and at least a pair of stellar m700’s. I contacted a dealer and received prices just before the announcement of direct only Sales… I had some unexpected bills come in so I couldn’t purchase what I wanted when I wanted to, fast forward to now where it’s direct only… I called called PSAudio last week and their direct prices were more then what I was told from the dealer I contacted, quite frustrating! If I recall prices were quite a bit cheaper then vs their Black Friday sale Prices now. 35-45% off is what they were going to give me depending on the product.
With that discount they fit my budget, with the new PSAudio prices, they are more then I can swing.
Thus, the dac is going to be put on the back burner (if I even get one) and for the money, I am more then likely going to go a different direction for amps. Seems like I can get more power for less money and arguably better SQ looking elsewhere. I was also looking forward to their m1200 and cd transport… which are also a big ? for me now…
Its impossible to make everyone happy , hopefully this move will be a positive thing where they can grow and produce more great products.
On a side note… if they are willing to work a better deal vs their “sale” price feel free to send me a message.
I saw this the other day, and again just now.
A couple of notes:
Pretty much SOP to create a provocative post title these days if you want reaction/post count, or…whatever. Often inscrutable what the motivation was.
Other than the outsized reaction to the OP, the other thing I’d note is that the OP has only written the OP.
What is an SOP and what is a OP?
SOP = standard operating procedure
OP = original poster
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Thanks, makes it easier to follow the posts with many such abbreviations.
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matching impedance(s) can be challenging…in this regard, system-wide purchases can avoid some headaches…
or not…
Understandable. Since we know by now that PS Audio gives you the absolute best SQ “at any price point” and every new product version brings huge improvements to that SQ… there simply is no alternative. Either you can afford upgrading your PSA gear. Or you quit the hobby.
Thanks Ron, that is indeed what I meant.
Well, there’s the way I’ve been doing it for the past few decades . . .
Examples pulled from Audiogon this AM:
And, of course, these asking prices do not reflect the net of further negotiations and liquidating your existing gear.
Users of higher-end audio gear tend to fuss over and pamper their setups. IMHO “new” is overrated unless one enjoys the “new insulation” smell and burn-in ritual.
Your beef seems to be more about the increase in prices in general in high-end audio gear and less about PS Audio going direct. Dumping on PSA for leaving the hobby is, well, unwarranted.
The shift of focus of manufacturers to the upper end of the market is hardly news. That trend has been occurring for at least a decade and it is reflected as much at the brick and mortar level, if not more, than in direct sales. How does negotiation of elevated prices at a dealer really address what seems to be at the core of your complaint, higher prices overall that have been rising for years throughout the industry? PSA through a remarkably generous trade-in allowance immediately makes every purchase more affordable. I don’t know anyone who is offering higher trade-in value at the moment.
Final point, I don’t care at all for your observation of the demographic of the high-end audio consumer. It is gratuitous and of no relevance to the issue you wanted to initiate discussion about. Period.
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Pass Labs via Reno Hi-Fi.
Whether it’s “higher” or not I can’t say with any certainty, but it’s quite generous.
I’ve worked with Mark at Reno Hi-Fi. Yes, his trade in program is generous as long as the gear is used Pass or First Watt. Taking nothing away from Reno Hi-Fi, but PSA is accepting trades of just about anything you want to offer. That is exactly how I managed the cost of my BHK Signature Pre.
If you’re interested in exploring these types of things further, check out Marshall Rosenberg’s “Nonviolent Communication”. He writes about the importance of understanding, rather than discounting or condemning, whomever one disagrees with. He would travel the world settling political conflicts, like between African tribes, etc using his techniques to move beyond conflict and reach mutual understanding. Despite our seeming sophistication, we as a species have not moved far from our tribalistic, African roots. Not just on the political level, but within personal relationships as well, as often evidenced by internet audiophile discussion forums 
I recently watched a Ted Talk about a young women who grew up in Westboro Baptist Church which is famous for public demonstrations of bigotry, racism, anti semitism, xenophobia and beyond. Her role was to propagate their extreme views on Twitter. I found it fascinating that a group of twitter readers, who were diametrically opposed to Westboro’s views, befriended the young woman and eventually helped her come to see how extreme the church’s views were by honoring her as a human being rather than condemning her as a lunatic. They were able to separate the soul from the opinion. When she and her sister left the church, they spent time in a Rabbi’s home, and she eventually married one of her opponents.
Then there was the 60 Minutes story some years ago about a mother who lost her teenage son to gang violence and how she befriended, and to a certain extent, adopted his killer.
Such powerful examples of people transcending the debate, moving beyond me vs. you, and coming to understand one another as human beings, honoring each other’s needs and points of view even if there is honest disagreement. And ultimately forgiving. The political divide in our country will never be healed until we as citizens come to realize we can’t intelligently address the issues until we become more skilled in “how” we go about it.
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Very nicely put, and I will be checking out that book.
My sister is rather successful in the business world, was headhunted out of university and has been a high flier ever since. She’s been sent on numerous business courses in communication and other tools.
She has a particularly wonderful way of passifying any situation, either at home with the kids, or in some sincerely troubling scenarios. It’s always amazed me and something I’ve always been fascinated by.
I’m extremely passionate 
I come from a place where I spent most of my younger years being walked all over, and once I overcame some things, I’ve kind of gone the other way with it. I guess in some respects, that’s quite natural, to test the balance, but it is something I’d like to be better at.
Appreciate your words and suggestions 
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This is why this is the only open forum I’ve been active on. This sort of mature turnaround that often plays out after/during disagreements. People can’t/shouldn’t always agree, but they can usually understand each other if they try. Well done.
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