Quatro Wood CT to KENTO Carbon - Power Amplifier(s)

[GdnrBob]

I just read that review on Stereophile. Nearly 500lbs. and $10k for the stereo amp, and, if I read correctly, $20k per side for the monoblocks. Sheesh!

I guess if you are using a demanding speaker like an MBL or Wilson, it might make sense to get one/two. But, if you can afford it, and like the sound, then 'Why not'?

 

@BKDad, I think you are on the right track. If you can afford/need/want such a power hungry amp, then go for 220/240. I bet it will perform better, too.

bob

[Richard Vandersteen]

$10K isn't too bad for 500 lbs!  That is less than prime beef.  RV

[BKDad]

One detail - there's a zero missing from the prices GdnrBob quoted.  Before the "k".   Kinda in the Kobe beef price category.

 

[ctsooner]

On 8/15/2022 at 11:37 AM, BKDad said:

The Apogee story is really long and winding if you follow all the threads.  If you like to play the popular parlor game of "Six Degrees of Vandersteen Loudspeakers", there's even a tie-in.  

https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/apogee-acoustics-company-special/apogee-acoustics-timeline-and-history/

https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/apogee-acoustics-company-special/faq/

https://community.classicspeakerpages.net/topic/4429-ads-l1590/?do=findComment&comment=75563

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braun_(company)

(may as well throw this one in, because of the tie-in to records and radio operas:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procter_%26_Gamble)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEI_Holdings

https://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?23070-The-continuing-saga-of-the-charge-coupled-network&p=230317&viewfull=1#post230317

So, along the way, you have razor manufacturers, a former NASA scientist from Germany, a US Congressman, capacitor biasing, and what often happens when companies try to grow too fast and beyond their capabilities.  Not all overlapping, but they are part of the thread.  Yeah, looking through it made my head hurt, too.

One thing I loved about the Apogee speakers was that if you had the lighting in the room just right, you could watch the mylar respond to the music.  Kinda like watching woofers, ahh, woof.  Both my wife and I much preferred our own 2Ci's, so we stuck with them...

Excellent dog pictures all around, BTW.  👏

 

 

 

Great reads. Thanks again. My buddy raises some if the best Waygu beef in the country. He’s my NROTC buddy in OK. Bought a ranch after a career in the Navy. Former CO of the Blue Angels and retired 2 Star Adm. Doug sells most heads for around 25-30k depending on grading. There is a restaurant in NYC that pays a premium to him to buy at least three live heads a year at a cost of high auction price plus a double digit % over. Just crazy. He does feed them similar to olive waygu which are fewer than 3500 per year in the US.  Their fat is much healthier than Angus beef too.  
 

he listens to country music lol. Ha. See, I tired it back into audio. Ha 

[GdnrBob]

7 hours ago, BKDad said:

One detail - there's a zero missing from the prices GdnrBob quoted.  Before the "k".   Kinda in the Kobe beef price category.

 

From Stereophile:

'The Apex Stereo amplifier will set you back $99,000 (as will each equally massive Apex Mono, the Stereo's monoblock twin—double that for a pair)'.

 

Whoops I must have dyslexia. 

Or, an aversion to zero's

😜

 

Bob

[Holmz]

3 hours ago, GdnrBob said:

From Stereophile:

'The Apex Stereo amplifier will set you back $99,000 (as will each equally massive Apex Mono, the Stereo's monoblock twin—double that for a pair)'.

 

Whoops I must have dyslexia. 

Or, an aversion to zero's

😜

 

Bob

 

Or too much green in the pocketbook and it needs some trimming back?

[Holmz]

@Richard Vandersteen on the https://www.vandersteen.com/products/kento-carbon Under specs it says:
 

Quote

Impedance	8 ohms +/- 3 ohms

But the picture shows:

https://www.vandersteen.com/media/files/KENTO Impedance.pdf
 

I am missing something here.

Edited November 7, 2022 by Holmz

[Richard Vandersteen]

Let's see, one is written by marketing the other is an actual test.  Which one would you believe, LOL?  RV

[Holmz]

I usually believe the engineer.

I am available if you have an opening in the marketing department. 

[Richard Vandersteen]

1 hour ago, Holmz said:

I usually believe the engineer.

I am available if you have an opening in the marketing department. 

You see, I am Dutch!  When we are finished with our work (never), have nothing productive to do we work on the web site.   I would follow your ears, not our web site for information, HA, HA.  By the way the rear I.D. plate on the KENTO says 4 ohms.  RV

[Holmz]

I’ll swing by the place in Melbourne in Feb and see if they have them.
Probably before I go to the loud concert.
(I think they are the only place that carries them in country.)

The last time I heard a pair, all I could hear was the imbalance between them with the ARC gear having a dodgy channel.

As for the spec not matching the graph, I admit that I hold you to a higher standard than other manufacturers., but it is not my fault that you have a reputation for honesty.

[Richard Vandersteen]

Our importers have had a difficult time with a strong dollar so check what they have on display before stopping by.  We hold our products to a very high standard, so we don't have to rely on our web site for sales.  RV

[Holmz]

 

4 hours ago, Richard Vandersteen said:

Our importers have had a difficult time with a strong dollar so check what they have on display before stopping by.

I’ll be in melbourne anyhow for the concert, so I’ll just take my chances.

 

4 hours ago, Richard Vandersteen said:

We hold our products to a very high standard, so we don't have to rely on our web site for sales.  RV

OK - seeing as I would make the spec match the graph is probably amongst a list of many reasons why I am not employed as a marketing person.