DUP used to love teh things. But don't let that discourage you.

Frank Van Alstine is a very bright man, some would say the same about his electronics. Think "hard" before making the commitment.

Before you decide on taking answers from replies on this thread, just for fun, read the McIntosh thread and make sure people are giving the same sort of answer, philosophically, each time.

Huh?! What's that supposed to mean? Is everyone supposed to have the same opinion of Van Alstine as they do of McIntosh?

Before you take Buddha's advice on this one, just for fun read a few of his posts and see how philosophically consitent he is.

I've never heard the stuff so have no real opinion Personally, I never pass up an opportunity to hear different gear. I feel that it just adds to my understanding and if I don't like it I'm a little older and a little wiser. If you have an opportunity to listen to it go for it. The issue with "factory direct" companies is that it's hard to evaluate them without taking a leap of faith. Some of them make excellent products I'm sure, however many are factory direct because dealers aren't interested in their crack pot products. The whole argument that the dealer profit margin is COMPLETELY cut out is a bit of a straw man argument. Don't get me wrong there is probably SOME savings, but because they are dealing direct with the customer they have to have more staff than a normal manufacturer (unless they are doing tiny volume) and that costs money. Some use the whole "buy direct and save" as a way of scamming the skeptical by telling them what they want to hear, namely that high end is all markup and fancy thick faceplates. A gypsy once told me the best ways to scam someone is to tell them what they want to hear, make them think that THEY are taking advantage of YOU, and/or make them feel that they are smarter than everyone else.

Quote:
A gypsy once told me the best ways to scam someone is to tell them what they want to hear, make them think that THEY are taking advantage of YOU, and/or make them feel that they are smarter than everyone else.

I've had numerous sales trainers tell me the exact same thing!

Sales trainers are such a waste of time and money. They all made me feel I was smarter than they are.

Oh!

Now I get it.

DUP uses and swears by Van Alstine electronics; how can one resist?

Sorry; never heard any of it myself. One person I respect highly, who has many years of experience as a dealer in Los Angeles, says that the stuff is not really up to high-end standards. No harm in trying it out if it interests you, though; the only thing that really matters in the end is if it sounds good to you for the price.

The one I really LOVE is the jewelry store that advertises "guaranteed to appraise at least DOUBLE what you pay for it".

I guess that means I can make my first million by buying $1,000,000 worth of their jewelry and immediately selling it for twice that!

Got to get right down there...lol.

If its too good to be true...it may not be true....