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FWIW, I have lots of pics of WAVAC MD-805m monoamps.

70.162.169.147

Posted on March 20, 2016 at 16:38:13
jeffreybehr
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Shall I post them?

 

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Of course post them !!..... (nt)!, posted on March 20, 2016 at 20:45:05
drummerwill
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Two teasers...and more, posted on March 20, 2016 at 22:13:48
jeffreybehr
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Dig the crooked label. For that, one gets to pay $21000 per pair!
 photo 2014Oct10_with bars_1200w_zpsqnno2vjp.jpg

 photo Amp underside OA_zpsraavgwy8.jpg

I'm not absolutely sure this is the correct schematic.
 photo wavac805 schematic_zpsx1vm3y0g.jpg

I had hoped that their 50 Watts per chassis would drive the upper-8 octaves of Vandersteen 5As, but 'twasn't to be.

Even on 10dB-more-sensitive Serenity Super-7s, they sounded good but not anything special, so out they went.

Lots more pics at link.

 

Are these yours?, posted on March 21, 2016 at 08:02:15
Chip647
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They have a very "Shenzhen" vibe to them.

 

They were before I sold them. What does "Shenzhen" mean? (NT), posted on March 21, 2016 at 11:53:49
jeffreybehr
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.

 

RE: Two teasers...and more, posted on March 21, 2016 at 12:27:16
LinuxGuru
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> Dig the crooked label. For that, one gets to pay $21000 per pair!
> Even on 10dB-more-sensitive Serenity Super-7s, they sounded
> good but not anything special, so out they went.

Any SET amplifier, no matter of price, $200, $2,000, $20,000 or even $200,000 is just a very simple electronic device, derivative of 193x tech. Nothing special at all. Literally - nothing.

$20,000 - $200,000 is a marketing attraction value, have very little to do with technological level or complexity.

 

The label, Linux, the LABEL., posted on March 21, 2016 at 14:33:59
jeffreybehr
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"Any SET amplifier, no matter of price, $200, $2,000, $20,000 or even $200,000 is just a very simple electronic device, derivative of 193x tech. Nothing special at all. Literally - nothing. $20,000 - $200,000 is a marketing attraction value, have very little to do with technological level or complexity."

The care taken to install the label has nothing to do with 1930s or 2010s technology. It does have to do with the manufacturer caring to do things right. Obviously WAVAC did not in that highly visible case.

 

RE: The label, Linux, the LABEL., posted on March 21, 2016 at 15:57:29
LinuxGuru
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> The care taken to install the label

I wouldn't shoot them for crooked label, its occasional mishap which I could easily correct and forget.

However, their transformers remind me something. In particular, units made back in 195x - 196x. Look at winding which is wound on paper/plastic coil former instead of bobbin.
Its saved a whopping $15 - $20 for a $20k product!

Mid-level vintage tube amps cost around $120 - $200 in 196x, this roughly translates to $900 - $1500 today (according to CPI inflation calculator). This is probably what most of so called high-end unit really worth.


PS. I took and posted picture from your web site if you have nothing against it.

 

RE: FWIW, I have lots of pics of WAVAC MD-805m monoamps., posted on March 21, 2016 at 16:05:27
rogerh113
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Thanks very much for posting all of the pictures. I have been wondering about the build quality of the Wavac 805s. It seems some companies make the jump to commercial production and maintain quality (perhaps like Levinson) and then others do not. Really too bad, but the Hirata Tango transformers (and I think also the ISO Tango follow ons), which were the heart of the Shishido designs, have not been available for some time. A nice Shishido 805 is remarkable to hear.....

 

Shenzhen: Made in China, posted on March 21, 2016 at 20:30:42
Triode_Kingdom
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A good example of form over function.




 

RE: Shenzhen: Made in China, posted on March 22, 2016 at 21:20:33
Wojciech
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Did you hear it? If it sounds $20k it is worth $20k even if inside is a piece of rusted wire.

 

RE: Shenzhen: Made in China, posted on March 23, 2016 at 05:43:04
Triode_Kingdom
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"If it sounds $20k it is worth $20k even if inside is a piece of rusted wire."

LOL. I have a bridge you'll like.

 

RE: Shenzhen: Made in China, posted on March 23, 2016 at 08:24:36
Wojciech
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Sorry for trying to be a smartass. I repaired once Wavac smaller stereo SET amp and the built quality was as cheesy as this one and although not my favorite it did sound pretty nice. Dealer ,distributor markup is probably in a range of 500% ...

 

mark up, posted on March 23, 2016 at 09:33:10
bouncy ball
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I once talked to a tech whom was the service guy of a world wide famous audio brand, he told me every $ 10 worth of part, the mark up have to be $ 100 range in retail level.

It isn't a crime. In business point of view, this is the way it is.

 

RE: mark up, posted on March 23, 2016 at 09:59:55
Wojciech
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Yes I understand that companies have to make profit in order to operate and stay in business. My point was that Wavac gets little from that $20k retail price ,perhaps too little to make an honest product.

 

RE: Shenzhen: Made in China, posted on March 23, 2016 at 13:44:09
LinuxGuru
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> Dealer ,distributor markup is probably in a range of 500% ...

Nope, usually around 35% - 45%, more for accessories like cables.

 

RE: Shenzhen: Made in China, posted on March 23, 2016 at 17:31:01
Wojciech
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Usually yes but with exotic well trumpeted brands it's as much as the market can bear. Looking at those cheap crummy parts and shitty tin sheet metal chassis (and I should know since I've taken Wavac amp apart) I don't think Wavac is getting paid in an amount required to make a solid product.That's all . I don't suspect Wavac folks being greedy but US /EU distributors & dealers- yes , very much so..

 

RE: mark up, posted on March 24, 2016 at 08:15:16
Triode_Kingdom
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A lot of products from SE Asia are like that. I noticed it back in the mid '90s with various consumer goods. Importers/distributors were paying 1/20 as much for a Chinese product, but marking it up 10 times the usual percentage. The result was still a cheaper product on the shelf compared to Western items, but also worth far less than the price tag.

 

RE: mark up, posted on April 8, 2016 at 04:17:11
horn kid
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Now go look at a Line Magnetic 219ia and see and hear quality, value, commitment.

 

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