Yes, that's correct.
Just to add, the Nth American market isn't the true high end profile any longer. I saw that happening about 15/16 years ago, just about when we closed shop and migrated to Aus.
There's a whole big highend market with a whole lot more spend, referring to Sth East Asian region and the Middle East. These chaps spend solely on dollars, not on sound. It took the silly buggers nearly 20 years to realise that exhorbitant prices necessarily doesn't add up to good sound or high quality sound for that matter.
I clearly remember on the very last sale we did on the Premier 8A's. There was one chap who was visiting our tiny island, happening to be passing through ... coming from Dubai. He walked into our demo room looked at the Prem8A's and ART preamp. Before even listening, he asked how much? We quoted just about the right price at the time, which was a pretty penny back then but to our amazement he replied, "too cheap! Maybe no good sound no?" And that was around 25grand for both.
Anyway, I gave him a coffee and said have a seat first, listen and then reply later... We demoed on the Apogee Diva's. After about 45mins of silence, that is no talk from him, he wrote the cheque! What a bloody legend
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So, this typical new type of high roller, wants the expensive stuff. They're not interested in CJ's ET or Classic series gear, that's bought for their sons or daughters first audio gear, as entry level to have in their bedrooms. These chaps are only interested in ART series and GAT, even that's solely based on sound, nothing to do with price. Heck, if JF priced the ART's at 80 or 100grand a pair for monoblocks, these chaps would buy it! They "need" Wilson's not "want"... they need top line Gryphons, Zellatons, YG Acoustics, Von S speakers, Rockports, DCS digital gear, VAC Statement amplfiers, that sort of level. CJ, Momentums, VTL, ARC and so on are considered entry level. You really have to know their mind set to understand what I'm trying to say.
Similarly, these high profile mags, such as TAS & Stereophile are highly commercialised, pay the big bucks, get great reviews, pay bigger bucks, lend a few items and your sales is guaranteed for the rest of the year because JV said so... his review on one particular item praises that item so greatly until the next best thing walks through his door. Then that becomes the next favourite... however on the past item, it was the best they had ever heard and the best he/she has ever heard and seen... what a load of bollocks!
Hence, the reason why I don't subscribe to any of these Mags any more. This is just my personal opinion, and obviously others views may vary. I've no interest in such reviews any longer and they're far too biased.
If you want good - great - excellent reviews, try to listen for yourself, that's the ultimate review!
Cheers, RJ
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