Markay

Earlier in this thread Aspen said that either Aspen or Sweetwater will take international orders and where these are from a 230v country it will be shipped ready to plug in to 230v.

I would have to endorse your harsh and brittle comment Mitch. I heard a Hammond endorsed artist playing an XK3c system through a 3300 in a medium sized club at reasonable volume, and harsh and brittle were my thoughts. Like an extreme example of the difference between Solid state and valve amps. By comparison I was able to be about 10' from Booker T's 122 ( I think) when he toured here earlier this year and it was sweet and 'buttery' at full volume. A sim or an original Leslie seem to be the only two options. Seeing the Stones next week so I guess I will be able to hear how realistic Chuck's Vent sounds.

Very informative and well written review Chuck. I agree nothing beats tubes but weight is the killer. I switched from all tube combo guitar amp to the same amp with separate head and cabinet to cut down the weight. I would rather carry two 16kg pieces than one 28kg combo - particularly up more than one flight of stairs. If there ever is to be a tube version of the SS maybe a separate head and cab would be the way to go.

Aspen great to hear that you have been able to get back into business on your own terms and produce a product that is clearly a winner. SW does global sales so with with one retailer you have all bases covered. Wish you every continuing stress free success.

The electrical certification adds another cost for hardware. That is why wall warts and lumps are now ubiquitous. While Australia has adopted the IEC 230v standard, down from 240v, the supply voltage is often still at the upper end of the plus 10% permitted tolerance (max 253v). Where I am in metro Sydney supply at the outlet is typically 247v. So good idea for manufacturers to use power supplies that can handle up to the permitted 253v to avoid premature failure in our market. Local distribution was mandatory pre-internet. Now manufacturers have the option of selling direct and negoitating a low cost international shipping deal with UPS, Fedex or similar. Cuts out unnecessary additional layers of intermediaries and their margin. In reality local distribution of boutique product does not mean retailers will stock it. Using Audio Chocolate as an example you can find DSI product on display at some of the retailers they have listed, which in NSW includes only one with a decent KB section, but I have never seen a Numa on display at that shop. I am certain that if you want to buy one the retailer would ask for payment up front, get it shipped from the distributor, assuming they have it in stock, and call you to pick it up when it arrives. You could probably get it for less including shipping, and quicker, buying it from Sweetwater, no local warranty however. Of course you may be able to buy direct from Audio Chocolate but that cuts out their retailers which doesn't win them any friends amongst the retailers who prefer to stock stuff from a distributor who will not supply retail customers. Software has eliminated the middle man, fast international shipping is now doing it for physical product.

Given the market size in Australia we probably rank about 20th on the list of global market opportunities. Going through a distributor like CMI for a boutique item would most likely end up with a product with a retail price 200 to 300 per cent higher than the US. Compare the cost of Mesa Boogie amps here with the retail in the US for an example. Boutique products today would be better served by shipping direct and appointing local service agents for repairs. We make our buying decisions based on user reports on forums like this. If once we get it we don't like it, we sell it and suck up the loss, no returns. But with a local service agent at least we have warranty. Almost all big brands operate the same way here for warranty repairs, including Mesa Boogie who have an exclusive distributor here, avoiding the cost of maintaining their own inhouse service network.

Great information on the mono v stereo FOH options. Invaluable contribution Aspen to this never ending debate on KC. If it the SSv3 ever makes it out here I would buy one unheard solely based on the information you have shared here. Unfortunately shipping costs on heavier items like speakers and amps make private import unrealistic. I know some of the KB orientated retailers and techs who do contract warranty support for some of the major brands here. PM if you would like some contact details.

Well myself and one other contributor to this thread have been to a High Hopes concert this year. My take the sound in the arena setting I was in there was that there was too much wall and too little detail. Roys piano sounded very digital in the mix. By comparison it was a relief to hear the B3 in the mix - it sounded organic and soothing. But given the AP I was hearing was 100% amped I don't think it would have made any difference if there had been a real acoustic grand on stage. Both keys were lucky to be heard at all over the four guitars.

One of the best - saw Andrew Strong and the current Commitments live 4 weeks ago. Warning - laptop visible on stage http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p694/kkramm/AndrewStrongandCommitments_zps783a0f0d.png

No big deal here but joining in the spirit of our US cuzzes, recent photo from our family album.