Altmann Tera Player - Page 125  

I hate doing this but I also want to produce my own theory why Tera player cost a lot:

 

1-He spend a lot of his own money developing this DAP

2-He did not want to risk going into mass production and wanted a quick way to pay off his own investment so he decided to place a high price tag

3-He probably was able to pay off his own investment after the first 10 unit were sold.

4-He cannot go into mass production simply because he knows doing so would probably reduce the price to a level that the folks who bought it will have a riot on head-fi and therefore we will not see the price reduce

I think its more along the lines of not mass producing them and of course so he can make as much money as possible. It's generally about the money in the end.

no matter what I cannot believe there is worth 700 dollars worth of part into that DAP. I know parts are not everything after listening to hisound which arguably has the cheapest part there is in a DAP however even I find the price tag a little out of this world and I buy stupid things left and right just in hope of increasing the joy of sound this much.

 

Would I buy this, sure just so I can test it and see what is all this hype is about but there is no doubt in my mind that in DAP sound will not be the sole factor, UI is very critical for the over-all experience of things. Last thing you want is craving for an album, track and spending a good 10 minutes finding it. 

Well ace888 sold off his Tera player and kept the 3rd ANV. If you read earlier on in this thread while he still finds the Tera player to be the overall better sounding player. The difference isn't huge and wasn't enough for him to accept the compromises that go along with the unit. I still intend to demo the unit but I'm not convinced yet that it is worth its price tag.

I've been on jacks neck for 3 months about the 3rd ANV, i do not mind spending that much on studio V as I know the sound well and I know I like it. And I am on the same boat, no way on earth anyone can convince me let alone prove to me that it cost that much! 

I think you should wait for the updated model they will release in a couple or a few months. At least from what I gathered from him, it will be well worth the wait. With hiss less than the BA model I'd be a happy camper and I tend to be quite vocal when it comes to hiss lol. :P
 

lee,

 

Do you mean updated (newer) than the 3rd Anniv?

Yes. :)

Why don't you just ask Charles directly why he chose to price the Tera-Player as he did? That way you will not have to speculate.
Edited by HiFlight - 2/27/13 at 6:18pm

That is true but I find that rude to ask, if it was something he wanted to share he would have. I do not mind the pricing, that is his right however I also have the right to produce my theory and ofcourse just like all the other theories it is only a theory and it should be taken with a truck load of salt! 

Unfortunately in the world of audiophiles, products that we purchase, regardless is a pair of cable or a replacement valve tube, they are all high-margin products.  

 

We are now discussing the TP's hand-made nature that brought the price up to an un-affordable level.  However, should we looking from another perspective...let say (no offend to iRiver), an AK-100, is selling at x% below TP...it is an incredible profit margin for a mass-produced product while the circuit boards are being made via automated production line.

 

For the hobby that we all love...we then need to live with how the manufacturers manipulate of our passion and emotion, unfortunately.

 

Cheers 

I will say firstly that I am by no measure a rich man with money to burn, every penny is worked for, never inherited a thing, had no support from my parents so I know the value of a $!

Having said that, this world has got caught up on something for nothing. You know, if you want something for the price of a clip well, go buy a clip. If measurements are so ruddy important to you go buy something with graphs coming out of its watoosy!

But don't moan and beaaatch about something that does not fit your requirements! If you don't like how this gentleman goes about his business then go somewhere else! It really is that simple!

There are a number of people here who have purchased this unit of who's opinions I have come to trust over the time I have been on this forum. They are not hyperbole merchants but level headed music lovers. Them and the way Charles conducts business tells me this product is a good one and that should be enough, if not there are many more players out there to choose from to satisfy your needs, measurement and cheapness wise, go buy them!

I personally come here as I like reading the thoughts of those who own this player, in many ways this thread reminds me of the FAD and ASP threads with their enthusiasm.. Who knows, one day I may bite the bullet myself!

My friend than you are any business dream customer. The entire point of this forum is to ask question and look for answer so we know that we are getting the best we can without getting ripped of.

 

As I explain in an PM  to a member there is no doubt Altera sounds good however what I am fearful of is is it 1000 dollar good? I know if I spend a grand over something chances are I will likely over-exaggrat a little as not doing so will be psychologically torture!
 

I will keep quiet till I buy this unit, however in my book sound is not the entire thing, a good UI is essential in the over-all music experience. If out of 10 i would rate sound as 5, UI as 2, build as 3! 
 

Oh I agree, questions are how we learn but also in life risks must be taken. I just did that recently on my new amp but sometimes one just has to jump in regardless of cost I feel and trust me, I am not some gung-ho person when it comes to money but I feel there is enough evidence from well respected non hyperbole members on this thread to gauge pretty accurately how this player sounds.
I often think the secret with headfi is not educating oneself with reviews but rather educated oneself with whom is doing the reviewing!

I have learned the costly way and now there are a few core folks here who I know to be trustworthy and when I have purchased something on based on their thoughts what I have got is what they said it was

Like the old adage of eBay.. Buy the seller, not the thing they are selling!

And one last thing, something is only worth what your willing to pay for it!
Edited by ianmedium - 2/27/13 at 8:43pm

Well the idea itself is correct,  buying any subjective or high cost product is more or less hit and miss as your tolerance gets lower and your subjective expectation gets higher as the price raise.  While we shouldnt make a blind purchase and end with **** product,  we must also not consider that everyone is biased and hyperboled,  especially on something subjectice like sq,  i dont think anything can be shown in a graph either,  otherwise all sq section of a review will be filled with gigantic graph

 

Just saying,  not intended to anyone