[cooperpwc]

Visiting the Meier Audio amplifier page, an unmistakable trend has been emerging. The Symphony 2 DAC/Amp was discounted and now it is  "!! SOLD-OUT !!". It no longer shows a price and it doesn't look like it is coming back.
 
The list goes on: The top-of-line Concerto is "!! Sold out !!". Again there is no longer a price for it and it also doesn't look like it is coming back. The Stagedac is no longer avaialble in Silver. I am guesiing that when the last black units sell, that will be the end of that too
 
Hmm...  I do believe that all of this is pointing to something interesting.  Here is my guess...  a new integrated DAC and Amp that combines the dual DAC design, digital filters and extended crossfeed of the Stagedac with the headphone amp design and 64 step attenuator of the Concerto. There were some odd redundancies with using the separate Concerto and Stagedac units together (i.e dual crossfeed - the better one on the Stagedac - and dual volume controls - the better one on the Concerto). They also were different widths so they didn't stack elegantly.
 
Put them together and you would also have a killer DAC/preamp. The Stagedac aspired to do this but with the poorer old-style volume pot as well as a compromising jumper system. (That jumper technology is overdue to be abandoned on the home units - as it has been with the mercifully jumper-free Stepdance.)
 
We will see how my soothsaying skills pan out. But I am sure that there must be something interesting going on. If I am correctly guessing Jan's direction, this could be the next great solid state home headphone amp/preamp for computer audio.
 
 Jan could call it... the Concert Stage.

 Waiting patiently here... 

 

[monoethylene]

Quote:

Visiting the Meier Audio amplifier page, an unmistakable trend has been emerging. The Symphony 2 DAC/Amp was discounted and now it is  "!! SOLD-OUT !!". It no longer shows a price and it doesn't look like it is coming back.
 

If Jan's website is up to date there are some Symphonys left at the "specials" site..
 
 

 

[cooperpwc]

Quote:

If Jan's website is up to date there are some Symphonys left at the "specials" site..
 

You're right. It is still there. But since it is sold out on the main page, I think that the Specials page may be out of date.
 
Anyway it confirms part of my theory. He says: "Limited stock. This amp will not be replaced."

 

[Szadzik]

He is working on new stuff. Talked to him 2 weeks ago. No details though.

 

[cooperpwc]

Thanks Szadzik. I'm quite intrigued by this. Im just finishing upgrading my portable system. It may be time to look at my home gear. I couldn't stand the redundancies and wasted space of the otherwise attractive Concerto plus Stagedac. If I'm right that Jan is creating a high end integrated system, I may jump at it.

 

[monoethylene]

So all in all we'll have to wait

 

[Audio-Omega]

May be a high end amplifier.  

 

[cooperpwc]

Quote:

May be a high end amplifier.  

May be. 

 
(Indeed I'm taking a minimalist view in suggesting that he will stay with current specs, although that would already be quite nice in an integrated system.)
 
 

 

[Armaegis]

Quote:

May be a high end amplifier.  

You were expecting a low end one?

 

 

[BournePerfect]

I've been wondering this for a while since he essentially discontinued the Concerto a while ago. At least it was hinted at when the black ones were out of stock and he said there would be no more anyway. Very intrigued, and wish he would give us a rough timetable on when me might be seeing/hearing what he has in the pipeline...
 
-Daniel

 

[Uncle Erik]

Very cool! I'll look forward to Dr. Meier's new amps - he is one of the best we have and has been nothing but generous to this community.

 

[brasewel]

As a former Concerto/Stagedac owner, I am definitely looking forward to what he brings to the table next. Hopefully, a balanced dac and amp. 

 

[1974]

Hopefully moving into tube territory! 

 
I have the Concerto, but wasn't blown away by it. Sticking with my tube amp for now.

 

[brasewel]

I would be shocked if he comes out with a tube amp. Doubt that's going to happen

 

[Skylab]

I've always liked Jan's amps. My first really good headphone amp was the HA-2 Mk II. Nice amp. Had a bunch of his amps and have always been impressed. I've no idea what he is up to, but clearly he is up to something!