Buckeye Amps: 2nd Generation Purifi EIGENTAKT 1ET9040BA Amplifier

[David_M]

Its critical to maintain a 'full steam ahead' attitude despite ferocious headwinds we face. It will be worth it in the end.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

Oh I wouldn't consider these headwinds at all. Not from this competitor.

 

[Reddoc]

Oh I wouldn't consider these headwinds at all. Not from this competitor.

<More like hot air?

 

[Buckeye Amps]

<More like hot air?

I like that, good one

 

[Buckeye Amps]

Review portion is done at Stereophile, though it sounds like the article will not be published until the June issue now. While they are not ready to share a prelim draft with me yet, I was told I would be very happy and pleased with everything this time around (no issues to report).

 

[Buckeye Amps]

Official follow-up will be in the June edition of Stereophile.
I have seen the draft and can say all will be right in the world in regards to the original measurement results once it is published

 

[tmtomh]

Official follow-up will be in the June edition of Stereophile.
I have seen the draft and can say all will be right in the world in regards to the original measurement results once it is published

Great! Will look forward to checking it out.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

An update regarding the current tariff situation:

Unfortunately, due to the current 10% baseline tariff on all goods coming from the EU (which affects both our Hypex and Purifi components) we are finally forced to raise prices on all of our amps to offset. The price increase will not be severely drastic and, for most customers, should not affect the price vs. performance of our amplifier lineups.

This decision was not made lightly and is something I have been wrestling with for a few weeks. It might surprise most that we have not raised any of our amp prices for nearly 2yrs, even in the face of slight cost increases and inflation. But with our main components now affected, it is unavoidable.

Even with the price increases, I still believe we are poised as the audiophile for the masses brand we have always strived to be. And with this situation being fluid, prices can always come down if the current market situations change. We will also be exploring opportunities to lower prices in the present atmosphere, if possible, through higher purchasing power and/or manufacturing sources.

Thank you everyone!

 

[Julf]

An update regarding the current tariff situation:

Unfortunately, due to the current 10% baseline tariff on all goods coming from the EU (which affects both our Hypex and Purifi components) we are finally forced to raise prices on all of our amps to offset. The price increase will not be severely drastic and, for most customers, should not affect the price vs. performance of our amplifier lineups.

This decision was not made lightly and is something I have been wrestling with for a few weeks. It might surprise most that we have not raised any of our amp prices for nearly 2yrs, even in the face of slight cost increases and inflation. But with our main components now affected, it is unavoidable.

Even with the price increases, I still believe we are poised as the audiophile for the masses brand we have always strived to be. And with this situation being fluid, prices can always come down if the current market situations change. We will also be exploring opportunities to lower prices in the present atmosphere, if possible, through higher purchasing power and/or manufacturing sources.

Thank you everyone!

And your price increases are probably still way less than the stuff coming from places like China...

 

[David_M]

So, you buy an amp from abroad, then have it shipped to you, say via DHL (or whoever), and DHL adds on the tariff tax before delivery to you and DHL gives said tariff to the US government? No DHL delivery without the tax paid first by you, right? Is this how tariffs work?

If so, foreign amp builders/sellers will lose US customers, or at the least, experience declines in sales from the US. A huge advantage to local US amp builders for sure, despite the potential price increases of amp components.

 

[Julf]

So, you buy an amp from abroad, then have it shipped to you, say via DHL (or whoever), and DHL adds on the tariff tax before delivery to you and DHL gives said tariff to the US government? No DHL delivery without the tax paid first by you, right? Is this how tariffs work?

Yes.

If so, foreign amp builders/sellers will lose US customers, or at the least, experience declines in sales from the US. A huge advantage to local US amp builders for sure, despite the potential price increases of amp components.

Sure, as long as the US amp builders don't use any foreign components. Too bad pretty much all PCBs are made in China, assembled from semiconductors are made in China, Malaysia and Taiwan, using photo-lithography equipment from The Netherlands. Oh, and even the enclosures are made from steel from Canada or India.

 

[amper42]

Yes.

Sure, as long as the US amp builders don't use any foreign components. Too bad pretty much all PCBs are made in China, assembled from semiconductors are made in China, Malaysia and Taiwan, using photo-lithography equipment from The Netherlands. Oh, and even the enclosures are made from steel from Canada or India.

US Manufacturers will not only be dealing with Tariffs of at least 10% from EU (Purifi/Hypex) and more for China parts. In addition, the US dollar has dropped in value by over 10% in the last two months. This combination could easily increase costs by 20%. It will be much cheaper for someone in EU to buy Purifi products than someone in USA.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

No DHL delivery without the tax paid first by you, right? Is this how tariffs work?

I can't speak for DHL specifically. With UPS, they deliver the shipment and then bill you. In essence UPS pays all fees/costs due at import and then recoups the money from the receiver. In doing so, they also charge a small brokerage fee.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

US Manufacturers will not only be dealing with Tariffs of at least 10% from EU (Purifi/Hypex) and more for China parts. In addition, the US dollar has dropped in value by over 10% in the last two months. This combination could easily increase costs by 20%. It will be much cheaper for someone in EU to buy Purifi products than someone in USA.

I can't speak for other US manufacturers. But I have never increased prices when the dollar value has gone down. So it will not be playing a factor in our price increase.

 

[Julf]

I can't speak for other US manufacturers. But I have never increased prices when the dollar value has gone down. So it will not be playing a factor in our price increase.

Sounds like you are taking a big hit.

 

[amper42]

I can't speak for other US manufacturers. But I have never increased prices when the dollar value has gone down. So it will not be playing a factor in our price increase.

If the US dollar devaluation causes the manufacturer to raise prices it will impact the bottom line. You won't change price based on dollar devaluation but the EU seller may decide they need to sell in Euros or raise price.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

If the US dollar devaluation causes the manufacturer to raise prices it will impact the bottom line. You won't change price based on dollar devaluation but the EU seller may decide they need to sell in Euros or raise price.

Hypex sells in EUR and Purifi sells in DKK, always have. They do not sell in USD.

 

[Buckeye Amps]

Sounds like you are taking a big hit.

It's not that bad. When I was first getting started in 2020/early 2021, the USD to EUR was lower than it is now.

 

[Julf]

Hypex sells in EUR and Purifi sells in DKK, always have. They do not sell in USD.

So it will have a major impact on your profit margins. Do you have enough margin to absorb the current drop in dollar value? How about future inevitable drops?

 

[Buckeye Amps]

So it will have a major impact on your profit margins. Do you have enough margin to absorb the current drop in dollar value? How about future inevitable drops?

See my above post. It's not anywhere near how bad it has been before. So it's not even on my radar for worry/consideration yet. As of right now it is just tariffs I have to consider and adjust for.