Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/11/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>From: Walter S Delesandri <walt@jove.acs.unt.edu [ . . . ] >Walt, when it comes to hifi, I think you gotta go with whatever helps you to >enjoy the music more, and while it was nice to know that Mark Levinson Audio >Systems was promising that my ML-1 was essentially guaranteed to give >like-new performance, regardless of age, these things were sonically >eclipsed long ago by far less expensive products, so dunno if this has >proven to be a big deal in the long run. Ask them (Madrigal, or whoever owns >the rights to the ML brand name these days) to update it to 1998 >performance, and I can just imagine that response *that* inquiry will get! >Fortunately, you can get modern performance out of any M-series Leica simply >by CHANGING THE LENS :-) > >Jeff A L-O-T of experience went in the design of the first LEICA M cameras : the basics are still 100% OK to put out outstanding photos more than 50 years later, assuming an informed updating program by each owner who may value "state-of-the-art". [ Some people simply don't ! ] Some may prefer other brands' product philosophy or have bought into their marketing programs more or less aware of the relative value of the competitors' offerings. Is not the end purpose of it all to enjoy life better ? Assuming a manufacturer and his products will not evolve runs contrary to Common Sense. Some products are bought on the promise ( + premise ! ) of long life, but doesn't it make a lot of sense to focus on the UTILITY of what one buys ? What's the PURPOSE of a product ? It's "nominal" function (s) or the associated symbolics ? What of psychological function ? What of social function ? Beyond the merely technical . . . and aesthetic. Mark Levinson, however, just can't be said to be "Joe's basement", . . . i would hope ! Nor Bryston (to ANYone who has examined the 20-year-warranty product Chris Russell and his people make for 2 seconds or more) ! The magnificent ( MAGNIFICENT ! ) current Mark Levinson ( look at those "33" babies ! ) m-i-g-h-t justify a Mark Levinson "customer" to consider spending on a model upgrade. It may cost you, but the performance definitely is there ! . . . And the craftsmanship ! My advice would be, however, to make sure one's loudspeakers and source are state-of-the- art, because such electronics may well "still" [ ! ] justify such a quest. The exact same for LEICA "customers": a lot has happened during the last 25 years ! Would i be involved in LEICA retail sales, i very definitely would make extra sure ALL my customers know about the latest developments from LEICA : all stand to gain. A Mark Levinson system in my home ? Would i ever flip ! Some people got it all ! ! ! Don't tell me you ALSO drive a Porsche Boxster or 911, AND fly a Mooney 233 or Canadair Challenger 604 AND own a Breitling 'Spatiographe' watch . . . AND Martin-Logan Monolith III speakers ! OK ! OK ! You LIVE on a "Santa Cruz" racing yacht . . . Life is tough ! With a jealous grin ... and smile, Andre Jean Quintal