"Michael Squires" wrote in message
newscPrb.118765$275.344439@attbi_s53...
In article rHFrb.117831$9E1.581678@attbi_s52,
Harry Lavo wrote:
Hi group -

The recurrent discussion here about whether the high-end is a rip off and
the recent discussion about "then and now" output amps led me to do a
little
research. I was trained as an economist, so I have my "quirks", one of

Old Amps (in order of ascending price) in 2002 dollars:

Eico HF89 (50wpc) $839 ($8.39dpw)
Pr. Dynaco Mk III (60wpc) $1203 ($7.52dpw)

One problem with the analysis is that Dyna and to a lesser extent Eico
were discounted, and the Dyna equipment was almost always sold as the
less expensive kit. The other manufacturer's equipment was rarely
discounted.

I also wonder if utility was linear with money, since I didn't think
twice about buying a MKIII kit but would think many times
before paying $1203 today for any amplifier.

Mike Squires
1965: Rek-o-Kut K34H/PAS3/dual MKIII/Altec 605-A
--

I should have mentioned that I based the kit equipment on their factory
wired prices, to keep it apples to apples. These are all manufacturers
lists prices. BTW, I bought my VTL for about the same discount as I got on
Dynaco's back in the 60's.

I don't know about you, but one thing I use the price index for is to
calculate my current earnings and previous earnings in current dollars. I
know in my case I was actually earning more back then (after taxes) than I
am now, so it was easier to buy. And to make the comparison perfect, it
should be based on discretionary income. It was a lot easier pre-family
than post-family, for example.

If anybody wants to make that calculation, here are the CLI deflators. Just
divide income by this decimal to convert to current (2002) dollars.

1964 .1662
1972 .2240
1980 .4414
1987 .6202
1995 .8323
2002 1.000

Ciao -

Harry