Loaner Idea Bakoon 13r

Just so we're clear if we're in for a Bakoon-time-share/coop: if/when we all think it sounds limpdick or weaksauce and want to sell it, will we (time-share participants) recoup the $100 for science (assuming SBAF sells it for the same $2600), or is it a sunk cost (I'd assume sunk cost)? And if it goes for a loss in the FS forum, we (participants) take the haircut, not the SBAF war chest? Either way, I don't personally care, but just so it's clear to participating Friends.

Or, I could just say "shatdup and take my money!"

Edit - also, would it too much to ask for a measurement suite if we procure it?

 

What's the best way to make sure we have enough people to do this, then hold people accountable once we pass the threshold? I'm in.

 

I'd propose that SBAF take whatever money towards the warchest when it gets sold ($100 is a complete sunk cost/donation to SBAF). Trying to send money back to 13 people is too much hassle. I'd be in for $100...

 

While the used market is very slow right now, by the time the loaner is over, I don’t think you’ll have much trouble selling an AMP-13R for $2600

 

A few thoughts, for what they're worth:

1) is it a good idea to have a loaner tour for an item that's OOP? Does anyone know if the Enleum 23R is similar to it? I ask because that's the replacement model by the new company, I believe, and it is in production. (I might brave the noisy nonsense of head-fi posts to look into this.)

2) a non-refundable $100 expense to audition the amp is decent value, at least to those interested in shelling out $2600 for an amp: Schiit levies a 5% transaction fee for refunds within 15 days, which would be equivalent to $130 for the Bakoon.

3) my vote would be for the proceeds from the sale of the loaner unit to go back to the sbaf war chest. Also, we should note that if sbaf spent $1300 on subsiding a loaner tour, it would shoulder most of the risk if the unit should die during the tour.

4) would it make sense to limit the number of tour participants so as to reduce the likelihood of damage to the amp through shipping? I suppose the $100 fee would take care of that, though.

And, finally, how about a Susvara loaner to see how good the much-vaunted pairing really is? (I'm kidding)

 

Count me in at $100*.

Thanks to the SBAF team for considering this. I know you all have to consider loaners with a high yield not just on cost, but on your time, and that not everything is going to meet that high standard.

My perspective on this is that SBAF posts tend to rank highly in search engine results, so out of production items that still garner interest is a good way to fresh bring eyeballs to the site. And, not just any eyeballs, but the kind of folks who might actually fit in around here. A thread about the latest, flavor-of-the-month item could draw in all sorts of folks - especially people who are antagonist measurebating assholes - but a thread about a niche product will likely draw in the sort of folks who like to venture outside the box and think deeper than just regurgitating dogma.

What exactly rises to the level of being worth the cost in terms of both money and time is subjective, but I do think there's value in occasionally going for OOP items that continue to garner a modest level of interest.

Finally - I agree on it being non-refundable. $100 plus shipping is a fair price to pay here for a no-hassle, in-home audition period, and a chance to call "dibs" to buy it at the end of the tour.

*Also - this would be my first loaner tour I participate in, so, take my participation with a grain of salt until approved by more senior members.

 

If multiple tour participants are interested in purchase, how will it be decided who gets the gear?

Edit: To be clear I won't be participating in this loaner.

 

I would imagine that the powers that be would execute some sort of lottery pool or a silent auction would be the way to go in this situation for deciding the outcome.

Don't kid. If there is an opportunity as well with a Susvara loaner, why not? If you're gonna go for it, go with the gusto. I've got no stake here either in the Summit-Fi range of headphones / amps, but I have never NOT seen a review of the Bakoon 13r that doesn't mention the Susvara. They do say its a legendary / fully end game type pairing.

 

High bid.

 

Mexican standoff

 

----edit----
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMexicanStandoff

 

I have this awful awful voice in my head saying I want to hear how this sounds going through the iESL...

 

will this be open for non-friend long standing contributors?
Completely understand if its not open for all.

 

So should we start a new thread for people to sign up, make sure we have enough people to put money up, and assuming we do then once enough have pledged we can tell people to go ahead and send $$$ then we can pay the man for his amp and get this loaner started?

 

Why not just sign up in this thread that has already been created? Reading back, it looks like these people want in @ $100/ea:

Starting Point - @Josh Schor MI

1. @StageOne OH (paid)
2. @ilikebananafudge_ MA (paid)
   
3. @lithium RI (paid)
   
4. @Tchoupitoulas Eastern PA (paid)
   
5. @sheldaze MD (paid)
6. @yotacowboy VA/DC area (paid)
   
7. @dasman66 Western PA (paid)
   
8. @dubharmonic IL (paid)
9. @Azimuth TN (paid)
10. @gsanger FL (paid)
11. @Erroneous TX (paid)
12. @archer88 TX (paid)
13. @Northwest WA (paid)
14. @Ziva (paid)

Up to 14 - every extra person reduces the cost coming from the SBAF warchest

Revised order to be roughly geographic - still waiting on locations from some...
edited to reflect payment status posted elsewhere in this thread

 

You can add @sheldaze to that list.

 

Can you please include me as well? Happy to contribute as well

 

adding in some more of DC/MD/VA crew: @gaspasser , @supertransformingdhruv, @artur9 - anyone interested?