interesting page for lim valve

it is that mentality and the desire for something for nothing that drives the overall price down, forces production overseas and generally lowers the quality of goods on offer whilst leading to the tag "Rip off Britain". You dont actually get something for nothing you get less for the same.

 

Utter nonsense. The markup on hi-fi is huge, enough in many cases to make a healthy profit if it retailed at two thirds the current price. Customers striking deals has nothing whatsoever to do with production going abroad.

-- Ian

 

Hey Data,

I hear you but just read that individual's concerns about the origins of the Vincent brand. A while back, Chinese made components had a bad rap. Nowadays, I don't think they are any worse than many Western built products. But yet, the prejudices from the old days still linger on. Fully transparent labelling is just not good for the balance sheet and these companies know that. I know about a few cable companies that won't sell much in the U.K. & U.S. once the truth about the source of their cables is revealed as buyers' paranoia about products from such places would surface and probably affect sales. If supermarkets did the same, then they would suffer just as well. So, as you guys like to say, sometimes "it's best to let sleeping dogs lie".

If the design, materials and supervision for the building of a particular audio product were sourced from say the U.K. and the assembly were done in say China then, where was that product made? Should it read Made in the U.K. or Made in China? Likewise, if the design, materials and building supervision were sourced from say China but the finished article was then tweaked in the U.K. and given a Western name, then where was that product made? How would the buyers especially the brand conscious U.K. & U.S. buyers react once they are given the full facts? Could this also be why Japanese companies like Technics and Sony tend to add a red UK Modified badge to some of their products just to counter that prejudice? Do the U.K. Modified units sound any better than those that we buy on this side of the water that are not supposedly modified? I don't think so but it keeps the UK buyers and the respective companies happy. It's called clever marketing.





Enjoy the music,

Lawrie.

 

Actually if that icon amp, of meixing to be correct, is anything to go by, if china gets its act together, some british companies are going to be out of business. I have never seen an amp made like that, thick stainless steel, you should see the layout inside...impeccable, and the connectors, top quality.

There is no problem with getting things built abroad...it does make it cheaper for us, however, I consider it morally reprehensible these call centres are being put in india...there really is going to be nothing left here, and I urge a boycott on companies that do....alas....

however, back to point in question....I think the chinese don't really have the experience, they have the engineering stuff in droves, but not the nous of a tim de paravicini or croft, or lim valve , or chord, or anyone else.

The markup is typically 5-6 times, so if it cost £400 to make an amp, typically retail for £2000+ sometimes more. I like proac stuff, but I feel his top end stuff is a rip, and just charges what he can get, how come the latest is £15000, and the response 4 £12000, which is a much more expensive.
The low down is they charge what they can get, look at naim too, as if it wasn't dear enoguh, a nac 52 at £5000, they have doubled the price. and I bet they are still pretty simple and can be made for £500.

This is what I resent, plain profiteering...its been hidden for ages , but is beginning to come out.
The shops make loads, too, most of the profit.

However, I still want to know about where stuff was built.
Its not too much to say, design by x in england, assembled in china, by x, modified in england under ken ishis guidance by robocop b,

again the food analogy, packed in the uk...that means jack shit...

produce of turkey, procedssed in germany, pakced in england.
or own brand....lovingly made by smiths chilled foods for tesco..

 

Twaddle

Quote..."it is that mentality and the desire for something for nothing that drives the overall price down, forces production overseas and generally lowers the quality of goods on offer whilst leading to the tag "Rip off Britain". You dont actually get something for nothing you get less for the same."

That is complete and total twaddle.

Systems are cheaper today and are more affordable to a greater number of people than ever before. That is because the entire supply chain has put downward pressure on prices, from the internal company buyer through to the end user. Everyone demands better quality and lower prices. That is called progress.

British companies that produce top end gear have survived and will continue to flourish. We all benefit as a result.

I am 54 years of age and can rember as a young boy going into a shop with my father to buy a hand held stainless steel whisk.

When he came out he muttered that it had nearly cost him a days wages, and he was relatively well paid.

A month ago, I bought a top end motorised Kenwood Chef for about a days wages.

I hope you see my point.

Regards

Mick