Decca RIP

[Barry]

Whilst doing a bit of research on vintage Decca cartridges, I stumbled across this: http://www.scena.org/columns/lebrech...-NL-decca.html.

I knew that Decca had been gobbled up and was part of Polygram, itself now part of Sony, however hadn't realised that our once-illustrious record label is now reserved for 'cross-over' and other middle-of-the road pap. It make me very sad and angry to learn that, once again, world-class British companies who, if not disappearing, are now a shadow of their former selves.

Regards (from a former employee of Marconi Electronics; another world-class company that went down the pan)

[Batty]

I think we grabbed a bit of Marconi on it's way down, I work for BAe Systems.

It is sad to see the end of world class British companies.

[StanleyB]

Can anyone name a big Chinese electronics company? I can't.

[HighFidelityGuy]

Can anyone name a big Chinese electronics company? I can't.

Me neither.
They don't seem to really have companies that design a product and then sell it as their brand like we're used to in the west or Japan. They seem to be more into having faceless super manufacturers that make literally everything in one massive smoke billowing factory. But all the things they make are other peoples designs.

I'm sure there will be some exceptions to that but that's the way it comes across to me. Is that the sort of thing you were getting at?

[DSJR]

Decca closed its Belsize Road offices/mastering suites (there were many and spread over a couple of floors I remember) in the late nineties from memory and all the contents of the vaults and tape stores were transferred to a secure warehouse outside of London I understand. I think the "Audio Archiving Company" still operate from offices at these premises though and Paschal Byrne was a long-standing Decca mastering engineer I remember.

In these days of digital file transfer, one doesn't really need to be in the centre of things, as files can be sent electronically or posted. master tapes can be couriered around if necessary as they've probably always been. It's a shame though, as when decca closed and my friend was made redundant, they still had loads of preservation work to do. Assuming the tapes, shellacs and acetates are still ok, it'll be for another generation to handle I expect.

[Marco]

Can anyone name a big Chinese electronics company? I can't.

And if you could, would you be able to spell it!

Marco.

[hifi_dave]

With all these Chinese companies masquerading as good ol' British companies such as Quad, Audiolab, Castle, KEF, Celestion, Wharfedale etc, etc, I wonder what the Chinese enthusiasts buy ?

I also wonder why our mags don't point out where the products they feature are made. It's a big thing with my customers, who invariably ask if they are not sure where a product is made.

[Beobloke]

It is sad to see the end of world class British companies.

Too true.

Adam (ex-Goodmans employee)

[HighFidelityGuy]

With all these Chinese companies masquerading as good ol' British companies such as Quad, Audiolab, Castle, KEF, Celestion, Wharfedale etc, etc, I wonder what the Chinese enthusiasts buy ?

I also wonder why our mags don't point out where the products they feature are made. It's a big thing with my customers, who invariably ask if they are not sure where a product is made.

I've heard European prestige brands are very popular with rich Chinese business folks. I guess it will be an odd market over there though as the rich/poor divide is so big but I guess that will gradually even out a bit more as their economy grows and a middle class develops.

[hifi_dave]

Yes, prestige British brands have always been popular in the Far East but do they buy new Quad, Wharfedale, Castle et al, in the mstaken belief that they are 'British' when they clearly are not any more ?