Audiolab

[Haselsh1]

You know, I was trawling through the internet a couple of days ago, and I thought I would search out Audiolab as I shall soon be back in the market for a new amplifier. Jesus Christ what the hell has happened to their prices...? I was absolutely gobsmacked at how expensive their stuff has now become. Just over a year ago it was possible to buy a pair of 8000M monoblocks for 600 quid and an 8000Q preamp for around 350. What the hell is going on here...? This stuff is still Chinese where I understand they work for a bag of rice a day in the most appalling conditions and where there is little or no human rights so why the current pricing...? Given the profit margin on consumer electronics in the UK, someone is coining in a serious amount of profit on this gear at these prices. Just what the hell is going on here...?

[Ali Tait]

What often goes on with commercial gear in the UK. You get ripped off.

[zanash]

and to be honest ...I've never been impressed with the house sound ....to me its bright hard and forward . I've had an 8000 pre and power plus the matching tuner through my system ...to see what I was missing ....which was not much !

[Haselsh1]

and to be honest ...I've never been impressed with the house sound ....to me its bright hard and forward . I've had an 8000 pre and power plus the matching tuner through my system ...to see what I was missing ....which was not much !

Yes, a couple of years ago I had a pair of 8000M monoblocks and the one thing that hit me the most about them was just how sharply etched the treble was, which I doubt would go very well with the ribbon tweeters on my Dali's...? I did however love the effortless control they seemed to have in the bass.

I'm guessing the way my finances are going that in about six months I shall be requiring a decent amplifier but the way that Audiolab are now pricing their components, It definitely won't be Audiolab.

[Ali Tait]

Shaun, I think you could do a lot worse than having Nick build you a valve amp, rather than paying through the nose for commercial stuff.

[Haselsh1]

Shaun, I think you could do a lot worse than having Nick build you a valve amp, rather than paying through the nose for commercial stuff.

Ali, I adore valves ever since I owned a WAD 300B PP back in 1996-2000. That was one of the finest sounding amplifiers I have ever heard and I still chase after the same sound but with a lot more Watts. I can't do anything for some time this year but I am always open to suggestions. Thanks.

[Macca]

Everything is going up in price like crazy - Before Xmas I wasa looking at Moth RCMs on ebay - around £400 - gets to March I decide to go for it - I go back to Ebay - almost £500!

I've bought a few things recently that I've been putting off, figuring I might as well spend my money while it is still worth something:(

[Ali Tait]

Ali, I adore valves ever since I owned a WAD 300B PP back in 1996-2000. That was one of the finest sounding amplifiers I have ever heard and I still chase after the same sound but with a lot more Watts. I can't do anything for some time this year but I am always open to suggestions. Thanks.
I'm sure Nick could build something as good or even better than the WAD, depending on what you want to spend of course. I agree that was a good amp, I used to have one, but I'm more of an SE man myself. Or alternatively go for a Mr Liang 845, well made and good quality components.

[Butuz]

was absolutely gobsmacked at how expensive their stuff has now become. Just over a year ago it was possible to buy a pair of 8000M monoblocks for 600 quid and an 8000Q preamp for around 350. What the hell is going on here...?

Mate those prices were during the clearance to get rid of older 8000 series items before the 8200 series came out. A few months before you were looking at prices the 8000 pre would have set you back over £600 and the pair of 8000p would have been over a grand.

Butuz

[Effem]

I am not defending these pricing structures, but pricing has as much to do with sales volume and other latent factors, not just the perceived materials and labour costs of the final product. When volume levels goes down, prices invariably HAVE to increase because of stock holding, transportation and storage.

Cheap the chinese labour may be, but between that factory and your living room there is an endless string of vultures ready to take a slice of your wallet along the way, not least of which is fuel costs and of course taxation. Exchange rates too have a far bigger impact than you might think.

At the end of the day hi-fi is by definition a luxury product and demand will continue to fall because people have diminished disposable incomes. The trouble is each time the price rises, there is a commensurate fall in demand, so the price has to go up again.

[Haselsh1]

I am not defending these pricing structures, but pricing has as much to do with sales volume and other latent factors, not just the perceived materials and labour costs of the final product. When volume levels goes down, prices invariably HAVE to increase because of stock holding, transportation and storage.

Cheap the chinese labour may be, but between that factory and your living room there is an endless string of vultures ready to take a slice of your wallet along the way, not least of which is fuel costs and of course taxation. Exchange rates too have a far bigger impact than you might think.

At the end of the day hi-fi is by definition a luxury product and demand will continue to fall because people have diminished disposable incomes. The trouble is each time the price rises, there is a commensurate fall in demand, so the price has to go up again.

Effem, I fully agree with what you have said here and like the way you made your point

[AlexM]

I heard from a good authority that quite a few manufacturers no longer hold parts stock for basic things such as casework and major parts, but pretty much scratch-build on receipt of an order!.

One wonders how low volumes can get before staying in the industry is no longer feasible. I never cease to be amazed at the huge number of Phono stages on the market.. I wonder how many are selling three (or even two)-digit volumes.

Regards,
A.

[Audioman]

Audiolab are far from expensive for what they are. Whether you take to their presentation or not is another matter. I do wonder if the Chinese built stuff is as well built as the original brand. The Chinese Audiolabs were launched at half the price of the previous Tag Mclaren models who had jacked up prices when they revamped the original amps.

I'm afraid price is only relative and this Chinese made stuff is considerably cheaper than similar genuine European manufactured product. Only Rega competes anywhere near on price. Fact is hi-fi is many times more expensive than 15 to 20 years ago.