Rip off British Hi-Fi Industry

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Originally Posted by lurcher

Yep, worth considering that the original point contact transistor was patented in 1947, same year the Williamson circuit was published.

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Indeed, that is interesting :)

Gone are the days when any REAL innovation occurs in audio, certainly of the type of magnitude of what happened in the 40s and 50s (and even before that).

Marco.

I've decided the UK audio industry is not rip-off at all. To be "rip-off", it has to operate a monopoly, or close to, and then overcharge. Apple comes to mind.

An industry like the audio industry in the UK is so fragmented and competitive that it is probably incapable of ripping anyone off. Some prices may be high due to needing a big gross margin to cover the operating costs of a low volume operation. The high volume manufacturers generally work on very thin margins. The TV business, for example, is ultra-competitive.

If you do get ripped off, it is probably your own fault. That said, I last paid about £200 for a very good pair of shoes (and that was the duty-free price), a brand I've been wearing for years and they last years. I could get a pair hand made to order for £500. Probably not any better, but the audiophile equivalent in that they have to be more expensive just to cover the costs.

For many reliable products there is no need to buy new and the manufacturers consider used to be key part of the market. Look at the car industry. Sometimes they make more money on the trade-ins than the actual car they are selling.

If the industry was more consolidated the design and manufacturing costs would probably be cheaper, the products cheaper, but the manufacturers would probably be more profitable.

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Originally Posted by SLS

I've decided the UK audio industry is not rip-off at all. To be "rip-off", it has to operate a monopoly, or close to, and then overcharge.

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Glad we got that sorted (does that mean the thread is dead now?) :D

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Originally Posted by Marco

Hi Jules,

Hope you are well. Most definitely worth it! :)

There are all sorts of threads on the subject here, so maybe try a search and see what comes up. Otherwise, PM me and I’ll give you my number, and we can have a proper chat about it :cool:

Marco.

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Thanks Marco that's most kind. I had a quick look and couldn't find what I was after but I'll have a proper dig around later and see what's what ...