Classe' Audio interest?

[Masterlu]

I hear you Dan...

[miner]

Being a Rotel/B&W owner I initially contemplated going to Classe for my listening room. I liked what I heard in my demos and was not really put off by the retail pricing. But, once I listened to McIntosh and having the option of tubes in the chain my mind was made up. Now that Classe' manufacturing may be done in China - that is a turn-off to me.

[Still-One]

I guess Classe figures everyone will just complain about another $8k Blu Ray player or a $12k pre/pro and they won't sell too many. To me they are looking for alternatives.

Jim

[KahunaCanuck]

I've had my Classe SSP800 for 3 years now, and it has been a great product. Product support is excellent, they are still updating firmware and I have the option to upgrade to 3D compatible for 1500 (no thx).

I have heard they are moving some production to the B&W facility in China, but no one has confirmed all production. B&W still build their best stuff in England (800 series), and all design is there. This isn't like some who sub contract a Chinese company to build their stuff, so I am prepared to see where this is going before making a judgment.

Their new preamplifier the CP800 is priced at 5k...that is less than the C50 I believe...

Like it or not, our internet based economy is driving this type of thing.

[80B]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Ivan.......Zero interest in Classe.

If it is true that manufacturing has shifted to China then Classe may as well kiss their hard earned Canadian reputation and panache good-bye. It's one thing to say China has improved manufacturing, and are building world class products, but the perception remains that corners are cut and overall quality are sacrificed to some degree for improved profits. In many cases it is not just perception. I believe the market bears this out. In the US there is a stigma associated with the "Made In China" origin label, and not just for audio products.

It's one thing to spend $999.00 for a new Oppo Blu-ray player made in China. It is entirely different to spend the dollars Classe demands for components knowing they are manufactured there. It will be interesting to see how this plays out for Classe. For me, just the idea of Classe being made in China makes me want to snicker at the decision, and discount its worth in my mind.

Dan, your point about the $1k BDP-95 made in China should give you some pause when you think about how things have, and probably will continue, to evolve. That unit has gotten universally rave reviews, and been favorably compared to $8k players on this forum. Who's to say that lower-cost high end equipment coming from China won't become a normal part of the hi-fi market?

The Chinese continue to develop their manufacturing capabilities and strive to move up the value and quality chain. The fact that so much Apple gear is made in China is living proof high quality manufacturing there doesn't have to get in the way of western consumer acceptance. I remember the old late 70s mentality of Japanese cars being "cheap", and by the end of the 80s we had Acura, Infiniti and Lexus all being established in the US. As the regulatory and labor burdens continue in developed nations, China will look attractive to many manufacturers.

BTW, Classe is a terrific brand, and sounds great with B&W speakers.

[trponhunter]

By the way- they own their own factories in China- so it is completely under their control - not the normal sub contracting.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by 80B

Dan, your point about the $1k BDP-95 made in China should give you some pause when you think about how things have, and probably will continue, to evolve. That unit has gotten universally rave reviews, and been favorably compared to $8k players on this forum. Who's to say that lower-cost high end equipment coming from China won't become a normal part of the hi-fi market?

The Chinese continue to develop their manufacturing capabilities and strive to move up the value and quality chain. The fact that so much Apple gear is made in China is living proof high quality manufacturing there doesn't have to get in the way of western consumer acceptance. I remember the old late 70s mentality of Japanese cars being "cheap", and by the end of the 80s we had Acura, Infiniti and Lexus all being established in the US. As the regulatory and labor burdens continue in developed nations, China will look attractive to many manufacturers.

BTW, Classe is a terrific brand, and sounds great with B&W speakers.

Paul.......I can't argue with your points, and you made some good ones. None the less for the past two decades goods from China have often been categorized in the same way as the 70's model Japanese cars. It is because the goods were/are cheap, and often unreliable with high failure rates. I will be the first to say that great strides have been made in raising the bar on goods from China, but the reputation lingers. It will require superior products produced over a substantial period of time, just like Japan, to wash the old perceptions away.

I chose the Oppo BDP-95 as an example of high quality coming from China to make my point. There was a time not long ago when the idea of spending $1000 for a component made in China would have been met with laughter. The current Chinese made products are beginning to change our perspective, but it is a slow process. My point was that even today, spending $40k for an audio system manufactured in China is still met with skepticism, and a sense of not getting full value. Even the Japanese and Taiwanese share these same feelings of goods from China. Furthermore, none of what has been discussed touches on the rampant counterfeiting in China of everything from electronics to durable goods. This adds to the sense of lower value. Of course this is my opinion, and I am not making any effort to alter any ones else's perceptions. I encourage the exercise of free will and independent thinking.

[Mac Brown]

I demoed Classe gear almost purchased a pre and a pair of mono blocks
then I Listen to McIntosh game over