Naim at John Lewis.

[chebby]

The mu-so is also being sold at Richer Sounds.

You beat me to it. I just had their email too. Wonders will never cease!

They will be selling Linn Sondeks soon (not!).

I don't see why not. Richer Sounds are selling Arcam, Cyrus, Roksan, Audiolab and now Naim. Why not Linn as well?

 

[relocated]

This must, or at least should, be of some concern to regular hifi dealers especially IF the likes of John Lewis get/have stock before traditional Naim dealers.

Little wonder really, I've often found staff in the likes of JLewis and Richer to be much more knowledgeable about the products they sell than a fair few 'specialist' hifi emporia.

 

[manicm]

This must, or at least should, be of some concern to regular hifi dealers especially IF the likes of John Lewis get/have stock before traditional Naim dealers.

Little wonder really, I've often found staff in the likes of JLewis and Richer to be much more knowledgeable about the products they sell than a fair few 'specialist' hifi emporia.

Would everybody just calm down and turn down the snobbery dial down???? It was Naim's decision to make the Mu-so in China as

1. It would have been prohibitively expensive...

2. To reach the broader audience they are seeking with this product...

3. And hence to allow 'supermarket' stores to stock it, as well as Apple stores.

Your 'supermarkert' stores would never stock Linn because even their cheapest products require dealer installation, preferably. Linn's streamers are a bit more network finicky than others. And anyway if I was splashing 2/3k I'd also get a dealer to install.

 

[relocated]

This must, or at least should, be of some concern to regular hifi dealers especially IF the likes of John Lewis get/have stock before traditional Naim dealers.

Little wonder really, I've often found staff in the likes of JLewis and Richer to be much more knowledgeable about the products they sell than a fair few 'specialist' hifi emporia.

Would everybody just calm down and turn down the snobbery dial down???? It was Naim's decision to make the Mu-so in China as

1. It would have been prohibitively expensive...

2. To reach the broader audience they are seeking with this product...

3. And hence to allow 'supermarket' stores to stock it, as well as Apple stores.

Your 'supermarkert' stores would never stock Linn because even their cheapest products require dealer installation, preferably. Linn's streamers are a bit more network finicky than others. And anyway if I was splashing 2/3k I'd also get a dealer to install.

Don't include me in any hifi snobbery comment thank you. I couldn't be further away from snobbery and wouldn't have anything Naim or Linn as a gift.

The important thing here is that Naim didn't trust the traditional hifi shop to shift anywhere near enough product and where one product sales leads, others will follow. When you start seeing Naim gear being retailed by Amazon, then it's game over for traditional hifi retailing and they'll only have themselves to blame. It's maybe not far away.

 

[matthewpiano]

relocated has a point. More and more manufacturers are making their kit available through Richer Sounds and some of them have even agreed exclusivity on certain models - Dynaudio's DM series, Focal's Chorus range etc. A few years ago I would never have imagined seeing Roksan, Arcam, Cyrus, Dynaudio, Focal, KEF, Monitor Audio etc. in Richers but all these manufacturers are clearly looking for more sales than the other hi-fi dealers are bringing them particularly at the more affordable end of their ranges.

Something like the Muso will be seen as a way in to a much bigger market for Naim and all of these companies are going to need some higher turnover products to help fund the top end of their ranges in the future.

So far, the opening up of hi-fi retailing has been restricted to more affordable products or those with more mainstream appeal and I would think companies like Naim and co will want to retain the specialist knowledge, support and installation capabilities that a 'proper' hi-fi dealer can offer.

 

[spiny norman]

It's just a case of manufacturers going where the buyers are, which seems perfectly sensible to me. Most 'normal' people probably find 'traditional' hi-fi retailers somewhat daunting, and are much more likely to shop in JL, RS or online.

 

[Al ears]

It's just a case of manufacturers going where the buyers are, which seems perfectly sensible to me. Most 'normal' people probably find 'traditional' hi-fi retailers somewhat daunting, and are much more likely to shop in JL, RS or online.

That's always assuming they can actually find one within 100 miles (sad to say) *sad*

 

[spiny norman]

That's always assuming they can actually find one within 100 miles (sad to say) *sad*

Well yes, there is that, too.

 

[relocated]

It's just a case of manufacturers going where the buyers are, which seems perfectly sensible to me. Most 'normal' people probably find 'traditional' hi-fi retailers somewhat daunting, and are much more likely to shop in JL, RS or online.

Spot on spiny.

 

[chebby]

'mu-so' 1950s style 'all-in-one' with four built-in speakers.

(No AirPlay or ethernet though.)

 

[Frank Harvey]

The Muso has been supplied to their dealers on a first come first served basis. Those with the first orders in, get the stock. No conspiracy theories needed.

 

[andyjm]

The important thing here is that Naim didn't trust the traditional hifi shop to shift anywhere near enough product and where one product sales leads, others will follow. When you start seeing Naim gear being retailed by Amazon, then it's game over for traditional hifi retailing and they'll only have themselves to blame. It's maybe not far away.

This is the key point. For those who have bothered to follow my ramblings on this site, this is a subject I have been banging on about for years. In all but the most basic analogue amp, modern electronics contain increasing amounts of software. Software development is expensive.

When software costs are amotized over a production run, low volume producers just can't compete. If the software development cost (say) £500K, and you make 100 fancy streamers, then thats £5000 per streamer before you actually start building anything. Build 10,000, and the software cost is now £50 per streamer.

Modern electronics is a volume business. This is why the small, niche HiFi firms are dying out or merging, why Naim has sold themselve twice in the last few years, and why they need to sell their products alongside the frozen peas.

 

[Frank Harvey]

The Muso is a perfect John Lewis product, so it is understandable that they've put it in there. They'll sell far more in JL than they would in all of the small minded hi-fi dealers put together. It is a transitional product, and shouldn't be ignored by hi-fi retailers, and they certainly shouldn't get snobby about it not being 'hi-fi' - products like this are becoming many people's hi-fi systems, and it can also be used as a high quality soundbar.

It may even work in their favour - improving brand awareness, there may be those that wish to delve deeper into Naim products, and venture into a hi-fi store for the first time...

 

[matthewpiano]

The Muso is a perfect John Lewis product, so it is understandable that they've put it in there. They'll sell far more in JL than they would in all of the small minded hi-fi dealers put together. It is a transitional product, and shouldn't be ignored by hi-fi retailers, and they certainly shouldn't get snobby about it not being 'hi-fi' - products like this are becoming many people's hi-fi systems, and it can also be used as a high quality soundbar.

It may even work in their favour - improving brand awareness, there may be those that wish to delve deeper into Naim products, and venture into a hi-fi store for the first time...

Great post.

 

[andyrich_2000]

Would this make a decent Soundbar do we think chaps?

 

[Andy Clough]

The Muso is a perfect John Lewis product, so it is understandable that they've put it in there. They'll sell far more in JL than they would in all of the small minded hi-fi dealers put together. It is a transitional product, and shouldn't be ignored by hi-fi retailers, and they certainly shouldn't get snobby about it not being 'hi-fi' - products like this are becoming many people's hi-fi systems, and it can also be used as a high quality soundbar.

It may even work in their favour - improving brand awareness, there may be those that wish to delve deeper into Naim products, and venture into a hi-fi store for the first time...

Exactly.

 

[matt49]

This is the key point. For those who have bothered to follow my ramblings on this site, this is a subject I have been banging on about for years. In all but the most basic analogue amp, modern electronics contain increasing amounts of software. Software development is expensive.

When software costs are amortized over a production run, low volume producers just can't compete. If the software development cost (say) £500K, and you make 100 fancy streamers, then thats £5000 per streamer before you actually start building anything. Build 10,000, and the software cost is now £50 per streamer.

By way of illustration of your point, this interview with the boss of Auralic: "Software development is why the [Auralic] Aries is priced the way it is".

 

[Frank Harvey]

Would this make a decent Soundbar do we think chaps?

As I mentioned in a previous post, it should make an excellent sound bar.

This product, despite it not being able to play CDs, is an ideal alternative to the Bose Wave Radio (available mail order from Bose direct). It's not that much more as far as cost is concerned, and should be miles ahead on quality, both sound and build.

And to follow on from my earlier post, this is the sort of product that might make many casual music listeners out there realise what high quality means again, and might make them do a little research. So despite the anti specialist hi-fi retailers league prophecising doom and gloom for separates retailers, this type of product could be exactly what they need for a revival.

 

[Al ears]

Would this make a decent Soundbar do we think chaps?

Yes, just a very expensive one.

 

[andyrich_2000]

I'm fine with that as I was eyeing an £800 sound bar and a separate streaming sound system so this ticks both boxes.

Only problem is would it go on a tv rack? Or would the sound be poor if there was a shelf above it?

 

[Frank Harvey]

No speakers on top. If it's an open stand it should be fine.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Would this make a decent Soundbar do we think chaps?

Yes, just a very expensive one.

That depends on the quality it has to offer in comparison to other sound bars, and most soundbars won't have the same steaming options.

 

[Native_bon]

The Muso is a perfect John Lewis product, so it is understandable that they've put it in there. They'll sell far more in JL than they would in all of the small minded hi-fi dealers put together. It is a transitional product, and shouldn't be ignored by hi-fi retailers, and they certainly shouldn't get snobby about it not being 'hi-fi' - products like this are becoming many people's hi-fi systems, and it can also be used as a high quality soundbar.

It may even work in their favour - improving brand awareness, there may be those that wish to delve deeper into Naim products, and venture into a hi-fi store for the first time...

John lewis good reputation... Muso kind of portable player for the modern HIFI streamer... Perfect place to sell.*biggrin*

 

[Frank Harvey]

Muso kind of portable player for the modern HIFI streamer...

Maybe it's just me, but I'm not understanding that statement...and therefore, your point.

 

[Native_bon]

Muso kind of portable player for the modern HIFI streamer...

Maybe it's just me, but I'm not understanding that statement...and therefore, your point.

Modern HIFI for music streamer..?*ok*