That is not good.

[Al ears]

Seems Auralic have ceased trading, and I thought they made good kit.

AURALiC Ceases Trading Effective Immediately

The rumour mill has been swirling for some months now about the long-term future of the high-end streaming brand, AURALiC.

stereonet.com

 

[daytona600]

Many more victims of tariffs to follow

The tariffs have significantly increased the cost of importing goods, making it economically unfeasible for AURALiC to continue shipping to the U.S.

Earlier this year, AURALiC suspended all shipments to US addresses, citing "US government tariff policy" as the reason. This decision effectively shut the company out of what was likely a crucial segment of the global high-end audio market, and the suspension has reportedly contributed to a dramatic decline in overall sales.

 

[Al ears]

Many more victims of tariffs to follow

Earlier this year, AURALiC suspended all shipments to US addresses, citing "US government tariff policy" as the reason. This decision effectively shut the company out of what was likely a crucial segment of the global high-end audio market, and the suspension has reportedly contributed to a dramatic decline in overall sales.

It seems that if a company cannot continue to function without US sales then perhaps many more will follow as you suggest.

 

[daytona600]

USA worlds biggest Market & no company can lose 20/50% of sales overnight

 

[RoA]

AI just threw this up; Auralic's G2.2 and G3 product lines are designed in the USA, with components like the ARIES G3 and VEGA G3 being hand-built at their Oregon facility, making them a "US made" option within Auralic's own product range.

 

[Al ears]

USA worlds biggest Market & no company can lose 20/50% of sales overnight

For sure. I guess adding to the retail price for US buyers would have been a no-go scenario. However, the world is a big place and surprised one nation could halt production.
Jaguar / Land Rover aren't producing anything at the moment but no sign of them shutting up shop.

 

[jjbomber]

For sure. I guess adding to the retail price for US buyers would have been a no-go scenario. However, the world is a big place and surprised one nation could halt production.
Jaguar / Land Rover aren't producing anything at the moment but no sign of them shutting up shop.

Wedgewood as well. I think they have shut down production for 3 months.

 

[Jasonovich]

I really hope there's a buyer for the Auralic brand, if it sinks, then expect prices to fall on their premium streamers.

 

[Al ears]

Reported

 

[davidf]

I really hope there's a buyer for the Auralic brand, if it sinks, then expect prices to fall on their premium streamers.

But who is going to buy a streamer with zero support? Great while it works, but when it suddenly doesn't, you've got an expensive paperweight.

 

[Jasonovich]

But who is going to buy a streamer with zero support? Great while it works, but when it suddenly doesn't, you've got an expensive paperweight.

Yes it is a worry, that's the flipside. If you buy a premium product, you expect premium support.
What I was alluding to, once UK dealerships start embracing more Chinese products and selling them cheaper, Western manufacturers may need to align their pricing strategies to stay competitive.
I'm not best placed to comment on this but I suspect not many UK dealers are going to jump into bed with the Chinese, it's going to be a slow burn.
Products like Denafrips, Eversolo, Hifiman, Audeze, Shanling, Fosi, WiiM, Caylin et'al are the exceptions.
Not all Chinese brands are dismal with Customer support.

Recently I was installing my new AIO 360mm water radiator and cpu pump on my PC, I applied too much pressure on the CPU bracket and I snapped the screw. I contacted DeepCool, they promised to replace the screws but apologised it may take 2-3 weeks delivery from mainland China.

The landscape won't change overnight

 

[nopiano]

Yes it is a worry, that's the flipside. If you buy a premium product, you expect premium support.
What I was alluding to, once UK dealerships start embracing more Chinese products and selling them cheaper, Western manufacturers may need to align their pricing strategies to stay competitive.
I'm not best placed to comment on this but I suspect not many UK dealers are going to jump into bed with the Chinese, it's going to be a slow burn.
Products like Denafrips, Eversolo, Hifiman, Audeze, Shanling, Fosi, WiiM, Caylin et'al are the exceptions.
Not all Chinese brands are dismal with Customer support.

Recently I was installing my new AIO 360mm water radiator and cpu pump on my PC, I applied too much pressure on the CPU bracket and I snapped the screw. I contacted DeepCool, they promised to replace the screws but apologised it may take 2-3 weeks to delivery from mainland China.

The landscape won't change overnight

That’s where I value my Linn streamer. Yes, the original list price looked very high; it was about £6,500 when mine was made. But I got it after 2.5 years at the dealers for £2,999 and they gave me a five year warranty. It’s also a decent preamp with a phono stage for MM or MC cartridges. And comes with Linn’s own room adjustment equalisation called Sound Optimation.

After a couple of years I spent the then £2,000 to get the Katalyst upgrade. That was a complete new ‘insides’, the entire circuit board. Plus a new five year warranty from the factory.

Yes, I’d like the app to be as stable as Wiim’s and not need so many restarts. But I can email a nice bloke in Scotland and get a reply within a couple of hours. Even for something speculative, like the serial number of another Linn product on eBay to verify its manufacturing date and upgrade history. Now that is *support*.

 

[RTHerringbone]

There are a bunch of reasons why Chinese manufactured products are cheaper than Western equivalents.

An overly simplistic pair is simply the scale of the production and labour ecosystem over there. That can't be replicated in the West so we'll likely never see prices even vaguely approaching par; not without making some ethical and / or QA compromises.

 

[davidf]

Yes it is a worry, that's the flipside. If you buy a premium product, you expect premium support.
What I was alluding to, once UK dealerships start embracing more Chinese products and selling them cheaper, Western manufacturers may need to align their pricing strategies to stay competitive.

I don't think that would happen. Producers of more expensive streamers aren't going to want to get into a price war with a bunch of brands that already rule that price point - it's one reason we don't really see any British manufacturers producing speakers under £1k. They can drop their pants and get involved, but it'll ultimately fail and cost them money. It's why many brands have moved up market where there's more money and less stiff competition.

But now there's so much competition in the £1k-2k price point (likely from a number of brands moving away from the sub £1k market!) that even that price point is a no-go for some brands now.

 

[Jasonovich]

That’s where I value my Linn streamer. Yes, the original list price looked very high; it was about £6,500 when mine was made. But I got it after 2.5 years at the dealers for £2,999 and they gave me a five year warranty. It’s also a decent preamp with a phono stage for MM or MC cartridges. And comes with Linn’s own room adjustment equalisation called Sound Optimation.

After a couple of year I spent the then £2,000 to get the Katalyst upgrade. That was a complete new ‘insides’, the entire circuit board. Plus a new five year warranty from the factory.

Yes, I’d like the app to be as stable as Wiim’s and not need so many restarts. But I can email a nice bloke in Scotland and get a reply within a couple of hours. Even for something speculative, like the serial number of another Linn product on eBay to verify its manufacturing date and upgrade history. Now that is *support*.

Those guys in Scotland do a sterling job. I hope the Big Donald doesn't turn Scotland into a golf course, hmmm I think the English would love that! 😎

Seriously though, it's those little things that make it worth the investment.

 

[Jasonovich]

I don't think that would happen. Producers of more expensive streamers aren't going to want to get into a price war with a bunch of brands that already rule that price point - it's one reason we don't really see any British manufacturers producing speakers under £1k. They can drop their pants and get involved, but it'll ultimately fail and cost them money. It's why many brands have moved up market where there's more money and less stiff competition.

But now there's so much competition in the £1k-2k price point (likely from a number of brands moving away from the sub £1k market!) that even that price point is a no-go for some brands now.

Thanks David for the feedback 🙂

 

[daytona600]

Oldest marketing trick in the book
Undercut your competition on price and then " Re-Adjust "your pricing once they all go out of businesss
Expect a flood of containers of products that cant be sold in the states with Tariffs to wash up in europe very soon

 

[Jasonovich]

Oldest marketing trick in the book
Undercut your competition on price and then " Re-Adjust "your pricing once they all go out of businesss
Expect a flood of containers of products that cant be sold in the states with Tariffs to wash up in europe very soon

That's a scary thought.

 

[Gray]

But who is going to buy a streamer with zero support? Great while it works, but when it suddenly doesn't, you've got an expensive paperweight.

Currently what's happening to owners of Nova Fidelity / Cocktail Audio streamers.
An 80% drop in sales reported to have finished them, with tariffs mentioned as a reason.

 

[RJW232]

But who is going to buy a streamer with zero support? Great while it works, but when it suddenly doesn't, you've got an expensive paperweight.

That's indeed the problem with products that heavily rely on software. As soon as streaming protocols change they will become useless. I can't remember seeing it (yet) with audio streaming services, but I know Netflix has changed their API several times which meant software upgrades in the players were needed.

 

[Hifiman]

I’m not sure I understand why anyone would want to spend a fortune on a streamer/transport anyhow. I have just reinvigorated my hifi after 40 years. Received wisdom back then (which was justified) was to spend as much money as possible on the source, a fair chunk on the amplifier and what remained on the speakers. My new system is completely the other way around: WiiM Pro Plus into a Chord DAC into a £3.5 K amp and £4.5K speakers (got this last 2 at roughly half these RRPs). I tried more expensive streamers but there really was no obvious sonic benefit. In fact, bearing in mind the WiiM software and the Chord DAC, usually the opposite.

Besides, if I bought an expensive streamer and the manufacturer went the same way as Auralic , I would be devastated. If, in the unlikely event that WiiM went under, then it would be inconvenient but no more than that.

 

[daytona600]

About time they invented a Format that works with New hardware or 100year old hardware
.
.