Why British audio companies are so slow in embracing new technologies.

[marou]

I'm impressed by the quality of comments here. It seems to me that the reluctance of hi-fi manufacturers to embrace new techniques is a reflection of my own and others' reluctance to buy the resulting products. The computer-dac-amp-speakers combination is versatile (it's a computer, doh) and upgradeable - streamers are sexy but sex isn't everything (I have been with the same partner a long time) - and I'd want to be pretty sure they outperformed my existing system and wouldn't be superseded next year before investing a sum in excess of £1k

 

[Anonymous]

Johnny I like you enjoy using my Cd player, but I also stream from my iPod and laptop (Spotify). It has led me to discover that I like more genres of music. Jazz, classical etc, so I think there is room for both. Ihave to say that the use of an Airport Exppress is very simple and just seems to work, it can connect to either digital(Toslink) or analog and it sounds great!
Nick

 

[Anonymous]

NigelF:
I wonder why British companies are so slow in embracing new technologies, Cyrus stream products should have been in the market 2 years ago, there is still no sign if Roksan is planing to launch similar products. Naim also was very late. Arcam and Rega were also very late in launching DACs.

In the near future I would like to see more one box (DAC, Streaming, Amplification) solutions from premium audio companies which should also do integrations of iTunes Services, 24bit audio support, external storage support, wireless N & gigabit network support, multi-room possibility etc.

Whew! So you'd like an all-singing all-dancing solution from lots of small companies? The problems include (a) designing, testing and manufacturing the product before the parts you specified go obsolete and you run out of R&D money, (b) navigating the regular changes in spec for the computer based parts that customers seem to think are "just FW updates", (c) providing the helpdesk support, as this stuff is well beyond the skill sets of most dealers and (d) managing expectations on price as computer parts get cheaper but integrated products of this complexity can't usually reflect that. Oh and (e) did I mention getting sufficient volume of sales?

And I should know, having been responsible for bringing out the world's first affordable consumer outboard DAC (Arcam Black Box in 1988/9), the world's first consumer DAB tuner (Arcam Alpha 10), the world's second DVD player with HDMI (DV79) and a number of others.

Consumer Electronics in its wider sense is fast becoming a business model only larger companies can support (and even they lose money most of the time - look at DNM or Pioneer's figures for example). So everyone has to try to pick battles they can win.

I hope this adds a touch of realism to the debate. In any case all of us out there in manufacturing thank you for your continued interest and support, even when the going gets rough

John Dawson (Founder and President, Arcam)

 

[manicm]

johnnyjazz:Just because a technology is new does not mean that it is better. Linn embraced the streaming thing many years ago, probably pioneered it in Britain at least but they still build and sell turntables. If as a small British hi-fi manufacturer you have been building and selling a product that has lasted for many years and sounds fantastic then why would you want to change that. As the years have gone by more and more hi-fi components have been mass produced moulded plastic rubbish, fabricated from the lowest bidder, even most speaker enclosures now are MDF with a cheap veneer, if you want something that has had a pair of hands on it for more than 3 minutes then it is classed as a SPECIALIST finish. I know that the internet will eventually take over the choice of music you can buy but until that day comes i will stick to my CD player as the source, dinosaur it may be. There is another thread on this site which asks which watch should i buy, and most of the replies seem to be to purchase a timepiece that is built the same way as original watches, ie mechanical, not digital or anything else. Maybe in years to come the whole internet, streaming, no physical media option might just turn around and bite the manufacturers who embraced it so much. Never put all your eggs etc.

Since no-one in their right mind is going to buy a Majik LP12 for 2k, or a Sondek LP12 for even more without a tonearm, Linn have effectively put their eggs in one basket, and apparently sales have vindicated them. They are admittedly aiming slightly higher than Richer Sounds etc.

 

[Anonymous]

I for one am not too bothered about "bells and whistles" when it comes to hi-fi, and I think the hi-fi industry focuses less on these fancy features than the home cinema industry. I don't need 3D, HD, 9.1 surround sound, HDMI 1.4, the latest Dolby Digital etc. etc. etc. from my hi-fi, I just need it to sound good! I would rather spend 5 grand on a simple hi-fi that sounds great than on one loaded with features that doesn't sound so good.

When it comes to new(ish) tech for hi-fi, the only thing I'm bothered about is being able to stream networked music in an uncompressed format. I can't really be bothered with CDs any more and would much rather stream my audio than have to load disks. CDs don't have the retro, romantic feel of putting vinyl on and I quite frankly don't get the same pleasure out of the physical process of loading a CD.

When I have saved up a decent amount of money for an upgraded hi-fi system, I won't be looking for "bells and whistles". I will be looking for 1) fantastic sound 2) upgradeability 3) basic features that I require/desire. I am currently admiring Naim systems they have 1) fantastic sound quality 2) excellent upgradability paths and 3) al of the features that I am after.

I would say that the original question would hold more weight if it was aimed at the home cinema market, but for hi-fi, the number 1 priority has to be quality, and that quality without compromise may come at a price of slightly longer time from idea to market, but when it comes to a substantial investment, I would rather know that what I am buying is a well considered, thoroughly researched and developed product rather than a rushed to market product that quite frankly doesn't cut the mustard...

Hi-fi is about quality, not cheap gimmicks, so if you have to wait a year or two for the features you want, then so be it. i for one would be happy to make such an investment for the product I desire.

 

[Anonymous]

John Arcam Dawson:
Whew! So you'd like an all-singing all-dancing solution from lots of small companies?

-snip-

So everyone has to try to pick battles they can win.

I hope this adds a touch of realism to the debate. In any case all of us out there in manufacturing thank you for your continued interest and support, even when the going gets rough

John Dawson (Founder and President, Arcam)

+1

Thanks for you input John.
Nice to have real Celeb on here
🙂

 

[Red Dragon]

ashworth_rich:John Arcam Dawson:

Whew! So you'd like an all-singing all-dancing solution from lots of small companies? -snip- So everyone has to try to pick battles they can win.

I hope this adds a touch of realism to the debate. In any case all of us out there in manufacturing thank you for your continued interest and support, even when the going gets rough

John Dawson (Founder and President, Arcam)

+1 Thanks for you input John. Nice to have real Celeb on here 🙂

Ditto...someone who might actually know what they're talking about..!!! lol. A valued opinion indeed and very insightful...cheers John.