This whole “oh they’re alienating long term loyal customers” thing makes no sense. I mean, am I alienated by Naim because I can’t afford a NAC 552 (and am unlikely ever to do so)? Not really. Or did I become alienated when they bought out a £200,000 Statement amp? Nope.
Do I feel betrayed by Linn issuing a limited edition TT that costs £50K? Not at at all.
The price hikes on Linn (and other firms’) gear is really annoying, but that’s life at the moment. And price rises on, say a Klimax DSM or an Ekos arm aren’t really anything to do with the LP12-50, are they?
I remain a loyal Linn and Naim customer, even if I never buy another bit of the latest gear.
I was told, by Sound Advice, who sold me my LP12 (back in 1981), that the Inner Platter should be just ‘lifted’ using a suitable packing piece (*), when moving or transporting the deck. It should NOT be removed.
Seems like this ‘sound advice’ is still valid…
(* - they made one for me, from some Expanded Polystyrene, about 20mm thick - and I still have and use this, whenever my LP12 is transported)
I think some of us who have been loyal customers for decades do feel a bit alienated though.
Yes, if you can’t afford it so be it, but in terms of being a premium brand customer you can sometimes feel belittled, and if that’s the case you may well look elsewhere if you come to upgrade in the future.
Ok fair enough, but how much does a fully klimaxed LP12 cost at the moment. I assume the LP12-50 is basically this with the new plinth and with a new look
That’s not what I said, but I expect you know that anyway. I am just puzzled that you might feel “belittled” by a high-end hi-fi company putting something out that you can’t afford. It’s something I’ve not really come across before.
Unless Ivor and Gilad have been over, slagging you off, and calling you a worthless pauper or a shabby peasant in front of your family, friends and work colleagues…
I wonder if Dieter Rams was involved in the classic electric shavers that Braun used to manufacture? They managed to adhere to the “form follows function” mantra superbly.
There was no offence taken - I know you did not imply any personal criticism or slight, simply not your style
It’s simply that I feel that the customer base ‘triangle’ for many posh audio companies seems to be inverting.
Decades ago most would have had fairly basic yet expensive Chrome bumper/Olive kit with a sensible upgrade path, and very few would have been purchasing NAC 52s etc.
Marketing drives now seem to highlight extremely expensive options.
Most posts are about pretty high-end upgrade options and I can only assume that many new Naim users with more modest kit might feel reluctant about posting about their pride and joy which cost a few grand when people spout on about 20k streamers and similar equipment.
