@edgewear Great post! Here’s the funny thing, most of the people who I know and who are super rich, didn’t get that way ( or continue to stay that way) by squandering their money!
On another forum, there is discussion of the upcoming statement table from Tech Das--to be priced at a cool $500K! Now, I do know that the manufacturer and designer is expecting to sell these to his Far East market,and will sell all he can produce, but I have to say that what you posted makes a lot of sense to me.
The $20K cartridge is around the corner, unfortunately so is the $100K cartridge and the $1M turntable...
Nice thing is that these pieces typically suffer huge devaluation in a short period of time, which allows guys like me to snap them up at pennies on the dollar, LOL. |
All audio companies try to push the envelope. My understanding is Ortofon is building only 100 century cartridges. If they turn out to be as good as described they could be a bargain. I owned the anna. It was a good cartridge. Low output cartridges is where the high end is headed. I prefer the sound of low out put. The idea that they are pricing them selves out of the market is just dumb. Every real high end co has it’s no cost restraints product to show off its ability. Eventually the tech trickles down to its other lower priced items. Cars, audio, phones, computers and yes even watches (Although I don’t know who wears a watch any more). You have to keep moving forward or you cease to exist!
Just my view anyway.
✌️🖖 |
I've mentioned this elsewhere in a post about the announcement of the SPU Century, another one of their 'celebration' pieces at €5k. More 'affordable', but still about twice the price of previous Anniversary SPU's.
Ortofon has always been one of the 'sane' audio manufacturers, who put value creation before value capture. This is I believe what kept them around for so long, but now they're spoiling their own party.
Just like that other long standing cartridge manufacturer Grado, they have adopted the strategy of most other high end audio manufacturers: making 'trophies for the rich'. An absurd price tag is of course essential to its 'allure'.
It seems to me that this focus on short term profit is not a sustainable business model and might just turn out to be a dead end. High end audio has always been a market for 'enthousiasts', who generally seem to be disgusted by this trend. The audiophile community may be unusual in many ways, but extreme wealth is probably not its common denominator.
So it really comes down to a 'them or us' kind of situation. What direction will the high end 'industry' choose? Will they return to their senses? I've predicted elsewhere that the first >$20k cartridges will probably 'hit' the streets before the end of the year, so I'm not optimistic. |
The number of rich people has increased to the point where whole industries cater to their needs and whims. I get a kick watching video where Fremer says to manufactures that their products are good value at insane prices. I guess he wants to sound like a rich guy. |
@roberjerman, Indeed some of the pricing in Hi End has reached INSANE levels. Crazy thing is that many people are only too happy to pay those prices. That plus the huge devaluation these pieces take on the used market, and you may have a pretty bad scenario for the future of the hobby. IMHO
OTOH, luckily there are a few companies that are still out there that are trying to bring to market fair priced gear that can still compete at the highest level. Bryston comes to mind here. |
That $12K Ortofon cartridge better come with a big ol' diamond on the front to justify that price! |
At least a $12K diamond-encrusted watch won't wear out and need replacement in a few years! |
Hi End audio prices have reached INSANE levels over the last 20 years!
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+1
@roberjerman. If I didn’t know better, I would think that Fremer is a big baby, as he acts like a child whenever someone or something doesn’t go his way!
He has called you an imbecile, he has called me a fool, and he has called others all kinds of insulting names...and none of these Ad Hominem posts have ever got him banned from any of the forums he visits. Just goes to show how besotted so many of his fanboys are with him. I have to say that before his little tantrum on another forum, I was in his corner...that changed when he behaved the way he did. Now, as far as I am concerned, he just needs to retire and go his way.
As many other reviewers have told me, he has past his sale by date, lol. |
+1 daveyf! Fremer did post that I was an "imbecile" after calling him out on UTube for promoting some $6K Audioquest PC's! I at least retain my sanity! |
@roberjerman Why do we have to wait for Michael Fremer's review? We all know what it will be.. another love fest..of course. He hasn't heard ANY cartridge that is priced below $5K that he doesn't absolutely adore, LOL. An Ortofon priced at $12K should give him an epiphany...:0) |
It's less costly than the Grado ($16K)! We will have to wait for Michael Fremer's review! He did appraise the Grado as a SOTA contender! |
