The Economy.. will hi end audio mfgs lower prices?

I just bought the new Pass Labs XP-20 preamp. It retails for about 14% less than the prevous Pass flagship and offers better performance. It was released just before the economy took a dive, so I don't know if the price drop is a response to the economy or not, but it does offer much better value than the model it replaces.

the demand for components in the $10,000 and up price category is probably not price sensitive. there would be no reason to lower prices.in addition, i would expect more manufacturers to go direct in order to increase their profit margin.

I agree that expensive items may not be price sensitive, they will be in quantity. I am sure fewer units will be solved, equally a problem for manufacturers.

Demand should be dropping, ie. prices should follow. I can't imagine anyone wanting to pay retail in this economic climate. I look at present retail prices as set for a bubble market, retail should absolutely be reset for a depreciated market, they are behind the curve. I would look at present and past retail prices before making any purchasing decisions.

I can understand exclusivity with some of these upmarket products, does that insulate them from market realities, it absolutely shouldn't. But who am I to know, enough may be willing to pay bubble prices in a deflated market, prices may remain high.

03-12-09: Clio09
Doesn't he own a baseball team too?

You may be thinking about the similarly-named Jeffery Loria who owns the Marlins and who used to own the Expos.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Loria