. Can companies like Krell, Pass Labs and Audio Research make a go of it without dealers? How important is the showroom for hi-fi sales? How many showrooms have you been in that are reasonably laid out like your listening room? How necessary are brick and mortar stores for hi-fi sales? .
03-13-09: Taters I think most of the well known companies could sell direct if they would offer the consumer the 40% discount they give to dealers. If they were trying to sell the product at full retail it would be hard. Like it or not price in a lot of cases dictates what people will buy. I own all ARC gear but if VTL, VAC or Hovland offered me 40% off I would be Inclined to buy it over ARC. I think eventually the big manufacters will sell direct. It's just a matter of time. Taters (Threads | Answers | This Thread)
