While I think this is indeed a strange marriage, perhaps this is a way to have both a dealer network and experiment with a quasi-direct to consumer home trial marketing approach. Aparrently there is a 30 day trial period when purcahsing through Crtuchfield. I doubt that any one would argue that hearing any new component wihtin one's own room within one's own system has it's advantages. On the other hand having a dealer who can properly set up an appropriate system and demo various configurations has it's advantages as well. At this time it doesn't appear as though Crutchfield is discounting Thiel products. As long as dealer's have a decent return policy, I suspect dealers will still maintain an advantage. The Crutchfield option will certainly help those without a local Thiel dealer as well.The interesting consideration here, is that Thiel may now be able to even be more selective in allowing dealers to carry their line, ensuring the best possible demonstaritons. Whether or not, the availabilty of a Crutchfield purchse compromises the snob factor of the Thiel name is yet to be seen. The interesting thing here, to me a least, is whether other firms follow suit. As it stands Crutchfield can't as yet put together a system that really shows off Thiel products to the best of Thiels ability. Should that change and firms like Crutchfield start to caryy more high end gear, it could have a major effect on the traditional brick and mortar salons. With that in mind, I can't help but wonder if dealers revolt and start to reject the Thiel line. I suppose the only other comparison we have to this approach is the one with Monster Cables. While Monster seems to have lost much of it's luster with audiophiles, I suspect they are more profitable. Many audiophile seem to love supporting the obscure underdog and reject the big well known names, regardless of the merit of overdog's products. Thiel may have already "achieved" this status. This might get interesting.
