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A strange business model for audio

I purchased a Technic sug700 integrated amp used on here and while it is not perfect (only70 watts aside from class d) I  am enjoying my time with it, as Ricardo would say it looks and sounds marvelous. There were a number of factors I took into consideration including two stellar reviews.
So naturally, I am interested in Panasonic/Technics and what they might be planning. So the buzz is they are getting back in the USA in a big way. Yet when I try to contact either the parent corp. or Technics I either get a nonworking number, nonworking email address, or some useless computer directing me to those nonworking numbers. I also found out if something went wrong with the amp.it  would have to be shipped 2000mi to fla. When I called their dealers none of the locals had any of my amps in inventory and were awaiting their first shipments. I have not run across any ads or other reviews son I guess they are not reaching out to them why not I  wonder,if it was a kef LS50 there would be a dozen reviews. This product line has been out for at least 3 years. It is as if they abandoned the US market or the marketing and distribution  depts. are incompetent. Just saying my experence.

scott22
fatdaddy2
367 posts
 
You think huge conglomerates like Technics/Panasonic give a s**t about what any of us think, or care whether we can reach their corporate offices (to do what?)?  Think again!
philgo01
66 posts
 
I don't think Technics / Panasonic is unique. I submitted an inquiry to a US based speaker company and it took them almost 3 months to respond back, with 1001 apologies....   I've had better luck with getting timely (w/in 48 hours) response back from the likes of Vinshine (Singapore) and other Asian manufacturers (Korea, China, Taiwan, HongKong) and that includes the 12+ hour time difference... But sometimes the language barrier can be challenging... 
jnovak's avatar
jnovak
401 posts
 
THEE most important criteria for me is; Are the people at the company passionate about their products? Will one of them answer the phone if I call? I've had great electronics but dumped them for this very reason. Classe was one of them. Actually, I currently own a pair of Pioneer speakers that feature trickle down technology from the TAD speakers. They sound great BUT when I wanted to pick someone's brain from Pioneer? Forget about it! They may or may not stay. Joe  
glupson
7,842 posts
 
It is interesting to see how deeply people get involved with their electronics, knowing that electronics these days is usable and, eventually, a throw-away product.

It is a little annoying knowing the track record of a company not supporting their products after a while (SONY, for example) so it does become planned obsolence, but that is how it goes.
scott22 OP
241 posts
 
  • Philgo you are spot on. I try to avoid the conglomerates in favor of local small operations. the big corporations, in general, could give a rats patoot about the consumer. Unfortunately, when it comes to big-ticket items above my means I must go to the used market, such was this case. For the 99% of us life is about compromise. I might add for 30% of families in the USA who live check to check as we are seeing it's about survival.
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