AudioCircle

Audio/Video Gear and Systems => All Solid State => Topic started by: OzarkTom on 30 Sep 2017, 01:02 pm

Title: Case Closed: Classé Closing October 6th
Post by: OzarkTom on 30 Sep 2017, 01:02 pm
And another one bites the dust.

https://www.strata-gee.com/classe-closing-october-6th/#more-16528
Title: Re: Case Closed: Classé Closing October 6th
Post by: FullRangeMan on 30 Sep 2017, 01:35 pm
Sad, another case of re-engineering, looks they will manufacture Classé brand in Asia.
Title: Re: Case Closed: Classé Closing October 6th
Post by: rollo on 30 Sep 2017, 01:38 pm
  Good now I can officially throw away the two CD players that cost over 6K for both. Never worked properly.


charles
Title: Re: Case Closed: Classé Closing October 6th
Post by: Wind Chaser on 30 Sep 2017, 02:40 pm
I wonder if that means there's going to be a fire sale on remaining inventory?

Also, "The company is said to be sitting on some millions of dollars worth of what are now useless parts, some of which will likely be returned to suppliers. But much of these parts are not returnable and will need to be destroyed or otherwise scrapped at a total loss."  :o 

Title: Re: Case Closed: Classé Closing October 6th
Post by: JakeJ on 30 Sep 2017, 02:52 pm
This is sad.  I think they may have let themselves become irrelevant in today's market.

As to the spare parts they have I hope they sell it off to surplus suppliers, certainly a better option than "destroyed or otherwise scrapped."
Title: Re: Case Closed: Classé Closing October 6th
Post by: Armaegis on 30 Sep 2017, 04:05 pm
Dang, sad to see another company go down (a Canuck one at that... not many of us left).
Title: Re: Case Closed: Classé Closing October 6th
Post by: timind on 30 Sep 2017, 04:12 pm
They lost me a few years ago when they announced they were moving production to China without any price relief.

Title: Re: Case Closed: Classé Closing October 6th
Post by: FullRangeMan on 30 Sep 2017, 04:28 pm
This is sad.  I think they may have let themselves become irrelevant in today's market.
B&W hammer do it, in the 90s before the english administration Classé was strong and came to compete w/Krell and Mark Levinson.
Title: Re: Case Closed: Classé Closing October 6th
Post by: RDavidson on 30 Sep 2017, 05:31 pm
B&W hammer do it, in the 90s before the english administration Classé was strong and came to compete w/Krell and Mark Levinson.

Agree with FRM. Classe never really made anything truly desireable since the late 90's or early 2000's when they had stuff like the Omicron monoblocks. B&W turned Classe into sortof a step-up product line from Rotel. Horrible move. It's very similar to what Klipsch did with Aragon...which was also unsuccessful.
Title: Re: Case Closed: Classé Closing October 6th
Post by: FullRangeMan on 30 Sep 2017, 05:37 pm
B&W had an amps and CDP entry line brand called Aura.
Classé was praised in reviews at Audio mag.
Title: Re: Case Closed: Classé Closing October 6th
Post by: RDavidson on 30 Sep 2017, 06:04 pm
Yeah, but none of that stuff truly stood out from the crowd the way the older, better, Classe amps did. If I'm spending a lot of money, I want something special. Just my opinion.
Title: Re: Case Closed: Classé Closing October 6th
Post by: Johnny2Bad on 15 Dec 2017, 02:42 am
Classé is not dead yet. There have been companies showing interest (3 have backed out) and a deal may be pending with Sound United (California). This spring they bought Boston Acoustics, Denon & Marantz, and also own Polk and Definitive Technology. Nothing final yet but stay tuned.
Title: Re: Case Closed: Classé Closing October 6th
Post by: 2bigears on 15 Dec 2017, 03:12 am
 :D they bought all those companies up and now toast ?  Hummmm.  What a move there. 
       Hard times comin' if you can see.   :D