[Mr Peabody]

How would you feel if you were the proud owner of a $3.5k Lexicon BD player and then learned it was an Oppo on the inside, the very same Oppo that sells for only $499.00??  I'm talking the same, no tweaks, no mods, just dropped in a Lexicon housing.  This is bad, very bad and I hope Lexicon burns for it.

http://consumerist.com/2010/01/company-puts-500-blu-ray-player-in-new-case-charges-3000-markup-and-gets-caught.html

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/transports/high-definition-dvd-players-hd-dvd-blu-ray/lexicon-bd-30-blu-ray-oppo-clone/oppo-inside-lexicon-outside-1

I'm sure more can be found on the internet with a search.

[decal]

Un-freakin-believable!!!!!!! Makes you wonder how often this type of practice goes on and who's doing it.

[DaveC113]

They should change their name to Lexi-Con.

[stereocilia]

Yikes.  I guess this isn't so new. Anybody remember the Red Rose/Dussun amp controversy?  Anyway, my wife, who is marketing, is less shocked than I am because she knows that people are buying a "brand" as much as a product itself when they make a purchase.  Still:  not cool.

[nonoise]

The one good thing about this farce is realization and acknowledgment of true, down to earth products that offer top value and don't break the bank. I learned my lesson a long time ago: shiny things don't interest me much anymore.

[cujobob]

This is done all of the time.  Re-badging of products happens with computer components (especially video cards which are mostly made by a single company) and just about everything else.

It sucks, but people are ignorant and buy things because they 'trust' a certain brand-name.

Price isn't always a good indicator of quality.

[john1970]

Glad to see that Audioholics did their research.  I really hope that Lexicon goes out of business; this is a deceptive and dishonest business practice.  If I had purchased one of these players I would return it to the dealer ASAP with a copy of the article.  I would also report Lexicon to the BBB.

[Mr Peabody]

I don't know, this seems beyond rebadging to me.  It's not like Panasonic making a unit for RCA or whatever, maybe a $50 to $100.00 difference in retail.  We're talking $3k here.

Every one knows buyer beware but is it wrong to expect a company to live up to or stand by their rep.

[Tyson]

This is why DIY is such a good idea - people on AC should spend more time in "The Lab" and build their own stuff.  If you use a proven design, you can maximize parts quality and be certain that you are getting what you pay for!

[Phil A]

But they have been doing it with their last couple of players and people have continued to buy them.  You know what PT Barnum siad   Their RT-20 universal was a very slightly modified Marantz DV-9500 for almost $3000 more.  Their RT-10 was also a clone.  They are owned by Harman International which has had financial difficulties.  They shut down Madrigal and discontinued the Proceed brand.  They previously discontinued the Citation brand.  There are Levinson and Proceed pieces that are not that old that they won't even repair any longer.  There are complaints all over Audio Asylum.  I have much older pieces of equipment than some of the things they won't even repair.  I've seen posts by people that the company gave them 3 repair shops that might be able to get them out of having a very expensive doorstop.

[worldcat]

Many things like this has happened in the past in high-end audio.  It gives high-end industry a bad name and will effect everyone in it.  Its a shame.

[Phil A]

I personally try to avoid Harman Int'l stuff for that reason.  I am not fond of companies that practice those type of things.  All I can do is exercise my rights when it comes to my wallet.  It's good that this is finally coming to light.  Perhaps others will avoid their stuff a bit too.