Naim price increase.

Be thankful you're not in North America. Something like 20-25% coming our way, I'm told.

If people will pay, you put the price up. If they won't, you don't.

Yep, it's called the "market". Businesses have an obligation to make as much profit for their owners as is possible.

Known as elasticity by economists, I believe.

Pretty much the same for Germany

I'm guessing your source is mistaken. While Naim did absorb price increases during the recession the increase your source describes would end the amp-preamp business quickly in the US and would put the other part of the line under very strong  pricing pressure. I just don't see an increase like that happening. 

Plus the euro was recently at an 11 year low vs. the USD. Hard to justify that size of an increase.

Easy answer - refuse to buy at those prices.

I'm indifferent to increase the prices. For luxury items I just buy what I can afford. If the prices go up, I'll just buy something lower down the ladder.

Winky,

I'm not disputing what you've heard, but does that kind of information seem credible, especially given current trends in exchange rates? I'm looking at recent performance of the USD.

25% in Germany. But not only naim, all brands from outside of germany, and german brands will follow because of the price increase of parts paid worldwide in dollars.

It is such a farce. Naim raised their prices in the US a couple of times due to the weak dollar but they never went back to the old price when the dollar got strong again. Same thing with the airlines, raising their fares and imposing numerous fuel charges when the crude was trading at $100 and 'forgetting' to wave these charges when the crude is at $48. 

I guess that part of the problem for dealers is that if they purchased product on a weaker dollar they'd experience some loss selling on the increased dollar's value. Yet most US dealers don't seem to keep much new inventory, perhaps for that reason. As for the speculated price increase, it doesn't make much sense to the US consumer. Maybe some speculation involved on Naim's part, but it seems current US buyers could be faced with an undue premium to buy new Naim. Glad I'm not planning a new purchase.

I heard the same thing as Winky, I think though it only applies to Canada as our dollar is so low to the pound and US dollar right now. I am interested in a 552 which is 34,000 Canadian, being told it could be anywhere up to 40-42 thousand. I sure hope not, they are going to kill the Canadian market if 15 to 25 percent price increase.

I would think a price increase on that level in the North American market would be imprudent,  In general Naim does not seem to have a big presence here, and that kind of increase would, IMO, contribute to an even smaller market share.

good for resale price of s/h equipment.bad otherwise.

That statement is crying out for a winking emoticon

A more expensive dollar means less expensive imported goods for Americans, while making imports of more expensive for those overseas. 

About 15% in France on certain items, CD players had already gone up three or four months ago. No doubt prices will come down when the euro goes up again...

So after all of our conjecture what was the annual April price increase in actuality?

Not sure about America, but Winky is correct for Canada.  So if you are on the fence, sooner rather than later is my advice.

Maybe due to the North American importer now being based in Canada, as opposed to the formerly US based Sound Organization? Damn, we Americans just can't get no love.

Joe, I'm not sure about the states as $1 US = $1.25 CAD currently.  So I think that's part of the reason why Canada will have a larger than normal increase.

Have you heard about the increasing costs of raw materials these days?

The price of copper has decreased by more than 20% from its 2014 high. The price of crude oil, the fuel for extraction, refinement, and shipment of raw materials has dropped nearly in half during the past year. Perhaps there is a lag effect to market. Should we expect a concurrent price reduction in gear next year? I guess demand/sales could be the arbiter. Maybe folks will say enough is enough and stand pat with their existing gear or open their wallets to other brands.