'cos new things are always better

Good post Laurie! I am totally in tume with your third point (3), particularly the first paragraph. "Total range changes do undermine that philosophy...." That worries me a bit. And I'm still not keen on the new logo (brand name?). Whatever happened to Audio?

Anyway, got that shelf up yet?
And any news on the f*s*s?

Regards, CB

I think you both may have summarised neatly the concerns of a large slab of the membership here. The conundrum from a Salisbury perspective is that you have to attract new customers without pissing off the existing ones.

It seems to me that they have done terrifically well so far by dint of:

1. Strong, reliable, long-life product which sounds good.

2. Expensive, but good value over time.

3. Matchless customer service and backup.

Keeping to those three things over the years generates tremendous positive word-of-mouth about the company's basic integrity, which is the kind of thing that even billion-dollar advertising simply cannot do. After all, how many people actually feel good about buying a Microsoft product? And how many of the three points above could be applied to Microsoft?

In many ways, the actions and products of a company like Naim Audio are the ultimate form of self-expression for the people in charge. So far, they appear to have done a excellent job of just being themselves. It would be great if that, above all, didn't change.

Best;

Mark

(an imperfect
forum environment is
better than none)

If the existing users of a product don't like the changes, it is quite possible for them to resist by continuing to buy the old stuff. This leads to an increase in second-hand prices. This is already very common in the electric guitar/amp market.
I can see some Naim products like the NAT 01 and possibly SBL, begin to increase in price, possibly above the original new cost.