Is NAIM gone mad? Or the value of sticking what we have...

If this is so, then I reckon much of this is down to exchange rate movements in the past few years: relatively strong pound vs. a weak Euro has mean't inevitable price rises within the Eurozone.

Timing of purchase can be important with Naim.  My S1 went up 14% two months' after I ordered mine

The price increases are however quite handy if you later have something to sell.

Typically, Naim has had a policy of raising prices by approximately 5% per annum. If you have owned what you own for 5 years then that would account for the hilkes you have seen. Currency fluctuations also mean it's much more expensive for your distributor to buy in Naim equipment than it was 5 years ago when we had near parity with the Euro. 

Regards,

Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Yes, the British cannot let go and stick with their habits (pounds)...

Same is happening right now with swiss products after the swiss government has abondend the fix exchange rate.

+ 25% in July in France

I just can't afford Naim equipments any more

Even the oldest Naim supporters are discouraged now...

Overseas prices are one thing,  but lets keep in simple & look at UK prices & compare against inflation and/or other consumer price trends - then reapply the thread title,  it fits perfectly.

Old habits die hard,..especially when the alternatives aren't exactly rosy.

So come over and live in Britain (whilst you're still entitled to), we have the best of everything: hi-fi, music, food etc...

Or when the moment arrives, it may just resemble the Scottish referendum situation. 

Voters will initially be inclined to leave, but then be screamed at by multinationals, corporations and finance who will say you'll all be driven in to the stone age. So things will remain as they are, in the union.

...if you would add "hi-fi, music, food" and the best weather - I would be tempted...

To Frank: The point is also, the last time I checked my income has not increased by 5% every year. Damn, I definitely must do something wrong...

 exactly

Agreed. It is hard to see how Naim Audio justifies the increases. I have price lists going back to 1994 (or maybe earlier) and some of the changes have been substantial. I can only assume that it's a simple case of supply and demand. If the demand is strong, supply prices increase until a new balance is achieved. Or maybe it's conspicuous consumption. 

Yep, I hear you. Not had a payrise in 9 years (and no bonuses before anyone says something) and now it looks like my department in my main job is for the chop. Interesting times as they say.

And yes, you could argue that in times of austerity the annual price increase was unfortunate. However, I believe Naim has had an awful lot of change to deal with in the last few years with the change of ownership etc, so I suspect that is the reason for the continued increases.

Of course, there are some who believe that Naim is underpriced! This is quite often the view in the US. [shrug] OK perhaps not the Statement! Personally I wish things were different but that's the way it is.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

It's swings and roundabouts really. When the pound was weak a few years back we were suffering in the same way with imported goods. The strong pound isn't something that Naim as a company wants as it leads to reduced sales abroad. I do find their annual above inflation price hikes irksome though. 

Here in Canada, the used stereo market is very healthy. Best value for the dollar. Got a mint pair of Misos recently, just a few months old, at almost half price. People selling their used Naim products aren't getting as much as they used to. Nait 1s and 2s languish. I had to drastically discount my Headline/NAPSC on the online audio mart. My Linn dealer says Linn has not raised prices for quite a long time. Interesting times ahead. The Fed (U.S.) is planning to raise interest rates in December. First increase since 2006, I believe. Wonder what effect that will have on Canada and other countries.

Well,

got me a one year old HDX 2TB for 3000 € a year ago, now I could sell it for not less than 3500 € maybe more. Got my SN2 at 3500,-€ brand new, now it is 4500,-€ when new. So I would still get what I paid I suppose. Same with my nDac and the other stuff. I agree, would not buy new stuff right now, prices have gone crazy, for instance the HDX SSD now sells for 8.398,-€ brand new. Excuse me? 

Margins must be fantastic but I do not care too much. The market will level this out sooner or later and if people are still willing to pay such prices, then Naim makes all the right decisions. 

Example: Porsche has increased prices by at least 20% in the past 12 months for the 911 and these cars are produced in Germany - so nothing to do with exchange rates but with the fact, that luxury becomes more expensive the more money is out there..and they are basically sold out at my dealer...;-)) unbelievable but true.

Best

Chris

CDX2, UK retail: £4225, at today's change rate: €5990

CDX2, Austrian retail, beginning 2015: €5748.

CDX2, one German dealer, today: €6398

CDX2, Italian retail, today: €6999.

Supernait and Superuniti, at the moment of SU's release, Italian retail: same price, around €4000

Supernait, Italy, today: €4950; Superuniti, Italy, today: €6450.

Supernait, France, today: €4520; Superuniti, same place, today: €5600.

And so on. Change rates have little to do with all this; shipping costs are to be considered, yes, but units have a very different cost to the distributor than to the customer. It is - quite simply - a f***king jungle, dominated by

a) greed

b) the global tendency to create a luxury market for a more and more restricted range of super riches

Let's deal with it: tragic economics go hand in hand with growing classism and the separation between elites and large masses. As long as Naim will have an eye for the 'masses', it will be ok. From then on, good for the elites.

Similar jump here in Canada as well.

You can get it for cheaper on special but list price on my XS 2 went up by $1200 compared to what I paid at launch. If I were shopping now I'd be forced to look elsewhere.

At least amps retain their value quite well.

Not so with DACs, streamers, etc. Anyone buying at today's prices can expect to take a big hit as they become less relevant and prices return to ''normal''

Was it because it sounded better than Naim NDS/555 or Linn KDS ?

If one accepts the idea that £1250 is a 'popular' price for a pocket sized, portable headphone dac, which is what the Hugo was officially introduced as, at first.

N

CDX2, UK retail: £4225.

CDX2, £ equivalent of the IT €retail: 4923. Where do the +£700 go? In shipping costs? For each unit?

Because life is some much cheaper in the UK than in Italy..?

It would be funny were it not a little dramatic. It would be dramatic if we were talking of the cost of bread..

Naim have been increasing their prices in April since the 1980' s.The 552 cost £12000 when launched in 2002 and now retails at £ 2O OOO.I suppose it like buying into Rolex your always going to get your money back.I paid £1200 for my 01 tuner in 1990 and could probably sell it,as its been serviced for £ 1000 at a push.

Maybe Naim should offer their loyal upgrading customers a loyalty card where they would get say a level of Fraim or a powerline.That would me a nice gesture from Naim.

I could see the S 1 preamp retailing at £ 100 OOO in 10 years time.

And then, let's not forget that in the domain of unnecessary things, people buy more gladly if things are dearer than if they are cheaper. Lacking objective grounds for judgment, dearer is better. And, what's more entertaining, more people can not buy it, and this brings additional pleasure... Or is it not, fellow members?