Busted, another nail in the coffin for 'high-end' audio..

[GMichael]

I believe that Canon still designs, manufactures, and assembles all of HP's printers, and the badge on the front is just that, a badge. The big difference, is that the price difference between Canon and HP printers isn't $2K.

I'm really surprised that Lexicon is sticking to their guns, not just because of the negative popular press, but also considering the negative response it will be getting from the audio community. As has been pointed out, it calls all hi-fi into question and could affect sales across this industry, especially in this economy. I sure hope Michael Fremer doesn't come out in defense of Lexicon....

It's one heck of a big degree though. That's like saying that cutting your finger and chopping your head off are the same thing. Just a matter of degree.

[nightflier]

It's one heck of a big degree though. That's like saying that cutting your finger and chopping your head off are the same thing. Just a matter of degree.

...tapeworm.

Just kidding, yes, I think the crux of the issue is the huge price difference. As someone who just paid $1300 for a rebadged Oppo (albeit modded, too), I can tell you that it took a lot of second-guessing before I was willing to do that, especially w/o hearing it first. My results were positive, but I also realize that I'm one of only a handful of people who happened to have a regular Oppo on hand to compare it with (and a preamp with two MC inputs). I wonder how many Lexicon owners also had an Oppo on hand - my guess is that Lexicon was hoping very few people who would pay $2.5K for a player would even bother with a $500 one. I guess they forgot about the reviewers.

[GMichael]

...tapeworm.

Just kidding, yes, I think the crux of the issue is the huge price difference. As someone who just paid $1300 for a rebadged Oppo (albeit modded, too), I can tell you that it took a lot of second-guessing before I was willing to do that, especially w/o hearing it first. My results were positive, but I also realize that I'm one of only a handful of people who happened to have a regular Oppo on hand to compare it with (and a preamp with two MC inputs). I wonder how many Lexicon owners also had an Oppo on hand - my guess is that Lexicon was hoping very few people who would pay $2.5K for a player would even bother with a $500 one. I guess they forgot about the reviewers.

There are some people out there with more money than they know what to do with. Many of them are willing to pay a lot extra just to be able to say that they have something that is not the same as everyone else's. (or in this case, just not look the same as everyone else's) Most of them don't research what they are buying. They just buy the most expensive one they can find.

[Hyfi]

There are some people out there with more money than they know what to do with. Many of them are willing to pay a lot extra just to be able to say that they have something that is not the same as everyone else's. (or in this case, just not look the same as everyone else's) Most of them don't research what they are buying. They just buy the most expensive one they can find.

You are not kidding. I have witnessed this in person many times when Soundex had the big store. I would watch a guy come in one day and drop 20k and then see him there two weeks later trading the stuff in for something 30k.

I also have some well off friends and they seem to judge everything on how much it cost and not it's actual value.

[GMichael]

You are not kidding. I have witnessed this in person many times when Soundex had the big store. I would watch a guy come in one day and drop 20k and then see him there two weeks later trading the stuff in for something 30k.

I also have some well off friends and they seem to judge everything on how much it cost and not it's actual value.

If I had their kind of money, I might do the same thing.