Developing story, affects Rotel/B&W alliance

[will1066]

B&W to purchase Classe

http://www.audiorevolution.com/news/0903/30.bw.shtml

[SpOoNmAn]

This has better not affect Rotel in a negative way :cry:




Life is short, Play it LOUD!

[Danbry39]

Very interesting. Need time to digest and think of how it might impact Rotel. It doesn't seem to at all signal a cutting of ties with Rotel, but a high end line, perhaps for the finest of B&W's speakers. On initial reaction, I'd be more concerned for the very high end companies that currently fit this niche at audio stores. For instance, the place that sells Rotel near me also sells Meridian and MacIntosh. It seems to me that B&W's long arm would more try to manipulate Classe replacing brands like these in the stores than the Rotels. Their five channel, 250 per channel, amp, which I hear is superb, still has an msrp of $7500 and some of their amps cost over $15,000. As much as I wish it was otherwise, Rotel has no chance of losing me to Classe, unless I win the lottery.




Keith

[Mark_C.]

I find it odd that B&W would be acquiring a "high-end'' manufacturer at a time when the world economy is anything but receptive to expensive electronic equipment.
This could be positioning for B&W, strategically acquiring a company to grow the empire. It could also mean Classe was hurting and needed a suitor to rescue it. After all, times are tough.
It's my understanding that B&W doesn't own Rotel, just merely shares the same U.S. distributor. If B&W does have an ownership interest in Rotel, please someone let me know.
As far as I know, there are only two Classe dealers in the entire San Francisco Bay Area, which shows that although they make fine products, Classe has not made much of an impression in the market. One former Classe dealer I spoke with said the company makes fine products, but it took months to get warranty work done. Eventually the dealer dropped Classe.

[Scarp]

I doubt it affects the coorporation between Rotel and B&W. Rotel only uses the marketing and distribution channels of B&W (as can be seen by the answer of the rotel person in the Q&A thread).
However Classe and Rotel are both in a different league. Classe is more high end oriented, Rotel is mid and lower high-end oriented. Actually I think Rotel compliments Classe nicely, since it sells equipment in the regions that Classe does not cover.

[george king]

Mark,

I think you hit the nail on the head. I have heard Classe and they make wonderful sounding components. Well worth the money. However, the dealer said that their customer service was non-existant, and that they had a "snotty" attitude. So, they may be in trouble

There will always be a market for the high-end, as there will always be people with money, willing to spend it on audio. The real question is how many high end firms will the market support. These companies may only have a hope if they are part of a larger corporation (e.g., Levinson).

[greggz]

So how's about turning this into Club B&W/Classe'/Rotel? Sounds like those Classe' owners could use a friend. And maybe we could get some hand-me-down Classe' amps showing up in the Classified section.




Gregg

[Mark_C.]

I actually have Classe and Rotel amps in separate systems. I have a Classe integrated amp in my dedicated two-channel stereo system with B&W Nautilus 804s. Very nice system for dinner music or just sitting and listening. Amazing imaging.
My Rotel gear is strictly for home theater and television, although the Rotel power matches excellently with my speakers; which also just happen to be B&W.
I recently came upon a dealer who sells Rotel, B&W and Classe. He had a room set up with a projector screen, a Classe SSP-75 pre/pro, a huge Classe multi-channel amp, with Nautilus 802s for mains, HTM-1 Center channel and the Nautilus wall mounts in the rear-Lord of the Rings was the movie---DROOL! Interestingly, his showpiece audio set-up near the front door was a Rotel RB-1080, Rotel stereo preamp and B&W Signature 805s. I figured a Classe setup would be more "musical'' than Rotel, but the dealer said he preferred Rotel gear paired with B&W for music.