rotel price increases

[browns1]

today my good friend spoke with our local rotel store. they advised an 8% price increase due to the weak dollar. has anyone received the same kind of feedback? the same dealer has been inconsistent with pricing over the past two years so even though i'm well aware of the US Dollar issues I wonder its another ploy to increase prices. previously that dealer has lost my trust and i no longer shop there so this message is more for my friends benefit.

[htsteve]

I got a similar message

browns1,

My dealer called me about an increase in the B&W speakers I was looking at (Diamonds), also due to the weak dollar. It was greater than 8%. More like 10-15%. I heard about it last week. My dealer is very reliable, so I don't think it's a ploy. Hope this helps.


Steve

[Pookie007]

I understand there is a price increase for all companies in the B&W group Jan 1. This includes Rotel, B&W, & Classe.

[hifiguymi]

I haven't heard anyting about a price increase with Rotel or Classe. As fas as I know the only brand that is going up in price is B&W and that has happened as of Nov. 1. I'll check with my rep to confirm that, but for now it's just B&W.

Eric

[Kevin D]

Glad you chimed in. Being an installer only I usually don't see any press releases until they're sitting on top of the trash can.

Kevin D.

[Pookie007]

I was told about the price increase from my local dealer on Saturday. I was inquiring about te price of a CA-3200. He could hold this years pricing until the end of the year but January he had to go with the new pricing. I wrote down the new Classe prices but can't seem to find them at this moment. They already were charging the new pricing on any B&W products they didn't have instock, but if they purchase pre increase they would honor last year's price on those if you buy in the next couple weeks.

[Pookie007]

I forgot to mention Rotel. The new pricing for this years models was good. He didn't have numbers but was expecting increases on the older models. I think the Classe CS-3200 went up around $500. This makes the McIntosh stuff look that much better.

[hifiguymi]

I just talked to my rep and Rotel pricing has not changed. Classe has gone up, but Rotel is staying where it is.

Eric

[raider]

Just pokin around on rotels web site looking for the next gen prepro and noticed the 1098 specs states it has the following:
• Dolby Digital, Dolby EX, Dolby Pro-logic IIx, dts, dtsES, dts ES Discrete, dts Neo 6, DTS 24/96, HDCD
• 8 inputs (cd, tape, tuner, video 1 - 5) plus 7.1 channel input
• 8 assignable digital inputs
• >>>>3 HDMI video inputs, 1 output<<<<<<< :E
• 4 HD component video monitor inputs, video transcoding
• Multiroom/multisource
• Multi-room/multi-source with S-Video and composite
• RS232 interface, 4 assignable 12 volt triggers

When did they start doing this and can my 1098 be upgraded to hdmi???

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated


DJS

[Kevin D]

There's several threads on it. The update happened around September. Rotel North America is providing the upgrade for $300 US, not sure for other markets. The unit has to be sent in since its more then just a new board.

You lose svideo switching and it's HDMI switching only. It can't decode audio from the HDMI ports.

Kevin D.

[raider]

Well it seems like a waste of $$$ if it can't be used to transmit high rez multi channel audio or lossy dts or dd via hdmi as i was hoping for.My Pro 150 FD has all the hdmi inputs i could ever need for the video and i believe will pass high rez audio as well (1.3 compliant).
Giving up the svideo realy would'nt concern me as i never used it and don't plan to in the future.
Are these threads you mention on the forum?

Thanxs for your reply

DJS

[Kevin D]

Yup, under 'new 1098' or something equivalent. It's a plus for new buyers of the 1098, but not really worth the upgrade otherwise.

Kevin D.

[raider]

thanxs for your reply!!!