Audio’s New Powerhouse: Sound United Acquires D+M

Options
BlueBirdMusic
BlueBirdMusic Posts: 2,082
in The Clubhouse
I just saw this on another site. Polk included in this Powerhouse

http://www.soundandvision.com/content/audio’s-new-powerhouse-sound-united-acquires-dm#Vi1sLRdvEYJsWYdg.97
"Sometimes you have to look to the past to understand where you are going in the future"


Harry / Marietta GA
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,132
    edited March 2017
    Options
    I want to start a petition for silver Marantz in the US :)
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,116
    edited March 2017
    Options
    Wow, hope it works for the good.
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BlueBirdMusic
    BlueBirdMusic Posts: 2,082
    Options
    Silver Marantz and the Champagne color on higher end items in US.
    "Sometimes you have to look to the past to understand where you are going in the future"


    Harry / Marietta GA
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • motorhead43026
    motorhead43026 Posts: 3,892
    Options
    I remember in the 70's saying "I wish we could get black gear"
    2 channel: Anthem 225 Integrated amp; Parasound Ztuner; TechnicsTT SL1350; Vincent PHO-8 phono pre; Marantz CD6005 spinner; Polk SDA2BTL's; LAT International speaker cables, ZU Mission IC's and power cables all into a PS Audio Dectet Power center.

    Other; M10 series II, M7C's, Hafler XL600 amp, RB-980BX, Parasound HCA-1500 amp , P5 preamp, all in storage. All vintage Polk have had crossover rebuilds and tweeter upgrades.

    The best way to predict the future is to invent it.

    It is imperative that we recognize that an opinion is not a fact.

    Imagine making politics your entire personality.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,132
    Options
    I'm not harping on black, just not for one of my setups. I want a new SACD player, and don't want to spend the money on a Esoteric, and like a couple additional feature Eso doesn't have.

    I want a cake and eat it tooo. :/
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,132
    Options
    Shut up Skip
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • D2Lo
    D2Lo Posts: 352
    Options
    BlueBirdMusic wrote: »
    Silver Marantz and the Champagne color on higher end items in US.

    Don't worry, me too! :smiley:


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,582
    edited March 2017
    Options
    nbrowser wrote: »
    All I see is quality companies coming together, Polk, DT, Marantz, Denon...good things can come of this!

    Or not. Don't forget when the bean counters get involved quality gear can take a hit. FWIW when was the last time you read anything about great DVD players from Denon ? Not since the 2900,3910 or 5910 series. Their BR players got no articles I remember exclaiming how great they were. They have been pretty mediocre since then.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,049
    Options
    nbrowser wrote: »
    All I see is quality companies coming together, Polk, DT, Marantz, Denon...good things can come of this!

    Like Fiat & Chrysler? ;)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,981
    Options
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    nbrowser wrote: »
    All I see is quality companies coming together, Polk, DT, Marantz, Denon...good things can come of this!

    Or not. Don't forget when the bean counters get involved quality gear can take a hit. FWIW when was the last time you read anything about great DVD players from Denon ? Not since the 2900,3910 or 5910 series. Their BR players got no articles I remember exclaiming how great they were. They have been pretty mediocre since then.

    that's because B&M decided to make marantz the high end company of the two. And you do see lots of good reviews on marantz's blu ray and SACD players.

    The bad thing here - just like with Def tech and polk - is that the bean counters want to keep their companies from competing against each other to some extent. And THAT is bad for us...
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es; Squeezebox Touch with Bolder Power Supply
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1    Cambridge Azur 551r; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,582
    Options
    rooftop59 wrote: »
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    nbrowser wrote: »
    All I see is quality companies coming together, Polk, DT, Marantz, Denon...good things can come of this!

    Or not. Don't forget when the bean counters get involved quality gear can take a hit. FWIW when was the last time you read anything about great DVD players from Denon ? Not since the 2900,3910 or 5910 series. Their BR players got no articles I remember exclaiming how great they were. They have been pretty mediocre since then.

    that's because B&M decided to make marantz the high end company of the two. And you do see lots of good reviews on marantz's blu ray and SACD players.

    The bad thing here - just like with Def tech and polk - is that the bean counters want to keep their companies from competing against each other to some extent. And THAT is bad for us...


    Can't argue that
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
    edited March 2017
    Options
    ^^^ +1 remember when I asked what polk used to test their speakers on?
    (oh, and scoffed at)

    Now it's a good thing to merge...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,049
    Options
    rednedtugent wrote: »
    ^^^ +1 remember when I asked what polk used to test their speakers on?
    (oh, and scoffed at)

    Now it's a good thing to merge...

    Life works like that. As a former VP of R&D at an erstwhile employer of mine used to say:
    Hold on to your theories lightly

    Or, to translate this to the current topic -- "careful how you feel/what you say about your competition, since you might end up in bed with them someday."

    :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,805
    Options
    txcoastal1 wrote: »
    I'm not harping on black, just not for one of my setups. I want a new SACD player, and don't want to spend the money on a Esoteric, and like a couple additional feature Eso doesn't have.

    I want a cake and eat it tooo. :/

    Audio Advisor is selling the new Marantz SA10 in champagne, but not black.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,805
    Options
    I have the feeling this will cause Marantz's Ken Ishiwata to retire and that would be a great shame. The man has a true golden ear.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HzTweaker
    HzTweaker Posts: 725
    Options
    motorhead43026 wrote: »
    I remember in the 70's saying "I wish we could get black gear"

    Because they couldn't find the paint.
    DSkip wrote: »
    txcoastal1 wrote: »
    I'm not harping on black, just not for one of my setups. I want a new SACD player, and don't want to spend the money on a Esoteric, and like a couple additional feature Eso doesn't have.

    I want a cake and eat it tooo. :/

    4lHc598.jpg

    ^^These guys on the other hand! This S*** made me fall out of my chair laughing. :D
    2ch rig:Speakers: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress modsPreamplifier: Parasound P5Amplifier: Parasound A23CDP: Pioneer DV-563ACables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dromunds
    dromunds Posts: 9,984
    Options
    By the look in his eyes, that guy's been drinking or hitting the crack pipe. My guess is the former.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mrloren
    mrloren Posts: 2,454
    Options
    Yeah that guy looks a little messed up.

    As for the merge, I like it. I do hope it goes for the best on all companies which will give us a better product.
    When I was a kid my parents told me to turn it down. Now I'm an adult and my kids tell me to turn it down.
    Family Room:LG QNED80 75", Onkyo RZ50 Emotiva XPA3 GEN3 Oppo BDP-93,Sony UBP-X800BM. Main: Polk LsiM 705Center: Polk LSiM 704CFront High/Rear High In-Ceiling Polk 80F/X RT Surrounds: Polk S15 Sub: HSU VTF3-MK5
    Bed Room; Marantz SR5010, BDP-S270Main: Polk Signature S20Center: Polk Signature S35Rear: Polk R15 Sub: SVS SB2000
    Working Warehouse; Yamaha A-S301, Sony DVP-NS3100ES for disc Plok TSX550T SVS PB2000 Mini tower PC with 400GB of music
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • honestaquarian
    honestaquarian Posts: 3,186
    Options
    The bigger the companies get, the more the bean counters take over everything and the more the customer service and quality control go right down the terlet.

    How many times have wee seen THIS trend???

    Just look at what has happened to Polk customer service

    http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/175977/kim-jasper-your-customer-service-dept-is-a-disaster#latest
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,049
    Options
    F1nut wrote: »
    I have the feeling this will cause Marantz's Ken Ishiwata to retire and that would be a great shame. The man has a true golden ear.

    I'd concur. hk has had some good ones: Bernie Kardon, Stewart Hegeman, Matti Otala all spring to mind, too. Well, I actually dunno about Kardon, but I reckon he was at least OK.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mrloren
    mrloren Posts: 2,454
    Options
    This could go south but I am going to remain optimistic. Reason being is all these companies strive to put out a good product.

    At least they didn't buy Onkyo.
    When I was a kid my parents told me to turn it down. Now I'm an adult and my kids tell me to turn it down.
    Family Room:LG QNED80 75", Onkyo RZ50 Emotiva XPA3 GEN3 Oppo BDP-93,Sony UBP-X800BM. Main: Polk LsiM 705Center: Polk LSiM 704CFront High/Rear High In-Ceiling Polk 80F/X RT Surrounds: Polk S15 Sub: HSU VTF3-MK5
    Bed Room; Marantz SR5010, BDP-S270Main: Polk Signature S20Center: Polk Signature S35Rear: Polk R15 Sub: SVS SB2000
    Working Warehouse; Yamaha A-S301, Sony DVP-NS3100ES for disc Plok TSX550T SVS PB2000 Mini tower PC with 400GB of music
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,906
    Options
    I'm a skeptic.....these companies that keep buying up the smaller ones do it for market share, and to shore up stock prices. Their responsibility is to stock holders, not a pursuit of quality audio.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,049
    Options
    It's the easiest way to "grow" in an essentially stagnant (limited growth) business sector -- which is, at least for public companies, all that matters.

    Plus, they get all of those (on paper) "synergy" savings -- i.e., no need for most 'back office' functions, nor employees, from the company that has been acquired by the juggernaut company.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,906
    Options
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    It's the easiest way to "grow" in an essentially stagnant (limited growth) business sector -- which is, at least for public companies, all that matters.

    Plus, they get all of those (on paper) "synergy" savings -- i.e., no need for most 'back office' functions, nor employees, from the company that has been acquired by the juggernaut company.

    In English Professor...lol.

    Growth on paper, be it real or manufactured is all that matters.....to the bean counters anyway. Still, innovation and product development still happens, only the goal is profits, not necessarily better audio. That's not to say the 2 can't coexist, but when push comes to shove, you know which goes in the dumpster. On the profit side, there seems to be big bucks in software development and licensing, and I think that's the future of audio in a nutshell. Strictly analog guys need not pay any attention to that.

    I think that's why so many Boutique brands popped up over the years, started by, and run by guys with an audio first interest. Their products were usually above the rest mass marketed stuff in sound quality, though with a slightly higher price tag. In todays world though, seems to me software is taking on the pace of technology advancements, not necessarily the hardware side.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited March 2017
    Options
    The "Professor" & Tony hit the nail on the head.

    The number 1. priority of acquisitions of other companies is to grow market share.

    Yes they want to put out new products but for as little money as possible, and if they make a big discovery, they will only give you incremental improvements for several years, just to sucker you into buying that tiny improvement year after year.

    There are always people who are willing to do just that, fortunately I'm not one of them.

    In the meantime, they will tear apart the old companies (which = staff) since all they wanted was the tech that it possessed. (See Polk's new HQ is now in CA! so what happened to all that staff in Baltimore?) Hopefully they were able to retire or find new jobs.

    The only thing major corporations care about is a never ending climbing stock price. If we the consumer happen to benefit, well that is simply a welcome side effect.

    If the stock doesn't continue to rise, then they will simply downsize the people who do the work, then after a few months maybe hire new people for much lower salaries. Preferably at a fee for per service rate, that way they don't have to pay benefits. Or even better send the jobs overseas so that they can pay pennies on the dollar for the hired help.

    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,765
    Options
    The size of a technology company, or the number of bean counters (accountants/MBAs) at the company, is not the main barometer of the direction the company's customer service and focus will go. Accountants and MBAs are subject to the directives of the senior executives. If the the CEO and other senior executives have technical backgrounds and understand technology and know how to position technical products in the marketplace, that usually speaks well for the direction of the company. If you have bean counters RUNNING a technology company, then, as Anakin Skywalker derisively said, "this is where the "fun" begins".

    AT&T, Lucent Technologies, and Hewlett-Packard are a few examples of companies that lost their mojo when they shifted from executive management with science and engineering backgrounds to executive management with pure business backgrounds. In Lucent's case, the CEO that ran the company into under the ground had a history degree.
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    Options
    DarqueKnight wrote: »
    The size of a technology company, or the number of bean counters (accountants/MBAs) at the company, is not the main barometer of the direction the company's customer service and focus will go.
    ...
    Thank you!
    Craig (Evil Accountant)

    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,776
    Options
    vcwatkins wrote: »
    DarqueKnight wrote: »
    The size of a technology company, or the number of bean counters (accountants/MBAs) at the company, is not the main barometer of the direction the company's customer service and focus will go.
    ...
    Thank you!
    Craig (Evil Accountant)

    Sketchy Craig, Evil Accountant. Esq.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mrloren
    mrloren Posts: 2,454
    Options
    Here is the reason I am a little more optimistic about this than others here.

    I live in SoCal, D2lo was nice to give a friend and I a tour of the Vista facility. What I saw was a real R&D facility with people who cared about what they were doing. These are people who wanted to make a great sounding product. I was so impressed I almost sent them my resume for a job there.

    I worked for Sony for 17 years and yes I did see what bean counters can do to a product. I didn't see that at Polk, not at all.

    If they carry over what I saw in Vista to D+M we are in for a treat
    When I was a kid my parents told me to turn it down. Now I'm an adult and my kids tell me to turn it down.
    Family Room:LG QNED80 75", Onkyo RZ50 Emotiva XPA3 GEN3 Oppo BDP-93,Sony UBP-X800BM. Main: Polk LsiM 705Center: Polk LSiM 704CFront High/Rear High In-Ceiling Polk 80F/X RT Surrounds: Polk S15 Sub: HSU VTF3-MK5
    Bed Room; Marantz SR5010, BDP-S270Main: Polk Signature S20Center: Polk Signature S35Rear: Polk R15 Sub: SVS SB2000
    Working Warehouse; Yamaha A-S301, Sony DVP-NS3100ES for disc Plok TSX550T SVS PB2000 Mini tower PC with 400GB of music
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter