End of an era
It looks like the end for amp and deck. Hi-fi separates, once the must-have home entertainment accessory, have all but died a death.
As consumers flock to digital stereos, which can store music downloads and play DVDs and mini-discs as well as the traditional CD, tape and radio, Pioneer - the king of separates - is phasing out single-format players and speakers.
"Stack systems with one box for radio, one for tapes, one for CDs and then a record player on top have disappeared," said John Bamford, Pioneer GB's product manager.
"We make some stereo amps but there is no demand for them. We sell 1,000 surround-sound amplifiers for every stereo amp."
He added: "I imagine we'll stop selling them completely within the next three years."
Read the story in the Independent. |
