Dear friends and customers:

SORAsound always endeavors to support you. It has been about a year that SORAsound does not distribute ZYX cartridges. I still have a lot of ZYX cartridges in stock. Bearing that in mind and a few other things I am aware of, as of this posting, it would not surprise me if ZYX Co. prices go lower and lower, similar to Filene’s basement. At least in the short term. I hate to see your “investment” de-value.

If you have purchased your ZYX products from SORAsound before April 2009, and wish to trade it towards another product SORAsound represents, please contact me for details. I will give you a credit of up to 80% of what you paid towards the purchase of other products SORAsound carries during 2010. This is a limited (time, etc.) offer, naturally done on a case by case basis, and subject to change without notice.

The Purchase Credit Program may also apply to you. I just had a customer buying a great tonearm, taking advantage of the extra credit he received.

Tags: ZYX cartridges, ZYX chats, ZYX prices

ZYX Co. and its global agent Sibatech asked me to avoid posting ZYX related material on SORAsound.com. To the extent possible, I would like to honor their wish, and frankly waste less time on it myself.

To ZYX distributors and dealers, or anyone else. If any data seems to be out of date at anytime, please feel welcome to use the LEAVE A Comment button on the appropriate posting to provide relevant comment. The statements are naturally not forward looking and to the best of my knowledge accurate at the time of the posting.

Tags: ZYX cartridges, ZYX chats

By accident I found out today that ZYX North American Retail prices have been changed and reduced for some items. I assume this is a very recent event (effective in the last few days?). From a glance, there appears to be two major changes:

• All ZYX cartridges are priced same as their copper version. So there is no longer an extra premium for silver and gold.
• ZYX Omega copper is now $6,500 instead of $7,500. Silver and Gold versions are now priced same as the copper version.

It seems like the tactic of charging significant premiums for silver and gold coils of ZYX Co. phono cartridges in North America did not work. Also it appears that the significantly lower retail prices for in other countries simply pushed North American retail prices lower. For example, ZYX Omega in one European country is retailed at $2,695 (excluding VAT), still significantly less than half the retail price of ZYX Omega in North America.

It would be great to learn about the genius of deciding to charge an absurd premium of up to $1,100 for Gold coils instead of copper (in case of ZYX diamond). It would also be good to know now that different coils are priced the same, if some dealers still think that Gold coil ZYX is better than silver and copper versions. Anyways, I just noticed the price changes and in fairness, felt obliged to write this posting immediately.

To ZYX distributors and dealers worldwide: Please note that SORAsound postings are always valid and accurate to the best of my knowledge Read more…

Tags: ZYX chats, ZYX prices

SORAsound is still selling its inventory of ZYX R100H at $695 only I am reserving them for my existing customers or for sale as a package. This is a very good price. Roughly twice my cost but still a very good value.

I broke down a few times and sold them upon request from new customers but I sincerely prefer to avoid that. If I am not sold out in a few months, I will offer ZYX R100H to everyone. For our new customers, I prefer to offer you Lyra Delos, 47 Lab McBee or any of Soundsmith entry level cartridges. You will be delighted. I promise.

To customers from outside North America: SORAsound only sells ZYX UNIverse globally. For other ZYX Co. products, please contact your local ZYX distributors.

Tags: ZYX chats, ZYX prices, zyx R100H

To the extent possible, SORAsound is reserving its inventory of ZYX Airy 3 cartridges (and lower models) for its existing customers, or sell as part of package deals.

For a comparison of SORAsound ZYX prices with a few other countries, and further detail please take a look at ZYX Airy 3 in the products pages. I am told that ZYX Company and its global agent, Sibatech have extended extra discounts to their North American distributor to better compete with SORAsound. I am also told that as such ZYX North American dealers now get 60% margin. If correct, then ZYX dealer costs are outlined in the table below:

Given above and given that I hear about cases where SORAsound prices have been matched and/or beaten, it would not surprise me if you find better offers elsewhere. I sincerely hope this posting helps ZYX dealers sell more ZYX Airy 3 phono cartridges and in turn help ZYX Company build more cartridges, and gain more revenue.

For customers who still want to purchase from SORAsound, it will be my pleasure to take care of you. Our price is $1,895. To customers who purchased their ZYX products from SORAsound during 2008 and 2009 and paid more, please know that I take care of you well though more ways than our recently established Purchase Credit Programs.

For postings of all ZYX related price comparisons, please either take a look at ZYX CHATS or ZYX Products where I have similar details regarding ZYX Omega and ZYX 4D cartridges.

Tags: ZYX airy 3, ZYX cartridges, ZYX chats, ZYX prices

SORAsound is establishing two more programs to protect your “investment” and ensure our ZYX customers are not affected by the ZYX situation.

Around two weeks ago SORAsound established a Purchase Credit Program for SORAsound ZYX Customers. If anyone bought a ZYX product from us anytime during 2009 at a higher price than our advertised prices today, we give them a limited offer of 150% purchase credit towards what they purchase from SORAsound in 2010. Please refer to the aforementioned posting for terms and conditions.

SORAsound now extends the program to those who purchased a ZYX product from us in 2008. In such a case, we give you credit of 100% of the cost differential towards other (non-ZYX) products you buy from us in 2010. For terms and conditions, which are limited, modifiable and revokable at will, please click here. Offer valid based on advertised prices as of this posting. Please note some manufacturers do not allow discounting in any form.

Also, SORAsound is establishing a generous program for you to trade your ZYX products towards any of the other products we represent. For any questions, please call.

Tags: ZYX cartridges, ZYX chats

Chart below shows retail prices for ZYX 4D in a few countries as of this posting. It would not surprise me if we find cheaper and even more expensive prices if anyone is interested in wasting their time.

Please note there is nothing confidential about the above information. Most information can be found using simple google searches. I have heard that ZYX 4D could be purchased in HK for about $1,200 Euro (less than $1,800) but have not independently confirmed.

I am told that ZYX Company, and its global agent, Sibatech are giving extra discounts to their North American distributor to better compete with SORAsound. I am also told that  ZYX North American dealers have a 60% margin as of the date of this posting. Assuming this is true, then the table below shows North American dealer costs for ZYX 4D.

Bear in mind distributor cost is the same regardless of the coil. Also, I am assuming that (but really wonder if) dealers are paying more for silver and gold coil cartridges since

• distributor cost is the same regardless of the coil,
• most audiophiles seem to prefer the copper version of ZYX phono cartridges,
• many ZYX distributors worldwide have kept their retail prices the same regardless of the coil

Given the costs in the table above, it is easy to see how ZYX 4D prices are competitive with ZYX ATMOS prices. As such SORAsound has brought ZYX ATMOS prices down to maintain its price and service leadership position.

SORAsound now offers ZYX ATMOS for $2,195. In a short while, SORAsound will reserve ZYX ATMOS for our existing customers and/or sell as part of package deals.

To my customers who purchased ZYX ATMOS at a higher price during 2009: I have established a program to give you 150% purchase credit towards your purchase from SORAsound during 2010.

For a similar posting on ZYX Omega G, please take a look at ZYX Omega G Retails for $2,695.

I also have an Amazing Guide to Buying ZYX Cartridges Cheap.

[addition March 1, 2010. There are now New ZYX North American Retail Prices. All information valid as of the date of posting to the best of my knowledge. No forward looking statements.]

Tags: ZYX 4d, ZYX atmos, ZYX chats, ZYX prices

Table below shows retail (un-discounted) prices in North America, Japan, and three European Countries as of this posting.

Please note none of the above information is confidential. A simple google search can provide you all this and more, if you have enough time available to waste. Or simply check out SORAsound web pages every now and then, although I am getting a bit too tired of this too.

Few weeks ago I wrote why is it that ZYX Omega costs about $600 more than ZYX 4D in Japan but about $4,450 in North America? now ZYX prices in Japan feels more dear than Kobe beef.

[Feb. 16, 2010 addition. I am told that ZYX Company and Sibatech now give extra discount to their North American distributor to compete with SORAsound. I also am told that ZYX Co. North American dealers get 60% discount (i.e. margin) from their distributor. If this is the case, table below will show North American dealer cost for ZYX Omega

The question marks indicate that I am not sure of the actual dealer price for these cartridges. At 60% off based on their retail prices, ZYX Omega X, S, and G should respectively cost North American dealers $3,000, $3,140, and $3,320. I can not imagine any reasonably smart business person would accept the extra cost for silver and gold coils given the fact that many ZYX distributors have opted to keep their retail prices the same for ZYX cartridges regardless of the coil, and that at least in our experience, ZYX copper sounds better than gold for sure. Then again, I have been wrong before.]

[Addition March 1, 2010. ZYX North America retail prices for ZYX Omega regardless of coil is now $6,500. Please note for confirmation of prices at anytime, contact various dealers and distributors or SORAsound. I prefer to do new posts when time permits rather than "update" each posting. Looks like after all they could not justify the difference between $2,695 and $8,300. Now, how can the difference between $2,695 and $6,500 be justified?]

Please read other postings including yesterday’s amuse bouche where you see another informative chart and a list of pertinent articles.

Tags: ZYX chats, zyx omega, ZYX prices

Highlights of the day. Based on ZYX retail prices in six countries soon to be published as a semi-beautiful chart. For now, please see the chart below and let me know what you think. How can one explain / justify this? You can use the comment button. I will post your comments.

Please note above prices are retail, no VAT or taxes included. Prices are calculated based on the day’s exchange rate, conservatively. In all likelihood, you can get a discount on above retail prices in any of the countries. The only Asian country in my survey is Japan. Asian countries normally associated with heavy discounting practices are not included. Stay tuned for more.

Other newsworthy items:

• AMAZING Guide to Buying ZYX Cartridges Cheap. This is a good reading even if you are not buying a ZYX
• Comparison of ZYX Co. retail prices in North America and a European Country
• ZYX ATMOS and ZYX 4D Mouth to Mouth Resuscitation. is 4D the same as ATMOS? Having the head in sand.
• ZYX Cartridges, Vultures, and The Politics of Bad Mouthing. Some actually want this mess to continue and become the good guys.

SORAsound now sells ZYX ATMOS and ZYX ARTisan phono stage each for $2,195.00

Haiti Charity Auction Status: Donating money via SORA’s school Hop-a-Thon.

Tags: amuse-bouche, ZYX chats, ZYX prices

This is a VERY IMPORTANT post for you to read if want to buy a ZYX Phono cartridge. SORAsound will do its best to beat all valid prices. Please see the questions and some answers / thoughts below:

• ZYX 4D: $2,200? or $1,800?
• ZYX Omega: $3,200? $2,950? $7,500 – $8,300?
• Dealer margin: 60%?
• Distributor margins of up to and over 80 some percent depending on the model?
• Extra discount to the North American distributor by ZYX Company / Sibatech to help the new North American troop compete with SORAsound? How much more?
• Distributors desperate to sell?

[Feb. 13, 2010 addition. Above questions now seem moot. Through simple google searches and a couple of phone calls we have found amazingly significant discrepancies among the RETAIL prices of ZYX cartridges, across the world. As an example, ZYX Omega retailing $2,695 in a European country, $3,040 in another, excluding VAT and bearing in mind the weak dollar.  Check out ZYX Omega G Retail Price Comparison Chart. More to follow].

ZYX Company retail prices are bogus. SORAsound wants you to be happy whether you buy from us or someone else. Based on the information below, you can decide what is a fair price for you and who you want to buy from:

• A customer decided not to purchase a ZYX ATMOS and go for a ZYX 4D for $2,200, an offer he said he received from ZYX North American distributor.
• I have heard of ZYX 4D in HK going for about $1,800. (not verified independently but my source is in the know).
• ZYX 4D retailing in a European country for $1,990 (yes, you read it right – RETAIL = $2568 minus 25% VAT).
• In the same European country , ZYX Omega is $3,800 minus 25% VAT (i.e. $3,040). This distributor had not listed ZYX omega price on his website. He quoted the price verbally but somehow feels funny because his Omega price is about $1,000 over his ZYX 4D.  He said he is under pressure to increase his prices. See ZYX Prices in a European Country (more pricing info, all available via a simple google search).
• Few trusted sources say they have seen ZYX Omega offers for about $3,200 to $3,500 in North America. Based on feedback from audiophiles I highly respect, I think it is still too expensive. Even if you like the sound, why is it that ZYX Omega costs about $600 more than ZYX 4D in Japan but about $4,450 in North America? If you love Omega, you should not pay $600 over above ZYX 4D price.
• People associated with the business tell me ZYX North American dealers now get 60% margin. This also means they can give you more “discounts.”
• I am also told that ZYX North American distributor gets extra discounts over and beyond what is normally given to other ZYX distributors. I guess it is a 30% extra discount based on other information I have. I am not sure.
• I have seen emails from North American dealers trying to sell into other countries at low prices.
• If you want to know ZYX prices in other countries, contact other ZYX distributors.
• Some ZYX distributors appear desperate to sell. More on that later.

Now, what does all this mean to SORAsound? Read more…

Tags: dealers, distributors, sibatech, ZYX 4d, ZYX chats, ZYX Company, zyx omega, ZYX prices