Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : C-Cube -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Stoctrash who wrote (24831)	11/4/1997 9:01:00 PM
From: John Rieman	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 50808

Audio CD players in China. "don't go there"..................... asiansources.com Personal CD players <Picture> Consumer preference for digital lifts sales THE CONTINUING price slide has dangerous ramifications for the personal CD players line, but for the moment, sales and output are up. Hong Kong's Ngai Lik Electronics Co. Ltd, a specialist maker of audio equipment, has recorded a sales growth of 30 percent. The line accounts for about 25 percent of the firm's total production. According to deputy general manager Wyman Li, the US consumer index shows that sales of personal cassette players have been sliding. Ngai Lik is promoting 20 models in differ-ent designs. Housing is HIPs (high-impact plastic). Basic units are priced from $30 to $31 apiece, but prices vary depending on buyer specifications. Nearly every model can have anti-shock, at an additional charge dependent on the level. A 3-second anti-shock memory function costs an additional $5. Buyers need to pay $7 more for a 10-second anti-shock memory; $9 for 20 seconds. Despite a more than 15 percent drop in its prices, Kasuga Seiki Manufacturing (HK) Co. Ltd has also recorded a rise in sales. Personal CD players account for about 25 percent of the firm's total output. The company offers more than six models. Bestseller model KD-310 lists at $34, FOB Hong Kong. Standard features include 24-program memory, eight times oversampling, 1bit DAC and LCD. The ABS-housed unit also incorporates track repeat, as well as random, shuffle and intro-play. For $11 more, Kasuga Seiki can add a 3-second anti-shock function. Model KD-803 has a 20-program memory random play and automatic power off. All other features are the same as the KD-310's. China loses out In China, the line is under attack from the video CD. Many makers are concerned the pure audio CD player may not survive. The low pricing demanded by overseas buyers is also killing the industry. Quite a number of manufacturers have abandoned the line because of the strong price competition and what they see as a shrinking market. Those holding on are manufacturing the product as a sideline. Shenzhen Huayang Electronic Co. Ltd is offering one model of personal CD player with digital servo system and 1bit mash D/A converter. The version also features super woofer and a six-hour continuous playback. Shenzhen Huayang does not intend to invest heavily in new units. Sales representative Zhang Jie explained that this is because the cost of a new model is high and the profits are low. The firm handles tooling, plastic injection and silk printing in-house.