As long as companies like MBL and Audio Research ignore the consumer market, their demise (or acquisition by companies that do NOT ignore the consumer segment) is certain.
There is a massive audience for great music. The diversity offered by streaming services is proof. Ignoring every customer with less than a 7 figure+ nest egg and under-retirement age is a death sentence. Some will turn up their noses at manufacturers that dilute their aura with affordable products. Letting passion dictate your entire business model may be admirable, but not very wise.
MBL Insolvent
I apologize if someone else has started a thread I missed, but reports indicate that MBL has initiated insolvency proceedings under German law. Not all businesses succeed- its a feature not a bug in a free enterprise system- but hopefully new investors will come in and save the company. This seems to be following the way of Audio Research (fortunately saved) and others-lots of uncertainty surrounding Dartzeel, Krell, etc, which is unfortunate. So many of these manufacturers are small businesses, obviously without huge capital reserves and sometimes without a good succession plan when the founders move on. I hope MBL successfully restructures, it makes great products. I think we all benefit from a healthy, vibrant group at the top end that has the resources to create and innovate. Good luck MBL.