What happened to Berkeley Audio Design

I'm really OK with you taking my questions as accusations.  It's kind of irrelevant and impossible to refute. 

I'm however much more interested in facts about how they are doing that comes from outside of their web site.  Being unable to find them on LinkedIn I'm also now curious if they are "real" or a brand without any engineering employees of it's own.  Is that an accusation ? No, but if you feel better take it that way. 

Mostly this is my own ignorance hoping to connect with people who know something. 

If this company is real and involved in innovative new products then the proof will come along soon enough and I'll go "yeay! They're alive!" 

None of this affects their products however, which in my mind stand on their own, for better or worse. I honestly would love to hear they are working on something, like a cool digital streamer that finally makes me want to get off my Logitech Squeezebox infrastructure, a digital preamp with built in DSP, something, anything like that would be wonderful to hear about them. 

Best,


Erik

I’m curious what you think made products introduced in 2014 or this year new.

I have no evidence of a truly vibrant engineering effort at BAD. I see more effort on marketing materials and cases. Out of many features that could have been added, or trickled down for more affordable products, or trickled up from the USB converter, I see little.

If I’m missing the boat, please enlighten me.

I’m really curious if the original engineering team is still there and focused on BAD or has moved onto other jobs or products.

Like i said, they’re locals to me so I hope they are doing well, I just hope they haven’t been turned into a Zombie company run by marketers who are just trying to keep the lights on before they jump ship, like Theta Digital was for several years.

Also, it's kind of weird no one on LinkedIn seems to work for them. That's another bad sign. 

That's actually not a bad idea if I can get their street address. :) I meant that Berkeley, CA was a neighboring town, well across the bay, not that they are literally next door. 

Look, let's say these are all accusations and I have it "in" for BAD.  This is something easily defused/disarmed by information.  I really was hoping some one would say "yes, they're in the middle of some very cool product development you'll see at...." or something like that. New product introductions would of course eliminate any "accusations." which they aren't. 

Like, very cool from BAD might be a six-channel USB DAC or streamer or BADA junior for under $500. 

Best,

Erik

I'm sure the folks at BAD are smarter than I am and perfectly aware of the market.

I have tried looking their office up, no dice.  Mind you, I don't really care if BAD is in fact a virtual company, this is the 21st Century after all and I may do just that sometime soon. BAD can stand on their products and reputation. 

By the way, I'm pretty surprised this thread hasn't blown up with input on new products, new directions, designers who work at BAD, dealer input, etc.

Honestly I thought there was a 90% chance the problem was I was completely disconnected (often true) and I was missing a lot of new information.  Perhaps all those with knowledge of this subject are busy at the convention or glued to CNN right now.

Of course, it's only been a couple of days since I posted, I should still be hopeful that new info will be unearthed speaking of BAD's dynamic present and future.  My posting, and the lack of data in this forum is no evidence really of anything at all. 

I do apologize for any BAD fans who may have felt I was attacking BAD, but I can't prove intention.  As I wrote before, data washes any such perceived accusations away like a tsunami.

Best,


Erik

So, good news! 

I got an e-mail back from them within minutes. There IS active product development, including MQA decoding coming "before the end of the year."

They did say they were "small" though, so I think I'm going to have to get used to a more modest and hopefully high quality rate of new product introductions.

So, my bad! :)  I just have to be more patient.

Best,

Erik

My bad, but to be honest I thought with all the positive press and seeing BAD products used by top tier speaker makers I was sure it would be moments before there were half a dozen posts talking about BAD activities I did not know about.

I'll be more careful in the future.

Best,

Erik

@gammajo

Well, personally I get the idea that no one can keep a brick and mortar store open without making money, it's that simple.

I'm happy to hear BAD is doing so well in NY too.

It makes me wonder though, you can't keep a store open making all the wrong moves either. You would think that after getting a high end brand like BAD the owners would be motivated to sell it.

Best,

Erik

And I made yet another mistake!

I meant to ask that of @ukeleleplayer

My bad again!!

Erik