24 bucks for a hyperion CD?

[head-case]

I was astonished to see that the list price for a single Hyperion CD (not SACD) is now $24!  I find this absurd, particularly since they have priced themselves well above every other label.  I can certainly understand that they need to make a profit, but I suspect such a move can only erode their market share and send them into an even more alarming financial tailspin.  Too bad, they have a lot of good artists (who, in the near future, will presumably be recording for Naxos instead).

[BorisG]

I was astonished to see that the list price for a single Hyperion CD (not SACD) is now $24!  I find this absurd, particularly since they have priced themselves well above every other label.  I can certainly understand that they need to make a profit, but I suspect such a move can only erode their market share and send them into an even more alarming financial tailspin.  Too bad, they have a lot of good artists (who, in the near future, will presumably be recording for Naxos instead).

I never paid their former suggested retail price either.

[71 dB]

I was astonished to see that the list price for a single Hyperion CD (not SACD) is now $24! 

I don't own many Hyperion CDs. Guess why? It's a label for millionaires and billionaires. 

[head-case]

I never paid their former suggested retail price either.

Yes, some sites discount, but now they discount from a higher price.

I don't own many Hyperion CDs. Guess why? It's a label for millionaires and billionaires.  Undecided

A shame, they have some very fine artists, but I am certainly reluctant to shell out so much.

[The new erato]

Weak dollar? I've never seen them as particularly expensive (in Europe they are prisced like most others), and they are frequently on sale. On mdt hey were just on sale at 8.50 GBP which is something like 16 USD, and I recently scored some in Norway at half price (including brand new issues). And they have their extremely valuable Helios reissue series which I in Norway can get for the same price more or less, as Naxos. Comparing Hyperion production values to Naxos are alike to comparing an Audi to a Skoda, and I have a lot of both labels. Which is not to say that I don't appreciate Naxos' efforts.

[Harry]

Weak dollar? I've never seen them as particularly expensive (in Europe they are prisced like most others), and they are frequently on sale. On mdt hey were just on sale at 8.50 GBP which is something like 16 USD, and I recently scored some in Norway at half price (including brand new issues). And they have their extremely valuable Helios reissue series which I in Norway can get for the same price more or less, as Naxos. Comparing Hyperion production values to Naxos are alike to comparing an Audi to a Skoda, and I have a lot of both labels. Which is not to say that I don't appreciate Naxos' efforts.

In this I disagree with you Erato, the production values of Hyperion and Naxos are of the same high standards. the only difference is, that the booklets are far better written, and the layout is superior. Apart from that, no difference. Maybe its good to know, that quite a few ex Hyperion people. work for Naxos now.

[The new erato]

the booklets are far better written, and the layout is superior.

That (for me) is an important part of the production values. I have to like the packaging. Or else I could just as easily listen to a download. Like the difference between the finish in the interiors of an Audi compared to a Skoda using the same engine, suspension etc...

[Harry]

That (for me) is an important part of the production values. I have to like the packaging. Or else I could just as easily listen to a download. Like the difference between the finish in the interiors of an Audi compared to a Skoda using the same engine, suspension etc...

Clear!

[Que]

A new full price (SA)CD is in the shops (Netherlands) often more than €20, some labels go in a smal brick-and-mortar shop for as much as €24!   Price at jpc for a new Hyperion (SA)CD is €19 (=$27,55 at €1/$1,45).

I avoid buying new issues and if I do, never at the full list price.
Luckily there are always specials offers around the corner: British on line shops like MDT and Europadisc do frequently a "full to mid price" offer on the entire catalogue of a label.

Q

[Harry]

A new full price (SA)CD is in the shops (Netherlands) often more than €20, some labels go in a smal brick-and-mortar shop for as much as €24!   Price at jpc for a new Hyperion (SA)CD is €19 (=$27,55 at €1/$1,45).

I avoid buying new issues and if I do, never at the full list price.
Luckily there are always specials offers around the corner: British on line shops like MDT and Europadisc do frequently a "full to mid price" offer on the entire catalogue of a label.

Q

Yes, you could say, I have more or less the same attitude.
If possible I avoid full price cd's.

[Grazioso]

It's no coincidence I have very few Hyperion recordings in my collection. There are many I'd love to hear, but their prices are outrageous in the US compared to just about any other label. A stupid business plan on their part

[SonicMan46]

Boy, out of curiosity, I just 'searched' my classic movie database (updated yesterday after 10 months!) - there are 162 Hyperion listings (probably 20 or so of these are 'Dyads') - I really like the label, for many of the reasons mentioned!

But doubt that I really paid 'full price' for the vast majority of these discs - purchased a bunch of them through BRO, which currently has 546 listed @ $6.99 per single CDs; and also through the Amazon Marketplace (only 'new' ones, mainly using Newbury Comics & Caiman) - however, I just looked up some Caiman offerings on Amazon, and w/ the $3 added for S&H, there rates are now up to $19 - that is STEEP for a CD - will be interesting to watch this development - 

What has always astounded me is the differences between the price of musical CDs & DVDs - when I make a BIG order w/ a friend from the Columbia House DVD club, we average about $8 per disc - just can't believe the high & rising rates for retail listed CDs!   

[head-case]

Boy, out of curiosity, I just 'searched' my classic movie database (updated yesterday after 10 months!) - there are 162 Hyperion listings (probably 20 or so of these are 'Dyads') - I really like the label, for many of the reasons mentioned!

But doubt that I really paid 'full price' for the vast majority of these discs - purchased a bunch of them through BRO, which currently has 546 listed @ $6.99 per single CDs; and also through the Amazon Marketplace (only 'new' ones, mainly using Newbury Comics & Caiman) - however, I just looked up some Caiman offerings on Amazon, and w/ the $3 added for S&H, there rates are now up to $19 - that is STEEP for a CD - will be interesting to watch this development - 

What has always astounded me is the differences between the price of musical CDs & DVDs - when I make a BIG order w/ a friend from the Columbia House DVD club, we average about $8 per disc - just can't believe the high & rising rates for retail listed CDs!   

I also never pay full price, but now that the list prices are higher discounted prices are higher.  Caiman now operates towerrecords.com and hyperion discs that they apparently had in stock before the price increase are at the old price (discounted to $13.91) but new stock appears to be at $20.99.  By contrast Decca or DG full prices release are shown listing for $17 and selling at various discounts, between $13 and $15.  Chandos lists for $18 and typically sells for $15.   

[71 dB]

I checked my Hyperion discs and I was surprised to realise I have only 2 of them!

German 17th-Century Church Music - CDA67079
Locatelli - Violin Sonatas - CDA66363

[Don]

I checked my Hyperion discs and I was surprised to realise I have only 2 of them!

German 17th-Century Church Music - CDA67079
Locatelli - Violin Sonatas - CDA66363

I think I have hundreds of Hyperions.  Regardless of price, I wouldn't be without Herrick's Bach organ works, the piano music of Alexandrov, Nikolayeva's Art of Fugue, Hewitt's various Bach recordings, Mass in B minor conducted by King, Beethoven's Piano Trios/Florestan, Berwald chamber music, Bloch Piano Quintets, Boris Tchaikovsky's Chamber Symphony, etc.  To me, a few more dollars isn't much for music and/or performances that are compelling for many years to come.

[head-case]

I checked my Hyperion discs and I was surprised to realise I have only 2 of them!

German 17th-Century Church Music - CDA67079
Locatelli - Violin Sonatas - CDA66363

That's too bad.  I'd rate Hyperion as the very best label for chamber music (the Florestan Trio's recordings of the Brahms piano trios are for the ages, for example).   Their products are characterized by the highest artistic value and the highest quality engineering, IMO.  But they lost a very costly lawsuit a few years back and this latest development makes me fear that they are or will soon be near financial insolvency.

[Harry]

548 Hyperion cd's. I looked in my files.

[orbital]

I think I have 2 Hyperion CDs, even one since they are series: Bach Orchestral Suites and Sinfonias. They were my very first classical CDs.

[PSmith08]

Given the pricing, and my general taste in music, I have gone out of my way to acquire exactly one Hyperion CD: Robert King's recording of Monteverdi's Vespers (1610). I downloaded the Florestan Trio record of Schubert's D. 929 off iTunes, which had it at an acceptable 256 kbps.

I guess that makes two for me, too.

[Gurn Blanston]

I haven't counted mine, but a good guess is about 50. Of those, however, probably 35 have been purchased at BRO at a discount, another 12 or 13 are used, and only 2 or 3 were purchased new at full price. No argument about their artistic merit, but $25 (incl. S & H) is just a bit too much for me for a single disk, no matter the merit.



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