Has anyone ever really benefited from "Upgradable" hardware claims?

[bborzell]

When I bought my Rotel RSP-1066, one of the features touted by Rotel was that they had designed the box to be easily "upgradable" as new technology came along. For a while, that claim seemed to be made by several manufacturers. From "modular" construction to software upgrades. The essence of the arguments seemed to be to try to convince the buyer that there was some sort of obsolescence protection built it.

While I didn't buy the notion that this was the last pre/pro I would ever have to buy, I did think that there would be at least some delivery on some kind up "newer technology" upgrade during the life of the product. After 8 or 9 years, I'm still waiting.

I recall one firmware upgrade that required that I buy an specially made RS-232 cable. But Rotel never delivered on the suggestion that buying their product would at least make a dent in the notion of disposable A/V equipment.

Going back further, I have a B&K AVP-1000 that was supposed to be "upgradable". Other than a chip swap that replaced a faulty one, I don't recall any follow through on that promise either.

What got me to thinking about this topic is the Emotiva offer to take 40% off the price of the purchase of a "next generation" processor if you have purchased one of their processors. A 40% discount and you keep the "old" processor. Now that sounds like a strategy to combat obsolescence.

I guess I never really believed that these "promises" to protect the consumer from having to buy new boxes every time a new format comes out would deliver in the end. But I didn't think that the manufacturers would totally ignore the promises.

Has anybody ever experienced a hardware upgrade that lengthened the useful life of an A/V processor?

 

[CraigV]

An excellent question I would also like to see answered (since I too have a 1066)

 

[Now Slappy]

When I bought my B&K AVR307 I also bought it partially on the premise that it would be upgradeable, but to no avail.

I too am now in the market again for a processor. I've had my B&K for about ten years now so I feel like I got good use out of it, but there is still a little piece of me that wishes B&K would've made good on their promise.

 

[Seth=L]

Onkyo TX-NR1000 anyone?

 

[Warpdrv]

Anthem..... Upgradable, and plenty of people to back those claims up

 

[jostenmeat]

NAD T-175 is modular, and I think*(?) they have finally released a module that can decode the new formats?

Of course, a $350 receiver today can already do that.

At least upgrades via firmware are becoming more and more prevalent, whether with Denon or some other brand. Software upgrades will be cheaper than hardware upgrades.

 

[guitarman]

The Denon AVR 3808ci (an '08 model) received a nice upgrade this year, adding the new 2009 Audyssey features of Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume for $100 (free to new purchasers).

 

[fast1]

nope haven benefited from it so far...

 

[Adam]

I've upgraded a PC only once in my life, and those are made for that stuff. So, I tend to buy receivers that are in the mid-level with the full intention to replace the whole thing when the time comes...and then donate the receiver to someone who can benefit from my old one.

So, no - I haven't benefited from it myself.

 

[jamie2112]

Levi's Jeans are the only thing I own that is upgradeable. In case you are not aware: Levis are gaurenteed for life. I have been sending my old ripped pairs in for years and they send me exact size and style back to me. Thats a good thing if you ask me.......

 

[Adam]

Levi's Jeans are the only thing I own that is upgradeable. In case you are not aware: Levis are gaurenteed for life. I have been sending my old ripped pairs in for years and they send me exact size and style back to me. Thats a good thing if you ask me.......

Really?!? I never knew that. I've had plenty of ripped pairs over the years. I have a number of them right now.

 

[jamie2112]

Here is a link: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977515437&nav=Namespace

 

[Sounds Good]

The Denon AVR 3808ci (an '08 model) received a nice upgrade this year, adding the new 2009 Audyssey features of Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume for $100 (free to new purchasers).

are you kidding... so you spend 1000 - 2000 on a receiver then they turn around and ding you another 100 to make it "up to snuff"

gesh...

 

[majorloser]

I bought a B&K Ref 30 pre/pro that I send back to the factory to be upgraded to a Ref 31. That was definitely worth the upgrade since it added a few more DTS surround modes and only cost a few hundred bucks.

Now days many companies base everything on firmware upgrades. I think every company should base their high end electronics around firmware upgrades through a USB or ethernet port.

 

[bborzell]

I bought a B&K Ref 30 pre/pro that I send back to the factory to be upgraded to a Ref 31. That was definitely worth the upgrade since it added a few more DTS surround modes and only cost a few hundred bucks.

Now days many companies base everything on firmware upgrades. I think every company should base their high end electronics around firmware upgrades through a USB or ethernet port.

Was that upgrade advertised or did you have to ask B&K if it was an upgrade option? When I bought a B&K AVP1000, it was described as "upgradable". However, after a couple of years, when I asked about the options for upgrading, B&K told me it couldn't be done. That experience was 50% of the reason I asked the question in the first place; the other being the same scenario with Rotel.