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Corsair buys network audio company Simple Audio

by Mark Tyson on 12 February 2013, 14:15

Tags: Corsair

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Simple Audio, a Glasgow-based networked audio company, has been acquired by the US-based high-performance PC accessory company Corsair. The multi-million-dollar deal will help to get Simple Audio’s music-streaming products launched throughout Asia and the USA this year.

Simple Audio’s key products are high-definition networked music players. There are currently two versions of the “Roomplayer”; one with a built-in amplifier and one without. Simple Audio was founded five years ago by four former execs from high-end audio company Linn. Simple Audio’s products aim to provide listeners with high quality digital audio but its product prices are well below those of Linn, reports The Herald.

Commenting upon today’s deal, Peter Murphy, Founder and CEO of Simple Audio said “When I started Simple Audio the aim was to make high quality digital music accessible to more people. Now the company is in a much stronger position to make this a reality. Corsair's extensive resources and worldwide distribution infrastructure will undoubtedly help Simple Audio achieve its ambitions, including plans to launch our products in the USA and Asia during 2013. We're delighted to be a part of Corsair and very excited about the future.”

Corsair’s President and CEO, Andy Paul, said that Corsair has been watching Simple Audio since 2010 and his company has been “extremely impressed” by the HD digital music equipment developed by Simple Audio so far. The Roomplayer was singled out as a star attraction; “Their high quality, high-performance Roomplayer system demystifies and simplifies the process of playing digital music throughout the home. We believe now is the right time to invest in the fast-growing digital music space and are delighted to help Simple Audio bring their incredible vision into reality and to music lovers around the world,” explained Mr Paul.

Smartphone and desktop Roomplayer control

Simple Audio’s accounts for 2011 and 2012 show consecutive losses of £185k and £210k respectively, according to The Herald. However its key Roomplayer products were only launched last year. Corsair certainly must have a good feeling about these Roomplayer devices becoming a lot more popular to sign a “multi-million dollar deal” for Simple Audio’s business.

Corsair stated that the Simple Audio development team will continue to work from their offices in Scotland.



HEXUS Forums :: 3 Comments

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I'm just so impressed how Logitech dropped the ball with the Squeezebox line up. So will Corsair's SimpleAudio pick it up?
I was wondering that, so I had a quick look and it seems not.

The pricing is way higher the SB, £499 for the unamplified version and £599 for the amplified. For that you can get a touch/receiver and buy a half decent stereo amp and speakers. (If you could still buy SB's new that is).

Also it can't sync between rooms, one of the main features that I want and use.

Back to ebay for second hand ones again then!
Gadgety
I'm just so impressed how Logitech dropped the ball with the Squeezebox line up. So will Corsair's SimpleAudio pick it up?
Just from reading the blurb on the website it looks to be positioned more against Sonos than Squeezebox. Like the idea that's it's PLE-equipped too - no messing around with Wifi settings etc. Only downside is that if it's ex-Linn people behind it then I'm guessing that while it'll be an amazing product, there'll be a correspondingly amazing price tag! :( Shame, because it'd be nice to hook one of those up to stream my NAS-hosted files to a Technics/Mission combo hifi I've got here. :)

Here's hoping that Corsair don't follow the usual pattern for these kind of deals - run the local firm for a year or two, then close it down and move the development/production etc to somewhere in the far east.

EDIT: second downside - support for iStuff only, come on Simple Audio - add in support for Windows8 or even Android!