New Technics high-end audio components

[shuttleboi]

It looks like Technics (part of Panasonic) is getting back into the high-end audio component game. At IFA 2014 this week, they announced two lineups: a Reference Class R1 and a Premium Class C700. Pricing and availability are not known, but What Hi Fi says that the R1 complete line is 40,000 euros and the C700 complete line is 4000 euros.
 
Both lines include new speakers, which I do not show below.
 
More information:
 
Technics website: http://www.technics.com/global/
What Hi Fi: http://www.whathifi.com/news/ifa-2014-technics-returns-high-end-hi-fi
CNET: http://www.cnet.com/news/panasonic-brings-technics-back-to-europe-with-high-end-hi-fi-kit/
 
 
 
Below are the Reference Class components, the SU-R1 pre-amp/network player and the SE-R1 power amp.
 


Another pic of the amp, which looks pretty amazing.
 

 
 
 
 
Next up are the Premium class SU-C700 integrated amp, ST-C700 network player, and SL-C700 CD player. The ST-C700 can take digital inputs.
 
 
 

 

[capitanharlock]

Pretty faces,
I just don't get why the ST-C700 network player has that small almost unreadable display.
 
Let's hope it comes with an Android and Ios App and a decent software.

 

[icebear]

Technics will have a pretty tough time convincing any customer to shell out 40k Eur , i.e. approx. 52,800 USD.
The brand (so is Sony) is just associated with mass market consumer electronics, the do not have any high end appeal.
Just my $0.02.

 

[Edric Li]

So nobody has heard the R1 with headphones yet?

 

[Lurker0918]

The Load Adaptive Phase Calibration function on it looks fascinating.  I wonder if it applies to the headphone component?  The price tag is probably going to dissuade a lot of people from even looking much less considering this, but here's hoping for some trickle down technology.