Companies usually discontinue products because they're not selling well. I liked the Quad PA-One products, but always thought they were overpriced, and I suspect that the typical customers for Quad's music systems were not the right target market for the PA-Ones. (Or conversely, the right target market people probably don't shop at Quad dealers.)
Yes, I understand the reasoning quite well, and it does make (sadly) perfect sense, from the commercial and company's (or, well, companies') perspective.
Nevertheless, from the head-fi consumer point of view, a bit sad.
Funny you mention the "overpriced" argument. Sort of.
The reason I say that is the review in the UK hifi magazine that stated that the Pa One was the value product, since it is the combination of the decent (for some mediocre, but still) DAC section, with plug and play functionality with the laptop or desktop computer, and quite nice headphone amp, as well as the decent preamp.
The companies do discontinue their products.
The question is what is the customer left with, in terms of service, but in this particular case, Quad have been known to stand behind their long discontinued hi-fi products, so no problems there, I would guess.
Nevertheless, this might made me look more into the stuff like the Quicksilver, the only caveat with that one is that it is a US based "company" - and I am in the EU.
Hooray for the customs, etc.
Having said all of this, still enjoying the Quad Pa One, it is really something special with the headphones I have at home.
So much so that it made me curious how much of an improvement the Pa One+ really is.
