Sony Qualia, RIP: 2004 - 2005

Looks like Stringer's cleaning house again, everybody. Apart from all the rest, and besides some newly announced serious internal restructuring of their financial holding company and proceeding with the IPO of their So-Net ISP business, they're killing off their Qualia line. Yup, that Qualia line. First they add SD, then SonicStage dies, now this? Apparently even currently pending orders won't be fulfilled—a refund will definitely be an order for that Qualia 016 and 006 we ordered for around the office—but you can still buy off their remaining stock from the line if you're so inclined to do something like drop $1,700 on a Minidisc player.

[Thanks, Koi]

Update: Qualia US has been spared! Oh, happy day! Is it because we're all so posh? Or is it because… you know what, we're not going to spoil this moment with a lot of questions—just know that Qualia US will remain open "as long as there is demand in the marketplace."

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! MY IDOL OF PERFECTION!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Mannn.... i was hoping to buy some of the stuff after a few years when i had enuff money :( ... why sony why.... the best designed products in the world :(

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

I saw a qualia camera in the beverly hills store of sony lifestyle products, it was as close to perfection in a gadget (with $2,500 price tag also). So long Ms Ikuyoko who assambled that camera.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

From what I've seen in my store I can't tell how they are selling, but I've heard other stores have been selling them. I'd say right about the time CES ended we got alot of questions about the TV and when could we sell it to them. I guess the rest of Qualia must have not been as big of a money maker as the 006, then again I don't know if Sony is making much off of them either.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

I always thought of the Qualia line as more of a research line for Sony. New technology, high end products, and very expensive, but probably a far better value than more really high end gear you'll find. Having seen the 016 and 006 in person, I can say they are the single best images I have ever seen, and I can't wait to afford a 1080p projector.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Wow, have I mentioned how much I love babelfish? from the translation:
"June of 03, Noboru Dei of that time chairman and the highest management patsy (CEO) appears in the liver needing."
I have no idea what that means but I think it means he's dying and it's still hilarious. Does this make me a bad person?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Thanks for pointing out why Japanese-English translators like myself won't be put out of work by computers anytime soon. The phrase in the original Japanese was "kimo-iri" which does include the character for liver, but actually means that the chairman "spearheaded" the creation of the Qualia brand.

[Humzanity Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Liver=spearheaded. Of course!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

My Sony rep says they sell every 006 they can make EASILY. I was about to order one - CRAP!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Spearing the liver-headed? I *love* Kanji.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

what about the qualia 005 release this fall in the US! i was saving up just for this one tv!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

A neat object... and 1700$ is not too expansive for that.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

A neat object... and 1700$ is not too expansive for that.