Best High End Audio Manufacturer???


Wow, what a loaded question!! Nevertheless... which company has earned the right to be called number one, king-of-the-hill, top dog, etc. Is this even a fair question? Probably not. Is this your chance to make your objective/subjective voice heard? Yes indeed. So if you had to boil it down to ONE HIGH END COMPANY that more than any other represents the paramount position, THE EPITOME OF THIS HOBBY, this is your time to cast your vote.
brauser
Andrew9405, I think I am only saying that people differ and that there is little benefit from discussions like this or even the concept of "a best audio manufacturer."

When I first got into high end audio, there were at most ten audio equipment providers with anything like a national distribution. There were more local speaker providers. My first really high end setup's manufacturers were: ARC amps and line stage; Infinity speakers; Linn turntable; Decca cartridge and tonearm, and Radio Shack cables.
SPEC out of Japan. Has an amazing line of amps and turntables. Japanese only product. Some of the best sounding musicality I have heard. Impeccable

Also love Luxman in Japan. Top shelf internal electronics.

Love ATC speakers; also Sony's SS line.
I can only speak from my own experience. Who's the best? Beats me, there are many good ones. But in terms of repairs, my best experience had been with Bryston. I had a 4B that needed repair. I shipped it to Bryston on Monday- it was literally back at my house on Friday. That's exceptional. Pass has also been exceptional in repairs.

I've had other gear repaired and typically I have gotten my gear back in 2-4 weeks. Only once did I have to send something back after repair because it still didn't work right. At least then the manufacturer paid for round trip shipping.

In terms of communication, I've had excellent experience with Pass Labs and Wyred 4 Sound. Others have been good to very good.

Only once did I buy a new piece of gear that was DOA. Frankly, I found that to be entirely unacceptable.
Good point about Bryston. Excellent service means a lot and is one of the best ways to differentiate one companies products from another. nothing is so great when its not working right. Companies with a reputation for product reliability as well are special.