Sadly missed manufacturers


I've been an audio and music enthusiast since the 1970's. We've all seen a fair number of companies come and go. Some burned brightly for a while, some not at all, and some companies are still present but only in name as they otherwise bear no resemblance to their ancestors.

Are there any companies you are sad to have seen disappear?

l can name a few former luminaries that are now gone- Counterpoint, Apogee. Both offered very good products, but unfortunately neither offered bullet proof reliability. I am of mixed feelings of the various Carver companies. I think Carver, the man, is capable of producing some genuinely first rate products but I viewed much of the marketing as smoke and mirrors which to me detracts from a manufacturer's credibility.
128x128zavato
I owned and loved a system with an Audire Basic amp rated at 100W/ch @ 8 ohms and 200W @ 4 ohms, with an Apt-Holman preamp that was a real control center; with a pair of Maggie's ( MG-11Bs ).  The amp is still working. but the PC cards disintegrated on the preamp or I would still be using it.  I used that system for 25 years and loved the sound.  Sadly, the owner and designer of Audire (Julius Siksnius) passed last year and the company shut down, but he made GOOD STUFF.