.
Sumo
Superscope
Design Acoustics
.
Sumo
Superscope
Design Acoustics
.
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.
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.
128 responses Add your response
| Post removed |
Matjet - I presume you mean KLH. I was going to add them along with Advent and AR also. KLH - Henry Kloss, Malcolm S. Low, and Josef Anton Hofmann. Kloss also founded Cambridge Soundworks and Tivoli audio, both successes in limited markets. At Cambridge Soundworks Kloss sold the Model Six which was his follow-on the to famous KLH Model Six. |
Zavato- In retrospect, "knock off" was a poor choice of words. I really meant "Linn-alikes" - belt driven, UK sourced, suspended designs with wood plinths that are the calling cards of the LP-12, the best known of those types. I wasn't intending to imply anything re:quality or innovation. Systemdeck (per Waxwaves' post is another example) and there was another that was 2 initials followed by a name (x.x. smith, for example) that eludes me at the moment. |
I understand, and must everyone else, that as comparing the Ariston vs the Linn, the Ariston is the original but Linn definitely put in the time to make it better and better, which deservedly makes Linn the king of the hill since the 1970's of that genre of turntable. I do miss Nakamichi. I once owned a few 3 head cassette decks- a Nakamichi BX300 and an Aiwa F660. Between the 2, I thought the Aiwa in some ways was superior. Aiwa did do well with tape stuff. I also had a Honda which had the radio/cassette player stolen and replaced that with a Nakamichi head unit which was outstanding. Grace is another lamented company, as is Garrard |
Interesting that no one mentioned Western ElectricSpeaking of WE and LM, spent last Sunday at my dealer's home with the Line Magnetics Replica Western Electric Theater Speaker System. It was driven by Shindo 300B monos, pre and Lamp L5 Dac and is one of the best speakers I've ever heard. Everything we played sounded so natural, organic and perfect tone. Fortunate or UNFORTUNATE, it's a perfect fit in my 25'x33'x15' room so thinking buying them. These could be the speakers that finally get me off the bus for good. Almarg, do you remember hearing or seeing them in the theaters growing up? |
03-12-14: KnghifiIf I ever heard any of the classic Western Electric theater gear in my younger days, I was too uninformed to realize it. And I suspect that in many or most cases the theaters had "upgraded" their equipment by that time. Although I believe that here and there a number of smaller movie houses continued to use that equipment until fairly recent decades. Best of luck with your prospective purchase, if you decide to pursue it. Regards, -- Al |
there was another that was 2 initials followed by a name (x.x. smith, for example) that eludes me at the moment. Do you mean C.J. Walker? Didn't Will Vincent used to restore and modify those old Western Electric tube amps? Wish he was still working his magic too! I think he has retired from his work with ST-70s, etc. There are quite a few of his restored Dynaco ST-70s out there. He made quite a name for himself here on Audiogon. |
Mrschret-I don't think most of us are reminiscing. Many of the companies mentioned were top performers at there price points. Not sure if Acoustat was mentioned but they were a top player in planar speakers, and also made a great power amp. Need to give a shout out to Clements Audio. The RT-7 was one the great forgotten(by many) speakers of the late 80's. Was very close to purchasing the RT-7 but the ribbon tweeter(ahead of it's time)was just to prominent for a Magnepan/SMG owner(lol). I'm sure I would have adjusted to all that treble resolution and had a speaker that would have given me many years of enjoyment! |
Just did a quick google and you are right.. http://www.lenwallisaudio.com/blog/new-systems/the-welcome-return-of-duntech-loudspeakers/ Len Wallis Sydney is where I actually bought my Duntech circa '80s. After J. Dunlavy returned back to US I thought that was pretty much it for the brand. Surprised, and good to know that they are still around. |
03-14-14: Markus1299 A more realistic possibility is just moving on to Dennis' new Inspire gear. You'll see that Dennis is quite busy in his "retirement". LOL! |
Henry Wolcott and his legendary Wolcott Presence 220 mono block EL34 tube amplifiers. There are still many of them in use today, particularly with Sound Lab electrostatic speakers, and the website is still up, but the company is no more. Henry, a design genius, simply got too old, and there was no one capable of carrying on. |
Wow, Zavato....Rectilinear. The first speaker I ever bought. Used them with an HH Scott receiver and AR turntable. Don't recall what model Rectilinear (they were sort of over-sized book shelfs) but I do remember the high end being VERY rolled off...at least with the Scott. Knew even less then than I do now, but would have to say I really don't miss 'em. |
HK is one, but they live on in the Cayin/Vas manufacturer of the designs, updated with current state of the art components. I have a VAS pre amp, Citation I, which is a knock off of the original HK pre amp. Great sound, great value. Cayin has done the same for some Marantz and Mc models. Seems re inventing the 'audio' wheel is not necessary. |
Rectilinears did not have great treble because they used lousy cone tweeters, but the rest of the spectrum was typically very good with great dynamics. And when you see who worked at Rectilinear, it's a whose who of well know audio designers- James Bongiorno (GAS)Marty Gersten (Ohm), Jon Dahlquist (Dahlquist) Richard Shihinian (Shahinian)were all at one time or another at Rectilinear. My brother in law has Rectilinear III's, which are quite large speakers. Believe it or not, there was a review by Julian Hirsch comparing the III's very favorably to the Quad ESL57. I would not go nearly that far in praise of Rectilinear! |
Soundcraftsman. Made some interesting products. One of which I owned back in the 70's was their PE-2217 preamp/equalizer. It worked wonders on my then Altec-Lansing 846-B's. That was a home version of the VOTT. Ah, that 21st outdoor birthday party. Votts playing Doobie Brothers, a blonde and brunette in each arm....Those were the good ole' days... sigh........ |
~ B&W is still alive and remains very reputed among speaker manufacturers worldwide. They were nowhere near dying in 2014 😊 @lalitk I think many older audiophiles don't hold the company in the same high regard after they lost their founder and driving force. Yes they obviously still make high quality loudspeakers, but to many folks they aren't really the same company |
