Sadly missed manufacturers
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. |
Just spent some time reading up on Rudy Bozak. Fascinating - if somewhat sad - story! Had never heard of his speakers and was surprised at how influential he was in the field, even teaming up with Bob Marantz to get that whole thing started. I would have liked to have heard his speakers in their heyday. |
Stephens Trusonic speakers. Back in the fifties and sixties they were known as the poor man's JBL. Well made and good sounding. Another nod to Rudy Bozak. Classic smooth 'east coast' sounding speakers with a wonderful midrange. One of my all time favorite speakers that I have ever owned was his Concerto VII's.....excellent voice and orchestral reproduction. Wish I'd never sold them. What many may not know is that Bozak was also well respected for their commercial sound systems and electronics. I remember a story back in the early seventies that JBL was not very happy that the Hollywood Bowl chose Bozak instead of them for their sound reinforcement needs; especially since it was in their 'west coast' turf. |
Zavato, I didn't know anything about Bob Carver when I purchased a Phase Linear 400 from a local musical instrument store for a public address system. That damn thing was a work horse that never failed for many years and was sold in working order. I still didn't know Carver was behind the Phase Linear when I briefly read about the amplifier challenge. Fast forward and longing for my long gone Marantz 8Bs I wanted an affordable but powerful tube amplifier/s. I read about Carver's collaborative tube amplifier design and I took a flyer. Its been five years and I've replaced one power tube that I may have damaged myself. If these amps fail tomorrow I honestly can't complain. I did become concerned at the possibility of the company being sold to Emotiva. My son has used an Apogee devise for some years now for field recording and loves it. http://www.bobcarvercorp.com |
~ 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 |
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........ |
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! |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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! |
