What companies, out of Business, did you LOVE???


I had just sold my Proceed PAV/PDSD combo, with a trio of Jeff Rowland Model 7s, and EAD Theatermaster. While I was waiting for my new system (Cal Audio CL-2500 pack) to arrive, I realized I needed some tunes and went to the yard to see what was 'laying' around. What I found was not only fun, but the idea to begin this thread. Personally, I am interested in this question from a Home Theater standpoint, but welcome 2 channel responses as well.

What is the BEST systems or pieces you have heard from companies that are no longer in business!!

I went to the garage, and pulled up a Golden Theater GTX-1 I had purchased a few years back. Solo Electronics went under about a year into these units. They received rave reviews from the magazines, but they just didn't hang around for a curtain call. I then pulled out an older 5 channel amp and here is what I gathered!

The DTS/DD Golden Theater GTX-1, which is STUNNINGLY good in 2 channel (what everyone loved about this unit!) was the start, and I paired it with a Chiro 5 channel C-500 amp.
I thought, hey, this company is also out of business too!!!
This amp was also favorably reviewed and when I put this system together, I realized how good they both were, specifically in 2 channel!! These companies both had GREAT products and when matched together, WOW! Obviously this set didn't chase the Proceed/Rowland gear out of my house, but you know, it did give it a run for its money!! Here is my thoughts on the BEST OutOfBusiness Home Theater!!

Golden Theater GTX-1 (DTS, DD)
Chiro C-500 (140 x 5, THX (for whatever that is worth)
Hales Concept 5 (owned these 250 lbs monsters some time ago) and for a center channel
the Hales Rev 1!!

This system would be stellar for music and if for music, it would kick butt for Home Theater!! The Hales are fabulous speakers, require substantial power (like the Aerials I run now) but if fed properly, even the mother of 'The Fridge' would be proud!

Put your best OutOfBusiness (OOB) companies down!!!

Dan

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Another vote for Dunlavy -- great sounding speakers, even if they're a little intimidating on the WAF scale. When business took me to Colorado Springs one time, I stopped in uninvited and unannounced at the Dunlavy factory, hoping to pick up some brochures. What I got was a tour and about 90 minutes of John Dunlavy's time. He definitely had his own opinions and could be a prickly SOB w/ those who disagreed with him, but he was nothing but cordial and accommodating to me. It was a great afternoon -- and of course, I bought Dunlavy speakers.
I did a lot of business with Jim Gala...the owner and designer of the Soundwave speakers...I owned a smaller pair of Soliloquy's and then moved up to the Grand Soliloquy in the mid 90's....They've been a great speaker whether in my Krell 2 channel system or home theatre....Years ago I was all ready to walk out the door with Apogees when a friend of mine at Gala's store suggested I listen to these speakers...I quickly backtracked on my decision to buy Apogees and purchased these....been very happy ever since....I've never even had a driver problem either...too bad they're gone....
Jeff, I agree the Soundwaves were pretty darn nice... Another speaker people miss are the Scientific Fidelity Teslas, a true bargain in their day.
Apogee Acoustics made electrostatic speakers which were so far ahead of their time. They were among the best speakers I've ever owned (i.e. the Stages; though I also owned Slant 6) and I still dream about that incomparable mating of musicality, transparancy, and immediacy. Of the competitors and/or 'survivors', Sound Labs came close, Magnepans (though not a "direct" product competitor) are much loved, but not in the same league, Martin Logans just never did it for me (cold and lacking in musicality), and Innersound...hmmm don't know, but I'm willing to bet that at best, they're 'similar' to the decades-old Apogees.

Other past greats: Threshold amps, Cal Audio Labs cd players, and Counterpoint amps/preamps. I also think of mentioning Well Tempered turntables, but am never sure if they're fully out of business or just very scarce...

Keep on living music.