Which companies deserve a star for Christmas


Which companies gave you a stellar experiences this year in terms of excellent product, and knowledgeable and accessible sales and service?
After spending 45 minutes of hold with AT&T last night and never being able to even talk to a person at several companies this year. It is refreshing that in audio you still can talk to someone quickly who is eager and able to help you.
I nominate in alphabetical order the following companies that gave me stellar experiences this year: Audio Horizons, Ayon, Morrow Audio, Nuforce, Stillpoints, Von Schweikert.
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A month ago, I purchased an OEM factory hot-rodded Theta Compli Blu CD/DVD. Two days ago I put a DVD in the drawer… closed the drawer… and nothing happened. I pushed the button to open the drawer… and nothing happened. I unplugged it… plugged it back in… and the drawer still wouldn’t open.

I left a voice mail message on the Theta Support line asking for a return phone call… which was promptly returned. After trying several “fixes”, John at Theta said he’d call OPPO to see if they had what he referred to as a “back-door” fix to open the drawer. Ten minutes later Theta called with the “back-door” fix, and I was up and running in no time.

As it turns out, the Theta Compi Blu wasn’t at fault because the DVD I had inserted is a DVD that’s on a short list of DVD’s that are problematic with OPPO based equipment.

By the way, the OEM factory hot-rodded Theta Compli Blu is beyond the bucket good.
NOT a company per se, but Rick Hopkins is an Audiogon member who was a HUGE help to me in researching different kinds and models of reel to reel tape recorders. i eventually found a seller on e-bay who is perhaps THE #1 (US) expert at restoring and setting up Studer tape machines (Fred Thal) who i bought a used A810 from. i believe Rick dropped them a line about me which smoothed the transaction since my questions to the seller were from someone who hadn't any hands-on knowledge of these professional-grade machines.
Rick has a Virtual System to die for and enjoys communicating with folks who still love vintage audio. Thanks, Rick. HH, MC, and a HNY. (etc)