BEL (Brown Electronic Laboratories), NYAL (New York Audio Labs), Beveridge, Dodd Audio.
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.
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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 |
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. |
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. |
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. |