Manufacturers past their heyday


There are many companies that we all recall from years gone by that are gone. There are some companies that while still around, seem be be past their glory days. For instant, while Conrad Johnson is still around, they just don’t seem to be nearly as relevant as they used to be. Of course, my thought on CJ are purely subjective. And yet other companies seem to be as relevant today as they were 20 of more years ago. VPI perhaps? Definitely McIntosh. 

Who are the other former high flyers that seem to be operating on an altogether different level these days? 
128x128zavato

Showing 3 responses by jjss49

Just because a well-known company doesn't have as high as profile in the U.S. as it once had, doesn't necessarily mean that the company is faltering. Sometimes, simply, their primary markets shift overseas, and in those other countries they are highly appreciated.


yes... or they are doing just fine without the marketing treadmill at high rpm...  it is called brand equity...
@audioman58

you have no idea what you are talking about

https://www.psaudio.com/copper/article/conrad-johnson-sold/

c-j still operates with high integrity and high standards... founding owners get old, retire or pass... this company was passed down to a loyal employee who continues to do the right thing

arc is a different matter, sold to french holding co who also owns mcintosh... but more recently has been bought back by the old management team led by former sales head 

https://www.analogplanet.com/content/mcintosh-group-sells-audio-research-corporation-tws-enterprises...
true that since charlie h passed, ayre has taken a lower profile, at least in print and online advertising

that said, i currently own the following from ayre, c-j and arc

ayre -- p5xe, codex, k5xe mp
c-j -- et7-2, et5, prem16ls2
arc -- ref 3, ref 75, ref 110, 100.2, vt60, v70, vt100-2

not to mention over a dozen other items from them that i have since sold

over the past 10 years, each and every time i have called or contacted these companies for assistance, or just a question, they have been responsive and helpful - their gear is excellent, well designed and built, produce superb sound -- when an item has needed service or support or just a health check, they have been responsive and solved the problem efficiently and at a fair price, even during covid

i don’t feel they cut corners, lack integrity, or have diluted their customer service mindset, they have never let me down - in the case of my ref110, i told greg christensen that the cooling fans were audible with quiet music, he and i worked together and he sent me newer fans spec’d for a later version, which ran silently

i have no affiliation to these companies other than being a customer, and i turn on their gear on a regular basis and enjoy the music

maybe these companies are past their heydey as the hot thing, social media darlings... but high standards in product quality and customer care persist, and pleased and appreciative owners like myself abound