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.
128x128zavato
Al and others .... is it true? Mark Levinson married Kim Cattrel???? I LUV her. Well .. I guess "The Man" met "The Babe." :)
"a bunch of Linn knock offs like Ariston"

Well, the Ariston was no Linn knockoff- 1- it predates the LP 12, and 2- infact, the actual manufacturing of the Ariston was at Castle engineering which was owned by a certain Mr. Tiefebrun whose son latter founded Linn.

At one point there was a press release indicating that the turntable previously known as the ariston rd-11 will now be known as the Linn LP12.
I remember owning a Systemdek IIX with a Grace G-707 Mk II arm and F9E cartridge, recall that sounding extremely good. I really enjoyed my Allison Model Nine loudspeakers... I used them with a Nikko Alpha 440 at one point. Loved my Ohm Walsh 3, and Spicas TC-50 too. I've hung onto a sweet looking pair of Hales Revelation Three, my favorite.