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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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dweller's avatar
dweller
3,781 posts
 
Allied Radio.
Allied Was a gigantic electronics super store in the '60s.
Noted for their catalogs, Allied sold everything audio and even had their own brand (receivers, speakers, etc.).

I have fond memories of attending their "midnight madness" sales at the Western ave. super store in Chicago.

Empire "pedestal" marble top speakers? Sure!
AR turntables? You bet!
Marantz receivers with the built in tuning oscilloscope?
Right over "there".

I saw my first video recorder at Allied (Sony).

At 16, I owned some kick-ass acoustic suspension speakers with horn midrange and tweeters (12 inch woofers).
Drove these to thrilling levels with a 25 watt Kenwood S/S receiver via Gerrard SL-95B (later a Zero-100).
I heard Allied's parent co. was Altec-Lansing which would
account for why the speakers sounded so good!

Man I miss that place...

smeyers
181 posts
 
Entec! I was surprised nobody mentioned them yet. They made great subwoofers until the late 80's or early 90's. Many folks used them along with electrostatic and ribbon main speakers due to their speed; they are servo based designs. I used a pair of the SW-5's with great results until recently, when one developed a problem... it is at a local repair shop. You see them pop up every now and then here on Audiogon.
joeylawn36111
574 posts
 
Entec lives on.....as a chain of gas stations here in Alabama..... ;>)
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Studebaker
biggertroy
3 posts
 
Soundwave speakers. I own a pair of soundwave metronomes and they are the best sounding speakers I have ever heard.
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