small companies making today's best products


i think the audio research, conrad johnson, rolamd, mcintosh, monster cable, esoteric, etc., are superseded in sound quality by many small independent companies which operate direct to the consumer.

most of the comments praising components of different types seem to mention small companies, who do not have dealer networks. why ?

perhaps innovation with out marketing or other constraints enables creativity and thinking outside the box to flourish.

when i consider my own system, i own cables from small companies, digital components from a medium sized and well known company, and an amplifier from a well known company as well as another amp and preamp designed by a retired professor from canada.
mrtennis
Mrtennis - which companies have you approached to "modify their designs" for you? I'm not talking about upgraded caps and such, which some of the smaller companies offer, but an actual modified design? Did you supply the specs for the circuit?

Yes, I'm sure some amp builders will do anything you ask for, so long as you don't want to keep sending it back if you don't like it.
changing op amps, resistors, caps and wiring can significantly alter the sound, same with the connectors. suppose you want to create a certain flavor, the big companies would not change the parts in their designs.

i think there is another company that will design an tube amp for you , i think the name is nightshade. he makes a dac called the lampizator.
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http://www.jeffreywjackson.com/

Jeffrey Jackson builds custom amps and horn speakers that sound wonderful. I believe he'll work with you to design and build just about anything you want. He was on the team that developed the field coil Lowthers that Lowther-America is now selling.

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I can vouch for the fact the Jeffrey Jackson will customize to your taste and needs. I own one of his Kahn phono preamps which I ordered with mercury rectification and dedicated stereo and mono inputs. A truly exceptional audio component. Can't wait to get the 71A line stage!!!