small companies making today's best products

Do we really need to design this stuff from scratch?

if nobody else has gotten it right so far, what makes anyone think they can? there are a lot of smart people out there and this stuff requires knowledge but is not rocket science.

Designing probably no but highest quality custom parts yes.
And fine tuning. And fifty years warranty on parts with ten on labour.
I read here about Albert's Studer deck. He had custom head block installed to be able to play and record all kinds of tapes. I think the price was $20k or so.

the purpose of designing to satisify the customer is to produce a product which is consistent with the tastes and preferences of the buyer. since no product is perfect, the idea is to build a component with a certain sonic signature.

those who think components should be as accurate as possible, need not consider this idea.

it's like telling a chef how you would like him to prepare a dish. very few will do this.

since all do not have the same idea as to what a stereo system should sound like, customizing a component as like getting a suit made for you.

This thread reminds me of the good old days of buying DIY amp kits that we built and continually modified , I don't no if we ever got it just right but it was fun and educational , and finding the best ingredients for home made power cords . That made audio a fun hobby .

Tekton, Zu and Decware are three I have come across recently that I would like to experience.

Also a fan of the Audiokinesis approach to things, though have not actually heard.

THough also have not heard, gotta give a plug for HHR Exotic Speakers as well for forging ahead with the Walsh speaker design and keeping costs manageable.

Did I forget OHM? Here's to John Strohbeen as well!

Audio Research....still the cornerstone of tube amp products?

mhdt systems: very good DACs for not much cost.

Bel Canto: I like this company's products and service a lot though there is tons of competition.

Dynaudio are they too big? A gold standard in modern speaker design I would say.

How about Triangle? Not up with their more recent products too much but like what I have heard.

Manley and Rogue....I like these two companies products that I have heard though I liked Manley's old price structure a lot better than the new.

Magnepan, not too big to mention, right?

Haven't heard Atmasphere but I suspect Ralph's tube amp products are quite exceptional.

I suspect Classic Audio Loudspeakers may have some of the better sounding speakers out there especially with use of their field coil drivers.

I heard charming and reasonably priced large horns from The Cathedral Speaker company a while back that caught the ears of many at a show in addition to myself.

I tend to levitate towards products that are unique or innovative relative to the norm. There are many small companies making good stuff out there.