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Designer Hall of Fame

There are many great designers out there, and especially in the lore from the golden age, but I'm not to familiar with them. I thought it might be interesting to discuss some of the great designers for engineering skill and knowledge, business integrity, and ultimatley quality of their products. My short list a "hall of fame" if you will of designers working today are:

Nelson Pass, Pass Labs
Charles Hansen, Ayre
Roger Modjeski, Music Reference
Ken Stevens, Convergent Audio Technolgy (CAT)
Kevin Hayes, VAC

and how could I leave Jeff Rowland off? Well it is a short list. Who would you nominate?
pubul57
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
Man Oh' Man where is Bruce Thigpen in all of this...his work on Tone Arms and Speakers deserves mention and credit!
I also have not seen Joe Grado...RIP.

Richard Vandersteen is the man I most respect in this business with his succesful product and Sane prices.

Roger Sanders for Electrostat and Amplifier technology.

Loyd Walker....enough said.

Dr HSU for his subs.

And Product marketer Hall Of Fame....you guessed it
Dr Bose..Boo Hiss!
kevinkwann
85 posts
 
Moongfongo’s Garson Piel is an unsung genius. In point of fact, he’s arguably the greatest audio designer who ever lived. I’ve never spoken to the man personally, but I understand he doesn’t like to have direct contact with his customers because they’re “either too stupid or too uneducated” to understand his design concepts. I say Amen to that, brother! Also, and I don’t know whether this is true or not, it is reported that he is the only audio designer ever to have killed one of his customers. Scary... but cool!
pubul57 OP
3,712 posts
 
Dr. Floyd Toole at the National Research Council his contributions in the use of measurements in the design of equipment; making the work of many other designers better (3M).
soundlock
101 posts
 

Chadnliz: Just spoke to a very close friend of Joe Grado a few minutes ago (10:30 PM, 3-31-08) and he advised me that Joe Grado was very much alive and well and getting ready soon to have his 85th birthday. Just thought you and the rest of the audiophile world would like to know. Warmest regards.
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
I thought I read the original Grado had passed and siblings were passed the torch...guess I am mistaken and apologize for my error.
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