Top Audiophile companies over the last 60, or so, years..your choices?

Yes, Advent and the remarkable Mr. Kloss.  I watched an old video tape format of Blazing Saddles on the first prototype of the VideoBeam in the Drake Hotel an evening of CES. 
The early days of "hi-fi" had some......ahh, unusual personalities at the helm. 

Top for what

On my books, "top" means that there is no sour taste in my mouth from the time I made the purchase to the time I sold it, and I’d consider buying the same brand again solely based on how much I enjoy the ownership.

A few that I could quote (in any order):

Viva
Ayon
Burmester
Kharma
Sonic Frontiers
Lamm
MBL


While I am at this, excerpt from my curse list:

VAC
Antique SoundLab
Jeff Rowland
NBS
Kora
Ming Da
Krell

Sansui.... Tannoy.....For their choices of good quality products at not too high prices....

Magnepan...
Berning ZOTL.... These 2 for their truly revolutionary products at relatively low price....

These four are top in my book, not the absolute top by no means, because who knows?

Using the following parameters: " "top" means that there is no sour taste in my mouth from the time I made the purchase to the time I sold it, and I’d consider buying the same brand again solely based on how much I enjoy the ownership."

In chronological order:
Acoustat
Conrad Johnson
Innersound/Sanders Sound
Quicksilver