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Classics and Cults. Bogus Journalism?

Classics endure, it seems, even as technology improves. Regardless of the new stuff, people still seem to agree that the AR SP-11 is a very good pre amp, that VPI TNT turntables are wonderful, that the Levinson 30/31 combination is a great CD player etc. Some, gear however, bursts onto the high end scene in a flash of glory, only to disappear off the face of the earth and never be mentioned again. What's going on here? I was thinking recently of the Crown Macro Reference, an amp that I never heard but I recall that it was briefly the best thing in the world with the high end audio press, only to never be mentioned again and presumably trade at deep discounts. There was another amp -- made in a garage somewhere -- maybe some of you recall the name -- that despite its low cost and simple SS design, was possibly the best amp EVER in the world. It was back ordered forever, only to disappear and never be mentioned again. Can anyone else think of products like this? Are these just spurious reviews or were the writers drinking Krug and Chateau Lafite courtesy of the manufacturers before sitting down at their keyboards?
cwlondon
rcprince
3,070 posts
 
You're not thinking of the BEL (Brown Electronics Labs) amplifier that TOM raved about in TAS, are you? They are still made and popular, so I wouldn't call them a one hit wonder. The Crown Macro got hit with a controversial Lewis Lipnick pan in Stereophile in late 1993 ("no music") that was probably more a reflection on his listening room and system than the amp but still hurt its sales badly, although they are still big in professional circles, I believe. I guess one product that comes to mind for me is the Don Cochran Delta Mode amplifier, which was an interesting and good sounding design, well received by the audio critics, that may have fallen prey to the market forces that Detlof describes (although for some reason I think I may have seen something indicating that the amps are still being made). Interesting thread, I'll try to think of some others.
detlof
1,899 posts
 
Oh there was the Beverdige preamp, a Roger Modjieski design, beautifully made and executed, an early two chassis job and expensive, done and financed by the speaker people, also long defunct. Harry Pearson at the time was so infatuated by the SP 8 that it needed just one review of his, comparing the two, to kill the precariously financed endevour once and for all. For a while you could have them fairly cheap, so I got myself another one and ran one for each channel. I remember a glorious liquid midrange, as soon as I had thrown Roger's Russian ECC83's out. ( I think, there were 12 of them in the thing. )
detlof
1,899 posts
 
Correction: Now I'm not sure, probably it was the SP 6 not the SP 8 HP kept on raving about in those old days.
cwlondon OP
1,210 posts
 
RCPrince -- Excellent recall and thank you. I think is was the BEL. Didn't know they are still around or remain popular so I stand corrected. If it really is one the greatest, most amazing power amps ever in the history of the world (AND they were cheap new), it sounds like the second hand bargain of the century. I will keep my eyes open -- maybe two, four? for bi-amping low frequencies. It is particularly interesting to hear of designers who had great products but lacked capital or marketing expertise. If anyone knows any of these guys, I would be happy to help them finance a new company.
rcprince
3,070 posts
 
Cwlondon, I recall in one of the recent TAS year-end issues the BEL is up to, I think, a Mk5 version, and continues to be a fave of a few of their reviewers (I think the Mk2 was the original rave). BEL seems to get by on word of mouth, probably a good indicator of their quality. I have heard the original version of the amp, and it sounded excellent in the low frequencies. I ought to contact you about the company which makes the speakers I own, as I'm still the only owner after 2 years of what I, at least, think is an excellent product but which might have a limited market.
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