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What companies, out of Business, did you LOVE???

I had just sold my Proceed PAV/PDSD combo, with a trio of Jeff Rowland Model 7s, and EAD Theatermaster. While I was waiting for my new system (Cal Audio CL-2500 pack) to arrive, I realized I needed some tunes and went to the yard to see what was 'laying' around. What I found was not only fun, but the idea to begin this thread. Personally, I am interested in this question from a Home Theater standpoint, but welcome 2 channel responses as well.

What is the BEST systems or pieces you have heard from companies that are no longer in business!!

I went to the garage, and pulled up a Golden Theater GTX-1 I had purchased a few years back. Solo Electronics went under about a year into these units. They received rave reviews from the magazines, but they just didn't hang around for a curtain call. I then pulled out an older 5 channel amp and here is what I gathered!

The DTS/DD Golden Theater GTX-1, which is STUNNINGLY good in 2 channel (what everyone loved about this unit!) was the start, and I paired it with a Chiro 5 channel C-500 amp.
I thought, hey, this company is also out of business too!!!
This amp was also favorably reviewed and when I put this system together, I realized how good they both were, specifically in 2 channel!! These companies both had GREAT products and when matched together, WOW! Obviously this set didn't chase the Proceed/Rowland gear out of my house, but you know, it did give it a run for its money!! Here is my thoughts on the BEST OutOfBusiness Home Theater!!

Golden Theater GTX-1 (DTS, DD)
Chiro C-500 (140 x 5, THX (for whatever that is worth)
Hales Concept 5 (owned these 250 lbs monsters some time ago) and for a center channel
the Hales Rev 1!!

This system would be stellar for music and if for music, it would kick butt for Home Theater!! The Hales are fabulous speakers, require substantial power (like the Aerials I run now) but if fed properly, even the mother of 'The Fridge' would be proud!

Put your best OutOfBusiness (OOB) companies down!!!

Dan

Ag insider logo xs@2xporschecab
orthonormal
4 posts
 
Porschecab, it's so ironic that you started this thread by mentioning that you had just bought some California Audio Labs gear...as you know, they are now out of business. Bummer! Here are the companies that I miss:

Counterpoint (but Michael Eliot is back in business as Altavista Audio)
CAL (I can only hope that CAL gets resurrected like Counterpoint)
twc644
2 posts
 
Luxman Luxman Luxman...I bought the r-113 35 watt receiver in 1988 and it was so damn clear and warm sounding along with a fantastic heaphone amp built into it.To this day I miss it.One channel abruptley quit on me after 10 years of use(my fault for pushing it way too hard with two pairs of speakers).I hung onto it trying to find someone who could repair it and gave up.It's gone now.If Luxman still sold here in the States I would still buy their products.I also have a tp-114 preamp from Luxman and it sounds beautiful and works fine to this day.I opened it up to check the circuit boards and the caps are still in great shape.I can only hope it will last me 10 more years.Luxman needs to market their equipment again ! I honestly cannot think of one company that makes such great sounding equipment for reasonable prices today that compares to the 1980's/early 90's Luxman !
bday0000
266 posts
 
BOSE. (sigh...)

Brad Day
Atlanta, GA
bioman
44 posts
 
Agree with Topnikko. I owned a number of Melos products over the years. Always the best value for the bucks IMHO of any company in the business I have had dealings with.
They were never really well funded (no deep pockets) or agressive at playing the politics of getting reviews (bribes, kickbacks and advertising tribute) so they ran into a lot of issues with keeping financially stable, in my limited observation.
However, their current service organization through expatriate employees, Melos Audio Restoration of Las Vegas is much better at service than when the company was in business. Much of ther still excellent gear can be purchased used at fire sale prices.
robr
12 posts
 
Platinum Audio-great speakers!
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