2. misc-audio
  3. 1022158748

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
mezzanine
129 posts
 

R.I.P

Meadowlark
Soundwave
Spica
Counterpoint
Alchemist
Magnum Audio
N.E.A.R
Aragon/Acurus
Apogee
Rogers
Swan
Ruark
Royd
Sherane
Woodside
Audio Innovations
Heybrook
Paragon

I am sure I can come up with another 10 or so If I think long enough.

Alive but not the same or as good ( bought by larger companies and/or manufactured in China now)

Mccormack
Classe
Creek
Castle
Mirage
Celestion
Energy
PSB
Mission
Audiolab
rich3549
73 posts
 
Slightly OT, ..I sure do miss them some of the old stereo retailers of SO CA - even though not all were "high end"...Absolute Audio (In OC carried high gear like Rowland, Wilson, Audio Research, CAL, etc.), Pacific Stereo (Parasound, Bose 901s hanging from the ceiling,Quadraflex), Leo's Stereo (ESS, Nikko, Aiwa, Acoustic Research), CA Stereo, Federated (Yamaha, Infinity, SAE, Vector Research)...I was so impressed with it all...from Vector Research's boombox with speakers that were made out of particle board and not plastic to the awesome Rowland gear at Absolute.
mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,611 posts
 
.
If you are going to mention SoCal retailers, you have to mention RogerSound Labs. Rogersound Labs manufactured their own speakers that carried a lifetime warranty.

No one mentioned SuperScope. I had a SuperScope cassette deck before I moved up to a Dokorder reel to reel deck.
.
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
Audio Alchemy had the best and biggest bang for the buck .
kgturner's avatar
kgturner
664 posts
 
Supratek. I still love my Dual Cabernet. I have heard that Mick takes custom orders from time to time, but he's not producing on the scale he once was.

Soliloquy. I never owned any of their speakers, but I did demo a pair several years ago and really enjoyed them.
More to discover