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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

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prof
3,474 posts
 
At one point I was pretty familiar with just about every well known speaker in the market, but not now. Home Theater diverted my energies for quite a while. So I can't help you much.

I'm trying to get hold of some Thiel 3.7 speakers, and from what I'm told by a current Hales T-8 owner who had the 3.7s on demo, they are *very* similar to the Hales. Though I think the Hales would come across as still more relaxed. (I don't mean laid back though - the Hales have almost an electrostatic quality for transients, but they are so smooth sounding and full bodied I'd think they'd be overall more relaxing to listen to than the Thiels).

I'm going to try and warm up the Thiels with a bit of tubes :-)
dayglow
1,920 posts
 
Sounds like the Hales might have a lot in common with Marten Speakers(which I need to demo).
larryi
4,041 posts
 
I don't know about "love" but, I sort of miss the following:

Western Electric
Brooks
Melos
Vacuum State
Joule
Acoustat
Apogee
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
A minor correction to Larryi's excellent list, if I may: Undoubtedly you meant to refer to Brook (Lincoln Walsh's Brook Electronics Company). Not to Brooks, which was an unrelated, less well known, and less highly regarded manufacturer of tube tuners in approximately the same early 1950s era.

Best regards,
-- Al
larryi
4,041 posts
 
I think you might be correct. I am thinking of the 1950s tube amps. I also like amps by the Canadian affiliate of Western Electric (Northern Electric). By the way, I also like the Ohm speakers that Lincoln Walsh developed.
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