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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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almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Yes, that's right Larry. As far as I am aware Brook was the only manufacturer (or at least the only USA manufacturer) of directly heated triode audio amplifiers intended for use in the home (the Western Electric/Northern Electric products being theatre-oriented, of course) prior to the resurgence of interest in such things in the last few decades (and subsequent to the 1930's when companies such as E. H. Scott and McMurdo Silver offered certain high end multi-chassis "radios" which used 2A3 power tubes).

I had a Brooks (not Brook) mono FM tuner ca. 1954 for a while during the 1990's. A reasonably nice unit of its kind, which I think I sold for something like $50. In contrast, I suspect that a nice pair of top-of-the-line Brook 10C monoblocks (which as you no doubt realize were supplied with a choice of 2A3 or 300B power tubes, in a push-pull configuration) would go for well upwards of $20K today. It wasn't cheap in its day, either, selling for $315 (list price $525) according to a 1951 Allied Radio catalog I have.

Best regards,
-- Al
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
P.S. to my previous post: To clarify, the 1951 prices I mentioned were per monoblock.

Best regards,
-- Al
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papermill
80 posts
 
Signature Technologies.
This Milwaukee company produced tubed preamps, amps and dynamic speakers under the names Nobis and Signature. Brian Bienfang and his wife Michelle operated the company during the heyday of local entrepreneurial electronics repair and product manufacture. In my early audio adventures, Brian became a source for both equipment and Sound Investments a friendly place to hang out and converse about audio and life. Products of note that I still own today are the SRp-7 tubed preamp, SRd-20 tube buffered CD player, SRa-8 70 watt EL34 mono, SRa-9 200 watt 6550 mono, SRM2.1 2 way speaker and the flagship monolithic SRM.7. Some are still in use in a secondary system, others are idle.
All the electronic components could be characterized by their tube prevailing influence, and the speakers by an honest, full bodied sound.
Alas, as time moves on, Signature also has become part of the "cottage" industry lore. How many manufacturers will address a blown tube circuit while you wait and /or watch the owner at the repare bench? Fortunately, we have a very competent repair shop, Audio Ventures who is familiar with Brian' s designs and has rescued me when needed.
Signature Technologies - another "out of business" but not totally forgotten.
larryi
4,041 posts
 
Thanks for the information Al. I would also add to my list a small, local to me (Northern Va.) speaker company named Metaphor. They made speakers to compete with the likes of Thiel, but, to me, they sounded more natural than the equivalent Thiel. Unfortunately, even in my area they did not sell well because a lot of prospective buyers NEED the reassurance of positive reviews and reputation. I was at a dealership that sold both Metaphor and Thiel and watched a couple making a buying decision. They both loved the Metaphor and thought it was better than the Thiel, but, they bought the Thiel instead because they just didn't "know" about the Metaphor. I suppose this is valid for someone who is concerned with resale value, service, etc., but, I would personally go with the better sound.
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dweller
3,788 posts
 
Larryi:
The thing about reviews is a person, who cares enough about audio to actually make it their career, has listened to something you want for months. They bring a huge experience base (can compare to lots of other similar functioning products) before rendering their conclusion.

Now assuming altruistic motivations (i.e. they have not been bribed by the manufacturer), they can have insight that I may not have the time or judgment to acquire.
Of course, your ears should be the final arbiter, but can you trust them after a 1 hour demo in unfamiliar surroundings with equipment you don't own?
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