Sadly missed manufacturers


I've been an audio and music enthusiast since the 1970's. We've all seen a fair number of companies come and go. Some burned brightly for a while, some not at all, and some companies are still present but only in name as they otherwise bear no resemblance to their ancestors.

Are there any companies you are sad to have seen disappear?

l can name a few former luminaries that are now gone- Counterpoint, Apogee. Both offered very good products, but unfortunately neither offered bullet proof reliability. I am of mixed feelings of the various Carver companies. I think Carver, the man, is capable of producing some genuinely first rate products but I viewed much of the marketing as smoke and mirrors which to me detracts from a manufacturer's credibility.
128x128zavato
@ Tls49, Hi, I remember mcs, those systems and speakers were really good!, sounded fantastic compaired to the multi-thousands of dollars speakers these days!
Interesting that no one mentioned Western Electric

Western Electric (many of whose products from the 1930's are still revered for their sonics, and are worth small or not so small fortunes)

Line Magnetic keeps the "Western Electric" spirit (and sound) alive nicely
Speaking of WE and LM, spent last Sunday at my dealer's home with the Line Magnetic’s Replica Western Electric Theater Speaker System. It was driven by Shindo 300B monos, pre and Lamp L5 Dac and is one of the best speakers I've ever heard. Everything we played sounded so natural, organic and perfect tone.

Fortunate or UNFORTUNATE, it's a perfect fit in my 25'x33'x15' room so thinking buying them. These could be the speakers that finally get me off the bus for good.

Almarg, do you remember hearing or seeing them in the theaters growing up?
How about B&W. They began a slow death when John Bowers passed away, didn't they?
03-12-14: Knghifi
Almarg, do you remember hearing or seeing them in the theaters growing up?
If I ever heard any of the classic Western Electric theater gear in my younger days, I was too uninformed to realize it. And I suspect that in many or most cases the theaters had "upgraded" their equipment by that time. Although I believe that here and there a number of smaller movie houses continued to use that equipment until fairly recent decades.

Best of luck with your prospective purchase, if you decide to pursue it.

Regards,
-- Al
there was another that was 2 initials followed by a name (x.x. smith, for example) that eludes me at the moment.

Do you mean C.J. Walker?

Didn't Will Vincent used to restore and modify those old Western Electric tube amps? Wish he was still working his magic too! I think he has retired from his work with ST-70s, etc. There are quite a few of his restored Dynaco ST-70s out there. He made quite a name for himself here on Audiogon.