Peter Walker R.I.P.
Posted by: Markus S on 14 December 2003
Peter Walker, the founder of Quad, died Wednesday, 10th December, at the age of 87.
Read the company's announcement here.
In the past, I have owned both the ESL 57 and a pair of Quad II amps. I have nothing but respect for Peter Walker's achievements.
[This message was edited by Markus Sauer on SUNDAY 14 December 2003 at 18:04.]
Read the company's announcement here.
In the past, I have owned both the ESL 57 and a pair of Quad II amps. I have nothing but respect for Peter Walker's achievements.
[This message was edited by Markus Sauer on SUNDAY 14 December 2003 at 18:04.]
Posted on: 14 December 2003 by J.N.
Thanks for letting us know, Markus.
I own a pair of 57's and have enormous respect for their innovative design nearly fifty years ago.
It must have been very difficult to realise their potential, with the standard of source equipment avaiable at the time.
I assume that only high speed open-reel tape was good enough (if the recording was good enough!)
Such men as Peter Walker, illuminate our world.
I own a pair of 57's and have enormous respect for their innovative design nearly fifty years ago.
It must have been very difficult to realise their potential, with the standard of source equipment avaiable at the time.
I assume that only high speed open-reel tape was good enough (if the recording was good enough!)
Such men as Peter Walker, illuminate our world.
Posted on: 16 December 2003 by Chris Metcalfe
Nice obit in the Times today.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,60-933675,00.html
Interesting that he was still working on new designs late in life. Sad to note that Quad is now Chinese-owned though!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,60-933675,00.html
Interesting that he was still working on new designs late in life. Sad to note that Quad is now Chinese-owned though!
Posted on: 16 December 2003 by Markus S
Chris,
your link is open for members only.
your link is open for members only.
Posted on: 16 December 2003 by Chris Metcalfe
Markus,
Well it's worth finding it, not sure how I registered in the first place - not difficult. Either that or buy the paper.
Well it's worth finding it, not sure how I registered in the first place - not difficult. Either that or buy the paper.
Posted on: 16 December 2003 by Tango
quote:
Originally posted by Chris Metcalfe:
Sad to note that Quad is now Chinese-owned though!
Chris, what's wrong with Chinese-owned. Are you a racist or what?
Posted on: 16 December 2003 by Chris Metcalfe
No, obviously. But Quad hifi, like Naim hifi, is part of a specific and recognisable British intellectual tradition, just as so many wonderful inventions and discoveries have come out of the Chinese cultural tradition for thousands of years.
Notwithstanding the pressures of the global work market, it's difficult to see that specific tradition carrying on in quite the same form in such a circumstance. But I could be wrong. And the use of the word 'sad' in that context undoubtedly gave the wrong impression, for which I apologise.
Notwithstanding the pressures of the global work market, it's difficult to see that specific tradition carrying on in quite the same form in such a circumstance. But I could be wrong. And the use of the word 'sad' in that context undoubtedly gave the wrong impression, for which I apologise.
Posted on: 16 December 2003 by Tango
quote:
Originally posted by Chris Metcalfe:
And the use of the word 'sad' in that context undoubtedly gave the wrong impression, for which I apologise.
Chris, I was quite convinced you were NOT racist. And like you said, the use of the word 'sad' could upset a few people. It's good that you have now given a brilliant explanation.
Posted on: 16 December 2003 by J.N.
quote:
Chris, what's wrong with Chinese-owned. Are you a racist or what?
Hmmmm; Someone is either trying a bit of a 'wind-up' or is being ridiculously 'PC'
It was perfectly obvious to me Chris, (and I suspect everybody else) that you were referring to yet another small, innovative, specialist company being swallowed up by a huge, characterless corporation.
I agree with you; it is sad. We need small maverick companies in all areas of manufacture to make interesting products.
Fascinating quote dept:
"The reasonable man adapts to the world around him. The unreasonable man forces the world to adapt to his needs. Therefore; all progress depends upon the unreasonable man".
(I suppose that's a bit gender specific and guaranteed to cause offence!)