What extinct Hi Fi manufacture do you miss the most?

Hungryhalibut posted:

Unless the listening chair was raised on extra mana levels the tweeters would be a the wrong height. Clearly a system intended to make you stand to attention...

Whatever happened to NAD?

Regarding Mana, I can’t say I miss them, exactly: my LP12 rests on a 4 level (“Phase 4”) Mana shelf, so I don’t feel like they’re “extinct.” And though it sounds good to my ears, I’m curious about the Tiger Paw Vulkan, which has received universal praise. But given that there’s no way for me to compare the two, I doubt I’ll be changing, unless we move house (also doubtful). I wonder if anyone has done a comparison?

And a big +1 for Nytech. Back in the day (early 80s) my older brother had a Rega Planar 2, Nytech CA202 (sloping front & sliding volume control), and some forgotten Sansui stand mounters. In my audio memory, that remains one of the most engaging systems I’ve ever heard, causing me to often wonder if the succeeding decades of “upgrading” have really taken me anywhere.

<sigh>

Although Stax still do headphones, as far as I know they no longer make pre/power amps. They were into big! The DMA-X1, was a FET output mono block that weighed a massive 101 kilograms and which could push 1,000 watts into a one ohm load. It was described as being more "like the power supply for a welding machine" than an amplifier.  When you consider two were needed for stereo it makes sense that the amplifier was fitted with castors.

I had a pair of DMA 100's (a liquid cooled 100w Class A mono block), driving a pair of Kans for a couple of months. And my the Kans sang. It would have been great in winter but it was a bitch during the Aussie summer. So they transmuted into a chrome bumper 250.

Stax speakers, the ELS-F 81x and 83x were also pretty amazing, although their efficiency (around 78dB/W), and low impedance were problematic. I almost ended up with a pair of the 83's just because they looked so awesome. And sounded good. We ran them in the store with a good subwoofer. But spl was always deficient.

Finally, Mitchell A Cotter, with their Cotter Front End, were visually, (and sonically), lovely. All those little bricks with their electric blue anodising. I'll search for photo's...

Hungryhalibut posted:

Nice one...made me chuckle. Perhaps they had been using the "pipe" on the left too much!!

Did that come with a set of stilts and raised platform for the listening seats or perhaps there's a mezzanine floor just out of shot!! 

My vote goes to Nakamichi, and here's why

some 30 years ago I worked for Angus Mckenzie, who was famous as a writer about radio stuff in HiFi News etc. he ran a private test lab, and had a spectacular computer controlled tape testing system. Early HP 9816 desktop workstations, IEEE488 control bus, generators and measurement under computer control and even computer controlled electric screwdrivers that could turn multi-turn pots. Nakamichi cassette decks modified for fine adjustment of bias etc. Software partly written by yrs truly.

Downstairs was a special Nakamichi Dragon, delivered personally from Nak in Japan. This had the highest performance of any cassette deck ever measured. Plus it did the wonderful thing of aligning the head in real time.

Without going into too much detail, there was an unofficial meeting of the IEC tape committee in the lounge one day. Representatives of each major manufacturer with their prototype suggestion for Chrome tape (if I remember right). We tested each, gave each vendor their results and then a decision was banged out around the table as to what the spec for Chrome was going to be

The final arbiter was the Dragon deck.

Years later, when Angus died, I bought the very same deck from his estate along with a pile of equipment i had worked with all those years earlier.

And some months ago I sent it down to B&W (who do the nakamichi servicing) for a full refurb. They were speechless -- this was the Ground Zero cassette deck, legendary in its history and importance. Not just the dragon as a design, but this very serial number. They had been hunting for it for years...

They did a full service and now its back in the hifi. A treasured item indeed. I might sell it one day to someone who is a complete and utter cassette nut. But it would not be cheap due to its condition and provenance.

I love the nakamichi tech of the time -- stupendously good cassette deck engineering. The daft turntable that self centered the record. Utter madness. No wonder they went bust.  

steve95775 posted:

Although Stax still do headphones, as far as I know they no longer make pre/power amps. They were into big! The DMA-X1, was a FET output mono block that weighed a massive 101 kilograms and which could push 1,000 watts into a one ohm load. It was described as being more "like the power supply for a welding machine" than an amplifier.  When you consider two were needed for stereo it makes sense that the amplifier was fitted with castors.

I had a pair of DMA 100's (a liquid cooled 100w Class A mono block), driving a pair of Kans for a couple of months. And my the Kans sang. It would have been great in winter but it was a bitch during the Aussie summer. So they transmuted into a chrome bumper 250.

Stax speakers, the ELS-F 81x and 83x were also pretty amazing, although their efficiency (around 78dB/W), and low impedance were problematic. I almost ended up with a pair of the 83's just because they looked so awesome. And sounded good. We ran them in the store with a good subwoofer. But spl was always deficient.

Finally, Mitchell A Cotter, with their Cotter Front End, were visually, (and sonically), lovely. All those little bricks with their electric blue anodising. I'll search for photo's...

Despite having new Chinese owners STAX are happily still around, and with new investment, who knows what future delights may result.

I recall that Naim's erstwhile Italian distributor (Ciao Vanino!) had a pair of the awesome STAX ELS-8X full-range electrostatics.  Oh, did I lust after those...

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Heybrook. 

They sort of live on in the numerous speakers designed by Peter Comeau. I have the Diamond 220s, a superb little speaker, probably better in real terms than any small Heybrook of the 80s.

Zipperheadbanjo posted:

Wouldn't have pegged you as someone with a high GD IQ btw.

I was never a big "Dead-head" but plenty of friends certainly were, including my neighbour who had similarly to you had a wall of bootlegs on UD XLII, the holy grail likewise being the lowest generation dupes possible. The college book store used to get in boxes of Maxell UD-XLII, XLII-S and MX for "educational" purposes at amazing discounts that even undercut places like JR Music World and Crazy Eddie's in NYC.  Needless to say, they sold LOTS of Maxell tapes...

Despite being more into Neil Young and CSN, I did like the Dead though and took in some shows including one memorable one at the Civic Centre in Portland - I think I was only asked along because I was the only one who could drive a stick shift. At least, they thought I could drive a manual (being a brit) - truth was my total experience had been driving an old Morris Minor around a farm at home.  There's nothing quite like a steep learning curve - boy did that little blue Rabbit get a thrashing that weekend. My memory of the rest is a bit hazy but I did eventually discover that the actual owner of the car had no idea that it had been "borrowed" for the occasion...

Richard Dane posted:

steve95775 posted:

Although Stax still do headphones, as far as I know they no longer make pre/power amps. They were into big! The DMA-X1, was a FET output mono block that weighed a massive 101 kilograms and which could push 1,000 watts into a one ohm load. It was described as being more "like the power supply for a welding machine" than an amplifier.  When you consider two were needed for stereo it makes sense that the amplifier was fitted with castors.

I had a pair of DMA 100's (a liquid cooled 100w Class A mono block), driving a pair of Kans for a couple of months. And my the Kans sang. It would have been great in winter but it was a bitch during the Aussie summer. So they transmuted into a chrome bumper 250.

Stax speakers, the ELS-F 81x and 83x were also pretty amazing, although their efficiency (around 78dB/W), and low impedance were problematic. I almost ended up with a pair of the 83's just because they looked so awesome. And sounded good. We ran them in the store with a good subwoofer. But spl was always deficient.

Finally, Mitchell A Cotter, with their Cotter Front End, were visually, (and sonically), lovely. All those little bricks with their electric blue anodising. I'll search for photo's...

Despite having new Chinese owners STAX are happily still around, and with new investment, who knows what future delights may result.

I recall that Naim's erstwhile Italian distributor (Ciao Vanino!) had a pair of the awesome STAX ELS-8X full-range electrostatics.  Oh, did I lust after those...

Well that's interesting news. If the quality ethos is maintained, there is nothing inherently wrong with Chinese manufacture. Been thinking headphones..

1.  Connoisseur

Anyone remember the BD2 - such a clever double gimbal arm.  All so simple but effective. 

2.  Rogers

Classic BBC derived speakers.  I needed to replace my 25 year old Rogers LS7t (£360/pair) pair, and have auditioned a number of other speakers over the years.  They still sound better to me than many newer lauded speakers like the PMC 20-23.   (I preferred the more forward sound of the PMC 20-22 that I ended up with, which are similar in character to the Rogers but which work better in a smaller room).

Salmon Dave posted:

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Heybrook. 

They sort of live on in the numerous speakers designed by Peter Comeau. I have the Diamond 220s, a superb little speaker, probably better in real terms than any small Heybrook of the 80s.

Interesting - thanks Dave.  The HBS1s were with me for 18 years.  So easy to integrate into the room.

Regards,

Lindsay

Ahh - nostalgia's not what it used to be.  I started with the obligatory SP25 and Trio electronics (the SP25 was at some point replaced with a Trio TT). My Damascene moment came after a visit to Sound Ord in Southward in the early '80's and took my down the well trodden Rega - Linn - Naim route.

Who would dare risk a play off with their "golden era" kit against what they have now? Not me - though I still miss my Isobariks  

auto bloody spell check - Southwark 

Anyone ever buy the Ion Obelisk range? I always preferred the Regas, Linn and Naim (of course!).

And what of Rotel?

And the mighty Sony ES range?

Radford for the first transmission line speakers and renowned STA tube amplifiers. 

Electro-Voice, Altec Lansing.

Tony2011 posted:

Another TT company that has since gone downhill. Beautifully made and solid as rock!

A great turntable in its day which I used for quite some time but I eventually sold it and moved on though if the arm had been better or even changeable I may have kept it much longer.  If I remember rightly I bought my first LP12 following this which was complete with a Grace arm but never did like the Grace either.

Wiltshireman posted:

Tony2011 posted:

Another TT company that has since gone downhill. Beautifully made and solid as rock!

A great turntable in its day which I used for quite some time but I eventually sold it and moved on though if the arm had been better or even changeable I may have kept it much longer.  If I remember rightly I bought my first LP12 following this which was complete with a Grace arm but never did like the Grace either.

They were great TTs and at their best with a heavy duty base. Their droopy arms always seem to be their weakest point.

I had Sondeks with the Grace and also a Mayware Formula IV but the LP12 really came  to life when I had my first Akito installed. 

My first Hi Fi experience was with this Grundig console that my parents bought used from the Turkish Consul General in town who finished his mission and had to return to Ankara. It was one of the early stereo models with three speakers driven by a sweet sounding powerful tube amp. On the right was a radio (AM/FM/ShortWave)-pre with an exceptional reception that also had tone controls and on the left was a disc player which allowed me to stack up to three of my Cliff Richard albums and play them in a sequence uninterrupted. 

The word Majestic said it all. An elegantly crafted furniture housing top notch electronics producing a grand sound. I wonder how many of these consoles are still around.

Richard Dane posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

I miss Naim. They made brilliant speakers once. 

Ouch.

Brutal; I think they are on the right path though; it is sad that some of the unique engineering they did in this area is gone such as the SBL's. However along this line I would also say Linn - with their abandonment of analog with the Exakt and the digital volume on all products now; with the exception of the LP-12 which is still the greatest turntable; their electronics and speakers seems to have all gone off the reservation. I owned a lot of Linn speakers and electronics and it all now seems uncompelling.

Haim Ronen posted:

My first Hi Fi experience was with this Grundig console that my parents bought used from the Turkish Consul General in town who finished his mission and had to return to Ankara. It was one of the early stereo models with three speakers driven by a sweet sounding powerful tube amp. On the right was a radio (AM/FM/ShortWave)-pre with an exceptional reception that also had tone controls and on the left was a disc player which allowed me to stack up to three of my Cliff Richard albums and play them in a sequence uninterrupted. 

The word Majestic said it all. An elegantly crafted furniture housing top notch electronics producing a grand sound. I wonder how many of these consoles are still around.

 

I have this exact console in my living room. Still works..

Haim Ronen posted:

 

Looking at this on an iPhone screen, I thought for a minute that you'd turned it into a fish tank. 

Myst TMA3 by Myst Audio which made this beautiful and very well built integrated amp. In the early 80s it was priced  in between the Creek CS 4040 and Naim Nait 1. 

My hi dealer at that time began the distribution here in Italy along with Rega.

Regards

Roberto

Well active dbls still do extraordinary things. 

Not surprising that there has not been mention of Apogee Speakers. A Naim amp back in the day would of imploded in a vacuum up through the speaker cables if used probably.  Never heard or even know someone who knows someone who knows someone that has.

Apogee and Krell were as important as Linn and Naim across the pond.