The company list

tonyb
tonyb Posts: 32,902
edited February 2018 in 2 Channel Audio
Talked about putting together a list of companies we all have had good experiences with. Feel free to add to the list as we all have different experiences. Lets try these 4 categories.

Speakers
Gear
Cables
Misc.- meaning great gear from companies no longer in business, but still obtainable on the used markets.

Hopefully this will give some people a little direction in the crowded field of audio who want to step outside the BestBuy brands.

Speakers- Polk-obviously
PBN- Peter is great to deal with
Usher- Our very own Skip as a dealer and many users
Legacy- Bill is also a great dude to deal with.
Salk- Jim, right up there with the rest.
Dynaudio
Focal
Totem
Odyssey

Gear-Cary- good sounding products but CS needs help
W4S-
Oppo
Butler- personal favorite
Peachtree
Rogue
Bat- brush up on your Russian
SVS
HSU
Musical fidelity
Modwright
Odyssey
Backert Labs

Cables- MIT
Acoustic Zen
Audioquest
Bluejeans
Wireworld
Kimber
Transparent
Shunyata


Misc.- Joule
McCormack
B&K
Straley Reality cables
PNF cables


Just to get the ball rolling, add at will.
HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds

Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

Kitchen

Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's
«13

Comments

  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,124
    I'm going to tag Dynaudio and Simaudio with

    Hanson Audio and Video in Ohio...great customer service
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,308
    edited February 2018
    Douglas Connection for cables; always a pleasure working with Doug. Takes his time, answers all questions, forthcoming with info and experience.

    For speaker repairs and mods, Dave Shirly, DHS Speaker
    I disabled signatures.
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    Good calls gents, keep 'em rolling.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    I'll add Brent Jesse for tubes. HIFI Heaven in Wisconsin, nice dudes to deal with.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    Not a Schiit fan?
    I am -- intrigued -- by some of their products.
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    Not a Schiit fan?
    I am -- intrigued -- by some of their products.

    Mark, the list is for companies you already may have had experience with or know of that have had good reputations. The Schiit fans can chime in if they feel worthy. :)
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    gotcha. sorry.
  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,010
    Cherry Vintage Audio in South Carolina for some cool vintage gear.
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    Parasound
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    This would be a good thread to make sticky. Not that I'm lazy, but well maybe a little bit. :smiley:
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    edited February 2018
    I can offer a few good DIY/parts/kit resources (sorry, Tony, now I am playing by the rules, I think!):

    http://www.partsconnexion.com (Canadian, but they deal with Amurricans, too)
    http://www.mcshanedesign.net/ (Jim McShane, parts 'n' tubes)
    http://www.bottlehead.com ('nuff said)

    35012452392_cb467aebf3_o.jpgDSC_8376 (2) by Mark Hardy, on Flickr
  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,350
    Nice list Tony.

    I'd add Sonore for computer audio.

    http://www.sonore.us/
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    Signal Cable I would add
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






  • machone
    machone Posts: 1,471
    Musicalconcepts.com
    John Hillig is very helpful.
    Mojo Audio Illuminati v3>>Quantum Byte w/LMS>>Rpi/PiCoreplayer>> Starlight 7 USB >> Mojo Audio Mystique v2 SE>>ModWright SWL 9.0 SE Signature>>Hafler DH-500 Amp+ (Musical Concepts Fully Modded)>>
    SRS 2.3TL (Fully Modded)...Velodyne Optimum 8 subwoofer
    1KVA Dreadnought

    Marantz SA 8005
    Pioneer PLX-1000 Turntable - Shure SC35C/N35X - V15III/VN35HE
    Yamaha TX-540 Tuner...Sony BDP-S570
    Sony PS4

    Separate subpanel with four dedicated 20 amp circuits.
    1. Amplification 2. Analog 3. Digital 4. Video

    "All THAT IS LOST FROM THE SOURCE IS LOST FOREVER"
  • indyhawg
    indyhawg Posts: 1,633
    Parks Audio for phono preamps
    Belles
    Monarchy Audio
  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,056
    JD Labs
    Cambridge Audio
    Vincent Audio,
    HI FI Heaven (most definitely)
    Audio Advisor
    Clear Audio
    Sennheiser
    Needle Doctor
    Reference Audio
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
  • Viking64
    Viking64 Posts: 6,646
    Silk Audio

    Version3 Audio
  • tonyp063
    tonyp063 Posts: 1,044
    FixMyDual in the misc. category
    Bill is fair, honest & a great source of info.
  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    Tyler Acoustics for speakers. Ty Lashbrook is one of the "Good Guys" in audio.
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
  • stangman67
    stangman67 Posts: 2,179
    Seconded Backert and Brent Jessee. Also have had great experiences with World Wide Stereo in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania. Great people
    2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave

    2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius
  • daddyjt
    daddyjt Posts: 2,305
    Maybe out of place, but I will throw in a few (obvious?) parts sources that I have dealt with (and continue to):

    Mouser
    Digikey
    B&D Enterprises (BDent)
    Onlinecomponents (ICs)
    Lighthouse (LEDs)
    Valve storm (wire and parts for tube gear)
    Kapp alloy & wire (Solder, especially 7% silver)

    "Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow


    “Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
    ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,034
    Pass Labs
    Oppo
    Krell
    Polk Audio
    Rogue Audio
    PS Audio
    Magnepan

    All top notch service and support.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • cmy330go
    cmy330go Posts: 2,341
    Positive experiences with:
    BRANDS
    Polk
    Music-Hall
    Sutherland
    Sound-Smith

    RETAILERS
    MusicDirect.com
    NeedleDoctor.com
    ElusiveDisc.com
    AcousticSounds.com
    SoundstageDirect.com
    Quest for Sound - Bensalem, PA
    Saturday Audio Exchange - Chicago, IL
    HT
    Mits WD-65737, DirecTV, Oppo DV-970HD, XBOX ONE, Yamaha RX-A1030, Parasound Halo A23, Rotel RB-985, Music Hall MMF-7, Parasound PPH-100, LSi-15, LSi-C, LSi-FX, LSi-7, PSW-1000, Monster HTS2600

    2 CH
    Parasound Halo P3, Parasound Halo A21, Sutherland Ph.D, VPI Classic 3 w/ 3D arm & Soundsmith Aida Cartridge, Arcam CD72T, B&W 802 S3, Monster HTS2500,
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    edited February 2018
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    I can offer a few good DIY/parts/kit resources (sorry, Tony, now I am playing by the rules, I think!):

    http://www.partsconnexion.com (Canadian, but they deal with Amurricans, too)
    http://www.mcshanedesign.net/ (Jim McShane, parts 'n' tubes)
    http://www.bottlehead.com ('nuff said)

    35012452392_cb467aebf3_o.jpgDSC_8376 (2) by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

    Attaboy Mark, knew you had some in your back pocket, being the hoarder that you are. :)

    Fantastic list guys, keep 'em coming. Feel free too to mention any people you feel are worthy within these companies also that you have dealt with.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,056
    edited February 2018
    It looks like a trip to Saturday Audio Exchange in Chicago will be on the radar soon, I could take some of the stash in and trade for some different stuff. Great idea for a thread Tony.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    Blue Jeans Cable
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,288
    Another company that still has a solid reputation and great customerservice is Macintosh.
    Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 300, Audioquest Thunderbird Zero Speaker Cable, Tyler Highland H2, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,558
    Schiit Audio has always been quick to reply via email to pre and post purchase inquiries from me.

    Even when I ask them the most obscure stuff, they still reply very quickly with an honest answer.

    I appreciate their customer service via email.
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    I'm expecting Skip to chime in, give the Italians a little boost too. :)
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,084
    edited February 2018
    "tony wrote: »
    give the Italians a little boost too. :)

    I picked up a very well built (and Great sounding) North Star DAC from Audio Thesis (Skip). Great product and great dealer . . .

    Also, I've had excellent service/advice from Andy at Vintage Tube Services
    Advise is great, but his web site, not so much . . . So call him directly at the # on his site. NO AFIL

    http://vintagetubeservices.com

    Oh! I forgot to mention . . . Stellar customer service at Rogue, always Johnny on the Spot when I inquire re: my M180s

    and I must concur with said comment re: Cary CS. They do great work, but the verbal communication part gets in their way
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampi Baltic 4
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12