james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/

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Rocket_Ronny

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Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
« Reply #1 on: 11 Jan 2013, 03:32 pm »

A true audio hero.

The hardest thing about life is death. The ultimate reality.

How old was James, if public?

Rest in peace.


Rocket_Ronny

doug s.

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Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
« Reply #2 on: 11 Jan 2013, 03:52 pm »
A true audio hero.

The hardest thing about life is death. The ultimate reality.

How old was James, if public?

Rest in peace.


Rocket_Ronny

a websearch comes up w/2 april 1943 as james' b-day...

doug s.

Rocket_Ronny

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Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
« Reply #3 on: 11 Jan 2013, 04:10 pm »

So around 69 years old then. Sounds about right.

Rocket_Ronny

playntheblues

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Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
« Reply #4 on: 11 Jan 2013, 04:13 pm »
WOW! He sure lived his life with Passion!  I had a full set of his Sumo gear, purchased new around 1985.
RIP,
Guy

tkp

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Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
« Reply #5 on: 11 Jan 2013, 04:58 pm »
The best audio designer I knew of. 

His Ampzilla 2000 was/is the best amplifier I have heard to date (compare to Plinius, Audire, parasound, etc... and I have never owned any tube amp.).  A bit strong opinion but fairly down to earth person (believe it or not).  When I asked him what he thinks of his amp compare to others meaning does he think his amp. is the best out there and his answer was "I believe my amp sounded a little bit better than most amplifier out there for the money and as we speak because there is no such as as the best ever".


Wardsweb

Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
« Reply #6 on: 11 Jan 2013, 05:05 pm »
Yes, some color has gone out of the world with our loss of James. I spoke with him several weeks ago and his health was going from bad to worse. Still, he was James with all the passion. He will be missed.

JLM

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Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
« Reply #7 on: 11 Jan 2013, 05:49 pm »
I love those old straight shooters with strong personalities.  Let's cherish the ones we have left (like Frank Van Alstine).

rooze

Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
« Reply #8 on: 11 Jan 2013, 05:54 pm »
I had the pleasure of speaking with James around 2/3 weeks ago. He told me off for whining about the clipping lights flashing on my Ampzilla's  :lol:

"Do they sound OK when they're clipping?"
"Yes, they sound glorious"
"then just crank 'em and stop worrying"

A real character and talented designer, he'll be missed by many.

Rooze

PMAT

Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
« Reply #9 on: 11 Jan 2013, 06:00 pm »
I would like to hear what some of the "old timers" have to say about James.

FullRangeMan

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Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
« Reply #10 on: 11 Jan 2013, 06:12 pm »
Sorry to read it.
We are losing friends with great audio expertise lately, what will make us dumber as a community.
RIP

Big Red Machine

Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
« Reply #11 on: 11 Jan 2013, 07:05 pm »
james and brian were good friends...

http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?33902-James-Bongiorno-Rest-In-Peace

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?p=6401360#post6401360

 :cry:

doug s.

Yes, if you go to the CES website there is a tribute to Brian and in it is a video of him including him demoing his gear and you can see a table full of Ampzilla amps in this video several times.  Very cool.

jhm731

Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
« Reply #12 on: 11 Jan 2013, 07:13 pm »
A GAS Thoebe and Son of Ampzilla were my first hiend audio equipment(1977).

Had the pleasure of taking to James back when both of us were using Sequerra MET 2 + 2W speakers.

One of a kind great guy.


martyo

Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
« Reply #13 on: 11 Jan 2013, 07:32 pm »
A GAS Thoebe and Son of Ampzilla were my first hi-end audio equipment(1977).

Ditto. Used it driving Dahlquist DQ10's, single and stacked.

RIP Mr. Bongiorno.

mgalusha

Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
« Reply #14 on: 11 Jan 2013, 07:47 pm »
RIP James. Another big loss for the industry and another true original.  :(

SlushPuppy

Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
« Reply #15 on: 11 Jan 2013, 08:10 pm »
Very sad to read about his passing. I always wanted to own his gear, but was never in a position to do so. RIP James.

finsup

Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
« Reply #16 on: 11 Jan 2013, 10:34 pm »
Sad.  Hearing his gear is on  my own bucket list.  Whither his company?

David C

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Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
« Reply #17 on: 11 Jan 2013, 10:34 pm »
Ditto on the Son of Ampzilla driving DQ10's. bought them in the early 80's and lost them in a house fire. I miss them to this day

RIP

poseidonsvoice

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Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
« Reply #18 on: 11 Jan 2013, 10:36 pm »
RIP James. Another big loss for the industry and another true original.  :(

+1.

RIP.

Anand.

Rocket

Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
« Reply #19 on: 12 Jan 2013, 01:08 am »
Hi,

I recently just sent him an email enquiring about his new Thoebe preamplifier.  He also helped me with problems with I had with my ampzilla 2000 and I found him helpful.  I have 2 of his amplifiers and they are wonderfully made. 

Cheers Rod