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The Commercial Zone => Audio Industry Talk => Topic started by: doug s. on 11 Jan 2013, 02:53 pm

Title: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: doug s. on 11 Jan 2013, 02:53 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.
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: Rocket_Ronny 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
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: doug s. 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.
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: Rocket_Ronny on 11 Jan 2013, 04:10 pm

So around 69 years old then. Sounds about right.

Rocket_Ronny
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: playntheblues 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
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: tkp 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".

Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: Wardsweb 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.
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: JLM 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).
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: rooze 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
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: PMAT on 11 Jan 2013, 06:00 pm
I would like to hear what some of the "old timers" have to say about James.
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: FullRangeMan 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
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: Big Red Machine 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.
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: jhm731 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.

Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: martyo 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.
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: mgalusha on 11 Jan 2013, 07:47 pm
RIP James. Another big loss for the industry and another true original.  :(
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: SlushPuppy 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.
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: finsup on 11 Jan 2013, 10:34 pm
Sad.  Hearing his gear is on  my own bucket list.  Whither his company?
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: David C 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
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 11 Jan 2013, 10:36 pm
RIP James. Another big loss for the industry and another true original.  :(

+1.

RIP.

Anand.
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: Rocket 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
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: doug s. on 12 Jan 2013, 02:52 am
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.

the sumo charlie was the only piece of gear i actually ever owned that he designed.  it was an excellent sounding thing.  it seems, tho, that there's a bit of polarization regarding the charlie's performance.  considering the character that james was, it's not surprising!  he will be missed...

doug s.
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: James Romeyn on 12 Jan 2013, 06:07 am
Passed in his sleep, so told me one of two executors of his will. 

A few years ago I asked James how critical was it to insure my Ambrosia preamp was fully stable after power up prior to turning on the power amp (a particular rare circumstance caused me to ask this question).  He said Ambrosia's power up sequence protects the amp from damage, then paused long for effect, followed by, "But why tempt fate?"  Always got a kick out of that reply. 

He'll be missed.  He was a pretty good jazz pianist, classically trained. 

The old GAS Son of Ampzilla could not be touched for multiples of its cost back in the day.  Rated 60W, played like 200W.  Probably the first amp I ever heard with real bass slam.  It would kick butt today if it was in production.  Circa 2011 CES James mentioned he wanted to bring it back in an updated form.

I think Brian Cheney owned at least one of any and everything James designed.  One of my closest friends just got a Trinaural Processor prototype from James, with handwritten notes because switching is not OEM.  I had planned to call him about the notes but that's obviously not going to happen now.

I certainly hope W4S maintains production of all SST gear (Spread Spectrum Technology).

James was always very generous at CES.  He loved to talk about speakers and amps for accordians, believe it or not.  IIRC he started on the accordian then switched to the piano.   

RIP, James.   
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: Rocket on 12 Jan 2013, 06:33 am
Hi,

I think Wyred 4 Sound bought SST some time ago and are the new owners.  James was still doing the design work for the company.  Apparently there were new products in development but I'm not sure what stage they were up to prior to his passing.

Regards Rod
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: Darac on 12 Jan 2013, 09:42 am
The old school left us....

http://www.sound-news.net/index.php/the-novosti/hifi-av-novosti/item/1226-rip-james-bongiorno
Title: Re: james bongiorno joins brian cheney... :>/
Post by: James Romeyn on 12 Jan 2013, 05:16 pm
Hi,

I think Wyred 4 Sound bought SST some time ago and are the new owners.  James was still doing the design work for the company.  Apparently there were new products in development but I'm not sure what stage they were up to prior to his passing.

Regards Rod

Between January 2012 and today, James and W4S's prior agreements ceased.  I know because I needed a couple Trinaural Processors and this info came from the principal's mouth to my ears (his/her name will remain confidential).  The last update I received several weeks ago, things were still in a transition phase re. SST production.