[richidoo]

OMG! I forgot to mention Morningstar Audio. I was just thinking about brands, anonymous people making good hifi gear, I guess I was filtering out friends. Through his incredible service Bill O'Connell has become a great friend, which is probably happens with all of his customers! He has done more to enhance my enjoyment of hifi with sage advice, tube tasting, and excellent gear than anyone else.
Rich

[rodge827]

1) Audio Note Kits - Brian Smiths' customer service is second to none. He will bend over backwords to fix any issues you may have. Even if the problem was caused by an amateur with a solder gun

2) Omega Loudspeakers - Louis is passionate, dedicated, and a great guy to work with, can only say the best about him

3) Environmental Potentials - Doug Joseph and company have built a better "mouse trap" in the clean power category. I don't know how his products work, they just do. 

4) Crimson Speaker Wire - A unique design that made me sit up and take notice, and Creston Funk at Austin HiFi, his attitude and policies as an audio dealer are second to none. 

http://www.audionotekits.com/

http://www.omegaloudspeakers.com/

http://www.ep2000.com/

http://www.austinhifi.com/navigation%20page.html

[Wind Chaser]

All MAN are created equal .............not true - some just happened to find the right way first.

However it is inevitabe that someone else will always come along with a much better product.  Happens all the time. 

Hence... Loyalty = Limitation.

Why get stuck in a rut? aa

[whubbard]

I feel that one of the big things being ignored here is that we all have personal preferences on how we like music to sound. Some want it to be crisp, exactly how it was recorded, others prefer it warmer and with tubes. Now this is the type of thing that can also lead to Loyalty. If company X has people designing products that sound like you want them to, and they keep the same design team, it is very possible that there next round of products could also be very similar and pleasing to your ear.

Most of the 'brands' mentioned here have been single people or small companies. Usually this means that it is one or two people do listening tests until they have a sound they like for the product. If you like things the way they like them...you are likely to become loyal. Yes it is possible that another better product comes along that you like more, but Wind Chaser we are not saying that you not allowed to go listen to others and choose. It not like anyone is swearing to never buy from another company. They're just saying that when they are next looking for a product, they know where they will start. Thats All.

-West

[Wind Chaser]

It would seem that there is some controversy about the English definition of "loyalty".

[Eric]

ACI

[Parnelli777]

Magnepan, Wright Sound, Blue Jeans Cable. The best thing about these companies, aside from the fact that they produce excellent products at a reasonable price, is that they are all-American. If I'm keeping Americans busy and prosperous by purchasing the products they build, I'm a happy, and very proud consumer.

[underdog64]

Von Schweikert Audio-excellent products for the dollar and excellent customer support!

[Ispec2]

ZU
Great customer service/suppot. Quality products, big changes coming.

[Tbadder1]

Herron Audio.  Keith is second to none in my experience.  Plus his amps are the most neutral pieces of kit I've heard.  They allow me to evaluate other gear more easily.

[PSP]

I'll second West Hubbard's recommendation of Hugh Dean.  I agree with every word West wrote (both posts), but I have been buying amps from Hugh for about 8 years now, so I can testify based on reasonably long experience.

Hugh's amps and preamps combine muscularity, transparency, and finesse and make the most wonderful music... some of you may think that I should be more specific here (and insert a long string of audiophile terms), but I would suggest that most folks who have heard Hugh's amps would agree that "muscular, transparent, and graceful" summarizes Hugh's stuff reasonably well.

West Hubbard: 

I've got to go ahead and say that if Hugh Dean (Aspen Amplifiers) makes it, and I need it (or want it), I'll buy it.

I couldn't agree more.  I have 5 of Hugh's amps (4 in my Orion and the 5th in a bedroom system), two of Hugh's preamps, and have upgraded all of them (some upgrades are formal and paid for, other times Hugh has suggested that I switch a few part values and listen to that for a while) and in every case the upgrade or mod has been a significant step forward.  Hugh has credibility with me because I have never been disappointed over approx 8 years, 5 amps & 2 preamps, and many dozens of upgrades and small mods.  IMO, Hugh has a good ear for music and designs exceptional gear.

All I can add to West's description of Hugh's customer service is to say that I've seen this kind of service from Hugh from the beginning without a single lapse for at least 8 years.

Peter