Company (Brand) Loyalty- What Audio manufacturer do you like?

TomS · « **Reply #20 on:** 12 Dec 2008, 12:17 am »

Modwright - Unfortunately, I don't own any at the moment, but all my experiences have been terrific with Dan. Doesn't matter whether new or used gear, he takes care of you.

Bolder - I don't need to say much more here about Wayne. Simply great service and product. Led the way on getting the most out of the lowly Squeezebox.

Merlin - Each speaker I've owned exceeded my expectations. Bobby P knows the product inside and out. When I'm on the phone he takes as much time as necessary to explain thoroughly, help with system synergy, anything to make my system better, etc. Provides an upgrade path for most every speaker over a period of several years. It took a long time to get the product, but he delivered exactly when he said he would. That alone means a lot to me.

whubbard · « **Reply #21 on:** 12 Dec 2008, 12:30 am »

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. Hugh is one hell of a guy, with some really amazing products. Especially when dealing with DIY there is no one with more support. I have exchanged over 220 emails (and time on the phone) and he is still willing to help me out! I know a lot of Audio companies are good about support, but this is far beyond 'good', very far beyond. Ironically when picking out the amps & pre-amp all I cared about was sound quality, and I wound up with Aspen Amps, so it really is the best of both worlds: high quality and service! No compromises needed. So it terms of brand loyalty I'm with him. Now in the event that Aspen doesn't make it, I am very open to other companies. I will say though that I prefer dealing with smaller companies as I feel that they care more about how the customer winds up than some of the bigger companies. The small companies insure you enjoy their product while the bigger ones make sure paid then kick you out the door. I know its not true all the time, but thats just how I feel with my experiences.

Also I should say that in terms of getting parts (I know this is more like 'store loyalty' than brand) but I'm with Michael Percy and Sonic Craft all the way. I find that with both of them I get exceptional service and they are always willing to help out with a problem.

-West

Crimson · « **Reply #22 on:** 12 Dec 2008, 12:36 am »

Once you go planar................

And Bryston.

bunky · « **Reply #23 on:** 12 Dec 2008, 03:39 am »

Klaus and Alex G of Odyssey Audio are at the top of my list

Steve Sammet of SAS Audiolabs is a great guy with outstanding preamp designs.Roy Johnson of Green Mountain Audio is a great guy who knows 1st order crossover designs and how to make wonderful sounding loudspeakers with them.all of the above mentioned people will spend a hour or more over the phone talking about Gear and music and think nothing of it because these people have a passion for the stuff and love the Gear and music as much as thier customers do

Victor Khomenko at Balanced Audio Technology is also a very friendly fellow who makes fine gear and i would do business with any of these companies in the future without hesitation.thanks....WCW III

Tyson · « **Reply #24 on:** 12 Dec 2008, 05:28 am »

Wayne at Bolder Cables not only has great gear and great service, he also has a great ear, and actually spends an inordinate amount of time actually listening to every iteration of every mod he does. Plus I've found him very amenable to doing custom work.

Also, Brian at VMPS has always produced great products and his support after the sale has been first rate. Right now he's making me a pair of custom waveguides to match my 6 year old RM40's with rotary cut white birch veneer. That's pretty amazing to me.

TONEPUB · « **Reply #25 on:** 12 Dec 2008, 06:40 am »

I've had quite a few good experiences across the board, and in
my line of work, can't favor one over the other, so I always try
to have a little bit of as many mfrs. gear as I can in my three reference
systems to give them all fair treatment.

I've had the privilege to meet a lot of great people, so I don't
know if I could narrow it down to just a couple.

Anyone who's been to the RMAF knows what I mean!

rockadanny · « **Reply #26 on:** 12 Dec 2008, 12:17 pm »

AVA

, ACI

, and Mapletree Audio

for me.
Frank, Mike, and Llyod - all top notch fellers!
IF I EVER get around to changing any of my gear I will start with these folks first. And likely end with them as well.

timind · « **Reply #27 on:** 12 Dec 2008, 12:31 pm »

I cut and pasted my reply to the same question recently asked on Audiogon.

"Resolution Audio and Thiel. Both for sound quality and customer service. I bought my RA CD-50 on ebay and when I contacted RA about a problem I was having with the remote control Jeff Kalt sent me a new remote control along with a new EPROM chip to accommodate the remote. Guess what he charged? Nada!
Similar service from Thiel for used speakers. "

And let me ad Meadowlark Audio. Yes they are out of business but I love the sound. If you ever need a small floorstander for little $, watch for a pair of Kestrels.

Should ad one more thing. The difference in brands listed is dramatic between AC and Agon.

pardales · « **Reply #28 on:** 12 Dec 2008, 12:54 pm »

I've had great experiences recently with smaller manufacturer's who sell direct through places like AC. Except for my computer transport, my system is comprised of gear from small(er) manufacturer's. I really like this model of being able speak to the person who designed/made the gear, and for the most part being able to demo at home. Doubt i'll be back to any of the big(er) companies any time soon.

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #29 on:** 12 Dec 2008, 02:49 pm »

I have no loyalties as I see no point in being loyal to a brand or manufacturer. I buy whatever I think is best from whoever and wherever that may be... because technology is always advancing and nobody has a monopoly on innovation.

It's rather amusing to watch people declare their loyalty to something as vain as an audio brand when most of us who have vowed (and some on more than one occasion) "I do" but are now divorced / shacked up / married to someone else / sleeping with someone else.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #30 on:** 12 Dec 2008, 02:59 pm »

I have to agree with Wind Chasser. Obviously I would love to have many more loyal/dedicated customers (and I do) but the reality is as WC mentions. One manufacturer cannot serve all the needs of any one given person other than specific needs from time to time.

On the other side, there are many consumers that will remain dedicated to a particular manufacturer or product if that product and manufacturer has treated them right in the past.

At this point in the game, us dealers/manufacturers can only try our best to offer unique products and to treat our customers with the utmost respect in hopes they will return when the need or desire arises. After all, without them, we would have to shut our doors.

Thebiker · « **Reply #31 on:** 12 Dec 2008, 03:11 pm »

Manley: Evanna rocks and says what she means. Service is awesome and pleasant and the gear is rock solid.

Cary: Love the look, the sound and Dennis is a truly nice guy.

Walt

richidoo · « **Reply #32 on:** 12 Dec 2008, 04:01 pm »

Manley, Cary, Sonos, GIK, Sensible Sound Solutions, BlueJeans, Grover Huffman, and Black Sands have provided personal service above and beyond my high expectations.

I have met and implicitly trust the principles from VAC, CIA, Rives, Lotus Group, and Analysis Audio. I would buy with confidence from any of them.

Used gear deals on AC have always been 100% positive

ohenry · « **Reply #33 on:** 12 Dec 2008, 04:03 pm »

I feel fortunate not to think in terms of manufacturers, but people, as many posters have done here. Here's four in my herd:
Jim Hagerman
Eddie Vaughn
Ed Schilling
Steve Deckert

miklorsmith · « **Reply #34 on:** 12 Dec 2008, 04:15 pm »

I like the shift in gears (heh), not companies or "sound" so much, but people.

Vinnie at Red Wine is straight-up awesome. If I lived on the Right Coast I'd buy him a beer every week.

Dan at Modwright

The Zu boys, can't say enough good about them.

Nelson Pass, who has donated who knows how many $$$$$ of intellectual property to the Universal Good.

Shigeki Yamamoto - I don't speak his language but he makes some of the highest quality stuff in the world, for dimes on the dollar

Don Garber at Fi - never have spoken with him but a legend - and a significant reason SETs didn't die with the advent of transistors

tybee · « **Reply #35 on:** 13 Dec 2008, 12:57 am »

In addition to Henry's excellent list above, I must include the true audiophile gentleman, Bill O'Connell of Morningstar Audio - Mr. Eastern Electric.

vman71 · « **Reply #36 on:** 13 Dec 2008, 02:35 am »

I too would agree with Wind Chaser.

However, I've had consistently rewarding experiences with Audio Magic, Ridge Street Audio, and Klipsch. Jerry and Robert are first class gentlemen all the way.

Two other notables for me are Ric Cummings, owner of Argent Audio (no longer in business) and John Hogan (no longer with us). Two gentleman who, through their products, showed genius, creativity, and innovation.

wilsynet · « **Reply #37 on:** 13 Dec 2008, 06:26 am »

Dan of ModWright for always doing the right thing even if he wasn't obligated to do so.
Vinnie of Red Wine Audio for providing an upgrade path so your equipment and his company grow together.
6moons contributors for subscribing to and imparting their own brand of audiophile philosophy and ethos.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #38 on:** 13 Dec 2008, 01:41 pm »

I listed both my current gear, and some former gear.

I may have replaced some of it, but I still think highly of it, so I am comfortable suggesting that there is still some measure of loyalty.

I would buy much of what I have had in the past should I be able to build out several systems.

Some of the firms I have listed I have bought many items from - Bolder modded a DAC, several amps, and my current SB3, plus some cabling etc.

2gumby2 · « **Reply #39 on:** 13 Dec 2008, 02:39 pm »

I've had good experiences with several Hi-Fi companies, but Conrad-Johnson really stood out for me. Outstanding customer service. They go beyond what is expected and I can enthusiastically recommend them and their products.