Acknowledging Excellence

Posted by ggraff on September 26, 2001 at 06:39:18

While reading through a number of posts on this site, it occured to me there are many who frequent here who are relative newcomers to audio and may be at a disadvantage in comprehending the context of some posts from the grizzled veterans of audio. When discussing audio and equipment it is important to understand what has come before and what the "watershed" pieces that have brough audio to where it is today. I will list what I consider the most signficant pieces over the past 30 years or so. Many of you may not agree or have others you consider more relavent. Feel free to post yours. In most cases I have tried to name not only the product, but also the designer. However, I could be wrong on some of the designers or product names. Any corrections would be appreciated. Here's my list in no particular order:

Quad Electrostatic Speaker(ELS 63 ?)- While incapbable of playing loud, having much base, and constantly breaking, these are the benchmark for midrange accuracy. No one does midrange better. Don't know the designer.

Audio Research SP 10- The first preamp to show that music can be reproduced in three dimensional space. Others had shown music can be reproduced with width and depth, but none had a holographic capability. ? Johnson designer (it terrible when you get old and can't remember names, what's Johnson's first name?)

Sound Lab A1- First electrostatic speaker that didn't self implode when playing past 90 dbs. Roger West designer.

Dynavector Moving Coil- First moving coil commercially available. Showed us what vinyl was capable of. (I am a little shaky on this one, but I think Dynavector was the first moving coil- anyone know something different?).

Dennesen JC 80 Pre-Amp- This John Curl design was the first ss to have the ability to show deminsionality of music similar to tube. Mr. Curl has gone on to develop a number of notable products since this piece, including the Vendetta phono pre-amp- the best I have every heard. John posts to this group from time to time and is very knowledgeable.

VMPS Super Tower Speakers- The first set of large speakers capable of not only giving the true weight and dynamics of live music, but also produding a realitic sound stage. Brian Cheney continues to develop speakers and posts to this group from time to time and is also very knowledgeable.

Jeff Rowland Model 7 Power Amp-The first ss power amp capable of providing all of the benefits of tube with the relability of ss. Still one of the best sounding amplifiers on the market after over 20 years. Jeff continues to pioneer electronics, most notably the use of balanced designs for amps and preamps, switching power supplies, and battery power supplies. A true gentleman and, dare I say, genius.

WATTs- The Wilson Audio Tiny Tots were the first mini speaker to have the ability to produce holography and pin point imaging with resonable frequency response and dynamics. David Wilson designer.

Monster Cable- Bruce Brisson was the first to show that wire certainly did make sonic differences in system performance. He set the stage for a number of designers to focus on this aspect of music reproduction.

Cardas Power Cords- George Cardas pioneered power cords much in the same way as Bruce Brission did for interconnect and speaker wire. George has also been key in developing interesting accessories such as rhodium connectors.

PS Audio Power Plant- Paul McGowan has demonstrated time and again the importance of the whole musical chain including the power coming into the system.

I have deliberately left off turntables/tonearms because it is debatable whether any one designer made a break through in technology. It has been an incremental development. If I had to chose one, I would chose VPI and Harry Wisefeld because of his pioneering work on bearings, tone arm mass, and suspension.

I am sure I have left off a number of designers worthy of mention, hopefully I haven't made too many mistakes in assigning credit where it is not due. Please feel free to post your watershed pieces, correct my mistakes, or dispute my list. It should be an interesting and very informative discussion.

Good listening

gjg

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Topic - Acknowledging Excellence - ggraff 06:39:18 09/26/01 (51)

Very interesting post. - mikemalter 10:36:37 09/29/01 (1)

I would add... - harryz 23:15:26 09/30/01 (0)

Re: Acknowledging Excellence- Accuphase PS 500 - davidf18hornet 15:13:39 09/28/01 (0)

Re: Small Correction, Noel Lee = Monster, Brisson = MIT, nt - Thorsonic 13:40:43 09/28/01 (0)

TC-50, ESL-57, LP12, MG 1.6QR, SP-6 (nt) - MikeCh 19:48:22 09/27/01 (0)

Re: Acknowledging Excellence - Ross 10:43:26 09/27/01 (1)

Don't forget Tiptoes.... - BTW 06:57:20 09/28/01 (0)

Re: Acknowledging Excellence - Steve L. 08:09:47 09/27/01 (0)

Re: Acknowledging Excellence - ggraff 05:41:02 09/27/01 (0)

Max Townshend.. Anthony Michaelson... Tim Paravincini... Peter Qvotrop... Martin Colloms.. - Owen 02:59:59 09/27/01 (0)

I would add Audio Note 1x dacs, a non cd sound cd player! - Bob Bales 02:07:50 09/27/01 (0)

Mana support system - Top Cat 01:49:50 09/27/01 (2)

Re: Mana support system - cornelius 11:44:04 09/27/01 (0)

Others... - Top Cat 01:56:51 09/27/01 (0)

Cary 300B SE or SEI - maxim 01:28:40 09/27/01 (0)

Bouncing off your list: - jsusky@ptialaska.net 01:16:34 09/27/01 (0)

Speakers I have lusted after... - Duke 00:34:44 09/27/01 (0)

Celestion SL series loudspeakers... - Jay 23:12:17 09/26/01 (0)

also..... - chickenlogic 19:48:30 09/26/01 (0)

Re: Acknowledging Excellence - Champion 18:57:46 09/26/01 (0)

Re: Acknowledging Excellence - Todd Krieger 18:01:12 09/26/01 (4)

Re:Wow!--Great list, I absolutely endorse all except--- - Des 18:13:46 09/26/01 (3)

Re:Wow!--Great list, I absolutely endorse all except--- - ggraff 05:15:52 09/27/01 (0)

Which CJ's were stinkers? <<NT>> - Jim Susky 01:24:23 09/27/01 (1)

Re: Which CJ's were stinkers? <<NT>> - Des 03:05:59 09/27/01 (0)

Re: Acknowledging Excellence - edta 17:16:33 09/26/01 (0)

Interesting and fun to think about ... - Oakroot 16:55:17 09/26/01 (0)

First real affordable high end speaker - TPBrown 16:27:35 09/26/01 (0)

I'd have to think of the Klipschorn, and Magnepan's ribbon... - David S. 15:51:46 09/26/01 (0)

Re: Acknowledging Excellence - Cetaele 13:38:54 09/26/01 (0)

My vote for ' most controversial' goes to... - Dman 13:12:30 09/26/01 (0)

Re: Acknowledging Excellence - DAVOhorn 12:48:27 09/26/01 (1)

Re: Acknowledging Excellence - ggraff 05:20:13 09/27/01 (0)

Re: Acknowledging Excellence - Bob Rex 12:39:01 09/26/01 (4)

Re: Acknowledging Excellence - ggraff 05:24:33 09/27/01 (0)

Re: Acknowledging Excellence - Brian Walsh 20:44:38 09/26/01 (0)

The DQ-10 rules!!!!(nt) - Dman 13:14:39 09/26/01 (0)

Re: Acknowledging Excellence - HD Audio 13:05:46 09/26/01 (0)

Re: Acknowledging Excellence - Celluloid 12:27:11 09/26/01 (1)

Ditto the Accuphase AC-2 pickup <<NT>> - Jim Susky 01:19:21 09/27/01 (0)

Surely.... - chickenlogic 11:33:37 09/26/01 (0)

Re: Acknowledging Excellence - kentaja@yahoo.com 09:03:22 09/26/01 (3)

Early MC Cartridges - Eli Duttman 14:17:33 09/26/01 (2)

Re: Early MC Cartridges - ggraff 05:27:43 09/27/01 (0)

Re: Early MC Cartridges - kentaja@yahoo.com 14:43:46 09/26/01 (0)

LP-12 is clearly the most important high end turntable ever - Rob Doorack 07:41:21 09/26/01 (4)

Total agreement here!!!! - Dman 13:23:39 09/26/01 (2)

Some mild disagreement from an ex-LP12 owner and a moral... - Top Cat 01:40:58 09/27/01 (1)

i actually agree with some of your statement! You are what TRUE high end is about!!!! - Dman 05:45:38 09/27/01 (0)

Yep!!! - TBone 10:23:31 09/26/01 (0)

I would add... - R. Hertz 07:15:43 09/26/01 (0)

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