Which Brand Have You Owned for 20 Years?

[Johan K]

I am using MBL amps in my big rig these days, i am sure D'Agostino is excellent but without Björn i do not want the unreliable circuitry of Dan's designs, Krell just breaks to much, D'Agostino looks to me like Krell on steroids. In the 20 years of MBL ownership i have not had one break down, my Krell gear was always broken. I just bought a old Primare CD player so i can get the dac chips i need to fix the KPS 25sc that is broken, maybe for the 10 time, out of the 4 dac chips 3 have failed already. The bad design and heat just kills Krell.

Hi Milan,

Sounds like you’ve had a lot more trouble with your gear, than I’ve had… ”knock on wood”, but I hear what you say. I’m glad you’re happy with the MBL amps.. They are great amplifiers!

/ Jk

 

[Joe Whip]

Vandersteen, Steve McCormack/SMc Audio, VPI.

 

[Another Johnson]

Is the Burmester something for you that is an evolution of the CJ sound but presumably better in some ways for you...or was it a departure from the CJ house sound into a new direction you preferred?

Seriously, I was too lazy to audition other things until CJ’s service became “no longer satisfying.” I was stuck in a CJ proverbial “locked groove.”
So, when I was really disappointed in CJ, I found a good high end dealer who would set up good demos, often offered NOS options, and would consider trades. Based on demos, I switched to ARC. Loved ARC, but then with the tube crisis and ARC’s financial woes (no longer an issue), I started auditioning some more.

Never heard (or heard of) Burmester before the CJ replacement auditions at the dealer. With tube uncertainty still in play, and ARC down on the mat, I auditioned several solid state options, including speaker, source, interconnect and cable mixing and matching. If I’d waited a bit longer, I might have just ridden out the ARC mess. But I did these last auditions with ARC gear (amps and preamps) in comparos.

Burmester ended up best to my ears (in the demos). Fortunately it also ended up stunning in my home. ARC had blown away CJ. Burmester blew away ARC.

YMMV, of course. I would NOT characterize Burmester as an evolution of the CJ “house sound.” The CJ house sound is indeed very neutral today compared to their early days. The Burmester sound, to my ears, is also uncolored in the properly synergistic room and system, but I think Burmester got there first. To my ears, Burmester presents as much closer to live. In my setting, it is a lot more open, dynamic, and lifelike than anything I’ve ever heard from CJ.

 

[Holmz]

Vandersteen, SOTA and Audible Illusions all added together sum to over a century.
Changing gear often could point out that the gear is unsatisfying, or that the owner cannot be satisfied.
The VTLs I had for ~30 years, but they have been to the shop a few times.

It seems generally nice to be able to enjoy the music, and not fret over the equipment (IMO).

 

[Dierkx1]

Goldmund Studio Turntable 30+ years - in my current system of record
Rogers LS3/5a 49 years. Purchased for my dorm room after my roommate complained about the size of my KLH9's.
KLH9 50 years. In storage
Audio Research SP-3a-1 49 years
Audio Research D76a 49 years
Linn LP12 49 years
Xstatic EC-3 speakers 30 years
Marantz 7C, 8B and 10b 30 years

The Rogers, ARC and Linn are set up in a guest bedroom. The Xstatics and Marantz are in the Living Room

 

[Nemal1]

Not the same products, but companies of over 20 years are Audio Research, Koetsu, Stax, Wilson and Triplanar. Esoteric are coming up to 15 years also.
Besides longevity of the companies, resale value is also relevant.

 

[avraham]

Which brand of audio component have you owned continuously for 20 years?

Does this pertain to the same component -- or to a series of components from that brand -- over the course of 20 years?

Thanks to Kingrex for suggesting a thread on this topic.

Sony, Yamaha, OPPO, Parasound, TASCAM, Nakamichi, Pioneer, marantz, Sennheiser.

 

[OrigTweaker]

Still using some Meridian gear from 2003 (DSP33 and 420 surround speakers), newer than those (C61R, 218 and HD621 electronics, and DSP5200SE R-C-L front speakers, all in a home theater) along with their newest active speakers, DSP9, in a Raspberry Pi-based stereo setup.

 

[TonyW]

I have been using Audio Research Preamps since I got the SP-6b from 1988-2002. Since then I’ve had the SP-9 MKII (2002), SP-15 (2002-2021), Ref 5SE (2021-2024), Ref 2SE Phono(2021) and now the Ref 6SE (2024). A buddy refurbished and upgraded the SP-6b in 1989. The SP-15 went back to ARC for a minor repair and refurbishment one time.
I used an ARC DAC from 1995 to 2005 when I got the ARC CD-3 Mark II. I used that CD player up to 2021 when I got the Ayon Stealth DAC and CD-TII Transport. The CD-3 MKII had to have its laser replaced one time.
I got my Sota Sapphire Turntable in 1992. I used it for almost 25 years until I got a Sota Star used and then traded that up for the Nova VI from Donna at Sota a couple of years back.
I got a pair of Thiel CS3.6 speakers in 2002 and moved up to the CS6 in 2005. I used those speakers until 2022 when I got my Wilsons.
I got a Pass Labs X350 amp in 2002. I used it up to 2021 when I got the Pass Lab monos-X260.8. My son has the X350 now. That is an heirloom amp.

So to sum up: ARC, Sota, Thiel and Pass Labs going back 36 years with good, reliable service.

If I could look into the future say, 2044 I think I would still have much of my current gear if I were to be still around. I have about 25 years worth of tubes for my AC Helene DAC.

 

[LL21]

Seriously, I was too lazy to audition other things until CJ’s service became “no longer satisfying.” I was stuck in a CJ proverbial “locked groove.”
So, when I was really disappointed in CJ, I found a good high end dealer who would set up good demos, often offered NOS options, and would consider trades. Based on demos, I switched to ARC. Loved ARC, but then with the tube crisis and ARC’s financial woes (no longer an issue), I started auditioning some more.

Never heard (or heard of) Burmester before the CJ replacement auditions at the dealer. With tube uncertainty still in play, and ARC down on the mat, I auditioned several solid state options, including speaker, source, interconnect and cable mixing and matching. If I’d waited a bit longer, I might have just ridden out the ARC mess. But I did these last auditions with ARC gear (amps and preamps) in comparos.

Burmester ended up best to my ears (in the demos). Fortunately it also ended up stunning in my home. ARC had blown away CJ. Burmester blew away ARC.

YMMV, of course. I would NOT characterize Burmester as an evolution of the CJ “house sound.” The CJ house sound is indeed very neutral today compared to their early days. The Burmester sound, to my ears, is also uncolored in the properly synergistic room and system, but I think Burmester got there first. To my ears, Burmester presents as much closer to live. In my setting, it is a lot more open, dynamic, and lifelike than anything I’ve ever heard from CJ.

Thanks for the detailed history and listening notes! Good to know. Have not heard Burmester amps before.

 

[fbhifi]

DarTZeel.

 

[Bso]

Accuphase, Dynavector, Ortofon, Sound Labs speakers. Stages on Life's Way.

 

[markramler]

Which brand of audio component have you owned continuously for 20 years?

Does this pertain to the same component -- or to a series of components from that brand -- over the course of 20 years?

Thanks to Kingrex for suggesting a thread on this topic.

Wilson Audio for 29 years.

 

[ChasFreeland]

Purchased my first Spectral pre and power in 1993. Upgraded preamp in 2015 and amp two years ago. Always reliable.

Wish I had had a similar experience. Owned Spectral 400 mono blocks for 6-7 years and then they died. Four months to.repair. The 30SV pre was good.

 

[ChasFreeland]

Off topic, I know, but as long as we're talking reliability in delicate products, I've owned a Hasselblad 500c since the late 1960s. Still use it. Forever gear. That and my Leica M3, M4.

 

[treitz3]

Not a damned thing. Evolution happens.

Tom

 

[joey_v]

Rotel.

 

[Chop]

I'm not much of a box swapper. I've had my Avantgarde Trios for over 20 years and my Verdier Platine for what must be 25 years. Never had the slightest inclination to change them, other than a small wobble when I moved house and wondered how I would accommodate the Trios. Answer, build another music room!

I've had my Tron PX25 amp for over 20 years and its hard to find anything as open sounding. I've had my Tron Nucleus for about 20 years but I don't count that - it has been so heavily modified that practically the only thing original is the case!

 

[JackD201]

I'm assuming continuously owning the same units for 20 or more years.

Lamm L2 Reference (flat volume potentiometers )
Lamm LP2
Lamm M1.2

A pair of Technics SL-1200s since 1991, I've only replaced one fader on one unit and a busted LED on the other.

 

[JackD201]

Oh! Von Schweikert VR-1s! Since 2003! Used as DJ monitors these days