Which Brand Have You Owned for 20 Years?

[twitch]

Audio Research, pre-amps and line stages, for over 40 years

 

[Oldwild.irene]

I started my mid/hi-fi journey from 2019 and I missed my integrated amplifier, Audio Analogue Maestro Anniversary…

 

[T Boost]

A lot of what I own I've had for 20-40ish years. None of it is in the league you guys seem to play in but:
Celestion DL-8 II speakers have been my main system speakers for 30 or so years.
Technics SL-QL1 is still in service in my living room. 40ish years (got it when they first came out)
JVC cassette deck and cd player from the very late 80's. Both still in service.
Some original NHT SuperZeros 1994-6?

NHT is possibly the most underrated speaker ever made. No one seems to even remember them. The 3.3 was actually well reviewed, and I dare say one of the best , if not the best, speaker I’ve ever heard. And every company copies that design these days.

 

[T Boost]

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.

The Nelson Pass designs are on another level up from normal amps.
I have a Nakamichi stasis and it’s an insane amp. Just destroys my Bryston.

 

[T Boost]

+1 love the virgos too
you have to listen to Joachim Gerhard's new stroke of genius. I say one word "wow"
too find under" joachim gerhard collection" new company of him
View attachment 138423

Those are 25 yr old speakers??!??? Wow

 

[drrsutliff]

My Stressless chair is 21 years broken in… It has seen so many other brands come and go while it steadfastly and comfortably held court to all of it!

 

[DasguteOhr]

Those are 25 yr old speakers??!??? Wow

The Virgos are 25yr old, not the collection speaker these are 3-4 yr old

 

[skids929]

Sugden.

 

[tdh888]

Duntech since 2005
VPI since 2005
audio research since 1989

 

[OrigTweaker]

NHT is possibly the most underrated speaker ever made.

Still using four of their subs in my theater driven by X1 and A1 electronics from 2003.

 

[Apogeefanatic]

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.

I've owned the incomparable Apogee Grands for over 22 years... No replacement in the future ever for me.

 

[SeagoatLeo]

Roger Modjeski at Music Reference produced some of the best sounding and musical tube amplifiers ever. I used the RM-200 with my Quad 63 US Monitors, a speaker I have owned for nearly 20 years and will likely never sell, even though I am sporting Von Schweikert Ultra 7 speakers powered by WestminsterLab REI amplifiers these days. Please message me if anyone has a clean RM-200 they no longer want.


View attachment 140795

My best friend has the RM-9 in perfect condition used with a Von Schweikert VR35 export for over 20 years and 13 years, respectively.

 

[Big B]

I have had my Wilson (7 speakers) theatre for 14 yrs now. Definitely best thing I've done. We have spent a lot time in there over the years.

 

[gulin]

NAD tuner since 1985
Alphason turntable and pick-up arm since 1988
Electrocompaniet AW-75 since 1988
Thiel speakers since 1988
Joseph Grado HP2 headphones since 1993

 

[Gregm]

NAD tuner since 1985

Likewise! I forgot the old NAD

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

Living Voice speakers for a bit less than 20 years. Auditorium then IBX-RW then OBX_RW.

Which RW's 'Tonari'

 

[Big Dog RJ]

Ah! Great topic, in fact a few items to mention.

Considering all the gear I grew up with and was also a DJ during those dynamic high school years; Techics, Revox, Pioneer, Roland etc., then home hifi was a fruit salad of Kenwood, Technics, Marantz, NAD, Musical Fidelity, Arcam, Bose, Paradigm, Energy, Mordant Short, B&W, Maggie's, Apogee's and ML's both full range stats and hybrids. Then came the good stuff that lasted well over few decades: VTL, Manley Labs and CJ.

At any given time, there was always CJ tube gear in one form or the other, and it was built to last! Not just myself but also my former dealer mates preferred CJ in all their personal systems, so it's definitely personal preferences, nothing else. There were other top speakers that came and went, Wilson, Genesis and Infinity's as well but ML's stats have remained as the prime speaker system in all our systems. So definitely CJ and ML's have been playing fine tunes for well over 30yrs.

And I'm happy to inform, this awesome hifi stand will be my next viable upgrade! In fact, it also comes fitted with dual lower shelves to hold monoblocks, yippy! Apart from that, it also has a superior vibration control system, especially when placed on grass! Which I'm wondering what the hell is this high tech stand doing on the front lawn...???

Woofty woof'n!
RJ

 

[VladB]

I've been a Sonus Faber fan for a long time - Guarneri, Amati, original Aida, Il Cremonese Extreme - they are all doing a pretty good job in various places in my city apartments and in the countryside.

McIntosh amps as well, solid, reliable, good for home theater roles.

 

[Balle Clorin]

Audio Physic Virgo II , never heard a speaker that can better them.
Michell Gyro SE turntable with SMEV arm. Needs care like a Jaguar E type but nice .

 

[DetroitVinylRob]

Linn Sondek LP12 w/Ittok LVII 30+
Atma-Sphere MA-1 Silver Edition monos 20+
Lyra phono cartridges 20+
Nakamichi ZX-7 40+
Yamamoto Racks 30+
Neuance isolation board 20+
Aesthetix Rhea Phonostage (basic>signature>eclipse) 20+