Let's see, Montreal is a veritable hotbed of audio companies, and working in the semiconductor business I've met all of them, and helped with their designs. First gent that comes to mind is David Reich of Classe Audio fame, one of the most competent and nicest guys you'll ever meet. Interesting enough, David is a classical pianist by training, not an engineer, but man he sure can design great solid state gear. Terrific guy, as far as I know he's at Theta now. Next up, Ed Meitner. Now Ed is a fascinating fellow, a little unusual at times and sure has had some interesting concepts in the past (water driven turntables, cryogenically treating wires, etc). Ed was one of the first to recognize the need to address jitter reduction, and has designed some nice stuff in the past. The Riendeau brothers behind the infamous Oracle turntable/CDP, two dedicated and knowledgable gents. Jacques brought resonance control to a new standard, and to make things even better their stuff is absolutely stunning. Victor Sima is a quiet and unassuming man, very polite and easygoing. I suspect the moneymen influenced many of Victor's decisions, he was capable of designing much better gear than SimAudio marketed. Vincent Bruzesse, the man behind Totem, is difficult to get ahold of and seems consumed with his work, fair enough. One thing all these guys have in common, generally small operations and quite approachable. For a 'phile, it's cool to hang with these guys, and get paid for it to boot! Jeff
Who's Who in Amp/ Preamp design?
I think of certain companies and certain people come to mind (PS Audio, for example), but other manufacturers appear to be corporate black holes (Mark Levinson- the company for example). Just who is who, to the best of your knowledge? Who should we be watching out for in amp/ preamp design and what are they like, and for which company? Can we get some personalities involved!! We are in this for the fun of it right, who is out there making our lives better? Manufactures chime in if you dare!
Example:
BAT- I think of a dude named Victor laboring over his balanced circuits, sweating due to the heat they put out,
PS Audio- I think of a cheerful guy named Paul McGowan and some other happy dudes with code names working on amp and power solutions in the crisp air of Colorado.
Threshold/ Pass- I think of Nelson Pass, circuit designer and circuit homebrewer!
Marsh - obviously there is a someone named Marsh at this place.
Gryphon Audio design- I think of a guy in black clothing named Rassmussen testing the designs while listening to a reel-to-reel (Revox perhaps?) with the lights dimmed due to the power-hungry class A designs being used.
Krell- Dan D'A. CEO but does he actually do anything?
Vandersteen- well, speakers don't count in this thread.
Anyone else?
(spelling does not count on this thread...obviously!)
Example:
BAT- I think of a dude named Victor laboring over his balanced circuits, sweating due to the heat they put out,
PS Audio- I think of a cheerful guy named Paul McGowan and some other happy dudes with code names working on amp and power solutions in the crisp air of Colorado.
Threshold/ Pass- I think of Nelson Pass, circuit designer and circuit homebrewer!
Marsh - obviously there is a someone named Marsh at this place.
Gryphon Audio design- I think of a guy in black clothing named Rassmussen testing the designs while listening to a reel-to-reel (Revox perhaps?) with the lights dimmed due to the power-hungry class A designs being used.
Krell- Dan D'A. CEO but does he actually do anything?
Vandersteen- well, speakers don't count in this thread.
Anyone else?
(spelling does not count on this thread...obviously!)
- ...
- 13 posts total
- 13 posts total