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NAD
Reader Jeff Nobe is wondering what our readers consider the best name ever used for an audio company and why?
I always liked Audio Alchemy. Their products were true to their name! As if doing some sort of magic or unprecedented scientific processing to the music! If you ever had the chance to hear one of their units, you know what I mean! (I've got two of 'em!) I thought their name was very appropriate!
TECHNICS The name tells by itself. Always released revolutionary products at very reasonable prices (I still remember the days I purchased components one-by-one and built my first Hi-Fi in years when I was student). Previously I was begging the damn thing to stop running (as a reason for buying new components). Now I just watch my daughter playing with my first Hi-Fi 365 days/year (which never failed by the way). I still use a DVD-A10 as main digital source in my listening room. Not so many reliable&cheap products exist in this world. It is a pitty that no more Hi-Fi components are released by this brand name.
I like a company that puts the owners'/founders' name on the faceplate. I feel that with their name on it, they are putting themselves out there, so it ought to be a good product and one that they will stand behind. I always liked Conrad-Johnson. I think the two surnames names in lower case are a testament to their humbleness, as well.
Lavardin: French cachet (but not so French as to be unpronounceable by the rest of us), venerable and a bit mysterious by being named for a small town and ancient castle, and somehow building upon the ethos of their refined looking and sounding products. The anti-corporateness of Harbeth and Spendor are nice too, as are most of the many that reference the names of the principals or of those who inspired them.