Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Off Topic Meridian vs. other high end brands

Linn and Naim all seem to do quite well. They seem to have maintained loyal followings since the early 1980s and some of their classic products are still in demand . I've never been a paid-up member of the flat earth society [1] myself, but I don't doubt the quality. Quad used to have this reputation, but they have been acquired by a conglomerate and I believe now manufacture outside the UK. They able seemed to go through a phase of frequently updating products.

Michell Engineering is more of a boutique operation - they only make turntables and tonearms. They are still going in North London: they refurbished my 1983 turntable a few years ago.

Going beyond music. In photography I would say Leica. In terms of how long the products last: I'm still using an 1934 Leitz lens on a current Leica digital camera (so 83 years). If I needed the lens refurbished for some reason I can still send it back to Wetzlar. I'm not sure if it is significant, but Leica has a significant following of collectors. I do wonder if the high prices they are willing to pay for limited editions of products (think gold plated finishes, custom engraving) helps keep the brand profitable.

[1] For Bruce in the US. Somewhere in the depths of time, a British reviewer or journalist coined this phrase to refer to the adulation for the (admittedly very good) combination of Linn turntable and Naim amplificaiton.