My recollection is that the term found favour in the later eighties.
My recollection is that the term found favour in the later eighties.
I think it is generally attributed to Harry Pearson from The Absolute Sound magazine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_...(audio_critic)
Current Lash Up:
TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.
Ah, yes, couldn't bring the marque to mind. Mark Levison, the American Naim (as I read in a mag. once). You may well be right, as may Martin, ascribing the term to Harry Pearson. I think the Americans had a lot more 'esoteric' stuff (with concomitant prices, esp. over here) than us, or even Europe. Possibly the onset of CDs in 1982 had the effect of reviving hifi generally, ultimately giving analogue kit (esp. vinyl front ends) a design boost and later revival.
As I bought an LP12 and started on that band-wagon in 1982, I was well behind the curve; took me nearly 20 more years to embrace the format. I'm not sure if it's largely the well established big brands that have gone 'ultra' high-end, like Naim, going from circa £40K 552/500 to £130K+ Statements or smaller companies concentrating above a price level (e.g. Vitus). Obviously there's a market, but there may well be a lot more high-end money out there nowadays with musical 'notes'.