James Bongiorno - RIP

[jap]

James Bongiorno passed away yesterday.

Here’s an overview of his work:

Hadley Laboratories 622C Power Amplifier, contributing engineer

Marantz Model 15 Power Amplifier, contributing engineer

Dynaco Stereo 400 Power Amplifier, Designer

Dynaco AF-6 AM/FM Tuner, contributing engineer

SAE (Scientific Audio Engineering)

XXXIB Power Amplifier, Designer

IIIC/CM Power Amplifier, Designer

IVD/DM Power Amplfier, Designer

VIB Stereo Tuner, contributing engineer

IC Stereo Preamplifier, contributing engineer

The following products continued to use my circuit topology:

2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, 2600, “A” series, “X” series

GAS (The Great American Sound Co.) Chief Designer

Ampzilla Power Amplifier

Ampzilla II (World’s first servo-controlled power amplifier)

Thaedra Preamplifier (World’s first (and only) servo controlled preamp

Thoebe Preamplifier

Son of Ampzilla Power Amplifier

Thalia Preamplifier

Grandson Power Amplfier

Sleeping Beauty Moving Coil Cartrdges

Sumo Electric Co. Ltd. Chief Designer

The Power, World’s first 450 watt/channel fully balanced Bridge Power Amp

The Gold, World’s first patented solid state Class A Power Amplifier

The Nine, World’s first low cost solid state class A power amplifier

The Nine+, Ruggedized version

Electra Preamplifier

“Charlie” the Tuner, world’s first premium low cost stereo tuner

The Half-power, stereo power amplifier

Andromeda, world’s first low cost solid state class AB Balanced Power Amp

The Sumo I, Magnetic Phono Cartridge

The Sumo II, Moving coil Phono Cartridge

Harmon-Kardon, Consultant, Completely redesigned the Citation 23 Tuner

Crown Radio, Japan, 4 luxurious Power amps, 2 Luxuious Preamps, a fully

Equalized (phase & amplitude) 3-way electronic crossover.

Spread Spectrum Technologies Inc.. Chief Designer

Ampzilla 2000, fully balanced monobloc power amplifier

Trinaural Processor

Consulting Analog Engineer - Constellation Audio

 

[Shaffer]

I had an Andromeda. RIP

 

[joeinid]

So sad. I was just looking at the reviews on his amps and preamp. He was very talented. RIP.

 

[NorthStar]

-- How old was he?

 

[rbbert]

-- How old was he?

69 according to other sources.

Truly sad, another maverick California audio designer. It's true his health has been poor for quite a long time. He exhibited with Brian Cheney at quite a few audio shows in recent years.

 

[Wardsweb]

Brian and he were very good friends. I spoke with James a few weeks ago and his health was bad and getting worse. Still he was James; colorful and enthusiastic. Be it audio design, music, bowling or accordian playing, he was a wealth of information. RIP

 

[Steve Williams]

Sad news.When I saw him at CES last year he didn't look well

 

[DonH50]

Terrible news, a great loss... R.I.P.
Heaven is about to get some sonic upgrades...

 

[ack]

Ouch. Big loss. I read today Dave Manley died on dec 26

 

[mep]

Ouch. Big loss. I read today Dave Manley died on dec 26

Wow! A double whammy to the high-end world. Both of these men were great designers of audio gear and were true engineers. They shall both be missed greatly.

 

[A.wayne]

Wow , sad times indeed , my condolences to both families ...

Manley:
http://www.stereophile.com/content/david-manley-tube-amplifier-pioneer-has-died

 

[KBK]

XXXIB Power Amplifier, Designer

I've still got mine. I've owned about 5 or 6 of his pieces, over the years.

That particular item (XXXIB), I'm using in modified form, as a test bed component, of all things.

RIP, Jim.

 

[jap]

Forgot to post this link to RH's interview with James in the 1/12 issue of TAS:

http://www.ampzilla2000.com/James_Bongiorno_chat.pdf