Is anyone familiar with Madrigal?

[aaharvel]

i know they're a part of the Mark Levinson family, but there's nothing even on Wikipedia.. ?

Anyone knowledgable with their products? Their overall quality, etc?

[BlueMDPicker]

Now known as The Harman Specialty Group

http://www.harmanspecialtygroup.com/

[aaharvel]

yeah but I don't see the word Madrigal anywhere on their page. i think that Harman inc. bought them out or dismantled them or whatever, but has anyone ever actually owned a piece of their gear? I don't even think i've ever seen a piece of their gear, let alone read a review on it..

I figured some of the vet audiophiles might have come across an example or two. Or three...

[BlueMDPicker]

My Revel LE-1 was designed/built by Madrigal and badged Revel. That's the only piece I've owned or heard. Build quality, features and performance are first rate. It's my understanding that what's left of Madrigal performs service for Harman Group and is located just south of Boston.

[aaharvel]

ok yeah i've never even heard of Revel. Time to start getting my read on. Thanks. :)

[BlueMDPicker]

If you've heard any Levinson gear produced from the mid-80's until the acquisition by Harman in (I believe) 2002, you've heard Madrigal products:

"By the mid ‘80s, despite innovations such as a fully modular preamplifier and extraordinary open-reel tape decks suitable for demanding studio recording sessions, Mark Levinson Audio Systems found itself in difficult financial straits. However, the Mark Levinson tradition of hand-crafted excellence was rescued by Madrigal Audio Laboratories, Mark Levinson’s “sister company” distributor. Key personnel regrouped to continue design and production. The reorganization brought needed fiscal discipline and an expanded engineering staff."