Alta Vista Audio L.L.C. was founded in January, 1998 by me, Michael Elliott. Beginning in 1982, I was president and designer for Counterpoint Electronic Systems in San Marcos, California, a large manufacturer of vacuum-tube and solid-state audio, and home theater electronics. With 65 employees, a 45,000 square-foot building, an endless succession of trade shows, and a jaded press machine that requires new, but not necessarily better, products to keep their interest, I had little time or energy for fundamental research and product refinement. The realities of manufacturing for the retail market forbade using the best components (See "Why Upgrade?" for an eye-opening article about the economics of high-end audio manufacturing). This was not a satisfactory environment for me because, in my heart, I am an idealist.

. . . my vision was to form a new company that would specialize in bringing rich audio performance into homes, not merely design for the mass market. The dream is to offer extraordinary audio products in the artistic and individualistic way that fine musical instrument builders have done for centuries.

That was then. Now, after leaving Counterpoint, I am free of the day-to-day pressure of running a large company; I now have the time and peace of mind to focus on my goal: providing equipment that overcomes the limitations of the electrical reproduction process that prevent full enjoyment of the musical experience.

I believe that the past twenty (or so) years have given us components so electrically accurate and so lacking in musical soul that the number of listenable recordings in one's collection has been reduced to a very small one. This unfortunate situation is due to the sonics of today's products which are faithful to the framework and structure of the recorded sound, yet lack the richness and vitality associated with real, live music.

Through my upgrades and rebuild services, I am realizing my goal by enhancing households through the enjoyment of music -- real music, not just sound. I have been able to go back to the products I designed and, through a combination of using the best components affordable today and just plain making the circuits better, developing them to their fullest expression.

My customers stand as testament to the care given to each component, large and small. Whether you are interested in the sound that tubes can bring to sound reproduction, or in having audio equipment that re-defines the meaning of "high fidelity," there are very few companies in the world with my breadth and depth of experience.

E-mail me your comments.