Tiger,you are way off base. Jaybo, you and Weiserb are right on target. I have been an audiophile for 50 years. Have spent far too much money over the years. I left McIntosh in the early 60's. Tried just about all the top amps (Audio Research, Spectral, NRG, Krell, Levinson, Marantz). I probably have forgotten a couple. About 12 or 14 months ago I purchased a McIntosh MC-402 and I have never been happier with any amp than I am with the Mac 402. The most satisfying and musical amp that IMHO I have heard. Associated equipment: H-Cat PR7 preamp, Duntech Sovereign speakers, VPI Aries Extended TT with 12.6 arm, running CD's from computer hardrive through a Bel Canto DAC 3. In all the years that I been in this wonderful hobby, I have the most musical, realistic and satifying sound that I ever experienced. It's a great feeling to be a satisfied audiophile. For once, even my dear wife of 54 years agrees. That's truly Nirvana. Enjoy the music.
audio research sells out good or bad ?
Audio reserach sells out to Quadrivio SGR investment company after 38 years ,the same company who aquired sonus faber.I do wonder if any company can sustain the type of personel products and direction when the boys on top are watching out for the bottom line.I am not saying that this is a bad thing only saying that 2 channel is made up of niche players and to build a companys from a 10 mio business to 50 mio you would think things would have to change. They are a great company with a great following and hope they are around for another 38 years.