I like wine, too, but I am not so concerned about drinking by the label. I do remember the Rappoport pre amp. There was a used one in my local dealer circa 1980 ish. The amp I was thinking of, however, was a power amp -- more like 1990 -- solid state, I think about 200 WPC, and relatively inexpensive, maybe $2-3000. I think I remember a dealer in New Canaan CT or Bedford NY stocking it and the absolute sound just raved and raved, even though you couldn't seem to buy it anywhere. Greatest thing in life. And then, no one ever mentioned it again. (Doea anyone remember.) I have loved the absolute sound for years and have read it since I was 15 and think some of the people were very smart. Very smart, and very full of sh*t. Fascinating. Any other ideas on over promoted, one hit wonder cult companies?
Classics and Cults. Bogus Journalism?
Classics endure, it seems, even as technology improves. Regardless of the new stuff, people still seem to agree that the AR SP-11 is a very good pre amp, that VPI TNT turntables are wonderful, that the Levinson 30/31 combination is a great CD player etc. Some, gear however, bursts onto the high end scene in a flash of glory, only to disappear off the face of the earth and never be mentioned again. What's going on here? I was thinking recently of the Crown Macro Reference, an amp that I never heard but I recall that it was briefly the best thing in the world with the high end audio press, only to never be mentioned again and presumably trade at deep discounts. There was another amp -- made in a garage somewhere -- maybe some of you recall the name -- that despite its low cost and simple SS design, was possibly the best amp EVER in the world. It was back ordered forever, only to disappear and never be mentioned again. Can anyone else think of products like this? Are these just spurious reviews or were the writers drinking Krug and Chateau Lafite courtesy of the manufacturers before sitting down at their keyboards?