Should there only be one company making gear?

Sure, and that would be the same day we all agree on the best music, women (sorry, Elizabeth!), cars, vacation sites, vodka, tequila, and best boxer of all time. Easy enough, don't you think?

Nrchy,

I, too, missed your point first time around. Thanks for the clarification. I've been the victim of exactly what you talk about - the manufacturer of a $15,000.00 pre-amp denigrating me for my passive remote control device. Also had the manufacturer of a $8,000.00 pair of speakers tell me my ProAc 2.5s ($5,000.00) "are a start toward a real system, but they don't tell the truth. I guess if you like artificial sound, that's fine"

Being properly ashamed I have withdrawn from searching for anything better because it now seems I'm incapable of finding "truthful components". Guess I'll just remain ignorant for a while longer.

components.

You guy gotta admit designers and maunfacturers of high end gear sure have a large emotional and financial investment in their stuff. Fortunately, we've all got a lot of choice for everything. I've never heard a tube based CD front end that sounds as good as the SS ones I own. Also never heard a SS amp sound (to me) as good as my Air Tight SET. I also like Turi vodka, so go figure.