I'm a Consumer Reports sort of guy. Is there a pla

I wouldn't trust Consumer Reports for a car review let alone high end equipment review. Car aficionados and a mechanic you trust would be my choice for a proper car review. That, and using the seat of your own pants.

The same can be said for high end audio. Forums like these go a long way to educate, along with some review sites out there. It shouldn't be that hard to sort it all out. Pick out any piece of gear you're interested in and research it until you're sure about it. There's really no short cuts here.

All the best,
Nonoise

This reminds me of the time there was a story floating around among my teachers when I was a senior in high school, back in 1978 (god I’m old...).

As they told it Dr. Amar Bose (yes, that Bose) was seated on a flight next to the guy who had started Consumer Report magazine, which had already begun making a bit of a splash for itself in those days. The exchange between the two was said to go something like this: "Consumer Reports is a very helpful, informative publication that actually **serves a public need**." And came the reply: "No, it’s really just **entertainment**".

My teachers were marveling over the fact that the first remark was reportedly made by Dr. Bose (!) and that the latter one was made by the head of Consumer Reports...(!!)

Cheers

I find McIntosh amps and preamps to be very reliable and very good sounding. The only problem I had with a McIntosh amp was that a couple of light bulbs burned out. The amp was over 20 years old and otherwise still played perfectly.

Macintosh or Pass

No. For solid-state Pass Labs is tops in its class.
For tubes, Conrad Johnson or Audio Research are tops in their class.