Dracule1, I think you are wise to have the view that a manufacturer will have a 'colored view' of their equipment. I use the word 'biased' myself. For the record, many of the manufacturers that get into this industry are quite dedicated. I think you will find in a lot of cases that they will also say they have 'the best'. If they have integrity, they will also believe that they have the best.
IOW it does not matter if they **really have** the best, it does matter that **they think** they have the best, that way you know they are trying as hard as they can to do the best they can. For that reason, it is in fact useful to talk to manufacturers, as you can often find out information that is not in their brochures or on their websites. Sometimes the subtle details and lengths that a designer will go get a bit verbose and too wordy for advertising, but nonetheless can have significant impact on the performance of the equipment.
Of course, because of their 'biased' veiwpoint, you still have to take what they say with a a grain of salt :)
