audio research sells out good or bad ?

Pops,

That's the corporate World, not just America. In my part of the country German and Australian companies have come in, bought businesses, bled them, shut them down, and then walked away. In one case (Australian) more than 1,600 people lost their jobs.

Return On Investment is the driving force behind many problems in our economy. We have decided as a people that money is the most important thing in the world and the product or service is just a way to get some. Quality of product and service is just a B.S. slogan for far too many companies.

I just retired from Allstate Insurance after 30 years. When they went public 12 years ago they were number 6 in the top 12 insurance companies as regards measured customer service. Today they are number 11 - one more point drop and Allstate is the worst customer service provider in the business. But their profits have been huge and the stock is doing great, thank you. The company has substantially reduced staffing in all departments (especially claims) and profits have risen accordingly. Even though that company provides one of the worst products in the business, they are only concerned about short term profits and are continuing to gut the company to provide them.

I've always gotten a different impression from high end audio companies. I once was told by Nelson Pass (by phone) that he didn't think I, as a tube guy, would be happy with one of his amps. He sounded genuine and this is what makes me wants to actually buy a product from him. I had a similar experience with a high end speaker company. The company rep told me their speakers tend toward the lean and detail end of the spectrum. Advised me not to buy if I liked what he called "The middle body of the note". This is a company who builds products the old fashioned way - to their vision and the best way they know how and someone I'd like to do business with.