OCD mickey website and negativity.

@hilde45 

Your response is spot on! Many on here would be offend by his supposed truth-telling but the reality is that there is a LOT of snake oil being peddled out there and the truly highend has gotten so far out of hand that most have a hard time disputing what Mikey says! One of my favorites is his take on Preamps! 😉

He’s offensive to the kinds of guys who like the establishment- or long to be a part of it.

I think he’s clever and fun to listen to. I also think he’s really good at calling out the frauds- even the ones here on AG who pretend they are audiophiles but who are actually paid trolls. Clue: They have massive volumes of posts- often multiple posts per day.

I also think he’s legit as he does not pretend he’s not trying to sell you gear. Are you a dealer or a privateer? Good! Put it out there for all to know so they can discern the motive behind the words.

I also think he’d be fun to party with. He's probably funny AF.

All reviewers focus on their favorite gear pieces...

All reviewers differ in their ultimate choices...

For me, basic synergy between gear pieces first, then electrical,mechanical and acoustical installation, implementation, optimization, modification matter more that the choice of specific gear and their price tag... ( one piece can be synergetical with many others possible pieces or not for sure then synergy come first)

I am in what some call low-fi with my actual speakers-headphone system...

It is not even wrong to say that about my system but it is debatable , my AKG K340 modified is not low fi at all for example even if his price tag correspond to low fi gear pieces.......😊

But the minimal acoustical satisfaction threshold is enough when it is reached to put you on ectasy...And creativity increase your pride and make you pity many of those who own higher costlier system because some are very good and better yes but many not so much better than yours... 😁 Sorry for the unconfortable truth...

Most people dont know how to make it happen, then the only solution for them is a race toward upgrades toward High Fi higher cost...They forgot music  to focus on sound problems captured by frustation encountering unbalanced sounds factors and acoustic ignorance. They buy an upgrade before experiments mechanical,electrical and acoustical treatment and cures...

What is pathetic and comical is how bad some very costlier system can be ...

It seems no one take the lesson : What we do with what we buy is more important than what we buy ...

Forget reviewers, it is consumers induced entertainment .... Begin study basic and experiment...😊

Just like many people he uses the media platforms to market his business.

I always say listen before you buy and you be your own judge 

Mike has a lot of experience and knowledge in the industry. I appreciate that he limits his lineup to what he feels is best over several price points and doesn't try to be all things to all people.

He's a good guy and genuinely interested in only selling you something you can afford that also fits your system and is the biggest bang for your buck.

He wont sell you something you dont need or wont help your system.

I have bought several things from him and had good phone conversations with him.

He has become a trusted friend and advisor.

Haters are gonna hate but until you request his services you wont know how genuine he really is.

I don't know Mickey. Whatever he is doing seems to be working. He is getting some free advertising here.

if this is the OCD hi-fi guy, it was interesting and entertaining til it wasnt, which didnt take very long.

i enjoyed reading about his real-life customer serivice.  

 

I enjoy his reviews---he's a breath of fresh air and I appreciate his honesty when it comes to reviews. I believe he truly tries to help people. Speaking of reviewers, does anyone know what happened to Markonhifi??? He completely disappeared from social media. His YT channel was growing and I enjoyed his videos as well. Very odd.

I think what he's doing is pretty smart. After over 35 years in the hobby in one form or another, I learn something new from him each time I watch. Of course a dealer is going to strongly rep his brands, but being very exclusive in the brands you rep is a statement in itself. I'm mostly bored with many of the other YT audio channels, but Mikey, whether you agree with him or not on any particular topic is authentic and entertaining. I haven't done business with him yet, but will even if just to support what he's trying to accomplish. 

I used to watch this guy regularly but he has crawled so far up his own backside I don't bother now.

What really bugs me is that he trashes so many other highly regarded companies simply because they are not exclusive enough.

If you don't like a product, fine, but to alienate so many other watchers like me is just plain stupid.

His "personality’ can be an acquired taste, but stating "I don’t know why his gear that he represents seems lacklustre," while he carries Meitner, Playback Designs, NAT Audio, Jeff Rowland, Viola Audio, TAD, Fischer & Fischer is a bit much to say the least

To be clear, I like Mikey and follow him religiously . If he is able to carry sub $5K components, then I will be all over it.  I just do not see myself spending $10K to >$20K++  for one component.  These are just my priorities in life....     I know he has a business to run and I totally get it !

Mikey's a good guy. We've corresponded in emails...I believe he means well and does know his stuff. I have 4 Rowland amps so the fact that he believes in them so strongly assuages any skepticism for me. 

@philgo01 

He is also very critical of the status quo and the good o' boy network (collusion?)  in the HiFi industry.  He is a disrupter....I would love to get some of his gear but they are priced in the stratosphere.

There's the rub, no? He's against the good ol' boys network -- cool -- but where's the affordability for the "regular guy" (or gal)? There's at least a tension here which remains.

Say what you will about the commercial audio market, the regular person can do pretty well with a lot of products out there -- priced reasonably, high quality, high value. We're talking your Cambridge, your Rogue, your Vincent, your Omega, your Fritz, your Quicksilver, your Van Alstine....the list goes on and on. Some of these are big companies, some small, and some (gasp) market and advertise. But one can achieve very good sound, get a warranty and customer support, and not break the bank.

OCD Mikey is very entertaining to say the least.  He is also very critical of the status quo and the good o' boy network (collusion?)  in the HiFi industry.  He is a disrupter.  However, he does attack certain stores (e.g. Magnolia)  / brands (e.g Denon, McIntosh) which I find to be unnecessary and frankly, uncalled for.  I've always been of the opinion of "Look how good my stuff are" vs "Look how awful the competition's stuff are"  would be a much better strategy.  That is, stress the positive in what you have to offer without bashing the competition.

I would love to get some of his gear but they are priced in the stratosphere.  I can only afford sub $5K components totaling way less than $ 40K.  So, by  his definition, I am in the mid-fi (LowFI ?) category. Oh well.... I am thrilled with what I have and able to afford without mortgaging my future.

@hide45- you are da man!  If most of you knew reviewers, you may have a different opinion on what they say about gear.  And most people only know from their experience.  Now others know what makes something sound the way it does. For example,  most people do not know what effect a transformer does to the sound.  I was at a recent dealer demonstrating an amplifier, he knew exactly that the transformers used was producing the sound compared to other amps he was selling.  He knew why that amp was sounding better and in what areas the parts used were impacting the sound.  OCD may have some of that experience, I am not sure what his experience is.  Some of what he says is true in the industry.

But to each his own and as long as you are happy and listening to more music, then that is all that matters.

If you don’t like his persona or his views, simply don’t subscribe to his channel.  I see no need or purposes of posting a negative comment(s).  

This is a forum. This is commentary. Human beings analyze and comment on things. It's what people do. It what you just did. Everything's gonna be alright.

@gammajo Agree 100% I'm sure many people's comments here are from people who have never done business with him before and talking out of their ass!

I have made 2 five-figure purchases from Mike Powell, both times he brought the items to my house for a relaxed no pressure audition. He stands by his products and in my opinion has a great set of ears and excellent decades of experience with the inner workings of equipment and the place along the price line where you get great bang for the buck and which is often not the most promoted brands. He does recommend equipment that he does not carry such as ADG and other brands.  When dealing with you as an individual I and others have found him very respectful, not putting down your equipment, taste or budget. He seems as much or more interested you being moved by the music and establishing a long term audiophile friendship, as in making a sale.

IF you visit in SoCal, we favor Bluefin….

@emergingsoul Well….i can certainly attest that ignoring my vinyl addiction, a serious salmon fishing boat and habit can eclipse the expenditure for a decent reference music  system…. Of course, i’m a snob about both and the Meticulous care of salmon i catch… IF you make it to Washington, stop by for some great fish, wine and music ;-) 

By the way… Tomic lures 601 is my favorite salmon fishing plug…. no, my name is not Tom

Jim

I think he is a joke. He’s got the hand signal for his tribe (followers), kind of childish. He’s against most brick and mortar audio stores but turns around and does the same thing he complains about. Unless you buy from him, everything else is crap, according to him.

Personally, I think some it the YT reviewers/audiophiles are more truthful/believable  than any audio magazine reviewer. When have you seen any magazine review that wasn’t off the charts positive? You won’t. I have seen numerous YT reviewers have negative reviews, and not just against products that they don’t sell. 

Good to know. I think OCD is the same guy who falsely accused some members here of lies. That video title had "bait" in it. I watched that video a bit (lots of skipping) and a few others. You are right - he always complains. Reminds me of a colleague who always complains and sees faults in others and ignores his own. Some people are like that. Cannot help it. Just ignore and move on.

I hope you get to go to Washington and catch a lot of salmon.

baits? I haven't been fishing in years and miss it. I do like to eat salmon a lot if I can trust where it's been caught. I need to go back to Washington where salmon still run free and wild

@emergingsoul  are you one of his baits?

Never heard of this guy but then again don’t go to any YT channels.

If you don’t like his persona or his views, simply don’t subscribe to his channel.  I see no need or purposes of posting a negative comment(s).  

His website recommends nat and Jeff Rowland gear pretty much exclusively in amplifier and pre-amplifier areas. For speakers it's Fisher and Fisher and tad pretty much.   

The nat amplifiers, on the pricey side up to nearly $100,000, contain this very very large tube which is really really cool until you break it.  I've never seen anything quite like this. No idea how it sounds, anyone familiar with this?

Jeff rowland I think has a lot of credibility making solid state amplifiers.

I'm not familiar with the speakers.

Also you can join a tribe I just signing up I don't think there's a fee. When I was really young I was a member of Indian guides I remember it was a lot of fun, maybe this is for grown-ups.

Even Manson….. had his followers….

I agree with @hilde45 concise assessment…..

As an aside… there are a LOT of blowhard…. When read others input i look for ; ownership and how long or tempered by significant seat time in a known system room, and basic level matching skills….. so few SPL meters……. 

Against my better judgement I purchased an item from him recently and I was pleasantly surprised by the good customer service and even a phone call after the online order. He seemed a little goofy to me on the videos he made but we had a good conversation on the phone. I would definitely recommend him. Also don't forget for new customers he has a 10% off deal.

I am more attracted by the purely human side of the reviewers...

Or pure scientific acoustics video as those of dr. Choueiri or Toole etc ....

The audio side of these video annoy me generally because i dont need anything really more than what i have... I must be deaf or as some could say ignorant of high end gear...😁😊😉

I smile at these thoughts about me because the sound we listen too convey all acoustics factors, and they are there or not for our satisfaction or for our frustation, they are there relatively optimally considering for sure the specific design quality level of the gear we use and the way we had embed it.

For sure my sound experience with my system/room or headphone is not the TOP in the world but i live already in ectasy... Then... I conclude the way we use the gear matter as much if not more than the gear itself.... My goal was enjoying music without any sound frustation not going to race with no budget limit... I succeeded.

Then i favor the human side of the reviewers if i go listening them , i am attracted by their personality, not by their gear knowledge only or mainly ... ( i love Huff, Guttenberg, cheapaudioman, i will add Jay because in spite of his acoustic knowledge limitation till recently i think he is an interesting honest character, there is others but i dont listen much about audio gear these days because music is there now and my sound is satisfying enough to put me in ectasy)

If i want to know something about sound experience i go elsewhere than listening audio reviewers ...😊

I forgot to say that anyway when i was searching for upgrade with the right piece or buying my first top amplifier for example i search for owners customers  reviews not official reviewers... I read them all BEFORE buying...

Many of these wannabe YT influencers manufacture drama and anger to create a sense of excitement and urgency and, they hope, a loyal following. It just all seems so silly to me.

He seems to ignore a lot of very good gear that's out there and tends to be in a very narrow product line.  I'm not sure what to make of what he offers and it all seems on the lower end price Side.  

Hard to say whether he's trying to make money or just likes doing a YouTube channel. His website really doesn't have very much on it when it comes to used gear. It's kind of a spar website overall so I don't think that's his main goal to promote and improve this website. He doesn't seem to care if you buy from him or someone else so he's definitely a mystery.  Sort of in the camp with this other guy called Jay and I think they're great friends but hard to say.  Doing a YouTube channel is difficult and you don't make money from it so it's very weird.

I generally agree with what hilde45 said. I would add, Mickey is a refreshing alternative to the "everything sounds great if they advertise with us" magazines and the "only measurements can tell the truth" people out there. He has strong opinions based on his experience. Yes, he can be snarky but he can also be really funny and helpful. 

My quick take on him:

He's a smart guy, been in the industry a long time, and knows a lot.

From what I've seen of his videos, he is often informative and helpful.

The gear he carries seems like very good stuff. I don't know how his customer service is.

He has a very loyal following, often willing to attack in youtube threads.

He himself is often snarky and supercilious. He markets his business on the back of the campaign, "The audio industry is lying to you but I can tell  you how and why they do that -- and sell you gear."

His critiques are sometimes on-target, sometimes off-target, but his main tactic is to generate buzz by being snarky and presenting himself as a radical "truth to power" guy.

Surely, he's right some portion of the time -- about bad gear, bad marketing, hype, and the over-targeting of the super-rich in audio. But he does this in a way which makes him a hero to some and a villain to others.

That's my take after watching many videos and having some online exchanges with him.