OCD mickey website and negativity.

@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.

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.

@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.

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. 

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 !