Dan D 'Agostino, Mark Levinson, Jim Thiel,

Wolf_garcia...Bob Carver an annoying freak, a clown? The only thing that is annoying and clownish is your post. Have you owned his tube amps or speakers? Although his ads are often filled with hyperbole, his designs are sound, innovative, and reasonably priced by audiophile standards. Unlike most designers out there, he was trained as a physicist and have the ability to think outside the box. I've owned his 200 watt monoblock tube amps for the past 5 years without a single problem except for a signal tube failure which is not fault of the amp. It is one of the most dynamic, spacious, well imaging and tonally correct amp I've ever owned in 30 years in this hobby. And also the quietest tube amp I've ever owned, comparable to a top notch SS amp. His new speakers are innovative and I don't see an equivalent out there. In the midrange and lower frequences, it acts as an omnipolar true line source giving a spacious soundstage. The tweeters are forward firing line source and give very precise stable imaging. It can put out realistic concert level dynamics. I've heard the preproduction version and believe it has tremendous potential. And no, I do not work for Bob Carver.

BTW, Bob's new speaker will work just fine in a room 15' x 20', not the 5000 sq ft you claim. Who really seems to lack credibility here? You or Bob? He is one of few legendary designers who will actually talk to you on the phone and shoot the breeze with you about audio in general, not just about his products.

One can still buy some genuine "Thiels" from the new Thiel company. But alas, their latest models must have poor Jim spinning in his grave.

I would call-out Harbeth as an exception. Alan Shaw didn't start the company, but bought out Dudley Harwood. Shaw has since been very successful at continuing Harwood's legacy.

I would also include Philip Swift of Spendor another exception !
That company is very successful after the founder Spencer
Hughes gave it up!