Goldeneraguy, no, just an end user who has paid full price for all the gear I own. That's a fair question.
I wouldn't necessarily say they are feuding. Charlie has voiced his frustrations in multiple threads, some even not related to TRL, and the internet medium tends to propagate feud-like conditions.
Charlie and I have spoken many times on the phone since we are both Dude owners and I previously owned his speakers, the EP 2.3s. He is obviously frustrated (I have been there with other manufacturers) and needs some resolution. The whole issue is how to get there.
The irony of his situation (IMO) is that he would be better served going with Clayton Shaw's spatial system for his EP speakers. That way, you get rid of the cheap pro (DBX) digital x-over/room correction unit which performs a redundant DA conversion and sullies the sound. The Dude (and any pre-amp for that matter) is not the optimal solution. Again, I have no vested interest in Spatial....