I think Frank's being something of a curmudgeon is just his honesty showing. Obviously it's not money motivated. Brian at Vmps can come across the same way. In both cases the products belie the price. I kept recommending people try the AVA gear although having not tried it myself due to the fact he's been in business a very long time and alot of good is said about the products. You don't last in this business without a quality product, good price and intelligence.
Being more of an objectivist things like power cords I don't care about. Fancy faceplates don't impress me either but can be an indicator of what's inside sometimes. Then again look at great looking women, sometimes upon opening their mouths the truth comes out. No offense toward any women as this works both ways.
The comparison between the Salk speakers and the RM 40's I will hear for myself in a few months. Someone came over a while back to hear how the AVA 550 sounded on my speakers who has a pair of HT3's being built. I could tell he was very impressed with the RM 40's btw. With all the great user feedback on the Salk's I'd like to hear them because I always enjoy hearing a great product that is very reasonably priced.
Both speakers though are designed quite differently so will of course sound different. I've heard alot of speakers in this price range and they all sound different from one another. It's really a personal preference on which sound you like the best. I suspect the Salk's are also a bargain for the money, no dealers and no advertising budget to pay for.
Skynard: If you've not tried an AVA hybrid with your speakers you probably should. I remember Brian saying Tyson's RM 40's were the best sounding he'd heard in a customers home. I'd say Brian has an excellent ear too.
I've heard it many times that tubes and ribbons are magical. The 550 isn't really tubey sounding but has attributes of a tube amp. I once remember reading I believe it was Frank saying the 550 will make your cd's sound better. I also remember thinking yeah, right.
My mistake. I'd never heard an amp like this. I've heard tube amps and SS amps. This amp is different, losing nothing I can tell to either camp. Wish I knew why but it's got a sound of it's own that is distinct and lovely.
Being a curmudgeon must have it's virtues. Honesty and integrity to name two. It's actually like a breath of fresh air after all the B.S. and hype that goes on. After 30+ years in this hobby the hype is at times enough to gag me.
George: The AVA 550 is a special amp. You should try it with your Salk's. Frank will give you your money back if it's not to your taste and if it is you will have probably saved some money. I'm suspecting the Salk's also have an excellent transient response and are extremely revealing. This is where the AVA will shine.
And you're correct that it would be nice having a nice step up in sound quality happened all the time. At this point I don't see it getting much better than this, at least for home audio in my smallish room. Plus I'd like to say I'm done with my system for some time. My SO tells me when I say that is when I buy something new, so I won't. But a better dac would be nice and my birthday is coming up
