Quote Originally Posted by E-Stat
Rives Audio is devoted to improving an often forgotten, yet very important component in an audio system, regardless of epoch - the room. As for the amp clinics, you realize those were marketing events, right? Good 'ol Dave O'Brien tested my AR integrated back in '72 and handed me the lovely, but completely useless THD chart. The clinics died out when everyone figured out THD was an irrelevant metric and other companies (like Crown) outperformed them in the specsmanship.


Fine. In your opinion, what is the best sounding modern speaker on which you make this determination?

rw
What is the definition of a modern speaker ?
Did you ever attend a McIntosh clinic ? Mcintosh did not test integrated amps only separates.
Their clinics were well received and praised by audio magazines and audiophiles McIntosh of that era had an excellent reputation.

Of course testing amps free of charge was a marketing ploy. Marketing is a part of doing business. Many of the McIntosh amps and tuners are still around , still performing.
McIntosh amps and tuners has maintained their value for many years. Example a Mac
MC275 sells for over $4000.00 used , it sold new for only $440.00. Only Marantz amps and tuners can match Mac in resale value.

Audio as in any industry is devoted to it's stock holders , turning a profit. There were companies
that did room testing in the 1960's. I have never heard it done with an integrated amp. Usually those that expressed an interest in spending the money to optimize their stereo
system were audiophiles and audiophiles used separates.
Times have changed.