Funny observation. Made me chuckle for a moment. But, actually, there is a fair amount of co-operation and friendliness amongst the more mature players\producers\participants in tube audio.

Just on our forthcoming projects alone we have worked with a host of companies, designers, consultants and etc. From Gordon Rankin (who gave me the initial good direction to go in preamp wise) to Steve Eddy of Q-audio, to Kevin Carter of K&K audio, to Bottlehead, to Paul Joppa, to VoltSec, Richard from Leeds Electronics, and others who I am probably going to miss naming.

This can be a really fun industry to work in. The mature folks realize that killing each other benefits no one... not themselves, not other producers, not the consumer.

are we all partisans of our own products, market niches, and favor our own "approaches"... of course... but the neat guys in the industry none-the-less co-operate with others and then everyone ultimately benefits.

And, Kevin in particular is one of my fave people to talk to, gossip, and just shoot the poop.

cheers,

msl