Well as a main "moronic" contributer over the last few months (author of such fascinating threads as "TAG DVD32 or Meridian G98" and "MPEG-2 Price Increase") - owner of DVD32FLR, AV32R bp-192, 100x5R and Dynaudio Audience, I have been getting a little irritated by Udo's attitude.
He spends WAY too much time on that forum (and so do I - but I am sure he has better things to do). Some of his reponses border on arrogance. He once changed the subject of one of my threads asking why I couldn't download v3.8 of software (there was a link error on their site) - he renamed to something like "Why can't I work my computer". Ok so he's under a lot of pressure - has anyone else noticed that he does not sign off as "CEO Tag McLaren Audio" anymore?
I have been questioning some of their price increases and do wonder if I have made the right decision at times. A small and niggling annoyance is the difference in paintwork between each of my products - considering they were built within 6 months of each other. Now apparently, fascia changes have gone up by 300%...
I love their gear but doubt that I can afford to improve upon it to DP and PSM. It seems to go up in price every 6 months.
Their upgrade policies are, IMHO, flawed - seriously flawed. Prices for modular amp upgrades (adding new modules in) are ludicrously expensive. Cheaper to throw it away and start over (e.g. 100x5R to 250x3R). Audiolab take-over was a disaster - at the launch: Press "Are you enjoying the show?" Response: "I don't come here to enjoy ze show, I come here to ween!".
It feels like a breath of fresh air making these comments on this forum, without fear of Dr Z changing my subjects, and locking threads.
He opens his forum up to anonymity. At the MINIMUM they should do what this forum does - i.e. gets confirmation.
In all this however, it is the sycophantic attitude of many of the forums contributors and Udo's inability to respond without a base level of arrogance.
I will still likely upgrade their products - the design, features and above all, sound quality are prob the best around.
But they are doing themselves a lot more damage long-term in PR terms by allowing Udo to run the forum the way he does. If they can't take criticism then they should not run a forum. What do they expect?
It's a great resource for past issues. I would suggest to them that they split it up into topics - split by product also. DVD32, Cables, Processors and most importantly "Complaints". Dealing with grudges in a main forum the way they do is not doing anyone any favours - especially the folks who want some advice about something. In Udo's eyes. there should be no complaints on the forum, just praise with any serious moans diverted to the helpdesk.
Long live Tag McLaren Audio!!
PS Does anyone have any TAG Digital or SVideo Cables for Sale?