Moblusman, in the middle 1970s I was chairman at Stony Brook and was at a stereo shop in Stony Brook picking up my Audio Research SP-6, one of two they had received and the first production of that unit. I was about to leave when I heard one own saying that they had already sold one of the two and that they had to keep the other. That owner said that he would call Johnson to see whether they could get another unit. I was curious and stayed to hear this conversation. Johnson apparently ask why as two had just be received. When told that HP wanted to review one, Johnson apparently said absolutely not. What followed was a conference call between HP, Johnson, and the owner. Johnson was pissed about HP's correct review of the first ss ARC preamp, and HP had to say that the review of the SP-6 would be favorable. With that Johnson said that yes a third unit would be sent on Monday. HP said he needed it today and asked the owner whether the buyer of the SP-6 might drive it down to him and leave it for several weeks. I said absolutely not. When told this, HP raged that I must not know who he was. I thought that was outrageous and left.
I agree that he was important to early high end audio, but he was also imperious.