My impression has been that Maxim is a great guy with his gear and tools and know how, but some kinds of communication aren't so much his thing, 1-1 or via forums, even considering that this is an English language forum and the language gap. I imagine his business is doing well enough and he's more focused on other aspects of that and/or perhaps just his personal stuff and that's his preference. Fair enough, but yes the forum does lack some useful voices compared to the past.
Even with vendors, I guess interest in participating here comes and goes.