Are there any audio review sites that can be trusted.

[j_j]

Not surprising.

What *IS* A.S. ?

 

[Kal Rubinson]

What *IS* A.S. ?

Audiophile Style

 

[direstraitsfan98]

Thought he meant audioshark

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Thought he meant audioshark

Could be either from the comment that elicited this series of posts.

 

[j_j]

Yeah. First, not going near anything that mentions "audiophile".

I don't know what "audioshark" is, but the name alone doesn't create gigantic interest.

 

[Standing in the rain]

Do websites like audio stream censor their comments ?.

 

[Wes]

Yeah. First, not going near anything that mentions "audiophile".

I don't know what "audioshark" is, but the name alone doesn't create gigantic interest.

I object to your pro-teleost bias!

 

[PierreV]

Yeah. First, not going near anything that mentions "audiophile".
I don't know what "audioshark" is, but the name alone doesn't create gigantic interest.

There are some good reviews/articles on audiophilestyle, including some very nice ones by our own @mitchco
Tons of 100% subjective idiocy as well, granted.

 

[mitchco]

Thanks @PierreV I really appreciate that! Here is a list of reviews/articles I wrote. I joined "Computer Audiophile" in 2011 as it seemed to be the only site at the time dedicated to "computer based audio."

Part of it was education for me as folks were making claims on how bitperfect could sound different, etc., so I started experimenting with null or difference testing and trying to correlate what I heard with what I measured. It came pretty quickly that with no measured difference, I could not hear a difference I repeated this experiment with a few variations, including varying away from bitperfect by adding artefacts to see how far away from bitperfect I needed to get to actually hear a difference in an ABX test. It was an ear opening experience as by about 12 or 13 bits resolution, I could not hear a difference.

Anyway, I am grateful for Chris for allowing me the opportunity to experiment and write articles, along with a number of speaker reviews and getting heavily in DRC/DSP. But other than my articles and some from @mansr and @Archimago on MQA, there are very few with any objective measurements.

 

[mansr]

Thanks @PierreV I really appreciate that! Here is a list of reviews/articles I wrote. I joined "Computer Audiophile" in 2011 as it seemed to be the only site at the time dedicated to "computer based audio."

Part of it was education for me as folks were making claims on how bitperfect could sound different, etc., so I started experimenting with null or difference testing and trying to correlate what I heard with what I measured. It came pretty quickly that with no measured difference, I could not hear a difference I repeated this experiment with a few variations, including varying away from bitperfect by adding artefacts to see how far away from bitperfect I needed to get to actually hear a difference in an ABX test. It was an ear opening experience as by about 12 or 13 bits resolution, I could not hear a difference.

Anyway, I am grateful for Chris for allowing me the opportunity to experiment and write articles, along with a number of speaker reviews and getting heavily in DRC/DSP. But other than my articles and some from @mansr and @Archimago on MQA, there are very few with any objective measurements.

Computer Audiophile Style is dead. In case you missed it, I was recently banned from the site along with anyone else who didn't applaud the establishment of an "objectivist" ghetto where any unwanted criticism of snake oil could be quarantined to protect the believers' fragile egos. Thinking back, it's pretty clear that the site has drifted ever closer to pure subjectivism in step with the increasing value of Chris' audio gear. It must be close to a million dollars in MSRP by now, though I doubt he paid anywhere close to that amount. He's in the "big boys" club now. He deserves no gratitude.

 

[Jinjuku]

Do websites like audio stream censor their comments ?.

That is the status quo... There was a developer for the SGI CPU side of the house on Audiostream talking about how cache works (this was in a long thread with John Swenson BTW) and how John was incorrect in his understanding. It started off by censoring posts, and then ultimately banning him.

What moron bans a fucking CPU developer from freely laying down solid engineering principle is just mind boggling.

**Edit** here is the part 3 of 3 page where John Sully takes John Swenson to the woodshed

 

[Thomas savage]

Trust is Probably the wrong measure , there's a lot of sites all contain a amount of unreliable information some worse than others .

If they have sponsorship of any kind then there's no chance they are free of bias.

There's no one ' total ' solution, I'd look for objective data from a few sources . Make a short list and try and get your hands on the various bits of kit you fancy and make your own mind up.

But then can we trust ourselves..

 

[NoMoFoNo]

Of course it isn't only the audio review sites that are pure poison and snake oil. The popular forums (specifically AK and VE) are dominated by pure subjectivists, loud and proud. There must be a clear financial incentive for the owners of these forums to steer in this direction because it is clear as day. All it takes is one mention of ASR, or the use of the term 'objective', and attackers arrive within minutes, in packs. There are plenty of subjectivist magical koolaid drinkers here as well, a surprising number IMO, but at least a poster can make their way here without constant berating from those discussing the usual 'shimmering' lunacy.

 

[Wes]

does the Boston Audio Society put out anything? or still exist?

 

[Purité Audio]

Computer Audiophile Style is dead. In case you missed it, I was recently banned from the site along with anyone else who didn't applaud the establishment of an "objectivist" ghetto where any unwanted criticism of snake oil could be quarantined to protect the believers' fragile egos. Thinking back, it's pretty clear that the site has drifted ever closer to pure subjectivism in step with the increasing value of Chris' audio gear. It must be close to a million dollars in MSRP by now, though I doubt he paid anywhere close to that amount. He's in the "big boys" club now. He deserves no gratitude.

Before he accepted advertising it was really an interesting and informative site, once you place revenue stream above everything else...
Keith

 

[j_j]

I object to your pro-teleost bias!

 

[sgent]

Wirecutter does some great reviews on audio equipment -- they actually use blind testers. However, their reviews are limited to more mainstream items and those under $1000. Some of their recommendations include the RSL Sub and Q150 as an upgrade pick.

https://thewirecutter.com/electronics/audio/

 

[napilopez]

As someone who writes but has been in audio communities for far longer, I'll say what I always say: Look at bylines, not publications. Or at least, take them both into account equally.

While management, finances, and logistics can shape direction and choice of coverage, it's ultimately individuals behind most articles. In my experience, most publications - not just talking about audio - have writers of all sorts of varying experience, knowledge, and specialties. Find the writers who have opinions akin to your own or whom you otherwise trust, because they take their knowledge with them wherever they go.

 

[PolkFan]

https://www.audiostream.com/content/ethernet-cable-shootout-comparing-network-cables-5-more-1000-usd

"All the cables had at least 80-100 hours on them"

I just about spit my soda out on my monitor

What in the actual F is this.

 

[ferrellms]

https://www.audiostream.com/content/ethernet-cable-shootout-comparing-network-cables-5-more-1000-usd

SoundOnSound, the British pro review magazine, has my trust. When you earn a living from audio you don't have time or money to try and hear things that do not exist like audible differences in speaker cables, let alone network cables!