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nooooooooooooooooo really?After some exchanges with John Atkinson, I don't put much stock in his ability to correctly perform those tests or interpret the results.
keith
nooooooooooooooooo really?After some exchanges with John Atkinson, I don't put much stock in his ability to correctly perform those tests or interpret the results.
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https://www.puriteaudio.co.uk/dutch-dutch-1
Keith
I guess Stereophile is part of a group of information... I mean advertising outlets--sort of a hi-fi mafia, as it were. Most of what is dished out is blather at best. At worst it is opportunistic shilling. The most recent idiocy comes from one of Stereophile's sister sites, Audiostream. The 'reviewer' (I laugh when I use that word), one Rafe A., writes up his exquisite impressions of a forty four thousand dollar DAC, using about every cliched, nonsensical audiofool phrase you've ever had the misfortune to come across:
...if you are someone who has an incurable need for access to the bleeding-edge of file types or the highest digital resolutions available, then perhaps the DAC 5 is not for you. That said, if, like me, this is not of paramount importance and musicality, flesh-and-blood authenticity, sonic coherence, low-level note separation, full-frequency spectrum resolution, sound staging, and addictive rhythmic timing along with transient detail and speed are your jam… then [it] could be the last DAC you’d ever want to buy.
Notice two things. First, understanding that the device doesn't translate DSD 32-bit/384kHz DSD64 or DSD128, or even 24/192 PCM files, and knowing how another opportunistic company will come out with an even more expensive DAC, Rafe leaves open the possibility that someone might want that, instead. Second, to his credit (LOL) he doesn't call this thing a 'bargain', or bring his wife in from the kitchen in order to validate his golden perception.
These people are bad jokes. They've long gone past the point of self-parody. How anyone can take any of what they write seriously is something I'll never hope to understand.
After some exchanges with John Atkinson, I don't put much stock in his ability to correctly perform those tests or interpret the results.
Whether they solicit the sale is beside the ethical point. If they allow it, then that fact should be stated up front, along with the amount of discount applied to the purchase.I really cannot recall any instance in which a manufacturer has offered the review sample for sale unsolicited. The presumption is that the product will be returned in good condition. (Often that is contractually required.) The reviewer, of course, can ask.
It would be if it were true. The policy is that all products in stand-alone feature reviews are subject to test measurements. Some manufacturers have asked for reviews but declined to submit product unless the magazine agreed not to measure them. Those products are not reviewed.But then you get those reviews (where you know deep down the manufacturer told them to keep the AP as far away as possible). That's just annoying ..
I agree. Such discussions should not happen prior to or during the review process.Whether they solicit the sale is beside the ethical point.
No, well out on dem at the moment, we may be getting some ‘Revolutions’ to go with them.Those small Gradient speakers are gone, then?
I recall reading an on-line review (Stereophile) of an Ortofon cartridge. I don't remember the model, or how much it cost, but it was one of the high end Ortofons, so you know it probably cost as much as a high performance Japanese motorcycle, or at least a used one.The presumption is that the product will be returned in good condition. (Often that is contractually required.) .
I do not know anything about this.I recall reading an on-line review (Stereophile) of an Ortofon cartridge. I don't remember the model, or how much it cost, but it was one of the high end Ortofons, so you know it probably cost as much as a high performance Japanese motorcycle, or at least a used one.
No doubt. Stereophile is a publication that you must read CAREFULLY in order to make good sense out of it and use it productively. It can be done. In the often floral language there are at times coy passages that speak closer to the reviewer's real opinions, mostly in reviews of the more expensive units. Their grading system also is a way to circumvent a lot of the issues related to their often pro-advertiser "aesthetic" if you permit me this word for their rhetorical style. When you see a reasonably priced unit next to $35,000 ones, it should make you think about how to value them all. Still, I can understand how this can be grating at times. But it must be acknowledged that every publication has cultural biases (see for example the Aegir review--I REALLY do like Reichert a lot even though I cannot take a lot of what he says in the review seriously). It is the devil's bargain that keeps Fremer around; no doubt they would not exist without him and the money he must bring in. For a good laugh, find the interview about him being a consultant for a Michael Jackson lawsuit. He fits so perfectly into that world. At least it is easy to ignore him because he is so over the top. Times are changing thanks to sites like this, and I really hope they can adapt.
If that is true, then the entire reason for Stereophile's existence is now corrupted. Maybe it's what is called (in another sense) convergence. You see, when Gordon Holt started the magazine it was for the express reason that, in his opinion, the hi-fi 'slicks' were glossing over problems with the gear they were reviewing. So he started Stereophile to rectify the situation, as he saw it.Stereophile is a publication that you must read CAREFULLY in order to make good sense out of it and use it productively. It can be done. In the often floral language there are at times coy passages that speak closer to the reviewer's real opinions, mostly in reviews of the more expensive units.
Last time I heard of the Murray Gell Mann effect was in the early 00's. A bit ironic (not really) that I've been killing myself trying to remember it's name when the appropriate topic warrants it.Everybody should be aware of "Gell-Mann Amnesia." No reason for audio to be immune to it.
Whether they solicit the sale is beside the ethical point. If they allow it, then that fact should be stated up front, along with the amount of discount applied to the purchase.