Stereophile Amplification Product of the Year

[computer-audiophile]

My wife liked my red series best.

 

[Rick Sykora]

After Stereophile’s recent management position came to light, am not surprised that amplifier recommendations have gone down the tubes!

 

[mhardy6647]

After Stereophile’s recent management position came to light, am not surprised that amplifier recommendations have gone down the tubes!

I have no idea what this is about... link?

 

[computer-audiophile]

Me too...

AUDIO NOTE

KONDO - THE CREATOR OF AUDIO NOTE JAPAN Hiroyasu Kondo founded Audio Note Japan in 1976 and since that date, Audio Note Japan has been manufacturing premium audio reproduction products. Now Audio Note Japan manufacture equipment will bear the logo 'Kondo'.

www.audionote.co.jp

Kondo's Story:

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Thanks for the background information. It's usually just awful what goes on behind the scenes in the audio business. I'm so glad that I have nothing to do with it.

 

[Rick Sykora]

I have no idea what this is about... link?

This…

Stereophile's Jim Austin disagrees w Atkinson; says tubes have something that can't be measured

In Stereophile's review of the Mastersound 845 Compact integrated amplifier, which is a tube amp, editor in chief Jim Austin is once again publicly disagreeing with a reviewer; this time it's John Atkinson. Basically, the TL;DR is that in the measurements section of the review, Atkinson (JA1)...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[phoenixdogfan]

I think of Stereophile these days as being like onto a Robb Report for wealthy "audiophiles". Ditto TAS. And like that report, these magazines are there primarily to be eye candy rather than serious vehicles for reviewing audio performance and assessing value. At least Stereophile does do measurements and it does have JA and Kal, so it's basically trying to offer a little something for everyone. And I do read it on occasion, because if you do read between the lines and consider the source, you can be pointed to a good product now and then. And I see the purpose of all these reviewing venues as helping you narrow down the universe of possible products to some managable subset which you can then use to engage in your own buying process. In that process, Stereophile is next to but not completely useless, and venues like Erin and Amir's are highly useful, but no review or reviewer can ever be a substitute for your own careful assessment of whether a product is spend worthy.

 

[mhardy6647]

This…

Stereophile's Jim Austin disagrees w Atkinson; says tubes have something that can't be measured

In Stereophile's review of the Mastersound 845 Compact integrated amplifier, which is a tube amp, editor in chief Jim Austin is once again publicly disagreeing with a reviewer; this time it's John Atkinson. Basically, the TL;DR is that in the measurements section of the review, Atkinson (JA1)...

www.audiosciencereview.com

oh, that. OK.

 

[DanielT]

But can't you squeeze more power out of a single end tube amp with 300B power tubes at 1% distortion than the Audio Note Meishu 300B delivers, i.e. 1 watt?

 

[computer-audiophile]

But can't you squeeze more power out of a single end tube amp with 300B power tubes at 1% distortion than the Audio Note Meishu 300B delivers, i.e. 1 watt?

I cannot answer this question. I have forgotten what my simulation with PSpice produced. I don't have any sensitive audio measuring devices. I just look at the waveforms on the oscillographs. Mainly the square wave and the sine wave until it deforms when it goes to the power limit.

If I remember correctly, @SIY from the forum recently had the new Western Electric 300B amp to measure. You would have to ask him what came out of it. But it's not a classic 300B circuit, there are semiconductors involved.

 

[fpitas]

But it's not a classic 300B circuit, there are semiconductors involved.

 

[fpitas]

But can't you squeeze more power out of a single end tube amp with 300B power tubes at 1% distortion than the Audio Note Meishu 300B delivers, i.e. 1 watt?

Feedback helps immensely. But often the SET aficionados are allergic to feedback.

 

[DanielT]

I cannot answer this question. I have forgotten what my simulation with PSpice produced. I don't have any sensitive audio measuring devices. I just look at the waveforms on the oscillographs. Mainly the square wave and the sine wave until it deforms when it goes to the power limit.

If I remember correctly, @SIY from the forum recently had the new Western Electric 300B amp to measure. You would have to ask him what came out of it. But it's not a classic 300B circuit, there are semiconductors involved.

Feedback helps immensely. But often the SET aficionados are allergic to feedback.

I'm just curious about it.If you were to compare this Audio Note Meishu 300B single end tube amp with other 300B single end tube amps how does it perform?

Which then probably requires a discussion about how a comparison would then be made, in that case with or without semiconductors and feedback.
Plus probably other things that I don't know what they would be.

 

[anmpr1]

I think of Stereophile these days as being like onto a Robb Report for wealthy "audiophiles".

Maybe. I haven't seen a hard copy of either mag in years, but the last time I thumbed a Robb it had stuff I might actually want, if I had the checkbook. Stuff that is useful in its own way-- looking great enhancing one's day to day: a Continental GT Mulliner with the W12 and carbon ceramic shoes; an Omega Seamaster for those unplanned OceanGate dives; a fractional Gulfstream share, when you have to get to the Royal Atlantis in Dubai for that weekend getaway, and want to avoid those pesky THS screenings...

You know, practical things. Helpful things. Not sure a Meishu 300B is on that short list. Or is even Robb-worthy.

And fifteen large without phono? I wonder if you can get a fractional ownership deal on it?

 

[Skeeter]

It never ceases to amaze me that so many people can be repeatedly outraged when Stereophile does what it does. Again.

The problem is, a whole industry has been corrupted by bs. 40 yrs ago it was not the case. Companies were in a race to produce better gear and things peaked in the 1980’s. We’ve been sliding into subjectivist nonsense ever since. Worse than that, you now have to spend a lot of money to get a favourable review. If you don’t play the game, you don’t get the favourable reviews or the exposure.

 

[Dismayed]

It’s rated highly because of the palpable presence, bass slam, and air.

 

[HarmonicTHD]

Feedback helps immensely. But often the SET aficionados are allergic to feedback.

Electrically and verbally

 

[computer-audiophile]

It’s rated highly because of the palpable presence, bass slam, and air.

To be honest, I can't explain why such an expensive old school 300B amplifier was voted Amplifier of the Year 2023. There really is nothing innovative about it. Neither in terms of appearance, technology nor performance. You'd have to ask Stereophile what they were thinking.

 

[voodooless]

You'd have to ask Stereophile what they were thinking.

$$$

 

[Sokel]

there's been some lively discussion on Audio Note here in the past

I always thought this was a Japanese company but suffice to say people who love Audio Note, LOVE Audio Note so much that its almost a cult.

I do get there's a cult of McIntosh but I dont think its as deep as Audio Note. And to me awarding "best of" would tend to imply some kind of 'mass market' zeitgeist and yet its not the case here.

And people will say there's payola in the background but I dont think AN is that big or really that corrupt?

Its just these mags shilling a local manufacturer who produces a weird niche product with a following and I dont think they could go wrong as far as their demographic goes?

And yes I too miss the red light district Amsterdamn whores' window too. Gotta see the 300-DDs!

It's not an AN cult,it's a 300b cult,and Japanese are famous for them so your confusion is justified.

I'm not hot at the debate as I have listened to some of them,and the horrible looking 15k euro Japanese monos' (I mean horrible,no diy enthusiast would had accomplished looks like it was found in trash) doesn't sound too much different than the Audiophonics Sparcos Purifi through 100db sensitivity horns.

Music masks stuff I guess.

 

[Axo1989]

Me too...

AUDIO NOTE

KONDO - THE CREATOR OF AUDIO NOTE JAPAN Hiroyasu Kondo founded Audio Note Japan in 1976 and since that date, Audio Note Japan has been manufacturing premium audio reproduction products. Now Audio Note Japan manufacture equipment will bear the logo 'Kondo'.

www.audionote.co.jp

Kondo's Story:

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That was interesting, thank you. So there are two Audio Note companies, one original founded by a humble-sounding dude in Japan, and one derivative set up by an apparent arsehole in the UK. I don't often get into audio industry politics but I'm mildly disappointed that Kondo-san didn't go legal in the UK jurisdiction to secure the name. I have a soft spot for Japanese culture on many levels, particularly dedication to craft and usually emphasis on courtesy and honourable interpersonal relations. Anyway, looks like a couple of Stereophile reviewers have business history with the UK guy, which may be sufficient explanation for the award consideration.